Stories are on song

Musical theatre cult-classics will get the GSODA treatment in a new variety showcase about to hit the Geelong stage.
About 60 of the region’s most talented young performers will pay homage to their favourite musical moments in This is Our Story, said GSODA’s Jenny Cogan.
Newtown’s Giulia Monea will join the cast after two years with the theatre company.
“I get to try being a different person,” she said.
“I like that I can showcase my talent but not have the responsibilities of it being a job.”
The 14-year-old will play Crystal in the Little Shop of Horrors – the story of a flesh-eating plant bent on world-domination.
The comedy is just one of 30 musical numbers in the jam-packed show – a perfect fit for Giulia, who studies singing outside of school.
“It’s lots of fun,” she said.
Audiences will “travel” to skid row, the Sahara Desert, Miami dance floors and high school hallways through a collection of songs celebrating modern musical theatre.
The showcase will feature numbers from Shrek and Disney’s Aladdin, along with hits like Dolly Parton’s Nine to Five and Gloria Estefan’s On Your Feet.
The young cast will also perform songs from rarely-seen adaptations of films like Bring it On and School of Rock.
Giulia was thrilled to relive childhood classics like Shrek. But her favourite part of the show was a song by the group’s eldest actresses.
“It’s quite beautiful and it’s got so many harmonies,” she said.
The actresses – who are leaving this year due to their age – will perform the song as a tribute to their time in the company, Giulia said.
“They’re really good role models.”
Hannah Petrie-Allbutt, a former GSODA actress, will return to make her directorial debut with the company.
Petrie-Allbutt will join vocal director Rebecca Newman and a team of choreographers for the show.
This is Our Story will play for four shows at Geelong Performing Arts Centre’s Drama Theatre from 10-12 November.
Tickets available at www.gpac.org.au