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Musical play about Cass and M&Ps down under

PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 7:53 pm
by RichieRich53
Hi Gang

I was reading about an Australian play about the Mamas and Papas,with Casey Donovan, a past winner of Australian Idol playing Cass. One article below and another with a photo linked.

RR


MUSICAL MAMA

Later this month, singer Casey Donovan will take to the stage as part of the cast of Flowerchildren: The Mamas and Papas Story, bringing to life the music (and story) of one of the 1960s' best known bands. To play ''Mama Cass'' Elliot, Donovan has had to learn all the tunes the band made famous … and has decided to put them to extra use after the show's run by staging her own production, a tribute to Mama Cass. It was only logical, the Australian Idol contestant said. She was already learning most of the tunes, why not add in a few more and make them really work? ''That's pretty much what I thought,'' she laughed in a rare break between rehearsing the two shows. ''I'm learning all about her story and her life, and the more I learn, the more I can't stop thinking what a woman she was and what a shame it was that she died so young.'' Cass, pop culture fans will remember, was at the centre of one of music's most enduring urban myths, that the overweight singer died at the age of 33, after choking to death on a ham sandwich. That wasn't quite what happened (she had a heart attack) but the legend has certainly stuck. '' It's incorrect,'' sighed Donovan, ''But yeah, when I say I'm playing Mama Cass, everyone goes 'Ooh! The ham sandwich!'.'' Donovan's Tribute To Mama Cass is on at The Basement, from September 28.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/ar ... 6122409758

Re: Musical play about Cass and M&Ps down under

PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:08 pm
by adamcarr
Hi All,

THIS IS ONE SHOW I WON'T MISS!!! I remember Casey Donovan from the 2nd (?) season of Australian Idol, which she won at age of 16!! She has an amazing powerful voice and knows how to use it to great effect. She did a great job as CYNTHIA in the 2010 run of the australian musical THE SAPPHIRES, which is now being made into a film.

I'd be hard pressed to think of someone better in this country who could do a Cass show justice, Casey will do a good job with this I'm sure, at 22 she's still at the beginning of a very promising career and I'm so happy that our beloved Cass will play a small part in her development as an artist.

Below is the link to the Melbourne Premiere, Preview is TONIGHT! Both Laura Fitzpatrick and Matt Hetherington have really strong musical theatre backgrounds, this is a really strong cast that should do the M&P's proud. The first reviews should be out in the next few days, as soon as I find any I'll post them.

http://www.magnormos.com/flowerchildren.htm

Well, I'm off to book my tickets for the Sydney run, CANNOT WAIT!

Cheers,
Adam

Re: Musical play about Cass and M&Ps down under

PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 6:23 am
by Nicole
Hi Richie and Adam,
Great link, thanks for posting. It will be interesting to see the musical's reception.
Take care,
Nicole :mrgreen:

Re: Musical play about Cass and M&Ps down under

PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:26 am
by CassFanForLife
Hi Richie and Adam, Thankyou both for this info and please do post anything more about this musical, it sounds like it's gonna be groovy ! I've never heard of Casey Donovan before, only Keith Urban, Olivia Newton John, Air Supply, etc.... From what you've mentioned and the article itself, with this lineup for the production, it should be a success ! Hope you both get great seats , and let us know your thoiughts, when you've seen the show :)

Re: Musical play about Cass and M&Ps down under

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:12 pm
by adamcarr
hey Guys,

Just found this UTube link on caseydonovan.com with some of the cast of FLOWERCHILDREN.

http://caseydonovan.com/

Enjoy,
AD

PS: Here are some other links to check out some of casey's other work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seYushAmSQU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-9ZtKMk ... re=related

Re: Musical play about Cass and M&Ps down under

PostPosted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:11 am
by Nicole
Hi Adam,
Thanks for the great links. Love the youtube link of the Flower Children.
Take care,
Nicole :mrgreen:

Re: Musical play about Cass and M&Ps down under

PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:03 am
by adamcarr
Hi All,

As promised, the first reviews are in....

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/ar ... 6125828819

http://theatrepress.com.au/2011/08/30/r ... rchildren/

and they're good!!

Enjoy,
Ad

Re: Musical play about Cass and M&Ps down under

PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 12:42 pm
by RichieRich53
Wish I could see this play, but I live in LA. I was fortunate many years ago to see Denny Doherty in Dream a Little Dream when I was in Toronto. That was great!

Re: Musical play about Cass and M&Ps down under

PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:31 pm
by CassFanForLife
Hiya RichieR....
Thankyou for posting the 2 review links for the musicals...from what I've read and what you've seen, it was brilliant ...the pix of the cast--- kinda surreal...especially Casey Donovan !!! Now, if only we could hear some music clips from that show, that would be a bonus ! Keep us posted on this musical's journey.... :D

Re: Musical play about Cass and M&Ps down under

PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:04 am
by Nicole
Hi Adam,
Great reviews, thanks for posting. Maybe one day this musical will come to the U.S. "I can dream, can't I"?
Take care,
Nicole :mrgreen: