Helen Medlyn tours with Operatunity's Best Musicals

Helen Medlyn tours with Operatunity's Best Musicals of All Time

When Helen Medlyn begins the Operatunity Best Musicals of All Time tour she will be combining two abilities: her great singing and her recently acquired Class 2 licence. Helen will be driving her way through New Zealand with 4 singers and a pianist in the well-travelled Operatunity bus. She is a diva on stage and on the road she will be our fabulous singing bus driver. It will be a change from Helen’s usual mode of transport - a Harley Davidson motorbike!

The iconic Helen Medlyn will lead an entertaining revue-style show, taking you on a journey through the best musicals of all time. Along with Helen, our amazing group of musical theatre exponents will move you to both laughter and tears. Just like a degustation menu you will be sampling the best offerings from some of the tastiest musicals: Wouldn’t it be Loverly from My Fair Lady; The Time Warp from Rocky Horror Picture Show; Tonight from Westside Story; andSend in the Clowns from A Little Night Music. So come along and enjoy an Operatunity concert where we provide you with great music, brilliant performers and a bite to eat with good company.

Performances at 24 venues nationwide from 2 June – 3 July 2015

For more information, or to book – call toll free 0508 266 237 or visit www.daytimeconcerts.co.nz

Helen Medlyn is someone who exudes all the qualities of a great entertainer: she will put you at ease, make you laugh and cry, captivate you and hold your attention. Helen is a varied and skilled performer, having performed in a large range of musical genres; she was made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours for her services to the performing arts. Helen is established as a regular guest artist with opera companies and orchestras throughout Australasia, Asia, America and Britain and is rated among this country's finest dramatic singers and gaining critical acclaim for her distinctive performances.

Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua is one of Operatunity’s New Zealand Three Tenors and he frequently tours with Operatunity. Bonnie has a wide range of performing styles – this year he has already performed in our Big Band Era and Opera’s Greatest Hits tours. Bonnie was awarded the Iosefa Enari Scholarship Award for the support and development of Pacific Island Opera Singers in 2004 and was a finalist for the New Zealand Aria competition in 2007-08.

Lynette Martin is well known to Operatunity audiences having first joined Operatunity more than 7 years ago as a performer in the Daytime Concert Series. She has performed principal roles with Auckland Opera, Wellington City Opera and Opera Hawke's Bay along with many local theatre companies. Lynette's experience extends to TV and Radio as well as the concert platform.

Penny Dodd is a pianist, arranger, and conductor with over thirty years experience in NZ, UK and Australia. She spent five years as musical director at Mercury Theatre before moving to London and working in the West End, the National Theatre and in touring shows. She has arranged and conducted Symphonic Rock Concerts with the APO, and Coca Cola Christmas in the Park for 17 years. Musicals Penny has conducted at the Civic in Auckland include Evita, Chicago, 42nd Street, Cats, and Anything Goes. Penny has performed with Helen Medlyn in their cabarets since 1998.

Rory Nolan is an experienced music theatre performer, having performed in Miss Saigon, Songs for a New World and a leading role in Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds. Rory also recently completed a law degree and last year was part of Operatunity’s Modern Musicals tour as well as performing in the Mamma Mia production at the Auckland Civic Theatre.

Originally from Invercargill, Hamish McGregor spent many years performing in musicals in Otago and Southland. Highlights include Amos in Chicago, Eddie in The Rocky Horror Show and Mr Bumble in Oliver. He enjoys singing many different styles of music, but his favourite is musical theatre as it gets to combine his other great passion, acting! Last year Hamish directed a production for the Manukau Performing Arts and was part of the Mamma Mia production at the Auckland Civic Theatre.

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