Boy From OZ comes to The Star Gold Coast in October

WORDS: Wayne Hickson PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

SMASH HIT MUSICAL ‘THE BOY FROM OZ’ TO CALL THE STAR GOLD COAST HOME
It’s almost time to shake the maracas and dust off the dancing shoes with yet another internationally acclaimed musical spectacular to hit the stage at The Star Gold Coast in October.

Directed and choreographed by Gold Coast creative mastermind Drew Anthony, The Boy from Oz will bring to life the behind-the-scenes story of legendary Australian entertainer Peter Allen.

Featuring an all-star cast comprising plenty of Gold Coast talent and produced by the Spotlight Theatrical Company, the show will take audiences for a walk down memory lane with iconic songs written by Allen including I Go to Rio, I Honestly Love You and Don’t Cry Out Loud.

Anthony said he was excited to be back home on the Gold Coast to direct and choreograph the musical that holds a special place in his heart having worked with Allen on several shows overseas before his passing in 1992.

“The Gold Coast also played an important part in Allen’s rise to fame with the old Currumbin Hotel hosting his first professional gig in 1958, followed by many performances in Surfers Paradise.

“It’s a show that the whole family will love with all the emotion and energy that was Peter Allen, from his early days in show business to his amazing performances on the world stage,” Anthony said.

Benowa High School student Flynn Nowlan will take on the role of Young Peter adding to his long list of theatrical experiences including key parts in Oliver, Peter Pan and Charlie, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at QPAC and Perth’s Crown Casino.

Young Peter/Nowlan will have incredible talent to mentor him through his iconic part with acclaimed Melbourne actor Johnathon White cast to play Peter Allen, a role played by Australian legends Hugh Jackman and Todd McKenney in past productions.

Thirty-year-old White has appeared in a variety of big-name musicals including Cosi, Les Misérables, The Wedding Singer and a 2015 production of The Boy from Oz where he played the role of Chris Bell – the other half of the duo ‘The Allen Brothers’.

White said he was delighted to be heading to the Gold Coast to work with Drew Anthony and take audiences on the journey of Peter Allen’s remarkable rise to international stardom and to share his wonderful music again.

The Gold Coast production of The Boy from Oz will coincide with the 30^th anniversary of Allen’s death and will introduce a whole new generation of audiences to his life story from birth in Tenterfield, New South Wales, marriage to the legendary Liza Minnelli through to his critically acclaimed performances.

Spotlight Theatrical Company President, Duncan Sims said he was thrilled to take one of their productions to The Star, Gold Coast and showcase the talented cast to a wider audience.

“This is a unique opportunity for our artists to perform at a first-class venue with incredibly experienced actors who will share their skills and wealth of knowledge to deliver a wonderfully entertaining tribute to the life of Peter Allen,” he said.

The Boy from Oz will take to the stage at The Star Gold Coast for ten performances from 14-23 October 2022. Tickets are now available from Ticketek.