By Luke Voogt
Chelsea Gibb has joined fellow songstresses Amanda Harrison and Melissa Langton for the first time to pay homage to legendary composer Cy Coleman.
The Hamlyn Heights mother of three was thrilled to perform hits of the edgy jazz superstar.
“I don’t think anyone has come after him who had the same talents,” she said. “His music fits me like a glove.”
Gibb, who began her music theatre career as a jazz singer, said “this is the best sort of music I could ever dream to sing.”
Fresh off her role as Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Gibb said she was making a “fully-fledged” return to musical theatre.
Gibb has performed across Australia and more than 30 countries, with credits like Chicago, Anything Goes and The King and I to her name.
She never left the business completely, but toned down her performing after the birth of her eldest child 12 years ago.
“I just sort of try to fit it in between being a mother,” she said.
Cyrens – The Swinging Songbook of Cy Coleman, will be Gibb’s first time performing alongside Harrison and Langton.
“I’ve known them for many years,” she said. “Their voices are just phenomenal.”
“We’ve had two weeks to get it together and have sort of been going hard-core over the last couple of weeks.”
Cy Coleman was an edgy jazz composer and long-time friend of Playboy creator Hugh Hefner.
The trio will recount parts of Coleman’s life and sing hits like Big Spender to a four-piece band led by Langton’s husband Mark Jones.
“He’s done an amazing job with three-part voice harmonies,” Gibb said.
“The reason I love musical theatre is because of the story telling.”
Gibb’s solo performances in the show include Every Breath I Take from The City of Angels and The Oldest Profession.
“I’m sort of performing as a prostitute which is a bit of fun,” she said.
“Being able to slip away inside someone else while singing is just a joy.”
Harrison made her professional debut in Aspects of Love before going on to play Betty in Sunset Boulevard opposite Hugh Jackman.
She has performed in Les Miserables, Mamma Mia and The Boy From Oz, but is perhaps best known as Australia’s first Elphaba in Wicked.
“Mark, Melissa and Chelsea are dear friends of mine, so to be able to put on a show together has been a real joy,” she said.
Langton has performed in City of Angels, We Will Rock You, 42nd Street, Les Miserables and more, across Australia and the world.
Cyrens – The Swinging Songbook of Cy Coleman runs at Chapel off Chapel, Pahran, for five performances from 27 June 27 to 1 July.
Gibb said the trio hoped to perform the show at Geelong’s Piano Bar as well.
