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 Phoenix Productions are preparing to spread their wings again this summer with The Hot Mikado in the Premier Hall this August. The frontline has been cast and within the next couple of weeks rehearsals will quite literally start ‘heating’ up. ‘The Hot Mikado’ is a musical comedy, based on Gilbert and Sullivan‘s 1930’s production ‘The Mikado‘. It was adapted by David H. Bell and Robert Bowman and while remaining true to the original story and message, the orchestrations and choreography were tweaked to add a jazzier and more up tempo impetus to the shows core. The result is a production full of the kind of energy, pizzazz, zing and razzmatazz you could only associate with something of which Phoenix is capable.
Based in feudal Japan, the show tells the tale of Nanki Poo and Yum Yum, characters whose love is challenged by the comedic chaos of Japan’s social laws and authority. What follows is a whirl wind of secrets, lies, betrayal, fear and denial, all within the boundaries of a slick tongue in cheek script brimming with the kind of comedic itch and flair you only get from Gilbert and Sullivan.
Leading the lines this year will be Katie Lawless as Yum Yum, Shane Willoughby as Nanki Poo, Frank Tuohy as Ko-Ko, Maria Griffin as Peep Bo, Kate Lineen as Petti Sing, David Farah as Pooh Bah,Deirdre Ryan as Katisha and David Carroll as Pish Yush.
The cast is some 50 strong this year but doors are still open to new members over the next few weeks.
The Hot Mikado takes place August 4th to the 8th in the Premier Hall Thurles.
The Source Arts Centre opened in Thurles, Co.Tipperary on October 2nd 2006 and is Ireland’s newest arts centre. It consists of a 250 seat, state of the art auditorium with fully flexible seating, and a dedicated gallery space.
The all year round programme of events include film, theatre, dance, ballet, opera, music, family events and visual art exhibitions. Hereunder are just some of the exciting events scheduled for June and July this year.
June at The Source Arts Centre
Friday 5th June – Saturday 25th July
The Art of the Computer Game
The Source Arts Centre and The Tipperary Institute present an interactive installation aimed at computer game fanatics, as well as those who haven’t dared to have a go! Time:- 10am-5pm and later on performance evenings.
Thursday 4th June 8pm
“Confessions of an Irish Publican” by John B. Keane
Des Keogh returns with a new comedy based on the work of one of Ireland’s best known storytellers.
Friday 5th June 8pm
“Whistle This ’09”
The Source again hosts an evening celebrating Tipperary songwriters. Led by local talent Tom Lyons and featuring two special guests on the night. This will be a line-up to remember.
Saturday 13th June 8pm
“The Nina in Me”
In her spell-binding cabaret-style show, Karen Underwood interweaves the story of her own life with the incredible songs of Nina Simone.
Friday 19th June 8pm
“Declan Sinnott and Small Town Talk“
Bringing together a band of seasoned and experienced musicians for a night of great music.
Friday 20th June 8pm
“Mick Flannery“
Ireland’s newest singer/songwriter to take the world by storm makes his Thurles debut.
Wednesday 24th June 7.30pm
Elle Academy of Dance presents “Let’s Dance”
The Urlingford based academy presents a combination of ballet, jazz, modern and hip-hop dance performed by the students.
Saturday 27th June 8pm and Sunday 28th June 1pm
“Faulty Towers The Dining Experience”
This will be an interactive comedy dining experience that is this season’s must-see for fans of all ages.
July at The Source Arts Centre
Friday 4th July 8pm
“Rock Summer Party”
Player Cam and Rubix Cube played The Source last October and were so well received that they decided to come back!
Friday 10th July 7.30pm
The Association of Irish Musical Societies presents
“Young Voices of Musical Theatre”
This concert is a showcase for the great young talent that exists around the country.
Saturday 11th July 8pm
“The Brother“
Based on the writings of Myles Na Gopaleen and combined with the comic talents of Eamon Morrissey to provide a piece of entertainment that has endured through the years. This is one I won’t miss.
Saturday 12th July 11 am & 2pm
“Farmer Jason”
Beat the summer boredom with an interactive family show on the farm. There’s animals, singing, dancing and fun and the kids are encouraged and invited to participate!
Saturday 25th July 7pm
“The Source Youth Outreach Project”
Every year The Source Arts Centre opens its doors to young people with a week long outreach project. Summer 2009 focuses on the creativity and design of computer games, in a special project with the Tipperary Institute. Saturday the 25th is a chance for everyone else to see what the group have been up to and see the creativity in youngsters today.
Remember: For Bookings Contact the Box Office (0504) 90204 or www.thesourceartscentre.ie
Tickets can also be booked via email – Boxoffice@sourcearts.ie.
 The blockbusting Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Jesus Christ Superstar will be staged in Thurles from Tuesday March 31st – Saturday April 4th in the Premier Hall, Thurles, Co.Tipperary, in what is sure to be a sellout run.
Coming to stage one week before Easter, this is the perfect warm-up for Holy Week and the local Thurles cast have been busy preparing for what is a massive show. Apart from the having a huge chorus, there is a wonderful set and stage design in the offing – a simple, yet extremely clever stage, setting the scene for the last seven days of Jesus life.
Thurles, renowned nationwide for it’s amateur musical theatre talent will rock to the music of Lloyd Webber and the lyrics of Tim Rice, under the direction of Tony Finnegan and his assistant Mary Butler. Musical Director/Conductor Mary Rose McNally has been busy putting the cast and chorus through their vocal paces while Choreographers Rosalie Butler and Trisha McElgunn have co-ordinated with the Director in the big scenes.
With over 100 people on stage, this show is set to be one of the biggest ever productions staged in the Cathedral Town, and will pose significant challenges to Stage Manager Tommy Sweeney, Stage Director Rita Callanan and their respective teams.
Jesus Christ Superstar – a dramatised version of the last seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, was the first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage. The show opened on 12th October 1971 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, New York with the London production opening on 9th August 1972 with Paul Nicholas (Jesus), Stephen Tate (Judas) and Dana Gillespie (Mary Magdalen). By the time it closed, after some eight years and 3,358 performances, it had become the longest-running musical in West End history. The recording of the score of the show, with Ian Gillan (Jesus), Murray Head (Judas) and Yvonne Elliman (Mary Magdalen), topped the American album charts three times.
Jesus Christ Superstar has been reproduced regularly around the world in the years since its first appearance. Perfomances include a series of vastly successful Harry M. Miller staged concerts in Australia and in January 2009, a unique gospel interpretation of the show, Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL, opened at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.
Among the role players in the Thurles production will be Brian Flanagan (Jesus), Shane Willoughby (Judas), Derek Ryan (Pilate), Francis Butler (Peter), Linda Ryan (Mary Magdalene), John Scott (Caiaphas), David McElgunn (Herod) and Jonathon Gleeson (Simon). The show was last staged in Thurles by an adult company in 1993, and interestingly, quite a few of the original cast and chorus are on stage again for this latest production, including John Scott, who once again takes on the role of Caiaphas.
Tickets can be booked via the Booking Office in Hickey’s Pharmacy, Liberty Square, Thurles (0504-21423) which is now open. Book early to avoid disappointment. OAP, student and group discounts are available.
 Music lovers, its another year, another reason to get excited about Phoenix Productions. Thurles town’s premier youth musical theatre company are preparing to take to the stage this February with their annual fund raising cabaret entitled, ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’. After several successful years of productions in the Thurles Sarsfield’s Social Centre, this year the company are set to take on a larger venue in which to perform and what every local will agree is their true spiritual home, namely the newly renovated Premier Hall.
The format and composition of these annual cabarets, produced by Phoenix, is quite simple. Each cabaret is a showcase of both new and more traditional musical theatre. But perhaps most importantly, they are a unique medium to show off the exceptional range and diversity of musical talent exhibited by the town’s more than gifted young adults. This year’s cabaret promises to be one of the most exciting in years. Traditional purists out there will know every step and every note of classics like Oklahoma, Bugsy Malone, Anything Goes and that little known show called Grease.
Last year’s mega success ‘High School Musical’ deserves a second outing for this cabaret, with exerpts from ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Billy Elliott The Musical’ making their respective debuts in this musical mad town called Thurles. Of course Hairspray and Billy Elliott have had the benefit of being moulded by big Hollywood movie magic over the last decade or so, but their place on the live stage is still as emotionaly poignant and as electrically charged as anything that can ever emanate from the silver screen.
‘You Can’t Stop The Beat’ is the first Phoenix Production, post their 10 year celebrations and by its own admission, has a massive legacy to uphold as it begins the companies second decade. ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’, takes place in The Premier Hall, Friday and Saturday the 20th and 21st of February next. Do yourself a favour and be there from the very beginning of decade number two. This group are simply too good to miss, this group Phoenix continues to amaze and surprise.
Mark the calender folks:
Date: Friday and Saturday 20th and 21st February 2009
Venue: Premier Hall, Thurles, Co.Tipperary.
Wrap up well and we will see you in February.
 Music Theatre Ireland under the direction of David Wray of Thurles’ Phoenix Productions fame, returns to the Pavilion Theatre in Dublin with yet another emotionally powerful and intimate musical performance.
“The Last 5 Years” chronicles the story of two young people, their diverging paths and the consequent demise of their five year relationship. The two stories are told from each individual perspective, providing insight into the most personal and honest of human emotions. Poignant, heartfelt and at times hilariously funny, audiences can not help but identify with this compelling story, which reflects our changing society, where choice and alternative options abound.
Set in New York City, The Last 5 Years is written by Tony award winning composer Jason Robert Brown and stars emerging Irish talent Ranae Von Meding in her professional debut, alongside Dublin born A.J O’Neill, who returns home following his successes in ‘Chicago’ in London’s West End.
Musically directed by David Wray, designed by Shawn E Boyle and directed by Joseph C. Walsh, Music Theatre Ireland promises to produce yet another fantastic production in Dublin, with the cream of Irish music talent, both on stage and as part of the six piece orchestra. This, the Irish premiere of The Last 5 Years is set to follow in the successful footsteps of ‘Songs for a New World’, ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ and ‘A New York Songbook’.
This is one show for music lovers not to be missed.
Venue: Pavilion Theatre, Marine Road, Dun Laoghire.
Dates: Thursday 6th – Saturday 8th November – 8.00pm
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