HOTA brings Broadway to the Gold Coast
In an ongoing cabaret series of unforgettable evenings celebrating musical theatre, ‘Secret Broadway’, featuring a number of special guests from Broadway and beyond, is coming to HOTA this year.
Part late-night sing-a-long, part homage to musical theatre and cabaret, ‘Secret Broadway’ takes its inspiration from Jack Vietel’s award-winning book ‘The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows are Built’, with each evening inspired by a chapter in the book.
It’s ‘curtains up’ for HOTA’s first ‘Secret Broadway’ headliner and American singer-songwriter, Shoshana Bean, who will light up the stage on 22 February 2020, performing some all-time favourite opening numbers of Broadway in all their glory. Audiences can expect classics like “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’” from ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and “I Hope I Get It” from ‘A Chorus Line’, plus more.
A Broadway veteran herself, Ms Bean made her debut in the original cast of ‘Hairspray’, starred as the very first replacement of ‘Elphaba’ in ‘Wicked’, and most recently, as ‘Jenna’ in the Sara Bareilles musical, ‘Waitress’.
Joining Shoshana on stage will be Simon Burke, known on Australian television screens from Play School and his award-winning role in The Devil’s Playground’; and in leading roles on stage in ‘Noises Off’, ‘La Cage aux Folles’, ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Mary Poppins’.
“I’m really excited to be coming to the Gold Coast to be a part of the very first ‘Secret Broadway’ at HOTA,” said Simon.
“I can’t wait to meet and work with the amazing Shoshana Bean and catch up with my talented mate Lance Horne – see you all there.”
The host for the evening and creator of ‘Secret Broadway’ is Emmy award-winning songwriter, composer and pianist, Lance Horne, who has arranged and performed for the likes of President Obama and the First Lady, as well as Queen Elizabeth II. Brisbane born performer, Jordan Malone, most known for her professional debut on GFO’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, also joins the talented line-up for HOTA’s first evening of this ongoing event.
HOTA CEO, Criena Gehrke, believes Secret Broadway will be a series of exceptional entertainment for all theatre fans.
“We’re bringing a real New York Broadway experience to the Gold Coast with our new and incredible cabaret series,” said Criena.
“Nothing unlocks the love of theatre like a musical, and on February 22, Lance Horne, Shoshana Bean, Simon Burke and Jordan Malone are going to have audiences falling in love with their favourite songs all over again.”
For a more intimate and spontaneous cabaret experience, audiences can also join Lance Horne in ‘Mondays in the Club With Lance: Down Under’ for a free party around the piano on 24 February 2020 with a line-up of surprise guests. This is the Australian debut of the series, which normally takes place in the infamous Club Cumming in New York, providing aspiring Gold Coast singers with the opportunity to sing on stage accompanied by Lance. Registrations are now open for singers who want to perform on the night.
‘Secret Broadway’ will take place in Theatre 1 at HOTA on the evening of Saturday, 22 February 2020 at 7:30 PM, and ‘Mondays In The Club With Lance: Down Under’ will follow on Monday, 24 February 2020 at 7.00 PM in the Basement.
For more information, visit HOTA’s Website for ‘Secret Broadway’ or ‘Mondays In The Club With Lance: Down Under’.
Media Release supplied by HOTA.
