STAGES with Peter Eyers

Josh Piterman grew up with a love of sport, playing AFL and Tennis. He might have pursued excellence in these arenas but instead his passion for entertaining and singing took him to The University of Ballarat Arts Academy where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) in 2006. His musical theatre credits include playing 'Bustopher Jones' in Cats, a role that won him the Green Room Award for Best Supporting Actor in A Musical; 'Edward' in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers; Corny Collins in the UK tour of Hairspray; Ramon Gutierrez in An Officer And A Gentleman; 'Michael' in Grease 2 and 'The Caliph' in Kismet. Other credits include 'Giuseppe' in The Light in the Piazza, 'George' in The Drowsy Chaperone and 'Jamie' in The Last Five Years. Josh commenced his career performing with the International group, The Ten Tenors and then made his mark as 'Tony' in the 2010 tour of West Side Story. Josh played the role of 'Gerry Goffin' in the national tour of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical. He released his debut album Josh Piterman; a collaboration with John Foreman of contemporary pop songs with a classical twist, on Fanfare Records. Josh Piterman was the most recent Phantom in the brilliant original West End Production of The Phantom of the Opera in London, prior to the COVID shutdown. On the eve of commencing rehearsals for an Australian production of the show, and an opportunity to deliver his Phantom to a home crowd, producers regretfully announced a postponement of the show to 2022, owing to the obstacles presented in this time of the COVID pandemic. In this episode Josh reflects on his stellar career thus far - and the disappointment delivered by the creative hiatus, that has impacted artists around the globe. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Whooshkaa and Spotify. Or, from where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Celebrated actress Tina Bursill's outstanding career spans decades, with a substantial body of work which has brought to life some of Australia's best loved characters on stage and screen. Commencing her career in revues and political satire, such as Scandals of '74 and The Son of the Naked Vicar before transitioning to other genres, Tina's characters are often cool, grounded and self-reliant women tinged with humour, including alcoholic Lenore in Time of Our Lives, Sonia Stevens in Prisoner, Louise Carter in Skyways, single mum Hilary Scheppers in Heartbreak High and Maree the project mum in both A Moody Christmas and The Moodys. In Doctor Doctor, her portrayal of family matriarch and outspoken mayor Meryl Knight has earned Tina two AACTA Award nominations, in 2017 for Best Supporting Actress and in 2018 for Best Actress. Her other television credits include Frayed (Series 2), Wentworth (series 8), Neighbours, Jack Irish, Rake, Crownies, Offspring, Farscape, Flying Doctors, Jackeroo, Winner Takes All and the animation The Three Musketeers. Tina starred in the feature film Jilted which earned her an AFI Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Her other film credits include Wish You Were Here, Three Blind Mice, The Great McCarthy, Billy's Holiday, Heroes Mountain and Never Tell Me Never. Her theatre credits include Top Silk, Beyond Mozambique and Zastrozzi for Nimrod Theatre, Feather in the Web for Griffin Theatre Company, Boys Will Be Boys and Up For Grabs at the Sydney Theatre Company. Tina has also conquered the musical theatre stage in productions of Grease, Godspell and Manning Clark's A History of Australia - the Musical. She will soon return to that stage playing the role of Madame in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. A perfect way to celebrate 50 years as an actor. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Grant Dodwell is an actor, writer and producer with over 40 years' experience in theatre, film and television. Trained at NIDA, he is perhaps best known as Dr Simon Bowen in the iconic series A Country Practice; winning three Logie awards for the role he played for three years of its eleven year run. Grant's many television credits include Willing and Abel, Homicide, Skyways, Glenview High, The Young Doctors and Patrol Boat, and the feature films Goodbye Paradise and Cathy's Child. On stage he has appeared with the Melbourne Theatre Company, The Queensland Theatre Company and Belvoir Street Theatre, and delivered turns in the musicals The Sentimental Bloke, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Godspell, Sunset Boulevard and Anything Goes. Grant is a co-founder of Australian Theatre Live and is passionate about ensuring younger generations have affordable access to theatre. He is a consistent advocate for actors and theatre creatives, ensuring their work is preserved and celebrated both locally and abroad. The Stages podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify, Whooshkaa and where your favourite podcasts are found.

Mitchell Butel became interested in theatre as a child after seeing the musical Song and Dance and later The Little Shop of Horrors. He attended the University of New South Wales and studied for a degree in Arts/Law, majoring in Theatre Studies. He was destined for a career telling stories and has contributed markedly as a creative, on and off the stage, around Australia. With an extensive career in theatre, film and television, Butel is one of Australia's most prolific acting talents. From Shakespeare, Moliere, Williamson and O'Neill to musicals such as Avenue Q, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and The Mikado, to AFI-nominated feature film and TV performances, he has excelled. Butel's writing credits include Excellent Adventure and Killing Time and he wrote additional material for Meow Meow's Little Match Girl, Belvoir Street Theatre's production of The Government Inspector and Opera Australia's production of The Mikado. His directing credits include Violet at the Hayes Theatre, Spring Awakening for Australian Theatre For Young People, Porgy and Bess, Funny Girl and The Bernstein Songbook for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Candide for the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. Butel co-directed An Act of God for the Darlinghurst Theatre Company and directed the Australian premiere of Jordan Harrison's play, Marjorie Prime. Productions of Mary Rachel Brown's Dead Cat Bounce for Griffin Theatre and Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's Caroline Or Change for the Hayes Theatre have followed. In 2019 he was appointed Artistic Director of the State Theatre Company South Australia, launching his first program in 2020. His extensive experience as a versatile creative have equipped him well as he has steered the company through the challenges of the past year. Mitchell is passionate about his craft and making theatre. He is a super conversationalist and a delight to welcome to the STAGES podcast. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Peter Bodnar is a singing teacher based in Sydney, Australia. He trains professional singers in the music theatre and classical performing arts industry. Peter harnesses over 30 years in the business, as a singer, actor and teacher on corporate and musical theatre stages. A variety of credits include children's theatre and commercial musical theatre - The Magic Faraway Tree and Winnie The Pooh with Garry Ginivan Attractions, South Pacific for GFO, The Mikado and HMS Pinafore with Essgee Entertainment and Goetterdaemerung with the Sydney Symphony. He has also been a regular performer with the global sensation The Three Waiters, providing an opportunity to exercise his own voice in a repertoire of musical theatre and classical fare. Peter fosters the careers of both up-and-coming performers and industry legends through his committed and insightful approach to the Artist's voice. The Stages podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify, Whooshkaa and where all good podcasts are found.

Barbara Stephens is amongst a group of Australian actors who were part of the 1970s 'Australian Renaissance'. They were the trail-blazers who worked for and achieved Australian plays, films and TV, for Australian audiences. This group of theatre makers commenced and created a space for the Australian identity and our stories to be recognised on stages. Barbara's theatre, film, and TV credits are extensive and fantastic; a testament to the fabulous range of this wonderful Australian actress. Her TV credits include Matlock Police, A Country Practice, Home and Away and an early ABC sitcom called Who Do You Think You Are? Her film work includes Playing Beattie Bow. She is an actor of terrific range and her theatre credits include the plays of Noel Coward, Tom Stoppard, David Williamson and William Shakespeare. She played 'Desdemona' opposite Frank Thring in the South Australian Theatre Company's production of Othello. She has traversed the stage of the Russell Street theatre for the Melbourne Theatre Company. And Barbara has toured extensively, delivering memorable performance to regions in every State. Barbara was in the original Sydney production of Don's Party by David Williamson and directed by John Clark. She was also in the original productions of other plays of Williamson including Money and Friends directed by Aubrey Mellor and Dead White Males directed by Wayne Harrison. She is effervescent, wise and thoroughly engaging as she recounts a dynamic career in the theatre. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Amanda Muggleton is a British-born actor who emigrated to Australia in 1974. She trained at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Dance. Perhaps her most famous television role is that of Chrissie Latham in Australian soap opera Prisoner. Other roles include Connie Ryan in Richmond Hill, and guest roles in television series including A Country Practice and Cop Shop, and a role in the miniseries Sarah Dane. Film credits include Mad Max, Street Hero, Queen of the Road, Mr Reliable, Feeling Sexy and Idiot Box. Muggleton is one of Australia's best-loved, most versatile and colourful leading ladies in the theatre. She has appeared with all the State and commercial theatre companies. On stage, her performances with State theatre companies include Privates on Parade, The Matchmaker, The Seagull, Shirley Valentine (MTC), Master Class, Nicholas Nickleby, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Soulmates (STC), Duet for One, The Winter's Tale, Gigi, We Were Dancing (QTC), Twelfth Night, Blithe Spirit (SATC), Educating Rita, Medea and Shirley Valentine (Hole in the Wall, Perth). Amanda's commercial credits include HMS Pinafore, Hello Dolly, The Book Club, Master Class, Annie, the original Steaming, Eureka! and Losing Louis. Whether on stages or screens Amanda is a reliable and comforting presence. She is an actor of infinite charm and ability. It is no wonder that she has enjoyed a celebrated career of longevity and versatility. STAGES is delighted to welcome Amanda Muggleton in this very jolly episode. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Tony Knight was educated at Sydney Grammar School and trained at the Drama Centre London. He has considerable knowledge, experience and expertise as a professional acting teacher and director. Tony has been the Program Leader for the Musical Theatre (B.A. Hons.) course at the LaSalle College of the Arts, Singapore, developing and implementing a new curriculum. He was also the Head of Acting at Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), training some of Australia's most celebrated national and international actors. He has taught, directed and lectured in many parts of the world, including Australia, the USA, Japan, Romania, Singapore and Tonga. He has spoken at numerous international and national conferences, including the annual ITI-Drama Schools Conference in Romania, and at the Musical Theatre Educators Conference, in Perth 2015, which included delivering a paper re current research - What's Hidden Underneath: Secrets & Sex -The Pajama Game and American Drama In the early 1950s, the Age of McCarthyism, HUAC, and The Kinsey Report. Tony has a passionate interest in all the performing arts, and is dedicated to improving the training of young actors. He is freelancing and completing his PhD on Richard Burbage: Shakespeare's Actor & the Art of 'Personation. Now resident in Adelaide, South Australia, most recently he has successfully delivered three public lectures on the Identity of the Australian Actor at the National Portrait Gallery and the National Film and Sound Archive, Canberra. Tony is co-producer and director of STARC Productions, Adelaide, which has presented a number of highly acclaimed productions, specialising in '2-person plays', including the Australian premiere of Suzie Miller's award winning Australian play Reasonable Doubt. Furthermore, he has held two successful photographic exhibitions for the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival. Tony's motto and aim in all his work is 'Making the Ordinary "Extraordinary!"' The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Rodney Dobson was born in Wonthaggi, South Gippsland. His family moved to Perth when he was ten. Sport was his passion growing up but in his late teens he found accomplishment and applause in the experiences he was having with the performing arts. Today, he is preparing to commence rehearsals for Global Creatures production of Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge. Rodney is a graduate of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts; arriving at the Academy in one of their first intakes of Musical theatre students. He has now enjoyed a continuity of career entering its 4th decade. Recently he delivered us a brilliant turn as Amos Hart in Chicago. His extensive list of credits include the new musicals; Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical (Charlie) and Moonshadow (Mr Mathew). He has also been a member of the Original Australian Casts of Wicked (Dr Dillamond), The Full Monty (Dave), Rosie (George), Jolson, Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon, Aspects of Love, Return to the Forbidden Planet and Chess. Rodney's other theatre credits include the Julie Andrews-directed My Fair Lady, Singing in the Rain (Roscoe Dexter), Les Misérables 10th Anniversary tour (Factory Foreman / Coufeyrac) and 25th Anniversary tour (Bishop, Thenardier), Annie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Company (David), Sweeney Todd in both 2001 and 2006 for Opera Australia (Tobias), Buddy in 1994 and 2000 (The Big Bopper), Twelfth Night (Belvoir), South Pacific, Legally Blonde (Professor Callahan) and Miss Julie (STC). He is celebrated for his dependability in delivering 'the goods' on every show and for his congeniality and contribution as a company member. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

The theatre costume is an essential element of production. It is a 'skin' creatively considered and crafted to complete character. Conceived by the designer it is animated by the actor; contributing to narrative in play or musical through its functionality and ability to transport an audience to a specific place and time. The theatre costume is also invested with extensive time and dollar in its construction, for it needs to be durable and service the longevity of extensive production seasons. Costumes are utilised eight shows a week and with that use comes a necessity for maintenance and care. Lucetta Stapleton is a custodian of the theatre costume. Having assumed the many roles constructing, maintaining and celebrating costumes, she has contributed to the spectacle we enjoy when attending live theatre. She has filled crucial production roles backstage that include Dresser, Assistant Head of Wardrobe, Wardrobe Supervisor and Co-ordinator. She knows the art of costume and insightfully attends to delivering the sartorial story-telling splendour of these garments. Lucetta has recently been working on the musical Hamilton, and soon heads to Melbourne to take up the role of Deputy Head of Wardrobe with Moulin Rouge. It is a role that fills her with excitement. Another opportunity to tell yet another story, through costume. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Born in Wales in 1941, Stan Munro has accumulated a life-time of wonderful adventure, challenge and triumph. His, is an eventful and colourful existence, navigated with resilience and a cheeky sense of humour. Stan's journey as a gender illusionist across several decades and continents has reaped countless anecdotes and he has recorded them all in an autobiography which is bound to amuse, shock and tease, as indeed has he, on countless stages. Stan's first forays into frocks came when he would perform at family Christmas parties. Furniture would be parted and his family would be mesmerised by the boy miming to Rosemary Clooney. He played his first Pantomime Dame at the age of 12. He joined the entertainment industry working with a partner performing sight acts in variety around the UK. Along the way he worked with artists such as The Andrews Sisters, Petula Clarke, Tommy Cooper, Danny La Rue and Tessie O'Shea. He moved to Australia in 1963 and soon found himself employed as a male dancer in the famous Les Girls show in King's Cross, Sydney. Working with the Drag Artistes of the day re-ignited Stan's boyhood infatuation and he quickly joined the girls with his own blend of glamour and comedy. So much so that he was appointed MC of the iconic revue. An extended season with the show followed at The Ritz, in St Kilda, Melbourne. It has been a career in heels since, as Stan has delighted, confused and amused audiences around the country. He has a fascinating story and an engaging take on life. He is wicked, charming and an absolute delight, as you will realise in this riotous episode of the STAGES podcast. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Simon Maiden was born in Ballarat. He is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and has appeared in the feature films The Dressmaker, The Great Raid, Romulus My Father and The Killer Elite. Extensive television appearances have included Deadline Gallipoli (Winston Churchill), the telemovie Hawke (Sen. Graham Richardson) and featured roles in Jack Irish, Wentworth, Newton's Law, Tangle, Scorched, Bed of Roses, Winners and Losers, Dangerous Remedy, Satisfaction, Rush, City Homicide and The Doctor Blake Mysteries. An accomplished singer, songwriter and musician he possesses a chameleon-like voice that can mimic just about any accent and comfortably navigate across all styles. Such accomplishment was heard in the sci-fi thriller Upgrade, with Simon delivering the ominous vocals of 'Stem'. His numerous theatre credits include A View From the Bridge and Last Man Standing for the Melbourne Theatre Company, Robots Vs Art with Tamarama Rock Surfers, Lamb and Reuben Guthrie for Red Stitch, Criminology and Love for the Malthouse Theatre, and Curtains for The Production Company. Presently he is touring the country in the extraordinary Come From Away; the musical that delivers an timely celebration of community and kindness. Simon plays the role of Oz and has received accolades as a member of the uber-talented ensemble who deliver the story so passionately at every performance. Simon discusses the show, his extensive career and more, in this joyous episode of STAGES. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Simon Gallaher is not only one of Australia's leading musical theatre performers, he is loved by Australian audiences as a television star, concert performer, singer, musician, pianist, songwriter and successful theatrical producer. In 1984 Simon took to the musical theatre stage in the Australian production of the Broadway smash hit The Pirates of Penzance, playing over 1,000 performances. He has also performed starring roles in Hello Dolly, The Student Prince, My Fair Lady, The Mikado, HMS Pinafore and The Merry Widow. By 1992 Simon's company, Essgee Entertainment, was a major concert presenter and in 1994 he created a new stage production of The Pirates of Penzance. New productions of The Mikado and HMS Pinafore followed, winning more critical acclaim and a loyal audience. The musicals toured internationally and Essgee's television productions screened internationally. Essgee produced a new and lavish production of The Merry Widow which toured nationally in 1998-9 starring Simon and Marina Prior. The acclaimed Tony Award-winning play Master Class starring Amanda Muggleton followed and was an outstanding triumph, and a new production of Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum toured throughout Australia and New Zealand. 2012 marked a return to both the concert stage with a series of tours across each state, and also a return to the musical theatre stage when he starred as Edna Turnblad in the musical Hairspray for Harvest Rain. 2014 saw another national concert tour, and a role in the musical comedy Spamalot. Since 2007 Simon has been a trustee of the Queensland Performing Arts Trust (QPAC) and sits on its board of directors. In 2012 he was also appointed to board of the Queensland Theatre Company and the Chair of Brisbane's Harvest Rain Theatre Company. He is patron to many arts organisations and sits on the Musicals Nominating Panel for the Helpmann Awards. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Whooshkaa and Spotify. Also from where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Simon Gallaher is not only one of Australia's leading musical theatre performers, he is loved by Australian audiences as a television star, concert performer, singer, musician, pianist, songwriter and successful theatrical producer. At the age of 15 Simon hosted a children's television show, Simon's Scene, for the Seven Network. He studied for a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and staged and starred in his first professional concert before he was 19. He became a regular guest on Australian television's immensely popular The Mike Walsh Show and his career took off as audiences flocked to his concerts and quickly sent five albums gold. Simon won a TV Logie Award for his work on The Mike Walsh Show, and became the youngest entertainer ever to be given his own night-time television variety show which ran for two successful seasons on ABC-TV. In 1984 Simon made the transition to the stage in the Australian production of the Broadway smash hit The Pirates of Penzance, playing over 1,000 performances. He has also performed starring roles in Hello Dolly, The Student Prince, My Fair Lady, The Mikado, HMS Pinafore and The Merry Widow. By 1992 Simon's company, Essgee Entertainment, was a major concert presenter and in 1994 he created a new stage production of The Pirates of Penzance. The musical was an overwhelming success, playing to over 500,000 people and a television broadcast was viewed by an audience of over two million people. It was a triple-platinum video and won an Aria Award for Best Musical Soundtrack. New productions of The Mikado and HMS Pinafore followed, winning more critical acclaim and a loyal audience. The musicals toured internationally and Essgee's television productions screened internationally. Essgee produced a new and lavish production of The Merry Widow which toured nationally in 1998-9 starring Simon and Marina Prior. The acclaimed Tony Award-winning play Master Class starring Amanda Muggleton followed and was an outstanding triumph, and a new production of Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum toured throughout Australia and New Zealand. Simon marked 25 years in show business by returning to the concert platform in 2000. The following year saw Pirates return for a national tour which lasted two years. In 2004, Simon produced the new Australian musical Eureka which opened in Melbourne to critical acclaim. A new album with Julie Anthony, Together At Last, was released in 2006 and Essgee launched Showstoppers an immensely successful initiative for young up-coming performers offering a series of music-theatre workshops featuring the cream of Australian show business talent as tutors and mentors. 2012 marked a return to both the concert stage with a series of tours across each state, and also a return to the musical theatre stage when he starred as Edna Turnblad in the musical Hairspray for Harvest Rain. 2014 saw another national concert tour, and a role in the musical comedy Spamalot. Since 2007 Simon has been a trustee of the Queensland Performing Arts Trust (QPAC) and sits on its board of directors. In 2012 he was also appointed to board of the Queensland Theatre Company and the Chair of Brisbane's Harvest Rain Theatre Company. He is patron to many arts organisations and sits on the Musicals Nominating Panel for the Helpmann Awards. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Whooshkaa and Spotify. Also from where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

On June 6th, 1981, audiences were given access to the Australian premiere of Kander & Ebb's masterpiece CHICAGO - A Musical Vaudeville. The production debuted at The Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House and made history. The production was conceived entirely by a local team who were not obliged to follow any blueprint from productions gone before. J.C. Willamson and Paul Dainty produced the show on tour, but CHICAGO in Australia was originally presented by The Sydney Theatre Company where the Artistic Director was Richard Wherrett. The show was directed by Wherrett and he assembled a team of master creatives, some who were at the beginning of their theatrical careers. They included Ross Coleman, Brian Thomson, Roger Kirk, Peter Casey, Michael Tyack, John Scandrett and Sue Nattrass in various roles. Wherrett's vision to bring a musical fare to a subsidised company was revelatory. In his program notes he wrote " ..... the job of such companies is to present, amongst other fare, the best of existing dramatic literature; and the musical, while a latter development of theatrical expression, is as legitimately deserving of our attention as any other theatrical form." The STC production of CHICAGO was a big, fat hit and showcased the extraordinary talents of a host of our established and emerging musical theatre best - Nancye Hayes, Geraldine Turner, Judi Connelli, Jack Webster, George Spartels, Terrence Donovan, Robina Beard, Kevan Johnston, Joy Miller, Peter Cousens, Garry Ginivan, DJ Foster, and Rod and Dolores Dunbar have all contributed to product in the decades since. This CHICAGO was certainly a milestone production of the show, and of the form in Australia. For our 200th episode, STAGES is joined by "Chicago's own killer dillers - those two scintillating sinners", Australia's original Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly; Nancye Hayes and Geraldine Turner. A nostalgic episode celebrating the ruby anniversary of this seminal production. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Whooshkaa and Spotify. Also from where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au