Return is an original song written by Australian Composer/Lyricist Jess Newman to boost spirits for the performing arts industry and raise funds for the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and entertainment benevolent funds across Australia. The project includes the work of over 100 Artists, who have contributed their talent to celebrate the breadth, depth and diversity of our incredible industry.
The lead vocals have been recorded by notable International and Australian performers such as Arielle Jacobs (currently starring as Jasmine in Aladdin on Broadway), Ainsley Melham (currently starring as Aladdin on Broadway), Tim Omaji (In The Heights, Fame, Madiba the Musical), Ruva Ngwenya (We Will Rock You, Madiba the Musical, Beautiful), David Harris (Miss Saigon, Wicked, Legally Blonde), Jemma Rix (Wicked, Ghost, Frozen), and Laura Murphy (Muriel’s Wedding, Grease). They are backed by a choir of over fifty Australian performers. The music video, recorded completely in isolation, is directed and choreographed by Luca Dinardo (West Side Story, Bring It On), and includes an extraordinary troupe of dancers.
The project is produced by Neil Gooding Productions and orchestrated/mixed by Isaac Hayward.
The song will also be available for streaming on Spotify. All proceeds will go to entertainment benevolent funds across Australia and the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts.
Composer, Jess Newman said,
The song was written as an anthem dedicated to our industry and all the remarkable artists who inspire and teach me daily. It has been a difficult year for us all, but this has been a great opportunity to rally and manifest a sense of community amongst artists during a period of struggle for the industry. I hope people listen to the song and feel the warmth, vibrancy and beautiful diversity of our community, and can begin to look forward to a time when we can bring that energy to audiences again.
Director/Choreographer, Luca Dinardo added,
This project was a beautiful opportunity to shed light and hope over our industry and restore faith in the hearts of all artists, that we will ‘Return’ in the future.
‘Return’ choir features Stephanie Adams, Felicity Amos, Tamara Lee Bailey, Bianca Baykara, Allie Bizzanelli, Tom Kantor Du Toit Brendenkamp, Simon Buchner, Louise Butler, Tahra Cannon, Adam Canny, Kate Carey, Baylie Carson, Jessica Condon, Patrick Conolly, Rosie Daly, Ed Deganos, Jessica Ellis, Jake Gardner, Georgia Gourlay, Lachlan Griffith, Juan Gomez, Sam Harmon, Sam Hamilton, Kirralee Hiller, Jody Hooker, Tayla Jarrett, Belinda Jenkin, Zule Khan, Kiana Krizak, Sarah Krndija, Hannah Mackay, Thomas McGuane.Imogen Moore, Elise Muley, Jadd Munzer, Haji Myrteza, Chris Pappas, Michael Paton, Taylor Penrose, Wendy-Lee Purdy, Shannen Alyce Quan, Laila Sabir, Taylor Swan, Connor Sweeney, Ethan Taylor, Emily Thompson, Montana Tonkin, Jessica Velucci, Katie Weston, Sherry Watson.
‘Return’ dancers include Marty Alix, Sheridan Anderson, Kyla Bartholomeusz, Katrina Bickerton, Daisy Calnin, Olivia Carniato, Shay Debney, Luca Dinardo, Elandrah Feo, Brett Fisher, Tarik Frimpong, Sebastian Johnston, Sian Kelly, Ashleigh Kiven, Liam Kocijan, Stefan Lagoulis, Freya List, Jazz Miller, Noah Missell, Tom New, Rune Nydal, Neville Parry, Melissa Pham, John Reed, Emma Russell, Ben Scarmozzino, David Sirianni, Maddy Rose Smith, Tigist Strode, Angelina Thompson, Romy Vuksan, Mietta White, Jamie Winbank, Celina Yuen.
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Return – Credits
Directed and Choreographed by Luca Dinardo
Music and Lyrics by Jess Newman
Orchestrated/Mixed by Isaac Hayward
Edited by Steve Khoury
Additional Footage by James Terry Collective
Produced by Neil Gooding Productions
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