About Elegies: A Song Cycle

About Elegies: A Song Cycle “The living was the prize. The ending’s not the story…”

In a small corner of New York’s Central Park, the splintered personality of American composer and lyricist William Finn assembles to reflect, mourn and celebrate the ‘infinite joy’ of life, and its flip side – death. Stories about lost friends, lovers, family, the victims of 9/11 – as well as pet dogs – are shared through rich, powerful and hypnotic songs that reflect and remind us of the beauty of every life that has ever been threaded through our own.

Written by William Finn (Falsettos and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) Elegies: A Song Cycle is quirky, vital and surprisingly fun.

The creation of this production has involved input from a broad range of established and emerging South Australian artists including Timothy Sexton (musical director), Elizabeth Campbell (performer), Adam Goodburn (producer / performer), David Lampard (producer / director / designer), Cherie Boogaart (performer), Mark Oates (performer) Paul Talbot (producer / performer / set construction), Dale Ringland (pianist) and Harmony Nicholas (photographer), making the piece an excellent showcase of local professional talent.

About Elegies: A Song Cycle The production was of a very high quality, garnering excellent reviews and passionate audience feedback during its first run. The themes and ideas presented in the piece – both challenging and emotionally charged – have been proven to resonate and appeal to modern urban theatre goers.

“I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated Elegies. Last night after the show, I did not have words… I was so moved and affected that all I could say was that it was amazing… I appreciated your sensitivity to the subject matter. Having just lost my father a month ago, I found it especially moving and found myself having quiet weeps… but also lots of smiles and a few giggles.” An audience member.

“The ‘Elegies’ production at the State Opera of SA Studio was such a compelling and brilliantly executed vehicle for the superb voices involved that I felt that on opening night, of all the really excellent works I’d seen during the past 9 years at the Studio, this was undoubtedly the one that realised excellence at all levels. This opinion was simply endorsed when I attended later in the week.” Jan Harris, President of Friends of the State Opera of South Australia

Click here to view the Elegies Program

I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change

‘I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change’ – performed as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival in the Opera Studio of State Opera of South Australia (SOSA), Netley, on March 2 to 11 March, 2007.

The company’s debut production, ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ took a comedic look at the whole modern human mating game from first meeting, dating, marriage, children, old age and death. It is a sometimes touching but more often funny production, as the audience is forced to reflect on their own life experiences and consider the often absurd nature of modern relationships.
This witty musical revue features sixty roles, twenty delightful scenes and twenty-three wonderful songs all coming together to showcase a battle of the heterosexuals, celebrating the modern suburban mating game.

It was designed to be performed by a cast of four, who are challenged to develop the many roles in the play which was originally commissioned by the Elvis Presley Estate.
Playwright Jo DiPietro with composer Jimmy Roberts premiered this show in 1996. It is now the longest running off-Broadway show, recently celebrating its tenth anniversary.
The show is an witty parody with clever lyrics and engaging music. The sole musical requirements are a violin and a piano. The show attempts to connect directly with its audience by forgoing large orchestras, cast and theatres.

Creative personnel were:

Director – Jonathan Mill
Designer - Victoria Lamb
Musical Director - Nerissa Pearce
Lighting Designer - Marie Docking
Production Manager – Daniel Van Nek

The company’s production, ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ received critical acclaim, nominations and strong audience support via extended production seasons. This included:

Season success: This was a South Australian premiere (and only the fourth time the piece has been performed in Australia). There were 6 performances during March 2007 at SOSA as part of the Fringe Festival. Attendances were built to or at near capacity levels (180 seats) during the second weekend.
Revivals: There was a revival of the production for ‘ONE OH!’ City of Onkaparinga as part of its 10th Anniversary Celebrations: 26 October 2007, Noarlunga Theatre, Ramsay Place. There was a regional tour of the production in September/October 2008 as part of the Country Arts SA program.
Awards received: Adelaide Advertiser Oscart 2007: “TRUE CHARMER Adam Goodburn, Johanna Allen, Ben Rasheed and Deborah Caddy as 60 characters in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change”
Awards nominated for: Adelaide Theatre Guide “Curtain Call” Awards 2007: Best Musical (Professional).