By ALANA MITCHELSON
Country music performer Melinda Schneider will bring her Doris concert to Geelong next week with plans to take the show overseas in the near future.
The multi-Golden Guitar winner has featured in Doris Day – So Much More than the Girl Next Door across the nation since 2010, performing alongside two top male dancers and a 12-piece band. A highlight was staging Doris at Sydney Opera House.
Schneider has now given Doris a new life, bringing the production to regional areas in the form of a smaller concert show, all 26 songs included.
Writing the show in 2010 was a challenge for the songwriter, she admitted.
“It was all a whole new world – trying to convey my ideas to choreographers and actors – but such a big thrill to watch it come to life,” Schneider told the Indy.
“The show tells all of the wonderful stories of Doris Day’s life; how she recorded over 600 songs, starred in many hit movies, was devastated with bankruptcy and went through four marriages.
“I am really excited to be able to bring this wonderful music to smaller centres. People sing-a-long to the songs and leave with smiles on their faces.”
Schneider’s interest in Doris Day began after watching her 1953 film Calamity Jane.
“It was a Hollywood fairytale kind of a movie,” she said.
“She was such a huge talent, a triple threat as they say – she could sing, dance and act. I thought then that she was the best of everything a woman could be and when I grew up I wanted to be just like her.”
Schneider grew up around Sydney clubs, performing in shows with her country singing and yodelling mum.
The 44-year-old recollected many memories of falling asleep on her mother’s fur coat backstage and listening to the show as she drifted off.
“I was influenced pretty heavily by my mum,” Schneider said.
“Having parents in the business, it was invaluable really. I’ve been through the difficult moments of finding myself and trying to forge my own path in the industry.”
She had her first stage appearance at age three, completed her first recording at eight and began acting at 13.
Now a new mother herself, Schneider is the happiest she has ever been in years with her now three-year-old son Sullivan and partner Mark Gable of the pub rock band Choirboys.
“Sullivan comes out on tour with me when I’ll be on the road for a decent period. But I only want him to pursue a career in the entertainment industry if he wants to.
“I wasn’t pushed into a performance career, but it was definitely encouraged. I want him to be able to decide that for himself. I think I’d do that differently.”
Melinda Does Doris begins 2pm Wednesday in Geelong Performing Arts Centre’s The Playhouse theatre.
