Confirmed: Fame will play Sydney season

Producer John Frost has this morning confirmed that he will continue to lease the Capitol Theatre in Sydney beyond September, not for Wicked but for his touring production of Fame, which is currently playing in Brisbane.

The musical will open at the Capitol Theatre on October 14, but will have many cast changes compared to its original Melbourne run, with a number moving on to other shows including the forthcoming Hairspray.

Fame is, almost uniquely, a classic of cinema, television and music theatre. The movie, released in 1980, won an Academy Award and swept the world. The TV show ran for six seasons, won numerous Emmy Awards and was broadcast in over 70 countries. Fame The Musical ran for a decade on London’s West End and has been seen by over 10 million people worldwide. It follows the story of a diverse group of students at New York City’s celebrated High School of the Performing Arts who inspired a generation.

Audience members will no doubt remember Talia Fowler’s name when she takes to the stage. The So You Think You Can Dance 2009 winner will play the classically trained ballerina Iris Kelly. In a case of life imitating art, Talia, who began training in ballet, jazz and tap aged 3, and enjoyed an inspiring and enviable career as a ballerina prior to her win, recently turned down a contract with the San Francisco Ballet company to take up this role!

Playing the role of the cheeky Tyrone will be Nigerian born Timomatic. Tim has inspired dance students of all ages and has built a solid reputation as a leader of Hip Hop culture as well as making the Top 8 for the 2009 So You Think You Can Dance.

Ever popular performer Andrew McFarlane, seen most recently in Underbelly, but known to many for his role in the long running soap The Sullivans, will play Mr Myers the drama teacher at the New York High School of Performing Arts. Joining him on stage in the role of music teacher Mr Scheinkopf is another long serving performer, the loveable Brian Wenzel, best known for his role as Sergeant Frank Gilroy from A Country Practice.

Tickets for the Sydney season on sale on Monday.