April 2016 - New Plymouth Operatic Society

Newsletter of the New Plymouth Operatic Society
April 2016
Farewell
to our friend
It is with great sadness that we share with you the
passing of a longtime member of New Plymouth
Operatic, Viv Richardson, who died peacefully on
Thursday evening 21st April after being unwell for
several months.
Viv was a well loved and respected member of the
Operatic family and will be deeply missed by all.
Her involvement in our Society goes back more
than 4 decades, her first involvement with our
Society being on the makeup team for our 1974
production of My Fair Lady. Viv served on the New
Plymouth Operatic committee in 1995, and for the
last 5 years as our administrator. Enclosed is a list
of the 37 NPOS productions Viv has been involved
with, which in Viv’s usual efficient way, she had
prepared for us.
Our thoughts are with Viv’s partner and fellow
member Dean Clark, her family and many friends
at this saddest of times. Rest in peace our friend.
A private family funeral and cremation was held on
Saturday 23rd April. A celebration of Viv’s life will
be held at the New Plymouth Operatic rooms, 76
King Street, on Saturday 14th May at 7pm, to which
all will be welcomed, whether you knew Viv through
New Plymouth Operatic or any other capacity. New
Plymouth Operatic have made our full resources
available to the family.
New Plymouth Operatic also acknowledge the
recent death of Ann Bride. Ann had been involved
with NPOS a number of years ago in the wardrobe
team, and her daughter Colleen Deegan (nee Bride)
is a well known member of the Society, who
continues to work with the Society as part of the
Sales and Marketing team.
Shows Viv has been a part of
YEAR
1974
1975
1977
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1985
1986
1986
1987
1987
1988
1989
1989
1990
1995
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
SHOW
MY FAIR LADY
LIL’ ABNER
JOSEPH
TARANTARA
HALF A SIXPENCE
SUPERSTAR
HELLO DOLLY
NIGHT S OF
NOSTALGIA
CABARET
GUYS AND DOLLS
ANNIE
FIDDLER
OKLAHOMA
SOUND OF MUSIC
CHICAGO
SWEET CHARITY
MACK & MABEL
OLIVER
SUPERSTAR
FOOTROT FLATS
EVITA
LITTLE SHOP
CHESS
BLESS ‘EM ALL
HAIR
42ND ST
WEST SIDE STORY
JOSEPH
ROLE
MAKE UP
KANDY BAR
KANDY BAR
KANDY BAR
KANDY BAR
KANDY BAR
KANDY BAR
KANDY BAR
KANDY BAR/ FOH CATERING
KANDY BAR
MAKE UP
MAKE UP
MAKE UP
MAKE UP
PRODUCTION SECRETARY/ MAKE UP
PROD SEC/ MAKE UP/PROMPT
PRODUCTION SECRETARY / MAKE UP
SCENIC PAINTING/ MAKE UP
PROD SEC/ SOUND ASSIST/ MAKE UP
MAKE UP
PROD SEC/MAKE UP SUPERVISOR
PRODUCTION SECRETARY
PROD SEC / SOUND ASSIST
PROD SEC / SOUND ASSIST/ MAKE UP
SOUND / MAKE UP
PRODUCTION SECRETARY / SOUND
PROD MANAGER
SOUND/ PROD ASSISTANT/ PUBLICITY
& MARKETING
2000
STAGES
PROD ASSISTANT/ SOUND
2000
BUDDY
PRODUCTION SECRETARY / SOUND
2011
42ND ST
COMPANY MANAGER
2011
READY TO ROCK
PROD ASSISTANT
2012
THE PRODUCERS
FOLLOW SPOT / MARKETING
2013
HAIRSPRAY
PROD ASSISTANT
2014
PHANTOM
CREW/FOLLOWSPOT
2014
BRITISH INVASION
PROD MANAGER
2015
MAMMA MIA
CREW
COMMITTEE 1995 ADMINISTRATOR 2012  2016
New Plymouth Operatic Society | 76 King Street | PO Box 485 | New Plymouth | New Zealand
Phone: 06 758 4958 | Email: office@npos.co.nz | Website: www.npos.co.nz
Page 2
Comings and Goings
As noted earlier in this newsletter, it is with great sadness that we acknowledge
the passing of our incumbent administrator, Viv Richardson, last week. Viv had
held the role of Administrator since 2012. Viv had resigned her position several
weeks prior to her death, and we have been in the process of recruiting a new
Administrator.
In addition, it is with regret that we confirm that Brian Bollond has decided
to retire from his role as NPOS custodian, after 7 years exceptional
service. Brian has been a terrific resource for the society, with a can do
attitude. He will be sorely missed.
We are delighted to be able to announce the NPOS team going forward
Sally-Anne Coates
The Board has appointed Sally-Anne Coates as our new
Administrator, working a minimum of 12 to 15 hours per
week. Sally-Anne is originally from the UK, and immigrated
to New Zealand several years ago. After stints in other parts
of the country, Sally-Anne and her family settled in New
Plymouth in mid 2014, and she joins New Plymouth Operatic
after a stint at the New Plymouth District Council, in their
events and venues team. Sally-Anne’s usual working days
will be Tuesday to Thursday each week.
The Board is also delighted to announce that Dean Clark has
accepted a slightly varied position as our new Custodian,
and will be responsible for looking after our premises and
technical gear going forward.
Dean Clarke
Angie Trigger will continue her role as our Archivist, and
Patrick Landrigan will continue assisting with the societies
financial management. While these changes have been
initiated due to unfortunate circumstances, the Board is
looking positively towards the future with a strong team in
place to help us towards our long term goals.
Angie Trigger
New Plymouth Operatic Societyy
Page 3
Get in on
the Act
New Plymouth Operatic are thrilled to be able to confirm
the full cast list for Sister Act, which is included on the
following page. Rehearsals for Sister Act are now in full
swing, with a cast of 41 now getting ‘in on the act’ with
the other departments also starting their preparations for
the season.
When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder,
she is put in protective custody in one place the cops are
sure she won’t be a found: a convent! Disguised as a nun,
she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and
uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves
and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes
new life into the church and community but in doing so,
blows her cover. Soon, the gang is giving chase only to
find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly
found sisterhood.
Sister Act runs at the TSB Showplace from 21 July –
6 August 2016. There are 10 performances currently
on sale, with a matinee on Saturday 23 July being
added recently to meet demand. Pack in to the theatre
commences on Friday 1 July. Please note that there is
Akina Edmonds
New Plymouth Operatic Societyy
absolutely no possibility the season will be extended past
the 6th, as the show must continue on to the next centre,
and there is another booking in the TSB Theatre a couple
of days after we pack out.
An important thing for members to note is that the stage
musical of Sister Act contains none of the music from the
1992 Whoopi Goldberg movie. All new music was written
for the musical by Alan Menkin (he also wrote the music
for Little Shop of Horrors, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast,
The Little Mermaid and Newsies).
Our backstage teams will soon be putting together their
teams for the season. If you are interested in helping out
with the show, please submit your expression of interest
via email to npoperatic@gmail.com by 7 May 2016. We will
be attempting to place all those who express an interest
where possible before directly approaching volunteers.
Keith Marr
Mark Leuthard
Page 4
FULL CAST LIST
Deloris Van Cartier.............................................................. Akina Edmonds
Mother Superior ................................................................. Stacy Manktelow
Curtis Jackson .................................................................... Mark Leuthard
Eddie Souther....................................................................... Keith Marr
Sister Mary Robert ............................................................. Eryn Street
Sister Mary Patrick ............................................................ Eileen Murphy
Sister Mary Lazarus .......................................................... Ann Stewart
Joey ...................................................................................... Sam Iosefo
Pablo....................................................................................... Shaun Campbell
TJ ........................................................................................... Te Whatumanawa Ngatai Tangirua
Monsignor O’Hara .............................................................. Martin Quicke
Michelle ................................................................................. Amy Hunt
Tina ........................................................................................ Krystal Tofts
Ernie ...................................................................................... Howard Rozon
NUNS
Sheree Anaru
Jasmine Butler
Natasha Foster
Kelsey McEwan
Angela Hill
Elicia May Hitchcock
Raylene Hunt
Monique Matthews
Duchesne Markham
Stephanie Murphy-Provis
Melissa Peters
Alyssa Poole
BACKING VOCALS
ON STAGE ENSEMBLE
Alie Bollond
Debbie Bygate
Cynthia Ciezadlo
Sylvia Howieson
Vikki Johnson
Claire Lamb
Sue Lupton
Cambel McGregor-Fernee
Nikki Truman
Josh Clarke
Lauren Heaysman
Courtney McEwan
Jesse Pearson
Keegan Pullman
Elle Wren
New Plymouth Operatic Societyy
Page 5
Costumes
As NPOS is the first season of Sister Act in the NZ
consortium tour, there are lots of things our members will
be assisting with, above what we would normally do for
a major production when we are later in the tour (ie not
first!). New Plymouth Operatic’s Patrick Landrigan also
holds the role of Project Manager and Tour Co-ordinator
for the Sister Act Consortium.
A number of our members have been very busy creating
the magnificent costumes for Sister Act. Led by Gael
Carswell, the team have been working 3 days a week
sewing costumes since January this year and are doing
a fantastic job. The costumes are really starting to come
together, with a plethora of sparkly material delivered in
recent weeks. Thank you ladies. Awesome work!
Sister Act Car
The Sister Act promotional vehicle has hit the roads
and is looking fantastic. Special thanks to the team
at Budget Rentals who provide us the vehicle each
year, and the team from Speedy Signs who do the
vehicle wrap. We are truly grateful to have such
committed long term sponsors supporting New
Plymouth Operatic and our shows.
New Plymouth Operatic Societyy
Page 6
2016 CHRISTMAS CABARET:
d
o
o
M
e
h
t
g
n
i
w
S
New Plymouth Operatic are thrilled to announce our 2016
Christmas Cabaret production “Swing the Mood”, which will
be staged for 8 performances at The Plymouth Hotel from
Friday 25th November until Saturday 17th December.
From Sinatra, Buble to the Blues Brothers Band, this show
covers everything from the cigar lounge to a soul sing along!
In a unique point of difference to previous years; Swing the
Mood will feature a full live Big Band, and will be led by
renowned New Plymouth music maestro Stewart Maunder.
“The Board received three show proposal options for this
Christmas, which we were really pleased with” commented
New Plymouth Operatic President Kevin Landrigan. “All were
very good and interesting propositions, and generated some
healthy discussion and debate amongst Board members, and
we will be looking to utilise all of these concepts if possible
over the coming few years” he continued.
“We chose Swing the Mood due to our desire to continually
bring audiences something different each year, a different
experience.” “We have enjoyed a very successful run of
covers-style Christmas themed Cabarets in recent years,
which we are sure will return in the future, but this concept
gave us an opportunity to present something new and
fresh, which will ultimately be good for the end of year
show concept in the long term, and also mean the coversstyle theme is also fresh when it returns in the future.” Mr
Landrigan concluded.
New Plymouth Operatic will be looking for a total onstage
cast of approximately 6-8 singers that have charisma, stage
presence and are natural movers and all round entertainers.
With auditions pencilled in for late August 2016 keep an eye
out in future newsletters and on NPOS social media for
more information!
Director / Vocal director: Shaun Murphy
Musical Director / Band Leader: Stewart Maunder
Choreographer / Assistant Director: Alannah Matthews
Production Manager: Sheryl Davison
New Plymouth Operatic Societyy
Page 7
Many members will remember Melissa Lowe from NPOS’s
Hairspray in 2013, where she played Velma Von Tussel - well
check out what Melissa is up to now, starring in Evita in
Rotorua this year.
Singer relishes Evita’s power
By Shauni James
A former Rotorua local is looking forward to coming home
to star as the lead role of Eva Peron in the Rotorua Musical
Theatre’s upcoming production Evita. Melissa Nicholson will
play the role, though had not left the audition feeling super
confident, she said. “It’s always scary, no matter how many
times you’ve done an audition.” She said the rehearsals
schedule was “pretty full on”, currently learning the music
and dancing, with movement and placement on stage
beginning next week. “It’s coming together quite cohesively.”
Mrs Nicholson said she did her first proper show in 2003
when she was 15 for a school production at John Paul
College. The show was Fiddler on the Roof and was what
got her into musical theatre, she said.
On the last night of the show, she was quite emotional and
Jennifer Minty, the production manager of Evita who was
doing her make-up, said to her: “Oh that’s it Melissa, you’ve
got the bug now.” Although she grew up in Rotorua, Mrs
Nicholson now lives in Tauranga and teaches at Otumoetai
College. She said musical theatre had always been a form of
escapism for her. “It nourishes my soul.” She did ballet for
18 years, and speech and drama throughout school.
Mrs Nicholson said she did not start getting professional
vocal coaching until she was about 20. She loved the
rehearsals, seeing and feeling everything come together,
and being able to make others happy, she said. “We all do it
because we love it.”
She was very lucky with the Evita show that Eva Peron was
a real person, so there was a lot online she could read and
watch to learn her mannerisms and history, Mrs Nicholson said.
She had wrestled with whether to audition for the show
because she did not live here, but she researched, found
Eva Peron fascinating and “thought what a cool story to tell”.
She said it had also been quite a group effort, learning
together as they went. There was a huge amount of talent in
the cast and they had all gelled easily, she said.
Mrs Nicholson said everyone worked hard and it was going
to be an enormous, spectacular production by the time July
rolled around.
Details:
* What: The Rotorua Musical Theatre’s production of Evita
* When: Friday, July 29 to Saturday, August 13
* Where: Civic Theatre at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre
* Tickets: Can be bought from the Ticketmaster box office inside the foyer of the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre or online at www.ticketmaster.co.nz
Story sourced from:
NZ Herald - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_
id=1503438&objectid=11629406
New Plymouth Operatic Society | 76 King Street | PO Box 485 | New Plymouth | New Zealand
Phone: 06 758 4958 | Email: office@npos.co.nz | Website: www.npos.co.nz