The life and hit songs of the greatest Broadway and London West End composer of the last 50 years, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, and his greatest friends and influences, will be on full display at Bairnsdale’s Forge Theatre on Father’s Day this Sunday.
The Lloyd Webber Evolution is a narrative concert performance with more than 20 hit songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, Tim Rice and many more, with the concert led by Ian Stenlake.
Ian is an Australian music theatre and television star, having recently been the leading man in the national tour of Mamma Mia the ABBA Musical, for which his performance received a Helpmann Award nomination.
Recently Ian completed his role of Colonel Parker in the national tour of The Elvis Revolution, in which he received the Best Actor award at the Glugs Awards, a theatre appreciation company.
“I had no idea who Colonel Parker was but he had a great presence in Elvis’ life so it was fantastic to take a deep dive into that character,” Ian said.
Ian is fondly remembered from his eight seasons as the leading man in Sea Patrol for Channel 9.
Cats, Phantom, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, The Lion King and many more are highlighted in The Lloyd Webber Evolution and Ian is excited to switch into the role which he has performed multiple times due to its popularity.
“Andrew Lloyd Webber’s reputation precedes him, he is a force in musical theatre,” Ian said.
“On his 10th birthday his dad told him if he heard Jailhouse Rock one more time he’d throw it out. He always had that flair and was influenced by rock n roll, but he took great inspiration from the likes of Rodgers and Hammerstein and his parents who were both fantastic musicians.”
Joining Ian will be award-winning music theatre singer actress Michelle Fitzmaurice, recipient of the Leslie Anderson Award in her final year at WAAPA, where she studied and lived for five years.
“Michelle and I have performed together five or six times in Promac Production shows – it’s like putting on and old glove, it’s quite a smooth transition recalibrating and getting into character,” Ian said.
“We love doing this show. We’ve got a little secret ingredient this time with Kym Dillon on piano. Kim is an amazing piano player and we’re extremely lucky to have her performing alongside us.”
The music speaks for itself.
“The structure of the shows always stays the same, but we’re driven by the audience, they are the final piece of the show and can dictate the pace. We can ad-lib at any time and add some spontaneity to the show,” Ian said.
“That’s what it is about, having fun and
ensuring the audience has a great time.
“We get to speak with the crowd after the shows and hear their stories and memories.”
Together Ian and Michelle will take the audience through a cavalcade of hit songs not only from the pen of Andrew Lloyd Webber but also many of his musical influences and other composers he admired and drew inspiration from.
The show kicks off 2pm on Sunday, September 1.
