June Session: Role Reversal

25 Sunday June 2017
When: 6:30pm Where: Norwood Live, Norwood Hotel Tickets: $15

About this Session

Whhaaaaat? Role reversal? But, that’s the single-best-theme-night-ever! Yes it is, and it’s back again! Tonight is the night you can pick a song written for somebody completely different to you, whether that’s someone of a different gender, a different age, a significantly different background… the challenge is for you to justify why a song fits with the concept of being a “role reversal”. While we always encourage people to register with any song they like, tonight is all about being reversed or different, so every song on the programme will do just that. Keep this in mind when you register, otherwise we may have to keep your suggestion for an upcoming month instead.

Among other songs, tonight features performances from the cast of Saturday Night Fever. Role reversal is always very popular, so ensure you register early and buy your tickets so there’s no chance of missing out on all the fun.

Session Setlist

Act 1
Hello! (The Book Of Mormon) – Casmira Lorien, Dharini Rajaramanan, Eloise Quinn-Valentine, Emma Haddy, Mim Sarre, Ruby Pinkerton
Little People (Les Misérables) – Sandy Wandel
Popular (Wicked) – BJ Peake
Everything And More (Twisted) – Stephen Tulip
Pulled (The Addams Family)* – Hannah Hamilton
For Forever (Dear Evan Hansen) – Jeri Williams
What Do You Do With A BA In English/It Sucks To Be Me (Avenue Q) – Robert Bell
Freeze Your Brain (Heathers The Musical) – Em Carter
Morning Glow (Pippin) – Emily Glew
Empty Chairs At Empty Tables (Les Misérables) – Phoebe Giles
Immortality (Saturday Night Fever)* – Sebastian Cooper
The More You Ruv Someone (Avenue Q) – Mark Oates
Waving Through A Window (Dear Evan Hansen) – Cailene Kilcoyne
Act 2
How Lovely To Be A Woman (Bye Bye Birdie) – David Gauci
Helpless (Hamilton) – Damien Quick, Lindsay Prodea, Scott Lorien
Where Is Love? (Oliver!) – Neville Langman
Agony (Into The Woods) – Jemma Allen, Kathryn Driver
Close Every Door (Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) – Vaishnavi Rajaramanan
You'll Be Back (Hamilton) – Rebecca Raymond
Hold Me In Your Heart (Kinky Boots) – Dharini Rajaramanan
Maria (West Side Story) – Imala Konyn
Night Will Come (Groundhog Day) – Casmira Lorien
Words Fail (Dear Evan Hansen) – Eloise Quinn-Valentine
Times Like This (Lucky Stiff) – Mitchell Smith
You And Me (But Mostly Me) (Book Of Mormon) – Mim Sarre
* promoting an upcoming show

Session Host

David Gauci (he/him)

David Gauci, proudly from Adelaide’s western suburbs, wouldn’t stop singing from an early age – so much so that the Sisters of St Joseph at primary school wished he’d just shut up and do maths.

At Woodville High, teachers and parents suggested – after David showed interest in acting or journalism – a career in accounting. He did study accountancy but also theology and music (Elder Conservatorium). David was introduced to opera and classical singing but went down the dark path of corporate functions, cabaret and music theatre. He worked in piano bars for 20 years in Adelaide, Darwin, Melbourne, Sydney and Townsville.

David wrote cabaret shows New York According to Bernstein, The Sinatra Show and The Broadway Show, performed with co-writer and accompanist Matthew Carey in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Townsville and Darwin.

He performed at the inaugural Adelaide Cabaret Festival and again in 2016 when he returned with the award-winning It was Worth the Weight. David also wrote and performed in The Big Book of Broadway, Cole’s Girls, Leading Men I’ll Never Play and Wireless.

He was equal winner in the 2015 Australian Cabaret Competition Adelaide final and most recently performed in the Australian Touring production of Hairspray as understudy to the role of Edna Turnblad – adding to professional stage roles in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney

David’s also appeared in TV commercials and films, e.g. The Brush Off, directed by Sam Neill.

This led to forming his own Davine Interventionz Productions in 2013 with a string of shows he’s produced, directed and/or designed to glowing reviews and a welter of awards. And David’s still singing!

Session Performers

Cailene Kilcoyne

Cailene Kilcoyne came to Adelaide from San Diego, California. She has performed regionally around the United States as well as internationally. Cailene keeps busy singing these days with a wedding band as well as singing in the shower. She's super excited to be performing at Broadway Sessions :)

Casmira Lorien (she/her)

Casmira is an experienced performer and teacher with a great passion for storytelling. Highlights have included performing the role of ‘Violet’ in Davine Productions’ Violet (for which she won the TASA award for Best Female Performance 2017) and 'Fantine' in the G&S Society's production of Les Misérables (for which she was nominated for a Curtain Call: Best Female Performance 2018).

In 2018 she performed in Edges with Irregular Productions for the Adelaide Fringe, ‘Shelby’ in Steel Magnolias with IpSkip,'The Lady of the Lake' in Spamalot with Marie Clark (winner of Best Ensemble Curtain Call 2018), and the ‘Sour Kangaroo’ in Seussical with Northern Light. In 2019 Casmira played nine characters in Judge Jackie: Disorder in the Court with Davine Productions (which won Best Ensemble and Best Musical at the 2019 Curtain Call Awards, as well as the TASA for Best Musical) and Lynette ‘Squeaky’ Fromme in Assassins for Hills Musical Company.

Professionally, Casmira has acted and provided voices for several short films and children’s productions. She also spent many years directing and music directing musicals for Adelaide Theatre Academy, including Snow White and Alice in Wonderland for the Festival Centre’s ‘Something on Saturday’ program. Her fondest memories are working with Peter Combe in directing and choreographing his Adelaide Fringe shows from 2013-2015.

Damien Quick

Damien is no stranger to the stage, and has been regularly performing, singing and playing music since childhood. His introduction to musical theatre came when he was dragged along to an audition for The Wedding Singer by his older sister at the age of 13. This inspired a new passion, and Damien looked to maximise performing opportunities throughout high school, where he played Bugsy in Bugsy Malone and was involved in various solo and ensemble music performances.

After finishing high school in 2012, Damien re-entered the theatre with gusto, and has been a frequent performer ever since. Damien is part of the five-star award-nominated cabaret group 'The Bailey Beaus' created by Vintage Vendetta Productions, and has been fortunate to perform many interesting roles in well-known shows, including Mark in RENT, Doody in Grease, George in The Wedding Singer, and The Historian in Spamalot, as well as roles in Les Misérables, Oliver, The Sound of Music, Calamity Jane, and Catch Me If You Can.

Dharini Rajaramanan (she/her)

Dharini Rajaramanan developed her passion for performing and musical theatre at a young age which grew stronger after showcasing in a number of school productions and performing in various vocal ensemble groups. Since completing school Dharini worked as a studio assistant at the Studio and Star Factory, a world class vocal coaching and artist development studio and has appeared in a few community theatre productions. In 2016, she performed in Marie Clark Musical Theatre’s production of Rent, where she understudied the role of Mimi and performed in the ensemble. Dharini also appeared in a musical theatre showcase at the University of Birmingham as a lead soloist. Dharini played the character Pat in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of Kinky Boots in 2019 and most recently appeared as Lucinda in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of Into the Woods in 2022. After spending the last few years focusing on her career in Clinical Psychology, Dharini is very excited to be back on stage. Dharini is excited to perform in the 2023 Adelaide Fringe production of Bimbo and is honoured to be a part of a show that challenges harmful stereotypes.

Eloise Quinn-Valentine

Eloise Quinn-Valentine loves to tell stories on stage, and has performed in a variety of musicals, plays, cabarets, and choirs from a young age. Recent highlights include Othello and Seagull (Independent Theatre, 2022), The Hello Girls (Therry Theatre, 2021), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Davine Productions, 2020), Jerusalem (University of Adelaide Theatre Guild, 2019), It’s Only Life (Davine Productions, 2018), Violet: a musical (Davine Productions, 2017), and The Crucible (Royal Holloway University of London Drama Society, 2017). Eloise works and volunteers as an educator across a variety of disciplines and contexts, and particularly loves teaching others about faith, storytelling, compassion, and justice.

Em Carter

Em is a 24-year old teacher back down under on a break from Ye Olde Englande. She began performing at age five but didn't enter the magical land of musical theatre until the age of 12. She enjoys reading, history, piña coladas, getting caught in the rain, and obviously, musicals.

She has performed and crewed for many shows. The highlights of her time treading the boards include playing Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun (UHS), Bet in Oliver! (G&S), and possibly her favourite role at the tender age of 12 - the Pirate King (Pelican Productions). Other credits include Les Misérables (G&S), Thoroughly Modern Millie (G&S), Cinderfella the Pantomime (Royal Holloway), Young Frankenstein (MCMT), Calamity Jane (MCMT), Music Theatre Camp 2008 - 2013 (Pelican Productions).

Emily Glew

Emily Glew has been passionate about the performing arts all of her life and began training in voice and dance at age 11. She has trained with artists including Michaela Burger and David Gauci, and is trained in classical, contemporary, jazz and tap dance. Beginning participating in musical theatre at age 13, she has been part in many musical theatre productions including most recently, Violet with Davine Interventionz, and taking the role of Shprintze in the Therry Dramatical Society’s production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Standout roles for Emily also include Jellylorum in Cats, and Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins, both with Loreto College. Additionally, Emily has been studying music since the age of 6, and has played in numerous instrumental ensembles on the piano, guitar, and clarinet. Emily’s love for music has led to her teaching and musically directing multiple musicals in the past. Emily is happy to bring her enthusiasm for the dance and musicality of Sideshow to the stage.

Emma Haddy (she/her)

Although no stranger to the stage, Emma has spent the last few years focussing on her career in history and museum curation, and is excited to be dipping her toes back into the performing pool once again. In 2017, she performed the role of Cosette in Les Misérables with G&S, and in 2019 played Edith in Therry's The Pirates of Penzance. She also joined the ensemble of Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2016 and Oliver! in 2013 and 2014, both with G&S.

Hannah Hamilton

Hannah Hamilton is 21 years old and currently completing her final year studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of Adelaide. Her performing years started in 2008 with the State Opera of South Australia in Turandot, followed by the The Sound of Music (Gretel) and Candy Man. Other musical theatre credits include Scotch College’s productions of Les Misérables, West Side Story, Pirates of Penzance (Edith), Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary), 42nd St (Peggy) and The Addams Family (Wednesday), where she received the Adelaide Theatre Guide award for Best Youth Female Performer for her role. Hannah is a regular performer with Pelican Productions, with recent roles including Kylar in Bring it On and Nina in In the Heights. Off stage, Hannah spends most of her time teaching at CircoBats and Nannying.

Imala Konyn

Originally from Port Augusta, Imala is in her third year of classical voice at the Elder Conservatorium. She was awarded the Rae Cocking Memorial Prize in 2017, the Guli Magery Prize in 2016, and the SA Country Choral Association Scholarship in 2015/2016. Imala's real passion is musical theatre, and despite limited theatre opportunities growing up (no musical theatre companies in her whole town!), she has played roles such as Christine in Phantom of the Opera (Whyalla Players' in association with State Opera), and Ariel in The Little Mermaid (AYT). She worked with State Opera further last year by understudying Adele in the Con/SOSA collaborative production of Die Fledermaus. Imala has also done a number of solo recitals at various churches, and Fringe shows including Life at the Piano, Into the Woods (AYT), and Musical Moments. She enjoys busking in Rundle Mall and hopes to sing at more weddings and functions.

Jemma Allen (She/her)

Jemma is chuffed that Broadway Sessions is finally back!! She is here for a good time and can't wait to jam with the band and see all of her lovely theatre friends again!! Yay!!!

Jeri Williams (she/her)

Originally from the US, Jeri Williams immigrated to Adelaide in 2011. She’s a born performer, growing up singing in choirs, glee club, a pop/R&B girl group, and musical theatre. She got her start in theatre performing in the ensemble of How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at age 16. After school, Jeri got a job singing in an acapella group at a theme park in Florida, which led to being cast as Wendy Darling by Disney Cruise Line. Jeri spent her early 20s working and performing on various cruise ships with her husband.

Since making Adelaide her home, Jeri has delved into the local theatre scene on a few occasions, being cast in leading roles in NLTC’s Into The Woods (2012) as the Baker’s Wife; G&SSA’s Guys & Dolls (2015) as Adelaide and NLTC's Mack and Mabel (2016) as Mabel.

When life gets too busy for a full show schedule, Jeri enjoys singing with the Civic Park Carols Choir and joining in for a sing at Broadway Sessions as often as possible.

Kathryn Driver

Kathryn was born in England and has had a rich upbringing in the world of the arts. She has been in various characters such as tweedledum in Alice in wonderland, Betty Rizzo in Grease and is currently playing Erma in JamaeRaws adaptation of Anything Goes. Kathryn has been singing in Soul Factor Gospel Choir for many years and is currently receiving vocal training by David Gauci.

Recently out of uni with a degree in teaching and the arts, Kathryn has been in musical theatre since a young age. She is currently in the Hills production of Aida and also teaches musical theatre, acting and singing at Starlets SA.

Lindsay Prodea (he/him)

Lindsay has performed over the past decade in both musical theatre and cabaret, having enjoyed success in various genres: classical roles such as John Brooke in Little Women (The Musical) (Therry Dramatic Society 2013) and Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods (Northern Light Theatre Company 2012); to contemporary roles such as Abraham in the Adelaide premiere of Altar Boyz (Davine Interventionz 2013), Sonny Malone in Xanadu (The Musical) (Davine Interventionz 2014), George in The Drowsy Chaperone (Hills Musical Company 2013), Kyle the UPS Delivery guy in Legally Blonde (HMC 2014) and most recently Elliott Garfield in The Goodbye Girl (Therry 2015). Lindsay has also appeared in countless other shows, favourites including Urinetown42nd StreetCrazy for You & Les Misérables. Most recently he premiered in Adelaide the role of Fabrizio for Davine Interventionz's 2016 Adelaide Fringe Show, The Light In The Piazza.

Aside from musical theatre, Lindsay has a keen passion for cabaret, having written, co-produced and performed at numerous cabaret events over the years. Stepping out side his usual genre, Lindsay played the role of Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby (old sport), produced by Independent Theatre.

Mark Oates (he/him)

Mark is an award winning South Australian performer whose credits include the Adelaide and Brisbane Festivals, State Opera South Australia, SINGular Productions, Co Opera, Various People, Aerial Artists Australia, and MOatesArt Productions.

In 2022 Mark was nominated for an Adelaide Critic's Circle Award for his body of work. He premiered the dual roles of Ian Duncan and Don Dunstan in Neil Armfield's Ruby Award-winning Watershed: The Death Of Dr Duncan for the Adelaide Festival – while for State Opera South Australia he performed Lt Tom in Voss and Gastone in La Traviata, as well as embarking on a national tour of Love Burns, completing the first orchestration workshop of When The Rain Stops Falling and appearing in Bright Lights, Big Dreams.

Previous Adelaide Festival appearances are Mozart Requiem (2020), Bernstein Mass – featured Street Singer (2012) and Le Grande Macabre - Ruffiak (2010).

In State Opera of South Australia's 2023 season Mark will be appearing as the Defendant in Trial by Jury and in Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore, as well as hosting the Tra La La Bar for the Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, with further exciting projects to be announced. In 2021, Mark appeared as Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd and Jack in Love Burns, and opened the year in Carousel. Further highlights with the company include Njegus in The Merry Widow, Arjuna in Satyagraha, John Styx in Orpheus in the Underworld, The Cantor in Maria de Buenos Aires (co production with Leigh Warren Dancers – Adelaide Festival Centre Playhouse and Brisbane Festival). Mark is a proud and long-standing State Opera South Australia artist, both as a chorister and a principal performer.

Well known and regarded on the concert stage, Mark also mentors Class of Cabaret for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, works extensively with Primary Schools Music Festival and regularly tours with Aerial Artists Australia in Le Aerial, including Perth Fringeworld, Adelaide Fringe, Auckland Fringe, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Arts Centre and Port Douglas. Mark is Associate Producer and regular host of Broadway Sessions, Adelaide's long running monthly music theatre focussed, curated open mic night.

Mim Sarre (she/her)

Millicent Sarre (Mim) is a cabaret artist, singer-songwriter, vocal coach, and musical theatre performer, brought up and working on Kaurna Land. She has toured her original cabaret works Australia-wide; her most recent show Millicent Sarre is Opinionated won ‘Best Cabaret’ of the Adelaide Fringe 2023, and the album of the original songs from the show was released in February 2023. Previous musical theatre roles include Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (ECMT, dir. James Millar), Hildy in On the Town (ECMT, dir. Erin James), Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (ECMT, dir. Joseph Simons), and Ivy in the Australian premiere of Ivy + Bean: The Musical (The Gemini Collective, dir. Sarah Williams). Mim will graduate with a Bachelor of Music Theatre from the Elder Conservatorium in 2023.

Mitchell Smith

Mitchell is so excited to be back at Broadway Sessions for the first time since almost 3 years living in Melbourne. Favourite past roles include Melchior in Spring Awakening (HMC), Marius in Les Misérables (PLOS - Melbourne), Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (G&S), and Monty in Violet (Davine). He currently works as a paediatric podiatrist in the public sector in Victoria and is so grateful to be able to get across the border (and hopefully back) to sing tonight.

Neville Langman

Neville Langman recently performed as Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady for The Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company (The Met), and also in CATS (also for The Met). He most recently appeared as Avram – the bookseller – in Fiddler on the Roof for the Therry Dramatic Society.

Phoebe Giles

Phoebe has spent the last 13 years singing in front of an audience. She began acting in year 7 after she starred in a class movie which was a parody of Days of Our Lives. She has taken on multiple roles but considers her favourite role to be Goldilocks in Charmed. Currently, she is an Out of School Hours Teacher and loves getting the students involved with music. You can often find (or hear) Phoebe singing everywhere she goes.

Rebecca Raymond

Rebecca comes from a rich musical heritage and has been performing for most of her life. Versatile in her style she enjoys performing in all musical genres which has led to her performing as a soloist with many different groups and for varying audiences. She has been a leading soloist with Adelaide’s Soul Factor Gospel Choir for the past 16 years, performs regularly with her Sisters, The Raymond Sisters and for five years was the vocal soloist with the Melbourne Staff Band with whom she toured Australia, Korea and the UK where she had the privilege of singing in the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Rebecca performs corporately as a Singer and Actor. Appearing as a soloist at varying events in Adelaide and Nationally and in Theatre. Memorable roles include the role of Violet Hilton in SideShow (2018) and Aida in Aida (2017) with Hills Musical Company, Sandra Bloom in Big Fish with Therry Dramatic Society (2016), Laurey in Oklahoma! The immersive farm experience with Emma Knights Productions (2016 & 2017), and Cosette in Les Misérables with the G&S Society (2008 & 2009).

When not performing Rebecca teaches singing, has her own Mary Kay Cosmetic business and is a makeup artist. She also teaches Skincare & Self Esteem classes in schools and groups in the community.

Robert Bell

Robert made his Adelaide theatre debut in 2011, as the brain-damaged Michal in The Pillowman, which earned him an Adelaide Critics Circle nomination for Emerging Artist of the Year. Since then he hasn't stopped gallivanting from stage to stage and has continued to grow as an actor. Favourite roles include Caligula with Red Phoenix, Elephant Man with The Adelaide Repetory Theatre and Jesus in South Coast Choral and Arts Society’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Robert’s passion for theatre has also lead him to direct Pippin in 2016 and he hopes to direct again soon.

Theatre aside, some of Robert's favourite things are food, wine and his two British Bulldogs, Howard and Holly.

Ruby Pinkerton (she/her)

Ruby’s passion for musical theatre began at a young age, receiving voice and acting training from industry professionals. Ruby is currently directing Urinetown with Hills Musical Company. Recently, Ruby played Sue in Carrie the Musical with Hills Musical Company, and Rose in Dogfight with St Jude’s Players. She also played Nicola in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society's production of Kinky Boots and was the ‘Turn Back, O Man’ soloist in Godspell, produced by Irregular Productions and Lydian Productions. She  performed as Hodel in the Therry Dramatic Society's production of Fiddler on the Roof, and understudied the title role and performed in the ensemble for Davine Productions’ Violet. Her performing credits also include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical witih Davine Productions, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Les Misérables produced by The Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and in 2023 Kiss Me Kate with Hills Musical Company.

Sandy Wandel

Sandy knew from a young age that she was destined to be in the theatre, and as it turns out she was correct. Sandy is an Operating Theatre Nurse, and yes, she does sing at work! Sandy's first experience of music theatre was at age 11 when she understudied the role of Jane in a Come Out Festival performance of Tarzan's Narrow Escape. Not long after this she was introduced to the world of country music, and won a number of talent quests across Australia, including two amateur Golden Guitars at Tamworth, and her episode of Bert Newton's New Faces at age 15.

Since then Sandy has sung across a number of genres, studied AMEB Classical Voice to Grade 5, and worked as a Primary School Choir Trainer for the Festival Of Music. Her passion remains with Music Theatre and some of her favourite things have been playing the role of Nancy in Oliver!, Miss Hannigan in Annie (Balaklava Community Arts 2001/2005), Mrs Baskin in Big ( Northern Light 2015), and most recently being privileged to be in the ensemble of G&S Society's extremely well received production of Les Misérables.

Scott Lorien (he/him)

Scott has always had a love of the theatre, but his real obsession began in high school, with performances as the Foreman, Pimp and a Student in Les Misérables, Priam in Paris and Action in West Side Story. Since completing high school he performed non-stop for a number of years, starting with Gerald Bolingbroke in Me and My Girl, an Apostle in Jesus Christ Superstar and Ugly in Honk! (Marie Clark Musical Theatre). After playing Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly! and Asher and the Butler in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company of SA), Scott joined Northern Light Theatre Company’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as Monsieur D’Arque to round out 2011. The following year started with an incredible experience: Scott won the role of Henry in Six Foot Something’s pro-am Production of Next to Normal. After a mild performance hiatus in more recent times, Scott starred as Hunter in Irregular Productions sell out 2015 Adelaide Fringe season of [title of show].

If there’s one thing he regrets, it’s not starting singing and performing (publicly of course) at an earlier age. Off-stage (but in the theatre) Scott enjoys both sound and lighting design, and the challenges each of these areas brings to his knowledge of design in the digital world. Broadway Sessions is certainly the start of a new chapter, bringing together many ongoing stories and plot lines, but allowing the love of theatre (musical theatre in particular) to continue in new and exciting ways.

When not strutting his stuff on stage, or manically helping out backstage or in the roof of a theatre, Scott is a web designer & developer, creating sites like this one! You can see more of his work at www.scottreynolds.com.au.

Sebastian Cooper

Sebastian’s talent and passion for performing has stood out since he was knee high to a drama block and he shone in his breakout performance as ‘Oompa Loompa 1’ in the Red Cliffs Players production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Since then he has performed leading and supporting roles in amateur productions all around the country. He’s played a knight of The Round Table, two princes, an in-the-closet investment banker/puppet and been shot dead… twice.

He scored his first leading role as the Cat in the Hat in Suessical! (Adelaide Youth Theatre -2013), charmed as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls (MMAC-2014), and performed in his first fringe as the Comfort Councillor in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (AYT- 2014). Most recently he performed as Sammy in The Wedding Singer (Marie Clarke -2015). Sebastian would like to thank his mother for not encouraging him to play sport.

Stephen Tulip

Stephen has been involved in Adelaide amateur theatre for the past 12 years. In that time he has appeared in Wicked and Avenue Q for MBM; in Mack and Mabel, Little Shop of Horrors, Leader of the Pack, Spamalot, Witches of Eastwick, Grease and A Fractured G&S Trilogy for Northern Light Theatre Company, and Jesus Christ Superstar for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of SA. Most recently, Stephen was in Influencers Church's production of Jesus Christ Superstar as a featured apostle. Later in 2017, Stephen will be appearing in G&S' production of Les Misérables.

Beyond theatre, Stephen is currently completing his Masters of Chemistry and Masters of Teaching.

Vaishnavi Rajaramanan

Vaishnavi is a lawyer with a passion for music theatre. This is now her fifth time being a part of the Broadway Sessions line-up, and her first time since coming back from a long hiatus! She was in the Met's production of Bye Bye Birdie and hopes to be part of another show soon!

BJ Peake (He/Them)

As a child, you could always find BJ screaming into his SingStar microphone and dancing to High School Musical. These habits evolved into BJ's love for singing and dancing.

BJ Has been floating around the Adelaide Theatre scene for a short while now, but in his short career he has had the opportunity to participate in several shows and portray a variety of characters such as Angry Man #1, Rich Man, And Scared Man #2 in Jekyll and Hyde, Male Ensemble Member in Hello Dolly!, Reverend Henry T Dobson in Anything Goes, and Prince Dauntless the Drab in Once Upon A Mattress.

In 2021 BJ completed his Bachelors of Music Education and Pedagogy at the Adelaide Conservatorium, and is currently putting his skills to use as Assistant Music Director for Marie Clarke Music Theatres upcoming show I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. 

Session Band

Peter Johns (Piano/Musical Director)

Peter is a music director, accompanist, repertoire coach, and the founder of Irregular Productions - one half of the brains behind Broadway Sessions.

He has been a theatre music director since 2005, with a number of his shows winning local awards. Theatre Credits include: (as Music Director) Beautiful, Mamma Mia, Les Misérables, Next to Normal, Violet, The Story Of My Life, Songs For A New World, The Light In The Piazza, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Into the Woods, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, [title of show], Edges, Avenue Q, Bring It On, Singing In The Rain, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver!, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, The Sound of Music, Urinetown the Musical, Scrooge, The Witches of Eastwick, Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical the Musical, Grease, Once Upon a Mattress; (as Associate Music Director) Kinky Boots; (as Conductor) City of Angels, The Addams Family; (as Associate Conductor) Rent; (as Assistant Music Director) Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, South Pacific, Copacabana; as well as playing keyboard in over 25 other productions.

Besides co-producing Broadway Sessions, Irregular Productions has also staged the South Australian premieres of Songs for a New World, [title of show] and Edges, as well as a new production of Godspell (with Lydian Productions).

Peter is also the music director for Civic Park Carols, Australia's second-largest candlelight carols event, working with some of Adelaide’s finest musician’s and performers, as well as artists such as Justine Clarke, Guy Sebastian, Rachel Beck, and Jimmy Giggle.

Louis Cann (Bass)

Louis has been playing both double bass and bass guitar as long as he can remember. Beginning with lessons at the age of 7, he quickly developed his skills and decided that music was the career for him. Louis began playing for Musical Theatre shows in 2011, with the Northern Lights Theatre Company’s production of Beauty and the Beast, which coincidentally, was the beginning of a long-standing working relationship with Musical Director, Peter Johns! Since, Louis has played for many theatre companies around Adelaide, including Adelaide Youth Theatre, Lydian Productions, Pelican Productions, Davine Productions, Irregular Productions, Marie Clarke Musical Theatre, The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of South Australia, and Hills Musical Company. Some of his favourite shows to play for have been In the Heights, for Pelican Productions in 2019, and Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, for Davine Productions in 2020. In 2018, Louis had the privilege of playing in the pit for the Gordon Frost Organisation’s touring production of The Wizard of Oz. Louis graduated from the Elder Conservatorium of Music in 2016, with a Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance.) That same year, he began performing as a casual member of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra - some of his favourite performances include Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, and Last Night of the Proms at the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Max Ziliotto (Drums/Percussion)

Max Ziliotto has been performing since 2004, from concert bands, drumline and big band, to orchestral works and musical theatre. Prior to his acceptance as a Casual Percussionist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, he completed his Bachelor of Music in 2013 at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Amanda Grigg.

Born in Adelaide, Max began his musical journey under the guidance of Peter Matzick. Attending Marryatville High School, Max gained a wealth of performance opportunities including the Generations in Jazz festival in Mount Gambier. During his Undergraduate studies, Max won first place in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Snare Drum Award in 2011.

Max has been performing with the Elder Conservatorium's Music Theatre students' productions since 2021, most notably playing the drum score for Legally Blonde, directed by Broadway's Nikki Snelson in 2022.

Max was also an active member of the Raiders Drum Corps from 2006-2019, performing numerous times in the city's Christmas Pageant, and on stage with them at Australian Ultimate Drummers Weekend in Melbourne 2015. He has tutored at South Australian Music Camp multiple times, and has been in the house band of Broadway Sessions since its inception in 2015.