By Luke Voogt
Veteran Australian performer Rachael Beck will celebrate her career and new album This Girl with her latest solo show in Geelong next week.
Beck will share her story with locals through songs from her long list of theatre credits, which include classics like Cabaret and Les Miserables.
“It’s full of great stories that people have never heard,” the 46-year-old told the Indy Monday.
“Be prepared to be surprised.”
Beck performed alongside Hugh Jackman in Beauty and the Beast, which won the 1996 ARIA Award for the Best Australian Soundtrack, Cast, or Show Release.
“He’s just a gorgeous guy,” she said. “Just like a puppy dog – he’s so full of energy. I think that’s why he’s successful.”
The three-time Green Room Award winner said her new show was a tribute to the people who followed her career.
Beck won best leading actress in the awards for her performances in Les Miserables, Singing in the Rain and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
She plays Lisa Parker in Home and Away and has appeared on a number of iconic Australian shows including Stingers, Flying Doctors and Hey Dad.
Beck will also belt out rock anthems by artists such as Kate Bush, Bob Dylan and KD Lang, as well her own tune – Perfect Day.
She wrote the heartfelt tune about waking up next to the “perfect” person every day.
“I don’t need anything else to be happy,” she said.
This Girl runs in Geelong next Wednesday and Thursday as part of Geelong Performing Arts Centre’s Musical Mornings.
A familiar face in Geelong, Beck performed in the city in recent years with David Hobson in Both Sides and Ian Stenlake in Love Letters.
“I love it down there,” she said. “It’s a great audience – they’re very responsive.”
Beck is an ambassador of the Australian Children’s Music Foundation.
