Three weeks after naming the musical’s lead actor, Director/co-writer Baz Luhrmann and Producer Carmen Pavlovic have announced Newtown School of Performing Arts graduate Phoebe Panaretos will play the role of Fran as well as the full cast.
The pair subjected Panaretos to a grueling audition process and although she was already decided upon when 20-year-old Thomas Lacey was revealed for the role of Scott, Luhrmann said she wasn’t ready for the public eye then.
"The role of Fran requires an actor to transform from within, expressing that transformation in terms of character, voice, and dance - any wonder why the search for Fran went so far and wide,” said Luhrmann. “Phoebe weathered so many tests and hurdles, as Fran the character has to in the story of Strictly Ballroom, to reveal the true star that she is. So I am thrilled to be announcing her in this role, celebrating how resilient and strong she was through the grueling process of proving she had all that it takes, which she certainly does.”
Panaretos topped the state in Drama when she graduated in 2008 and when she moved to Melbourne to become an inaugural 2011 Musical Theatre graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts she was awarded the Encouragement Award from the Friends of the VCA. In her final year she played the role of Anita in West Side Story directed by Martin Croft.
Other cast members include Bob Baines as Les Kendall, Drew Forsythe as Doug Hastings, Natalie Gamsu as Ya Ya, Robert Grubb as Barry Fife, Fernando Mira as Rico, Heather Mitchell as Shirley Hastings and Mark Owen-Taylor as JJ Silvers.
Carmen Pavlovic said “We are thrilled to make the much anticipated announcement of the cast for the new musical production of Strictly Ballroom. The film introduced iconic characters into the cultural landscape of Australia and we now have an amazing home grown cast to bring these very characters to life again. A delightful mixture of veteran performers and newcomers will helm Baz's all-singing, all-dancing production.
"The audition process was extensive and at the same time a privileged chance for performers around the country to work with Baz and learn from his unique method. Baz has such respect and affection for actors that he invested heavily in the audition process and the performances we saw him draw out of the candidates was inspiring."
Rehearsals have begun and previews will begin March 25 2014 at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, with an opening night world premiere scheduled for April 12.
For more information and to book tickets head to the official website.
STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL - CAST LIST
Role Actor
Scott Hastings Thomas Lacey
Fran Phoebe Panaretos
Shirley Hastings Heather Mitchell
Doug Hastings Drew Forsythe
JJ Silvers Mark Owen-Taylor
Barry Fife Robert Grubb
Les Kendall Bob Baines
Rico Fernando Mira
Ya Ya Natalie Gamsu
Liz Holt Sophia Katos
Wayne Burns Andrew Cook
Vanessa Cronin Ash Bee
Ken Railings Rohan Browne
Charm Leachman Angela Kennedy
Pam Short Angie Stapleton
Tina Sparkle Nadia Coote
Clarry Welch Lachlan Martin
Terry Best Tyler Coppin
Merv Damien Bermingham
Dance Ensemble Kaylah Attard
Cristina D’Agostino
Keanu Gonzalez
Ryan Gonzalez
Melanie Hawkins
Loren Hunter
Nathan Pinnell
Mike Snell
Swings Leigh Archer
Steven Grace (Dance Captain)
STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL - CREATIVE TEAM
Baz Luhrmann Director & Co-Writer
Catherine Martin Set & Costume Designer
John O'Connell Choreographer
Craig Pearce Co-Writer
Hugh Vanstone Lighting Designer
Peter Grubb Sound Designer
Max Lambert Musical Supervisor
Anton Monsted Music Producer
Elliott Wheeler Orchestrator, Arranger and New Compositions
