By Caitlin Zerafa
Final rehearsals are underway for the Mad About Theatre’s production of Chicago the Musical, opening at Noosa’s J this Thursday night.
After five weeks of rehearsing in their Noosa studio, the local theatre company is ready to take the production to the stage and showcase some of the best talent the Sunshine Coast has to offer.
Company founder, director and choreographer Madison Thew-Keyworth said the show will be testament to how musical theatre can be done on the Coast.
“We have well over 50 people involved in the production,” Ms Thew-Keyworth said.
“We are really lucky to have some amazing talent here on the Coast with local cast and crew members as well as people from Melbourne and Brisbane and our vocal director coming in from New Zealand.”
Members of the production have worked on other professional shows including Matilda, Hairspray and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, putting Chicago on the arts map.
“We have a lot of home grown talent too with our costumes sourced locally and our set built here,” Ms Thew-Keyworth said.
Many people have also come on board to support the production including local restaurants offering meal and show deals, Ms Thew-Keyworth said.
Noosa local and lead cast member Courtney Underhill, 23, said the cast was phenomenal.
“People have studied at some really prestigious training places and brining the show together has been so easy, so carefree and relaxed,” Miss Underhill said.
“It is a really fun environment, it’s been a dream.”
Another Coast local to land a lead role, Meg Hickey, 20, said it was nice to have a professional show on the Sunshine Coast.
“Everyone has great work ethic, it is a good group of people,” Ms Hickey said.
The girls are both looking forward to the opening and what the audience can expect.
“If you have seen Chicago the show before, you can come in not expecting that,” Ms Hickey said.
“Madison has dissected it and … it is a really special show,” she said.
“It is really fresh,” Ms Underhill said.
“Which has been really cool for us too, because it has given us some space to really play with our characters.”
“Audiences can expect some great music, great visual and a good night out.”
It is hoped this production will launch the Coast onto the musical theatre seen.
“I grew up with people saying I have to go to Sydney or Melbourne or New York so I am keen to build the arts culture here,” Ms Thew-Keyworth said.
“We have decided to play at both ends of the Coast as it gives people all over a chance to experience the show and hopefully that will build the culture further.”
Council venues such as The J Noosa and The Events Centre Caloundra give local productions like Mad About Theatre a great opportunity to perform a quality shows to a large audience.
Chicago opens in Noosa on Thursday 30 March and Saturday 1 April and is in Caloundra from Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 April.
Tickets can be purchased online at The J or Events Centre websites.
