Chess The Musical

The Synopsis

The story begins in the Italian city of Merano. Anatoly, the Russian world chess champion, falls in love with his American opponent’s second, Florence. Anatoly defeats the American (Freddy) and defects to the West to be with Florence. The second act takes place in Bangkok, where Anatoly defends his title against the next challenger, a Russian. Molokov, Anatoly’s second and probably a KGB agent is keen to get Anatoly back to his motherland. Initially he thinks Anatoly’s Russian wife might do the trick, so the KGB flies her to Bangkok. When this fails, they concoct a story about Florence’s father wanting to leave communist Hungary for freedom in the West. Appealing to his altruism, they succeed in persuading Anatoly to return to Russia in exchange for Florence’s father’s freedom. In the end, the deception is revealed; the father had died some time ago, and the person released is a CIA spy. Anatoly is a mere pawn in the ruthless Cold War.

The Production Team

Director – Ryan Tracey

Choreographer – Lisa Suleiman

Musical Director – Andrew Bartle

Assistant Musical Director – Erin McGowen Slee

The Cast

Victor Reyes (Freddy), Cara Suleiman (Florence), Mike Zarate (Anatoly), Martin Paterson (Walter de Courcey), Michael Simms (Alexander Molokov), Keith Ramsey (Arbiter), Jane Mullen (Svetlana), Maryanne Bawden, Susan Bellamy, Robyn Goldman, Leanne Jackson, David King, Keith McBeth, Linnet Michaelian, Lynne Montague, Jenny Paterson, Meredith Paterson, Rebekah Paterson, Daniel Placido, Amanda Porter, Rod Sayer, Celeste Sleiman, Glenda Sleiman, Bec Small.

The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee

The Synopsis

The competition is intense. The words are hilarious. Let the spelling begin! The show centres around a fictional spelling bee in Putman County, New York. Six kids face off in the battle of their lives. They compete against each other as well as members of the audience. Three adults help adjudicate the proceedings; a nostalgic former spelling bee winner, a mildly insane Vice President and The Official Comfort Counsellor competing his community service to the state of New York.

The Production Team

Director – David Russell

Choreographer – Lisa Suleiman

Musical Director – Jeff Fisher

The Cast

Francis Voon (Chip Tolentino), Celeste Notley-Smith (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre), Adam Hayes (Leaf Coneybear), Greg Wood (William Barfee), Helen Perris (Marcy Park), Ally Clarkson (Olive Ostrovsky), Jane Mullen (Rona Lisa Peretti), James Ford (Vice Principal Panch), Daniel Placido (Mitch Mahoney).