June Session: Performer’s Choice

Abbey began her dance training at the age of three, which sparked her passion for performing and led her to the world of theatre. She is currently pursuing a Diploma of Musical Theatre at GWB Studios. In 2022, Abbey achieved her AMusA (Associate in Music, Australia) in Musical Theatre performance. She has since showcased her talents in numerous productions across her hometown of Newcastle, NSW before moving to Adelaide at the beginning of this year.

Bec Pynor is a Bachelor of Music graduate who has participated in many shows both in ensemble and leading roles, most notably in Aladdin, High School Musical, and The Pirates of Penzance. She has also been lucky enough perform at Walt Disney World in Orlando, which saw her winning an award for best instrumental act. More recently, she has been fortunate enough to play the role of Elphaba in both Zest Theatre Group and The Magpie Warblers productions of Wicked. Bec played Morticia Addams in The Alternative Theatre Company’s production of The Addams Family in 2022. In 2023 she played a Diva in The G&S Society's production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. This year, the world premiere of her show Someone Else's Story debuted at the Adelaide Fringe, achieving a sold-out run and a Fringe weekly award.

Cooper is a singer, dancer, actor, musical theatre nerd, studying music theatre at VCA in 2024. Cooper receives his vocal coaching from Heather Fletcher and is loving his time in Melbourne. If he’s not at the piano playing and writing music, you will find him working at the MCG.

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!

Growing up performing in the Scouts’ Gang Show: Comedy Capers, David developed a love for musical theatre from a young age. Trained at the Centre for the Performing Arts; David has enjoyed performing Shakespeare with the State Theatre, Lightning Strike and Chopt Logic Theatre Companies and has toured in the past with Splash Theatre Company. Turning from professional acting to focus his energy on his family and work for the Anglican Church as a priest, David chooses to do shows that he loves.

It was in Marie Clark's production of Paris in the titular role that David hit the Adelaide scene in musical theatre. David has since performed with Marie Clark Musical Theatre in Miss Saigon (John) and as Carl Hanratty in the 2016 production of Catch Me if You Can. He has worked with Northern Light Theatre Company as Frederick in Pirates of Penzance and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. David also performed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2015 with Lazy Saturday Productions' Australian premiere of Darkle. 2017 was a big year of theatre for David starting with Pale Ale Tales, a new work by local writer, Jason Hendy in the 2017 Adelaide Fringe, Jekyll and Hyde with Marie Clark and finishing with Les Misérables as Enjolras with G&S Society. Most recently David performed with the Hills Musical Company in Assassins as John Wilkes Booth.

David is thankful to his wife for her love and support, and for letting him play.

Eilish Marie Blackmore is an emerging Australian classical soprano and actress who is currently studying their Bachelor of Music Performance (Classical Voice) at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Eilish has a passion for classical musical theatre, operetta and pantomime. They love to perform in a diverse range of roles. Eilish has performed in lead roles such as: Sarah Brown (Guys and Dolls), Wendy Darling (Peter Pan), Little Red Riding Hood (Into the Woods), and Miss Hannigan (Annie) to name a few. They made their directorial debut in 2019 when they directed and stage-managed their own production of The Pajama Game. Alongside their theatrical performing, Eilish maintains their experience for their other passion makeup artistry. They completed their Diploma in Screen and Media Makeup in 2020. Upon completion of their Bachelor, they would love to build their career as a performer and perform in classical or Golden Age musicals and operas in London and New York.

Emily has always had a great passion for musical theatre and has been performing on Adelaide stages for the past 20 years. After taking a short break from theatre to focus on her other role as Mum to two daughters, Emily recently returned to the stage to perform the roles of Kathy (Company - Therry Dramatic Society) and Phyllis (42nd Street - The MET). Other theatrical highlights include Sandy (Grease - The MET), Amy March (Little Women - Therry), Glinda (The Wizard of Oz - Therry Dramatic Society), Katie Brown (Calamity Jane - The MET), and Alabama Lamb/ensemble (Big Fish  - Therry Dramatic Society). Emily is currently in rehearsals to perform the role of Marian Paroo in The Music Man with Marie Clark Musical Theatre.

Grace has been performing in musical theatre productions since the age of seven. she has been the Sour Kangaroo, in Seussical  Jr, Lily St. Regis in Annie Jr, Nala in The Lion King Jr and Anna in Frozen Jr with Riverland Musical Society productions. She has appeared as Gabriella in High School Musical with Loxton High School, where she is currently studying Year 12. Grace has been dancing with Rosie Clark School of Dance, since the age of three, practicing in more than 10 styles. Grace studies voice with David Gauci through the Open Music Academy and is a keen performer within the Riverland community, in musicals, dance concerts and various recitals. When posed the question "What would be your dream role?" Grace couldn’t pick just one role, but would love to play Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and any female role in Les Miserables.

Jazz is an Adelaide-based performer that holds a Bachelor of Speech Pathology. Jazz has an extensive background in musical theatre with professional credits including Candide (State Opera of South Australia, State Theatre Company South Australia, dir. Mitchell Butel), Granpa (Windmill Productions, dir. Andy Packer), Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (Windmill productions, dir. Neil Armfield), Candyman (Kermond Creative, dir. Wayne Scott Kermond), Kia Ora Khalid (Capital E, dir. Sara Brodie), Turandot (State Opera SA, dir. Kim Walker) and Ode to Nonsense (Slingsby Theatre Company, dir. Andy Packer). Jazz has also appeared in television commercials for brands such as Woolworths, Farmers Union Iced Coffee and YNA Nursing Agency. Jazz also completed her certificate II and III in Australian Sign Language in 2018 whilst working in the Deaf community.

Jay is an aspiring Song and Dance man emerging from the Bachelor of Music Theatre at Elder Conservatorium. He excels in dance and has been tap dancing since the age of 5. His most recent credits include: Assistant to the Director/Choralist in Candide (State Theatre Company South Australia/State Opera South Australia, dir. Mitchel Butel/Amy Campbell), John Brooke/Movement Captain in Little Women (ECMT, dir. Erin James), The Big Bad Wolf/Lord Farquaad U/S in Shrek (ECMT, dir. Erin James) and Acting Extra in Swan Lake (The Australian Ballet, dir. David Hallberg). Jay has also been working with HVK Productions over the past year, bringing Bluey’s Live Experience to South Australia.

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.

Joe is a 20 year old singer, member of budding choir EnHarmonics. He has experience in school theatre and performed as Fiyero in Wicked and Miss Trunchbull in Matilda. Since focusing on his choir, Joe has sang in countless sold out shows, including a sold out debut Fringe season. Between shows, Joe is rekindling his love of solo performance.

Joey is 19 years old originally from the regional town of Loxton but moved to Adelaide for study last year. He is in his second year at the Elder Conservatorium studying a Bachelor of Music Theatre. He has performed in several amateur productions back at home with the Riverland Musical Society, most recently playing Raoul in Phantom of the Opera. He is a Class of Cabaret Alumni and was fortunate to be the keynote speaker for the opening ceremony of the 2023 DreamBIG Festival. He played Papa Ogre in ECMTs production of Shrek in 2023 and in his spare time he enjoys playing gigs on weekends at various venues around the Adelaide and Riverland areas.

Juliet is 16 years old, from the regional town of Loxton in the Riverland. She is in year ten at Loxton Highschool. Juliet takes singing lessons with David Gauci, at Open Music Academy. She has performed in many amateur productions with Riverland Musical Society, including most recent roles as Elsa in Frozen Jr, and Annie in Annie Jr.

Karen has been involved with a number of theatre companies in Adelaide over the last 15 years. Some of her stage highlights include Oliver, Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Avenue Q and Spamalot. After a seven year run off stage in the role of "Mother of two", she made the return to the theatre! Some notable recent roles hav been Ursula in Disney's The Little Mermaid, and in the ensemble of Les Misérables with Northern Light Theatre Company. Granny/Cinderella's Mother/Giant in Into the Woods with the G&S Society of South Australia and Old Ma Strong in Urinetown The Musical with Hills Musical Company.

Kirstie is from the UK but is currently in Australia for a year to work and travel! Kirstie trained in professional musical theatre back home and has gone on to perform around the UK and Europe with various companies since graduating. Whilst she can’t pursue her performing career here in Oz, she has joined Adelaide’s Musical Theatre Choir to keep her voice warm and meet some amazing, like minded people!

Laura is a multi-faceted performer from Scotland who lived in England and Australia growing up. She is passionate about all aspects of theatre and performing, including both onstage and offstage. Laura moved to Melbourne from Sydney to complete a year of full-time training at APO Arts Academy/DanceWorld and has moved to Adelaide this year as she is in her first year at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, studying Music Theatre. She started dancing at three years old but decided to pursue gymnastics and acrobatics, which she then competed at a NSW State Level. Her credits include: Mrs Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Queenie in HONK! with Sydney Youth Musical Theatre (SYMT), The Judge in The Producers (SYMT), Ensemble in Chicago with Blackout Theatre Company, and an aerial silks performer in the NSW Premier of Tarzan with SYMT. Laura has a deep passion for the dramatic arts and hopes to share the magic of the arts with the world.

Melanie Cowmeadow is currently in the second year of her Bachelor of Music Theatre at ECMT. Some of her favourite credits include Catch Me If You Can (Brenda), and The Little Mermaid (Ariel) with NTLC. Melanie also appeared on the 11th Season of The Voice Australia in 2022 where she made it to the top 24.

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.

Oliver John is a vocalist, creative, singing teacher and performer currently studying a Bachelor of Music Theatre at the University of Adelaide in the Elder Conservatorium. He is currently preparing to play Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar in September (ECMT, dir. George Torbay), and has recently appeared in Candide (State Theatre Company/State Opera South Australia, dir. Mitchell Butel), Little Women (ECMT, dir. Erin James), Shrek The Musical (ECMT, dir. Erin James), and Sweeney Todd (ECMT, dir. James Millar). Last year, Oliver travelled interstate as a vocalist in HELLO: Erin Jae’s Tribute to Adele as part of the Under The Stars Festival (Australian Shakespeare Company). Prior to the course, Oliver musically directed Aladdin Kids (Adelaide Youth Theatre), played Dewey Finn in School of Rock (Pelican Productions, dir. Jen Frith), Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors (Adelaide Theatre Academy, dir. Michelle Davy) and performed in the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta (Adelaide Youth Theatre). Most recently, Oliver musically directed Prince Alfred College’s production of Urinetown with director Sharon Reynolds.

After completing her Diploma of Musical Theatre at WAAPA, Sally is now studying a Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Elder Conservatorium of Music. Most recently, she performed the role of The Tooth Fairy in ECMT's production of Shrek the Musical. Her other credits include Janet Van de Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone (WAAPA, dir. Tyler Jacob Jones), a touring production of Seussical with SSA (Malthouse Theatre & Adelaide Fringe, dir. Robert Coates) and Guys and Dolls (National Theatre, dir. Robert Coates). Since moving to Adelaide, Sally has performed in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival as well as ECMTA's Musical Mania hosted by the Adelaide Fringe Festival.  Sally is delighted to be performing at Broadway Sessions again!

Being born and raised in South Australia, Samuel Cannizzaro is an upcoming performer currently studying at Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre completing a Bachelor of Musical Theatre. He has been involved in Musical Theatre since the age of eight with his first musical being Beauty and the Beast playing the role of Chip (2015 - Trinity College). He then went on to do multiple performances with local theatre companies across SA with his most notable being Seymour in Little Shop Of Horrors (2023 - Adelaide Youth Theatre). As a part of the 2023 Cabaret Festival, he also took part in the Class of Cabaret program. Samuel is fortunate enough to be performing in ECMT's 3rd year graduating musical, Jesus Christ Superstar later this year.

Scarlet is an aspiring young musician who is passionate about singing, jujitsu, and volleyball. in 2019 she fell in love with musical theatre and began her journey towards singing, At just 11 years old she is working hard at her musical skills. Scarlet has always been known to be singing a tune, dancing, bringing fun and creativity to those around her.

Simon has been a regular on Adelaide amateur stages since appearing in the ensemble of HMC's Sideshow (2018), appearing in both plays and musicals. Highlights include Kurt in Heathers (Segue Productions, 2019), Charlie Marlow in She Stoops to Conquer (Blue Sky Theatre, 2020), Warner in Legally Blonde (The Met, 2021) and Boland in Dogfight (St Judes Players, 2022). Simon has most recently appeared as Tommy in Carrie, and in the ensemble of Urinetown, both with HMC. Simon tries to balance theatre with his other hobbies of cycling and running, usually without success.

William has been performing in musical theatre productions since the age of nine. He has been Shrek, in Shrek Jr, Oliver Warbucks in Annie Jr, Scar in The Lion King Jr, and Prince Hans in Frozen Jr with Riverland Musical Society productions. He has appeared as Troy in High School Musical and Judas in Godspell with Loxton High School, where he is currently in Year 10. William studies voice with David Gauci through the Open Music Academy and is a keen performer within his Riverland community, singing at many local events, often with his guitar in hand. He couldn’t pick a favourite musical but would love any of the roles from Les Miserables. One of his highlights to date has been appearing as Elder Price in a local performance of Hello from Book of Mormon.

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 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.