Summary: Bev Kennedy is generally regarded as one of Australia's leading Musical Directors & accompanists, having worked on over 40 professional productions. Shows she has worked on include Billy Elliot, Mamma Mia! The Producers, We Will Rock You, The Lion King, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Chicago, Wicked, & The Concert version of Sunset Boulevard with Judi Connelli. She was assistant Musical Director for Simon Gallaher's Pirates of Penzance, which is the highest selling recording of a musical in Australian history & also won an Aria award for best soundtrack. Most recently Bev has been working on the shows Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, School of Rock, Evita featuring Tina Arena, Muriel's Wedding, Jersey Boys, Jekyll and Hyde in concert with Anthony Warlow & was Musical Director on the touring version of Avenue Q and the Australian premiere of Heathers for which she was nominated for a Sydney theatre critics award. She was also nominated for a Green room award for her work as Musical Director on Gutenberg the Musical. Bev has also worked for Cove Musical Theatre Agents booking musicians & entertainers at the Regent Hotel during the 2000 Olympics when it was the official SOCOG hotel & host to several international dignitaries & Royal families. She has worked as Musical Director for two years on Short, Sweet & Song and for several Mardi Gras 'Hats Off' Concerts, including the 2008 Hats Off Meets the Stars Come out concert. She has also worked as Musical Director on the Light the Night charity concerts raising money for leukemia research. In 2008, Bev was the official pianist at the World Youth Day Papal Welcome which was televised worldwide. The year before she played at Kerry Packer's memorial which was also broadcast live around the World. In 2011 Bev was Musical Director for the Luminale Festival at the Sydney Opera House under the direction of Paul Capsis. In the past Bev has accompanied International artists such as Joan Rivers and Grammy award winners Liz Callaway, Jose Carreras, Basement Jaxx, Thelma Houston and Sir Bryn Terfel. She continues to play for award winning artists such as Bob Downe, Trevor Ashley, Tina Arena & Anthony Warlow. She is also a Consultant & Adjudicator for the Sydney Eisteddfod and a teacher at the Actor's Centre & the Talent Development Project. Bev is currently the talent co-ordinator for Sydney's premiere cabaret venue, Claire's Kitchen. The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify, Whooshkaa and where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au
