While WA Academy of Performing Arts trained musical theatre and TV star Rob Mallett is sure to have audiences all shook up when the national tour of Elvis: A Musical Revolution hits Crown Theatre Perth, there will also be three local youngsters who audiences can’t help falling in love with too.
Triple-threat talents Nicholas Burg (12) from Subiaco and Dalkeith’s Hudson Brown (11) and Oscar Harrison (12) have been cast to share the coveted role of Young Elvis across the Perth season starting May 11.
Created by David Abbinanti and Sean Cercone — who brought us Saturday Night Fever: The Musical and Ghost: The Musical — Elvis: A Musical Revolution is a new bio-musical celebrating the life and music of the rock ‘n’ roll legend, authorised by Elvis Presley Enterprises and featuring more than 40 Presley hits.
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READ NOWProducer David Venn says they received hundreds of hopeful applications through the open audition process, running group audition sessions where each applicant read a scene from the show, learnt some Elvis dance moves and sang.
“As it’s based on factual events, as well as being able to sing and dance, we are ultimately looking for performers who can create an authentic interpretation of young Elvis,” Venn says.
“It’s important we find the heart to the role and are looking for artists who have a certain charisma and will make our audiences smile.
“We’ve been incredibly lucky to find these young artists. They are full of energy and joy, and that’s exactly what we want audiences to experience when they come and see the show.”
John XXIII College student Burg says his family introduced him to Presley’s music from an early age, where he became a fan of his personality, voice, music and moves.
“I’ve always loved performing in front of my family at home, dreaming that one day I will be performing in a real musical theatre show. Many of those performances were songs by Elvis,” Burg says.
“This will be my first performance in a professional production. I am mostly looking forward to finally seeing what it’s like to be in a professional show.”
Christ Church Grammar School student Brown auditioned thinking it would be a huge opportunity to play the king of rock ‘n’ roll, excited by the prospect of learning many new showbusiness skills.
“I am really looking forward to performing in front of the whole of Perth and seeing what will happen along the way with this spectacular show,” he adds.
Similarly, fellow Christ Church student Harrison, who loves all forms of musical entertainment, is also relishing the chance to perform in front of the huge audiences.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to perform in a professional musical theatre production,” he adds.
The production also features film, TV and theatre actor Ian Stenlake as Colonel Parker, musical theatre powerhouse Kirby Burgess as Ann-Margaret and WAAPA graduates Noni McCallum as Gladys Presley and Ben Hall as Sam Phillips.