Helpmann Award winning Sweet Charity to tour in 2015

If her friends could see her now! The smash debut production at Sydney’s new Hayes Theatre Co rocked the musical theatre world with its raw, stripped-back take on the Neil Simon/Cy Coleman classic, and now it’s hitting the road! Sweet Charity will tour in 2015.

Produced by Luckiest Productions, Neil Gooding Productions, and Tinderbox productions, Sweet Charity will play Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Wollongong from January to March 2015.

The show premiered in February 2014 and had a surprise sell-out season, going on to be nominated for eight Helpmann Awards. It won three, including Best Female Actor in a Musical for Verity Hunt Ballard, Best Direction of a Musical for Dean Bryant, and Best Choreography in a musical for Andrew Hallsworth.

“Presenting Sweet Charity at Hayes Theatre Co in Sydney was one of the most rewarding experiences of our producing careers,” said Lisa Campbell of Luckiest Productions.

“The magic that was created by the cast and creative team rightly caused a sensation, and we were immediately determined to bring this magical experience to a wider audience. We are thrilled to be able to present the show again.”

Sweet Charity is directed by Helpmann and Green Room Award winner Dean Bryant, and will continue to star Verity Hunt-Ballard, who won a Helpmann Award for Charity and for Mary Poppins in 2011. Cast members include Helpmann nominees Martin Crewes (Dr Zhivago), and Debora Krizak (A Chorus Line), with Musical Direction by Andrew Worboys, choreography by Andrew Hallsworth, and costume and wig design by Tim Chappel. They are accompanied by  Kuki Tipoki, Rowena Vilar, Xander Ellis, Francesca O’Donnell, Jakob Ambrose and Kate Cole.

The show marks a real sign of success for Hayes Theatre Co in its first year of production: the ability to grow success and employment opportunity for its actors. Taking a limited season that completely sold out and bringing it to a wider audience is an exciting, well-earned opportunity for the Hayes and for everyone involved in Sweet Charity.

“I am so delighted to be working with Luckiest Productions and Neil Gooding on the transfer of Sweet Charity,” said Tinderbox Producer Liza McLean.

“Audiences are in for a real treat next year when this talented cast grace the stages of Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Wollongong!”

AussieTheatre reviewed the show in February and described it as ” the most exciting revival Sydney has seen in years” and “glorious.”

Sweet Charity  will play the Sydney Opera House from 15 January, Canberra Theatre Centre from 11th February, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from 11th March, and Arts Centre Melbourne – season dates to be announced.