Evita The Musical

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical EVITA will open at the Sydney Opera House in September 2018, directed by legendary Broadway director Hal Prince.

Evita The Musical
Sydney Opera House

Theatre Address

Bennelong Point Sydney NSW 2000
Tina Arena

Cast

Tina Arena

Tina Arena

Eva Perón

Tina Arena’s journey is the stuff of Australian music folklore, dating back to the mid-1970s when all of Australia knew her simply as “Tiny Tina”, arguably the most popular singer in the country … by age nine! Tina’s debut studio recording, 1977’s Tiny Tina & Little John (co-starring John Bowles, her 12-year-old cohort from the legendary variety TV show Young Talent Time) had Tina belting out pitch-perfect covers of chart hits of the time such as ABBA’s Ring Ring and When I Kissed The Teacher.

Needless to say, generations of Australians have grown up with Tina Arena and her music ever since. The child star matured into one of our most successful singer/songwriters, the possessor of a voice for the ages, and she’s now a veteran with total album sales topping ten million.

Tina’s phenomenal recording career has produced hit after hit, from her earliest breakthrough singles, 1990’s I Need Your Body and The Machine’s Breaking Down, through to the iconic songs that generations of Australians know off by heart – Chains, Sorrento Moon, Wasn’t It Good, Burn, If I Didn’t Love You, Symphony Of Life, Heaven Help My Heart – as well as more recent classics, including 2013’s Only Lonely and You Set Fire To My Life.

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Principal Cast

Ensemble Cast

Justin Anderson

Justin Anderson

Ensemble

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Justin Anderson

Ensemble

Justin’s musical theatre career started at the age of 12 when he played the role of Stitch’em in Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver!. He later continued his training at Dance Factory where he went on to become a scholarship student. Most recently Justin toured Australia with the cast of The Wizard of Oz. His other professional stage credits include My Fair Lady directed by Dame Julie Andrews, We Will Rock You, the Australian and Asian seasons of Wicked, the original and touring cast of Mary Poppins, David Atkins’ Hot Shoe ShuffleShout!Little MeHigh School Musical Live On Stage and Jason Coleman’s Cabaret Cathedral. Justin is thrilled to be a part of Evita and would like to thank his wife Deanna and his parents for their ongoing love and support.
Anton Berezin

Anton Berezin

Ensemble

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Anton Berezin

Ensemble

Anton Berezin had his first professional acting engagement in Larry's Song at the Malthouse. He studied at the Actors Centre and shortly after toured as Anthony Warlow’s understudy in The Secret Garden in 1995-1996. He has since had roles in Australian productions of Wicked, The Producers, Side Show Alley, Cabaret, Follies, Fiddler on the Roof, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Cats, Mack and Mabel, Anything Goes, Rain the Musical, Doctor Zhivago as the alternate lead, and as Eichelberger in Promises, Promises. Most recently, Anton was in the musical The Light in the Piazza at Arts Centre Melbourne. On television, Anton has had roles in Newton’s Law, Jack Irish, Neighbours, The Secret Life of Us, Marshall Law, MDA and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. In 2015, he was in the cast of Princess Pictures’ television opera The Divorce. Anton is also the Managing Director at Life Like Touring, Australasia's leader in live family entertainment.
Michael Camilleri

Michael Camilleri

Ensemble / Assistant Dance Captain

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Michael Camilleri

Ensemble / Assistant Dance Captain

After more than a decade of international experience in acting, singing, dance and aerial acrobatics, Michael returns to Australia to make his stage debut in Evita. Until recently he was a performer at the Moulin Rouge in Paris where he was also the youngest ever understudy for the Can Can soloist. He toured Portugal with the Contemporary Circus of Lisbon as an aerial acrobat in Adittio and danced in Nostrovia in London with United Productions. Michael has played the roles of Noah Claypole in Oliver and an apostle in Jesus Christ Superstar with Ocracy. Michael also understudied a number of male leads in Legally Blonde the Musical for Norwegian Cruise Lines.  
Olivia Carniato

Olivia Carniato

Ensemble

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Olivia Carniato

Ensemble

Olivia Carniato is one of Australia’s most exciting emerging artists. After graduating from Brent Street Performing Arts in 2015 with a Certificate IV in Performing Arts, she began working with esteemed choreographers such as Kelley Abbey, Cameron Mitchell and Alana Scanlon, and has performed on screen on Dancing with the Stars, The Voice and Australia’s Got Talent. In 2016 Olivia was cast in Opera Australia’s Carmen (choreographed by Kelley Abbey), performing to sell-out crowds at the Sydney Opera House. Olivia then made her musical theatre debut in 2017’s The Bodyguard, to great acclaim.
Rachel Cole

Rachel Cole

Swing

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Rachel Cole

Swing

Rachel is a 2011 graduate of ED5 International in Sydney. Most recently, she played The Acrobat in the Original Australian cast of Matilda the Musical, where she understudied Miss Honey, Mrs Wormwood and Mrs Phelps (Royal Shakespeare Company/ LWA).  Rachel’s musical theatre credits include Nessa Rose cover/Swing on Wicked (GFO: Asia, Aust & NZ), Chess (The Production Company) and Promises Promises (The Production Company). Her credits for Opera Australia include La Boheme (2011, 2012 and 2014 seasons), The Marriage of Figaro, The Love of the Nightingale, Die Tote Stadt and La Forza del Destino. Rachel has also worked extensively as a session singer for Grinspoon (Homebake Sydney), James Morrison (Sydney Jazz Festival) and recording backing vocalist for EMU Music Australia. Rachel has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Sydney and is a qualified Property Investment Advisor. She is also prolific writer. For the past three years she has written Australia’s most read theatre column, Stage Door Shrink, for Aussie Theatre, is published in the arts magazine Limelight, and writes and performs stand-up comedy at The Story Club at The Chaser’s Giant Dwarf in Sydney.
Alie Coste

Alie Coste

Ensemble

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Alie Coste

Ensemble

Alie was born in London, United Kingdom. Her training includes having attended The Royal Ballet School as an associate, Arts Educational Schools London and Bird College where she received a National Diploma of Dance and Theatre Performance. Alie has worked at Sani Resort in Greece as a dancer/singer, been part of the new Mamma Mia movie Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again! as an ensemble dancer, and was recently a dancer on Sydney Showboat. She has also worked in the corporate scene throughout England and in Australia. Alie is so excited to be making her musical debut in Evita and would like to thank her family in the UK for their unconditional love and support throughout the years and would love to dedicate her performances in memory of her younger cousin.
Jade Coutts

Jade Coutts

Swing

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Jade Coutts

Swing

Jade started ballet at the age of three in Singapore and upon moving to Cairns with her family in 1996, continued her training at Turning Pointe Dance Studios under the direction of Leticia Savage. In 2005 at age 14, Jade relocated to Melbourne to train at The Australian Ballet School. In 2008 she continued her dance training at Queensland University of Technology graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance Performance). Her professional performance credits include Launch pad with Expressions Dance Company in 2010 and In One Day with the Melbourne Ballet Company in 2011. Jade’s passion for her craft has seen her embrace all aspects of the theatre and performance world and led to her musical theatre debut in The King and I (Opera Australia/ GFO) Australian tour in 2014. She went on to play the iconic role of Victoria the White Cat in the Australian/New Zealand tour of Cats (Lunchbox Theatrical Productions/ The Really Useful Group) in 2015/16. She also performed in The Love for Three Oranges (Opera Australia) in 2016 and couldn’t be more excited to join Evita alongside an amazing cast! Huge thanks to her family, friends and mentors along the way so far.
Kristian Crowe

Kristian Crowe

Ensemble

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Kristian Crowe

Ensemble

Boasting both a Cert IV in Performing Arts from ED5 and a Diploma in Dance from Queensland Dance School of Excellence, Kristian has spent the last ten years in the industry honing his skills as an artist whilst working alongside exceptional talent. Kristian made his musical theatre debut in Cats, playing the role of Macavity in the US (Really Useful Group). He has also performed lead roles at Disneyland Paris and been featured as a soloist at the world-famous Moulin Rouge. His other stage credits include Kings of Tap (Live Business/Lauren Gore), London Lights (FLP Management/Lauren Gore) and various shows aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Kristian is also an in-demand model and actor, and when he isn’t performing he can be found sharing his strong passion for wellness; teaching fitness and yoga classes both in Sydney and Paris.
Todd Dewberry

Todd Dewberry

Ensemble

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Todd Dewberry

Ensemble

Hailing from Sydney, Todd is a man of many skills and talents. He boasts both a Diploma of Performing Arts from Ed5 International (under the guidance of Industry legend William Forsythe) and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Sydney. So far in his performing career Todd has worked with artists such as Jennifer Hudson, Marcia Hines and Delta Goodrem as well as regularly appearing in shows for Opera Australia such as The Nose (Barrie Kosky), The Merry Widow (Graeme Murphy), The Love for Three Oranges and Luisa Miller. In a career highlight, he performed in Carmen choreographed by Kelley Abbey. A natural on camera, Todd has appeared in various TV campaigns and was able to combine his passions in 2017 as a finalist in television’s search for the new Bondi Vet.
Rodney Dobson

Rodney Dobson

Ensemble

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Rodney Dobson

Ensemble

Rodney has a career in musical theatre spanning 30 years, graduating from WAAPA in 1989. Most recently Rodney performed the role of Charlie alongside David Campbell in Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical at Melbourne's State Theatre. He performed in the original Australian casts of Moonshadow (Mr Mathew), Wicked (Dr Dillamond), The Full Monty (Dave), Rosie (George), Jolson, Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon, Aspects of Love, Return to the Forbidden Planet and Chess. Rodney’s other theatre credits include the Julie Andrews-directed My Fair Lady, Singing in the Rain (Roscoe Dexter), Les Misérables 10th Anniversary tour (Factory Foreman / Coufeyrac) and 25th Anniversary tour (Bishop, Thenardier), Annie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Company (David), Sweeney Todd in both 2001 and 2006 for Opera Australia (Tobias), Buddy in 1994 and 2000 (The Big Bopper), Twelfth Night (Belvoir), South Pacific and Miss Julie (STC). In July this year Rodney will take on the role of Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde at Riverside Theatres Parramatta in a limited season.  He has been an Equity member since 1989.
Samantha Dodemaide

Samantha Dodemaide

Ensemble

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Samantha Dodemaide

Ensemble

Samantha is currently starring as Dorothy in the Australian tour of The Wizard of Oz (Gordon Frost Organisation). Before heading down the yellow brick road, Samantha was a part of the Australian/Japan tour of Singin' in the Rain (Kathy U/S) and prior to this starred as the title role in Violet (Blue Saint Productions), for which she was nominated for a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her other credits include Anything Goes (GFO/Opera Australia) as Erma & Reno U/S, Sweet Charity (Tinderbox/Neil Gooding/Luckiest Productions) as Charity Hope Valentine U/S, A Chorus Line (TML) as Cassie, Diana, Maggie, Sheila, Judy U/S, Wicked (Universal Studios Japan), King Kong Live on Stage (Global Creatures), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (GFO), The Producers (The Production Company) and Anything Goes (The Production Company). Samantha has trained privately with some of Australia’s finest teachers in acting, singing, voice and dialect. She has also studied at various performing arts studios including Patrick Studios Australia, the Atlantic Acting School (NYC), Vocal Alchemy, 16th Street and the Hub Studio. Samantha was the proud recipient of the prestigious Rob Guest Endowment in 2013.
Laura Field

Laura Field

Ensemble

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Laura Field

Ensemble

Originally from Dubbo NSW, Laura discovered her love for performing at a very young age. In 2016, she graduated from ED5 International with a Diploma of Performing Arts under the direction of William A Forsythe. During her training, she was fortunate enough to play the roles of Sheila in A Chorus Line, Kathy in Company, and Anita in West Side Story. Laura performed in the 2016 Premier’s Seniors Concert as a featured actor and dancer. She can also be seen in Fluir’s I Gotta Have You film clip and heard as a backing vocalist for P&O Cruises Twice Upon a Time. Laura would like to thank her family for their unwavering support and her agents at T&E Management for all their hard work. Evita marks Laura’s professional musical theatre debut.
Zoy Frangos

Zoy Frangos

Ensemble

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Zoy Frangos

Ensemble

Zoy graduated with a BA in Music Theatre from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2011. Whilst studying he made his professional opera debut as Jimmy in the world premiere of Deborah Cheetham’s Indigenous opera Pecan Summer. Zoy’s other theatre credits include An Officer and a Gentleman (GFO) as Halloran/Zack and Guiterrez u/s, Margaret Fulton - Queen of the Dessert (Present Tense), South Pacific (Opera Australia/GFO) as Seebee/Cable u/s, Next to Normal (Doorstep Arts) as Dr Fine/Dr Madden, Les Misérables (Cameron MacIntosh/Michael Cassel) as Feuilly/Enjolras and Jean Valjean u/s, Dogfight (Doorstep Arts), Charles Kingsford Smith musical workshop (GFO), My Fair Lady (OA/GFO) as ensemble/Freddy u/s, Taxithi II Metanastes, Tasmanian Requiem Palawa Voice and in the iconic role of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (The Production Company). Zoy has performed at the Karijini Experience - Opera in the Gorge, The Dreaming Festival, DFAT Naidoc Week, Melbourne Recital Centre’s Song for Naidoc and the ABC Indigenous Staff Awards. In 2017 for Naidoc Week, he ran indigenous performances workshops and directed the Our Language Live On Stage concert. He also performs internationally as part of Australian Pop/Opera trio La Forza.
Ashleigh Gurnett

Ashleigh Gurnett

Ensemble

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Ashleigh Gurnett

Ensemble

Ashleigh is a born performer who grew up in Queensland and trained in all facets of performing arts at Theatre and Dance. Upon graduating from full time training, Ashleigh embarked on a career that has seen her travel the world. She has performed for international audiences aboard world-class ships for Princess Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Lines, and taken to the stage for recording artist Kanye West during his live shows. Ashleigh’s talent and personality on stage also makes her a natural to star in children’s shows, and her roles in various productions have taken her to places such as China, the Philippines, Delhi and Qatar. Ashleigh is also a gifted actress on screen and recently she has featured in television campaigns for Optus. Aeroguard, Rebel Sport and Fox 8.
Kate Maree Hoolihan

Kate Maree Hoolihan

Ensemble

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Kate Maree Hoolihan

Ensemble

Kate Maree graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2000, was immediately cast to understudy the lead role of Sophie in the original Australian cast of Mamma Mia!. She has been in countless shows since, with her most memorable role being Scaramouche in the worldwide musical hit We Will Rock You, working with Brian May from Queen and Ben Elton. Other career highlights include playing Jo March in Little Women, Petra in Opera Australia’s version of A Little Night Music with Anthony Warlow, and covering Liza in The Boy From Oz with Hugh Jackman. Kate Maree was one of the four original cast members of Matthew Robinson’s song cycle Sing On Through Tomorrow and can be heard on the cast recording (available for purchase on ITunes). She most recently appeared in Opera Australia’s My Fair Lady directed by Dame Julie Andrews. Kate Maree has received many nominations and awards including a Sydney Theatre Award, a Green Room Award and a prestigious Helpmann Award, which she won for her role in We Will Rock You.
Georgina Hopson

Georgina Hopson

Ensemble

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Georgina Hopson

Ensemble

Georgina Hopson is the 2017 winner of the Rob Guest Endowment Award and a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Most recently Georgina performed in the Dame Julie Andrews-directed 60th Anniversary Production of My Fair Lady (Opera Australia/John Frost) as Ensemble/Eliza Doolittle cover, and in The Production Company’s Oklahoma!. Her other theatre credits include Cinderella in Into the Woods (Harvest Rain), Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (Essgee/Harvest Rain), Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins (Arts Centre Gold Coast) and Sue Snell in Carrie (Wax Lyrical/Brisbane Powerhouse). On screen, Georgina played Wendy Hogan in the Paul Hogan biopic Hoges (Channel 7). In 2015, Georgina received a Matilda Award for Best Emerging Artist, for her work in Queensland Theatre.
Thomas Johansson

Thomas Johansson

Ensemble

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Thomas Johansson

Ensemble

Thomas began his formal dance training at the age of 16 at Ballarat Ballet Centre before enrolling in Dance World Studios' Diploma of Classical Ballet (2005). He was awarded a full scholarship to continue training at Ballet Theatre Victoria and graduated from their fulltime course in 2008. Since graduating, Thomas has amassed an impressive body of work including contracts with the Duprada Dance Company, Tasmanian Classical Ballet Company, Really Useful Group and Opera Australia. With Duprada Dance Company and TCBC, Thomas performed many principal roles including Franz in Coppelia, Albrecht in Giselle, the Cavalier in The Nutcracker and Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake. Other professional credits include Gurn in La Sylphide with the Young Dancers Company of Central Queensland, The White Bat for Danceworks Productions (Malaysia) and various contracts with Opera Australia including Turandot, The Pearlfishers, Madama Butterfly and The Ring Cycle (2013 and 2016 season). Thomas made his music theatre debut in 2014 as Pouncival in the Asia Pacific tour of Cats (Really Useful Group) touring South Korea, Singapore, Macau, Auckland and Australia. Thomas is thrilled to be joining the cast of Evita and dedicates his performance to his friends and family.  
Kathleen Moore

Kathleen Moore

Ensemble

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Kathleen Moore

Ensemble

Kathleen was born and raised in Canada and has called Australia home for the past 13 years. She has an honours degree in Theatre and has post graduate studies in Opera, Art Song and Oratorio at the University of Toronto, Canada. Her Canadian stage roles includes Page in Seesaw and Clarice/Brigella in Servant of Two Masters (Toronto), Phyllis in Iolanthe (Winnipeg) and Minerva in Orpheus and the Underworld (Edmonton). Kathleen’s Australian stage credits include Confidante/Wardrobe Mistress in the Australasian tour of The Phantom of the Opera (Really Useful Group and Gordon Frost Organisation), Clara in the Australian Premier of The Light in the Piazza (Sydney Lyric Theatre), Edith Understudy in The Pirates of Penzance (Opera Australia), Yelenka/Lara Understudy in Dr. Zhivago, the Musical (GFO), Madame Giry Understudy in the International tour of The Phantom of the Opera (RUG), Sister Margaretta/Sister Bertha Understudy in The Sound of Music (GFO), and Madame Benoit/Chorus in La Bohème (HOSH/Opera Australia). Kathleen is thrilled to be a part of this production of Evita.
Thern Reynolds

Thern Reynolds

Ensemble

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Thern Reynolds

Ensemble

Thern has had an extensive and varied career in musical theatre. He was cast in his first professional show in 1989 while still in high school - the original Australian production of 42nd Street - and has barely stopped working since. His career has taken him all over Australia, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and has seen him take on many challenges, as an ensemble member, an understudy, dance captain, swing, minor roles, major roles, resident director/choreographer and director. Thern's theatre credits include West Side Story, Easter Parade, Red Hot & Rhonda, My Fair Lady, Wing in Hot Shoe Shuffle, Happy Days the Arena Spectacular (Dance Captain), Miss Saigon (Dance Captain), Chess, The Boy from Oz, Rent (Dance Captain), Tulsa in Gypsy, Chicago (Dance Captain), Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Play The Game, Lewis in Pippin, Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street (Green Room Award nomination), Flinders St (Director), The Mayor/Paul Gill in Rock of Ages (Dance Captain), An Officer and a Gentleman (Dance Captain), Mary Poppins, South Pacific, The Cherries Man in Fosse, Tonight’s The Night, Mind The Gap, Moulin Rouge (film), De-Lovely (film) and The Rocky Horror Show (Resident Director/ Choreographer). Thern’s most recent credits include Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical, Brit in We Will Rock You, the Resident Director for Cabaret, and The Production Company's Jesus Christ Superstar. Thern is delighted to be appearing in Evita.
Christopher Scalzo

Christopher Scalzo

Ensemble

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Christopher Scalzo

Ensemble

Originally from Melbourne, Chris moved to Sydney to train at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). He joins Evita fresh from the national tour of Green Day’s hit rock extravaganza American Idiot (Shake&Stir), where he played the role of Theo. Audiences may also know Chris best from his portrayal of Angel in the Hayes Theatre Co’s game-changing production of Rent (Highway Run). Rent played two critically acclaimed, sell-out seasons and garnered unanimous acclaim. Before Rent, Chris toured Australia, New Zealand and Asia as part of the record-breaking touring companies of Wicked (Universal/GFO), covering and performing the role of Boq and as part of the remarkable ensemble. Some of Chris’s other mainstage theatre credits include the original cast of the Des McAnuff-directed stage epic Doctor Zhivago (GFO), Man 1 in Songs For A New World (Hayes Theatre Co/ Blue Saint), creating the role of Aloysius in the Darren Gilshenan-directed The Chaos Fairy (Monkey Baa), The Pirates of Penzance (Opera Australia), the Newsboy in the international tour of Jekyll and Hyde (TML) and Adam Guettel’s Floyd Collins (Meredith Shaw). Chris’s also holds a number of diverse TV credits and his voice can be heard on several cast recordings.
David Sirianni

David Sirianni

Swing / Dance Captain

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David Sirianni

Swing / Dance Captain

David began his training at The Bev Palmer Dancers and graduated from the University of Ballarat’s Arts Academy in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre). In his graduating year David made his professional debut in West Side Story for The Production Company. Other theatre credits include Dance Captain/ Swing on the Australian Professional Premiere of Bring It On The Musical (StageMasters) and Dance Captain/ Swing on the 60th Anniversary production of My Fair Lady (Gordon Frost/ Opera Australia) directed by Dame Julie Andrews. Earlier this year David choreographed Urinetown for Lasalle College Of The Arts in Singapore.
Tod Strike

Tod Strike

Swing

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Tod Strike

Swing

Tod has performed in and on some of the world’s biggest events and stages including the Emmys, the Eurovision Song Competition, the Melbourne Cup and the Australian Rules Grand Final as well as many various notable television programs in Australia, Europe, Asia, North and South America. A former member of the Ten Tenors, Tod features on the ARIA-nominated platinum album Tenology and many other recordings. His credits include Turandot, Otello, Goro in Madame Butterfly, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Cascada in The Merry Widow, Gremio in Kiss Me Kate, and Sonny and u/s Kenickie in Grease. Tod played Travis and understudied the role of Willard in Footloose, has performed Rum Tum Tugger/Gus/Old Deuteronomy in Cats, Mike in Jekyll and Hyde, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Corny Collins in Hairspray, Zangara in Assassins, Berger in Hair, Dorsey in Parade and Lt. Torasso in Passion. Most recently he played Patroclus in Jon English’s Rock Opera, Paris. Tod appeared on The Dr Blake Mysteries for ABC TV, covered the role of Lt. Joseph Cable in South Pacific and understudied and performed Raoul and the Phantom in Love Never Dies. Tod originated the role of Harvey Milk in Australia in Harvey Milk - A Contemporary Opera. In his corporate act Contempo, Tod travels the globe and is a regular on some of the world’s finest cruise ships.
Simon Tichelaar

Simon Tichelaar

Ensemble

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Simon Tichelaar

Ensemble

Simon started his professional career after completing his training in 2012 at ED5 International Performing Arts College with a Certificate IV and Diploma in Performing Arts. He moved to London in 2014 to join 201 Dance Company with their touring contemporary dance show If Your Leave, which toured throughout the United Kingdom. In early 2016 he relocated back to Australia to work alongside other national and international choreographers in Creative Generation State Schools On Stage. Simon appeared in a project for Sony Japan, as a Neanderthal Shaman/Witch Doctor in an Evolution documentary on Japanese television, and has just recently finished a season as part of the ensemble with Opera Australia in the Australian Premiere of The Nose, a Dmitri Shostakovich opera directed by Barrie Kosky. Simon is thrilled to be making his musical theatre debut with Opera Australia and GFO in this production of Evita and would like to thank his family for their guidance and support. He would also like to express gratitude to Grayboy The Agency, ED5 International and everyone who contributed to guiding him to become the performer he is today.
Dean Vince

Dean Vince

Ensemble

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Dean Vince

Ensemble

Dean graduated from WAAPA with a Bachelor of Arts (Musical Theatre) in 2002. His credits include Standby Jafar/Sultan in Aladdin, Mr Marks/Scott in The Producers, Mayor of Merano in Chess, Stan in Promises, Promises, Plato/Macavity in Cats, Smoky in Damn Yankees, Fogarty/Judge in Chicago (Green Room Award for Ensemble Performance), Pancrazio in The Venetian Twins, Sheriff Vallon in Showboat, and the world premiere productions of Dirty Dancing (as Stan), Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical and King Kong – Live on Stage (as Zekey). Dean can be heard on the Original Cast Recordings of both Dirty Dancing and Priscilla. Dean played Gangle in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies (Green Room nomination) and features in the hugely successful film version of the production. He also played Munkustrap in Harvest Rain’s record breaking arena production of Cats. Dean’s additional stage credits include the Australian Premiere of Sondheim on Sondheim produced by Sqabbalogic, Harvest Rain’s The Pirates of Penzance as the Sergeant of Police, Officer Krupke in West Side Story (the Production Company) and the Narrator in Harvest Rain’s Into The Woods.
Rachael Ward

Rachael Ward

Ensemble

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Rachael Ward

Ensemble

After graduating full-time courses in classical ballet and musical theatre in Australia, further study with the Associated Studios in London, and most recently with the Howard Fine Acting Studio, Rachael has gained a diverse range of national and International credits. She has danced for Kanye West in his live concert and played the roles of Mona/US Roxie Hart in Chicago, Blue Girl in Shout! The Mod Musical and originated the role of Bombalurina in Cats for Royal Caribbean and in the French production at the Théâtre Mogador in Paris (RUG). Rachael returned to Australia performing the role of Ensemble/US Lina Lamont in the Australian tour of Singin’ In The Rain (TEG Dainty/Michael Cassel), and went on to tour the show to Tokyo. She then made her Production Company debut in Hello, Dolly! and joined the company once again for Jesus Christ Superstar. Rachael’s TV appearances include France Télévision’s Téléthon 2015, the 2016 Helpmann Awards and 2017 Woolworths Carols in the Domain. Rachael was chosen as a semi-finalist for the prestigious 2017 Rob Guest Endowment Award and is currently on the Australian national tour of The Wizard of Oz. Rachael is ecstatic to be joining the cast of Evita.
Paul Whiteley

Paul Whiteley

Ensemble

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Paul Whiteley

Ensemble

Paul Whiteley graduated from Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2006. He recently featured in the 60th Anniversary production of My Fair Lady directed by Hollywood and Broadway legend Dame Julie Andrews. From 2012-16, Paul covered the role of the Phantom in the 25th anniversary world tour of The Phantom of the Opera. Previously he has toured Australia and Asia performing in the musicals Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys and Jekyll & Hyde. Paul’s opera credits include The Merry Widow, GötterdämmerungNostradamus and Batavia for West Australian Opera. He started his career in Adelaide rock bands as a drummer, then frontman, then lead singer in the award-winning a cappella group Red Pepper. In recent years he has added artistic director to his varied talents most notably directing Into The Woods at Mahidol University, Bangkok.

Child Cast

Chelsey Abela

Chelsey Abela

Children's Ensemble

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Chelsey Abela

Evita is Chelsey’s debut in a professional musical and she is very excited to be part of this amazing cast! Chelsey began dancing at the age of three and studies dance, singing and musical theatre at the Michelle Slater Coyne Performing Arts Studio. She loves to perform and has appeared in numerous modelling and fashion campaigns, many corporate events, eisteddfods and concerts. She is represented by The Artist Group Talent Agency, and is in Grade 2 at St Vincent de Paul Primary School. She would like to thank her very supportive family and her teachers, and hopes you enjoy the show.
Sebastian Astill

Sebastian Astill

Children's Ensemble

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Sebastian Astill

Sebastian is currently a student at St Michael’s Grammar in St Kilda East. He sings in the school Chamber Choir and is a member of Young Voices of Melbourne, conducted by Mark O'Leary. He enjoys a variety of dance styles and trains with Jack May of Momentum Studios. Sebastian plays trumpet in the Year Three school orchestra and enjoys practising classical piano. As well as music and singing, Sebastian likes acting. He participates in workshops held by Stage School Australia and has worked on commercial television advertisements. Sebastian participates in other activities such as Taekwondo, where he is working towards his red belt. He enjoys squad swimming and is a keen snow skier. This year he represented his school in the Giant Slalom and Ski Cross at the Victorian Interschool Snow Sports. Evita is Sebastian’s professional debut.
Jasper Budd

Jasper Budd

Children's Ensemble

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Jasper Budd

Jasper is nine years old and is a fourth grade student at Canterbury Primary School. He joined the Australian Boys Choir in 2016, and is currently at the Junior Singer Two level under Nicholas Dinopolous. He has performed with the choir at the Melbourne Recital Centre. He is a talented violinist and is studying Suzuki Method Book 4. Jasper is an avid reader, and enjoys many sports, including basketball, AFL and running.  He is a member of Kew Little Athletics Centre, and made state relay competition in 2017.  Jasper is proud to be making his professional performing debut in Evita.
Summer Bush

Summer Bush

Children's Ensemble

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Summer Bush

Summer is a grade four student at Ferny Creek Primary School who loves reading, writing, crafting, tumbling class and playing tennis. She began her performance journey at the age of two when she took up dancing lessons with Dance Empire. Since then she has added singing and acting to her skills, and takes weekly lessons at Empire Performing Arts and Acting Performance Studios. Summer has performed in many amateur theatre productions and has even taken out two Lyrebird nominations and a Lyrebird Award for Highly Commended Performer. She has also appeared in several television commercials and short films. Summer is very excited to have been cast in Evita, her first professional show, and would like to thank her family and agent Small Fry for all their support.
Lucas Calzado-Yubero

Lucas Calzado-Yubero

Children's Ensemble

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Lucas Calzado-Yubero

Lucas is very excited to join the cast of Evita. Lucas made his professional debut earlier this year in Opera Australia’s production of Tosca. This experience has cemented in him a desire to become a professional singer. Lucas been part of the Young Australia Broadway Chorus ensemble in at least nine different musical productions across 14 shows at the National Theatre, St Kilda dating back to 2014. Lucas is now in his fifth year at the Young Australia Broadway Chorus (YABC) where he is part of the Intermediate Troupe. He also receives weekly private tuition at the Caulfield Singing School where he sings a solo number in their Christmas production each year. Lucas undertakes piano and music theory tuition at the Australian Children’s Orchestra as part of his preparation to audition for a place in VCASS for their 2020 intake.
Jennah Coleman

Jennah Coleman

Children's Ensemble

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Jennah Coleman

Jennah is a year two student at Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School, where she enjoys studying music and art. She also studies piano and cello, and discovered her joy of singing at the age of six in the Australian Girls Choir. Jennah now enjoys performing with her school friends at Song Birds, Pizzicato and Dolce Strings. She plays soccer, practises karate and wants to be a ninja warrior. She is supported by her younger sister Alyssa, and her family, including her three Burmese cats. This is Jennah’s debut in professional musicals and she is excited and grateful to be a part of the Melbourne production of Evita.
Aaron David

Aaron David

Children's Ensemble

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Aaron David

Aaron is excited to return to the stage after touring to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne playing the role of Young Lola in the Australian tour of Kinky Boots and playing the role of Benji in the Melbourne season of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Trained in jazz, ballet, hip hop, music theatre, acrobatics and tap, Aaron has competed in dance competitions, has made guest appearances at many public events including the Caroline Springs Arts Market, Moreland City Council Christmas Event, Pet Haven Animal Shelter fundraiser and performed at vocal showcases and open mic nights around Melbourne with his singing school, Cherine Peck Studios. When Aaron’s not on stage he loves drawing, singing, dancing and choreographing his own routines. Aaron would like to thank Cherine Peck for guiding him through this amazing journey, and his Mum, Dad and sister for supporting and loving him.
Marissa Enderby

Marissa Enderby

Children's Ensemble

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Marissa Enderby

Marissa’s passion for performance, singing and dancing began when she was just three years old. Evita will be Marissa’s professional musical theatre debut and hopes it will be the start of a promising singing career. She trains in classical ballet and jazz at Niche Dance studios and has vocal training at Cherine Peck Studios where Cherine has inspired her love of musical theatre, providing her with many stage experiences and opportunities, including Open Mic Nights, Music Theatre Showcases and vocal competitions. Marissa has also performed with YABC’s The Sound of Music. Marissa would love to thank her family and friends who have inspired and encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
Katie Gorcynski

Katie Gorcynski

Children's Ensemble

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Katie Gorcynski

Katie is eight years old and loves an opportunity to perform! She loves singing and all types of dancing, with ballet as her passion at Melbourne Dance Theatre and thanks her teachers Janelle Jennings and Chenelle Brown. Katie is excited to be making her professional theatre debut with Evita. When she is not performing she loves to play outside with her dog, Ellie and make anything with craft. Katie would like to thank her family, her supportive vocal coach and drama teacher Emma Callaghan from Theatre Box, and Alisa Meadow from Triple Talent Management for their ongoing love and support.
Christina Ivas

Christina Ivas

Children's Ensemble

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Christina Ivas

Nine-year-old Christina is an exciting young talent who has had a passion for performing from a very young age. Her ultimate dream is to make the professional stage her home. Christina has been singing and dancing at Academy of Dance Victoria for six years, for which she has performed and featured in their cabaret concerts and productions. She also performs competitively as a soloist and with her troupe in various genres. Christina has enjoyed being part of the exclusive training program Dance Prescription this year to help her develop as a dancer. Evita is Christina’s professional theatre debut and is so thrilled to join the cast of this wonderful musical. Christina is appreciative for the ongoing support of her family, her devoted dancing and singing teachers and is proudly represented by Triple Talent Management.
Maisy Lester-Bryant

Maisy Lester-Bryant

Children's Ensemble

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Maisy Lester-Bryant

Maisy Lester-Bryant is eight years old and sings, dances and acts with the Young Australia Broadway Chorus. She has featured in several television commercials including the Herald Sun, Enid Blyton books, Officeworks and the lead role for Kraft Singles. Recently Maisy finished shooting her first short film, Before I Go, for The Act of Storytelling. She has performed every six months on stage with the Young Australia Broadway Chorus, with Evita being her first professional musical. Maisy also loves gymnastics and piano, playing with her sister and brother, dog Milo and bunnies Nibbles and Marmite.
Olivia Lupacchini

Olivia Lupacchini

Children's Ensemble

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Olivia Lupacchini

Olivia is a Year Four student at St Bede’s Catholic Primary School. She is ten years of age. Olivia enjoys gymnastics, swimming, art, playing the piano, spending time with her family and reading. She pursues her passion for singing and performing through weekly classes at Stage School Australia and is represented by Talent Company of Australia. Olivia is thrilled to be making her first professional musical theatre debut in Evita.
Nathaniel Mitchell

Nathaniel Mitchell

Children's Ensemble

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Nathaniel Mitchell

Nathaniel is thrilled to be making his professional debut in Evita! Musical theatre is his lifelong passion. He is represented by Cherine Peck Management and has been training vocally with Cherine Peck Studios for the last two years. Nathaniel has trained in musical theatre and tap dance at Niche Studios. His other interest is outdoor adventure activities. Nathaniel would like to thank his family for supporting him in his passion for music theatre.
Madeline Nesci

Madeline Nesci

Children's Ensemble

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Madeline Nesci

Madeline is ten years old and is in year four at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Primary School. She is delighted to be making her professional stage debut in Evita. Madeline began singing at the age of four, specialising in musical theatre and is currently under the guidance of Miss Eloise Martyn at the Academy of Dance Victoria. Madeline has been dancing for eight years and studies ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary at the Templestowe Dance Academy. She just achieved Honours in her recent jazz exam. In addition to her passion for singing and dancing, Madeline also enjoys the creative arts and attends art lessons every week. She would like to thank her Mum, Dad, sister and grandparents for their constant love and support. Madeline is proudly represented by Academy Talent.
Aidan Synan

Aidan Synan

Children's Ensemble

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Aidan Synan

Aidan is so excited to be making his professional music theatre debut in Evita! Aidan’s credit list includes television commercials, the television series The InBESTigators, many corporate events, eisteddfods and concerts. He studies dance, singing and acrobatics at the Michelle Slater Coyne Performing Arts Studio and is represented by The Artist Group Talent Agency. Aidan would like to thank his family and teachers for their support and hopes you enjoy the show.
Kershawn Theodore

Kershawn Theodore

Children's Ensemble

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Kershawn Theodore

Kershawn made his professional theatre debut as Fletcher in the Melbourne season of The Bodyguard (GFO) in 2017. His interest in opera was introduced through his role as Sorrow in Madame Butterfly’s 2018 regional tour, which was quickly followed by his success in the role of Young Guido in StageArt’s production of the musical Nine. Kershawn is thrilled to be returning to the stage of Evita and would like to thank his family, Spunkz Management, Cathy-Lea Dance Music and Drama Works and Heidi’s Music Studio for their support.
Hannah Wing

Hannah Wing

Children's Ensemble

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Hannah Wing

Hannah’s passion is singing and dancing. She has studied at Michelle Slater Coyne Performing Arts Studio since the age of three, and over the years has achieved many prestigious awards including winning three age-based aggregate awards. In 2018, Hannah was honoured to have placed second at the Ballet Teachers Workshop. Hannah has performed in concerts, fashion shows and corporate events, and is represented by The Artist Group Talent Agency. Hannah is thrilled to be making her professional theatre debut in this production of Evita. She would like to thank her teachers and her family for their support and hopes you enjoy the show.
Ruby Young

Ruby Young

Children's Ensemble

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Ruby Young

Ruby is absolutely thrilled to be making her professional theatre debut with Evita. Ruby dances and performs with Academy of Dance Victoria and works with singing coach Jessica Claughton. She is also a member of Dr Lisa Ellis’ Dance Prescription. Ruby has featured in an online advertising campaign and is represented by Alisa Meadow from Triple Talent Management. Ruby is in grade four at school and represents her class on the Student Representative Council (SRC). Ruby would love to thank all of her singing, dancing and performing teachers, and especially her family for supporting her passion.