
Dusty
Written by John Michael Howson, David Mitchell, Melvyn Morrow
Music and Lyrics by Various Artists
Dusty opened on November 12, 2016 at the Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, Victoria.
Producer - The Production Company
Director - Jason Langley
Musical Director - Michael Tyack
Choreographer - Michael Ralph
Set Designer - Anna Cordingley
Costume Designer - Isaac Lummis
Lighting Designer - Trent Suidgeest
Sound Designer - System Sound
Wig Designer - Trent Whitmore
Assistant Director/Choreographer - Kirsten King
Assistant Musical Director - David Young
Technical Director - David Miller
Production Manager - Mel Robertson
Stage Manager - Meg Deyell
Company Manager - Michael Norman
Head of Wardrobe - Kim Bishop
Cast
Dusty Springfield - Amy Lehpamer
Rodney - Todd McKenney
Reno - Elenoa Rokobaro
Peg - Virginia Gay
Mary O’Brien - Baylie Carson
Kay O’Brien - Anne Wood
Gerard O’Brien/Jerry Wexler - Tyler Coppin
Tom O’Brien - Joshua Mulheran
Al Saxon - Luke Alleva
Lynne - Ella Burns
Riss - Nicole Melloy
Mike - Nicholas Kyriacou
Nevadas - Chidi Mbakwe, Ruvarashe Ngwenya
Eden - Rubin Matters
Girl Group - Emma Hawthorne, Loren Hunter
Alternate Rodney - John O’Hara
Dusty opened on December 31, 2016 at the Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, South Australia with the following cast shifts:
Reno - Chloe Zuel
Kay O’Brien - Jackie Rees
Gerard O’Brien/Jerry Wexler - Paul Blackwell
Tom O’Brien - Alex Given
Al Saxon - Brenton Wilson
Girl Group - Sheridan Anderson, Emma Hawthorne
Swings - Kirsten King, Scott Morris
Photography
Jeff Busby
James Terry
Nominations
Helpmann Nomination for Best Female Actor in a Musical
With the beautiful direction by Jason Langley, and fantastic musical direction by Michael Tyack, this duo is a powerhouse creative dream team.
Kara Bertoncini – The AU Review
Ten years on, under the banner of Melbourne’s remarkable Production Company, this is a significantly different pop diva in the hands of director Jason Langley. The book has been trimmed and tidied and de-twee-d, while the onstage characters have been sharpened and focused.
This show, in this new and much improved incarnation adds to the legend.
Diana Simmonds – Stage Noise
This production breathes new life into Dusty with assured direction from Jason Langley, and an overriding excess of heart. Anchored by the great performances from its leads, terrific musical numbers and stylish choreography, this re-imagined and re-vamped version is a proper crowd-pleaser and a heartfelt salute to a pop icon that lends from its past in order to create something fresh.
Stephen Davenport – Australian Stage
Director Jason Langley has assembled a cast of superbly talented performers. He has tweaked the original script by John Michael Howson, David Mitchell and Melvyn Morrow to life, in a fluorescent explosion.
This show makes the heart soar and is a beautiful window into the life of one of the world’s much- loved idols. It is a wonderful night of theatre and an experience not to be missed.
Shelley Hampton – Stage Whispers
In Jason Langley’s deftly directed production of this updated, improved script, Dusty is always accompanied by her child-self, Mary, whose dreams of being a singer are fulfilled but whose self-doubt always underlies Dusty’s success.
Kate Herbert – The Herald Sun
The powers that be didn’t just get it right, they achieved a bull’s eye. While many of the hit songs are in the first act, it was the second act that hooked me and had me feeling that lump in the throat as the on stage drama was handled to perfection.
Julie Houghton – Classic Melbourne