Ali Campbell's UB40 With Billy Ocean Big Mountain At State Theatre, Sydney

Ali Campbell

The State Theatre in the heart of Sydney presented Ali Campbell's UB40 Tour with special guests Billy Ocean and Big Mountain.

If you enjoy the sounds of reggae and Caribbean music then you would have loved this.

The voice that was behind the hits "Red Red Wine" and "Can't Help Falling In Love" is now on stage singing to a different tune, nonetheless one that will still resonate strongly with audiences.

McManus Entertainment promotional pitch...

McManus Entertainment is delighted to announce Ali Campbell's UB40 Australian Tour featuring special guests Billy Ocean, plus Big Mountain featuring Junior Marvin. With shows in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, this is a show not to be missed for lovers of Reggae and Caribbean music.

With one of the world’s most distinctive and recognisable voices, Ali Campbell, the ex-UB40 ...frontman and original vocalist of massive worldwide hits "Red Red Wine", "Kingston Town" and "Can’t Help Falling In Love", returns to Australia with his new band. As lead singer with the world-renowned group UB40, Campbell has sold over 70 million records worldwide, toured across the globe, notched up four number No. 1 worldwide singles, over 40 Top 40 UK singles, released 24 studio albums and received an Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement.

Having sold over 30 million records worldwide Grammy-winning Billy Ocean has created a distinct and unique sound with hits like “Love Really Hurts Without You”, “Caribbean Queen”, “When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going” and one of the biggest hits of the 80’s, “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car”.

Big Mountain helped catapult Jamaican music to the mainstream with their cover of Peter Frampton’s “Baby I Love Your Way”. The group sold over a million copies of their album Unity featuring the smash hits “Sweet Sensual Love” and “Baby, I Love Your Way”. Joining Big Mountain on stage is Junior Marvin. Hailing from Bob Marley and The Wailers he first appeared on Marley’s legendary album Exodus and all Bob Marley and The Wailers albums since then.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see some of reggae’s best and well-loved artists in an intimate setting on one special night!

Background on Ali Campbell and UB40...

Ali Campbell, his brother and some mates began UB40 in the late 1970's in a basement in Birmingham. He started the band to promote his love of reggae.

With the strong political sentiment in their music, UB40 reflected angrily on Margaret Thatcher's Britain. He tells the press "We were quite angry, we felt like we'd been thrown away". Their message was obviously heard, as their phones were tapped by MI5. UB40 would go on to sell more than 70 million records around the world and produce 40 top ten hits in Britain.

In January 2008 he had an acrimonious split with the band. He was replaced by brother Duncan, but the pair have apparently not spoken since.

Ali Campbell is in Australia with his new band, still performing hits like Red Red Wine and Kingston Town.

Big Mountain

Billy Ocean

UB 40

Websites

State Theatre

www.statetheatre.com.au

UB 40

http://www.ub40.co.uk/

Ali Campbell

www.alicampbell.net

Billy Ocean

http://www.billyocean.co.uk/

McManus Entertainment

www.mcmanusentertainment.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Vanessa Hudgens and Josh Hutcherson Adventure to Bondi Beach

Vanessa Hudgens and Josh Hutcherson, a photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Vanessa Hudgens and Josh Hutcherson Adventure to Bondi Beach

Actor’s Vanessa Hudgens(Suckerpunch and High School Musical) and Josh Hutcherson (Hunger Games and Journey to the Centre of the Earth) were at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach while touring the harbour city for their latest film JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUSISLAND.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island begins when young Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson, reprising his role from the first film) receives acoded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island should exist.

It’s a place of strange life forms, mountains of gold, deadly volcanoes, and more than one astonishing secret.
Unable to stop him from going, Sean’s new stepfather, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), joins the quest. Together with helicopter pilot (Luis Guzman) and his beautiful, strong-willed daughter(Vanessa Hudgens), they set out to find the island, rescue its lone inhabitant and escape before seismic shockwaves force the island under the sea and bury its treasures forever.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is directed by Brad Peyton (Cats Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore). It also stars Michael Caine as Sean’s grandfather, Alexander Anderson, and Kristin Davis as Sean’s mum, Liz Anderson.
JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND releases in cinemas nationally on January 19th
(Please note – This is an alert for media coverage only and is not an invitation to attend the screening)

Websites


The Mysterious Island official website
www.themysteriousisland.com

Village Roadshow
www.village.com.au

Roadshow Films
www.roadshowfilms.com.au

Dwayne The Rock Johnson official Facebook
www.facebook.com/DwayneJohnson

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Xaiver Samuel

Xaiver Samuel, a photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
A Few Best Men Red Carpet Movie Premiere In Sydney, Australia

A Few Best Men enjoyed its Sydney red carpet premiere earlier this evening at Bondi Junction's Event Cinema.

In essence, it's a a comedy about a groom and his three best men who travel to the Australian outback for a wedding.

The flick has numerous Sydney based media men and women tipping that this may be just the start of a reinvigoration of Olivia Newton-John's acting career, but its really too early to know for sure. Maybe O-N-J and her agent know something we don't.

Twilight Eclipse hunk Xavier Samuel stars as the film's hapless bridegroom.

British thespians Kris Marshall (Death At A Funeral) Kevin Bishop (Spanish Apartment), and Australian comedy star Rebel Wilson was there, as was Laura Brent (Chronicles of Narnia), Steve Le Marquand (Beneath Hill 60) and Tangle actor Tim Draxl. Even local MP Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy showed up in support.

The flick, which was filmed in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, is hoped to be a return to form for Elliott, who has had mixed success since his 1994 smash hit The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.

It's quite an unlikely acting platform for Newton-John, who many film industry commentators say her last decent film role was alongside John Travolta in Two of a Kind back in 1983.

Elliott told the media that the Aussie singer/actress has fitted in well with the rest of the cast.

"She's great. Everyone's coming together really well and she's really getting into it," he said.

A Few Best Men opens in cinemas nationally on January 26, 2012.

Director: Stephan Elliott
Writers: Dean Craig
Stars: Rebel Wilson, Olivia Newton-John and Xavier Samuel

Websites

A Few Best Men official website
www.afewbestmenthemovie.com

Icon Film Distribution
www.iconmovies.com.au

Event Cinemas
www.eventcinemas.com.au

Nix Co
www.nixco.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Splash News
www.splashnews.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

One album. Two men. Too many instruments. A marathon of multi-instrumentalism.

Tubular Bells (24), a photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
One album. Two men. Too many instruments. A marathon of multi-instrumentalism.

Two ambitious musicians take up more than 20 instruments to present Mike Oldfield's classic hitTubular Bells in a unique musical - and acrobatic - performance. Oldfield's beautiful and sprawling progressive Celtic-folk-rock opus shot to number one in charts around the world in 1973-4.

Now Sydney multi-instrumentalists Daniel Holdsworth and Aidan Roberts have arranged the entire score of Tubular Bells to be played live by just two blokes, bringing the influential masterpiece to life in all its multi-layered madness and subtle beauty.

Website

Sydney Festival
www.sydneyfestival.org.au

Splash News
www.splashnews.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso: Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, Australia

Sydney, Australia, is once again the home for some of the world's finest and most celebrated art - thanks to the late Pablo Picasso.

It was Picasso that once cleverly said "I am the greatest collector of Picassos in the world." Words such as these further help build the unique media and marketing machine that he was - which backed up his genius body of work which went on to become legend.

Music News Australia and its media partners are pleased to advise the public that there's still over one month left for those in Sydney to visit the Picasso collection at the Art Gallery of NSW. This is welcome news for the many who had previously believed they had missed this opportunity.

It was last November when the pick of Picasso's works were unveiled in the Art Gallery of NSW. 

"These are the works that meant most to him," the gallery's director, Edmund Capon, told a packed house.

The exhibition - on loan from Paris museum - Musée National Picasso, in Paris, represented "7½ decades of the artist who I think defines the 20th century", he said.

It was the most significant Picasso expo anyone would see in Australia in their lifetime. 150 plus paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints are in Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso.

They are beautifully displayed in 10 rooms in chronological periods of Picasso's life, starting with a drawing from 1893, when he was 12, and commencing with pieces made approximately six months before his death in 1973.

Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, as one would expect.

You have the iconic works many fans would have seen in art books since their school days. Among them are Portrait of Dora Maar (1937), Two Women Running on the Beach (The Race) (1922) and Figures At the Seashore (1931).

To deal with with the expectations of more than 300,000 visitors over the show's 4½ months, it has introduced tickets with "timed" entry at half-hour intervals to reduce queueing. More than 20,000 have already been sold.

The Musee National Picasso houses the largest collection of the artist's work, much from his private collection. Its closure for renovations has allowed the work to tour the globe, with Sydney been the latest lucky city to show off the work.

The museum's president, Anne Baldassari, curated the Sydney show, which runs until March 25. "It's just masterpieces," she said. "It's a monumental show.

"It's a comprehensive show."

The show obviously has a huge appeal for Picasso fans and art lover in general, but even those who appreciate genius and the creative world in general will walk away happy having taken in the best that Picasso has to offer.

Official Promo...

Picasso masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris

This summer see the greatest Picasso exhibition ever to come to Australia.

Some 150 paintings, drawings and sculptures will fill most of the ground floor of the Art Gallery of NSW. These are ‘Picasso’s Picassos’, personal and revealing works that he kept to shape his own legacy.

Made possible only by the closure of the Musée National Picasso in Paris for renovations, the Gallery is the only venue in Australia on the exhibition’s world tour.

This is a rare opportunity to see work from the world’s most celebrated artist on such scale outside France.

An Australian first, the exhibition showcases seven decades of Pablo Picasso’s art. Every phase of his extraordinary career is represented, including masterpieces from the Blue, Rose, expressionist, cubist, neoclassical and surrealist periods. Read more

We’ve introduced timed ticketing to avoid queues. We strongly recommend that you pre-purchase a timed-entry ticket through Ticketek as times and dates will sell out.

Websites

Art Gallery of NSW

http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/

Art Gallery of NSW - Picasso masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris

www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/picasso

Pablo Picasso official website

http://www.picasso.fr/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Media Man News

http://www.mediamannews.com/

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Tahir and Rob Shehadie at Summernats

Tahir and Rob Shehadie, a photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer on Flickr.

Boy George, Culture Club

Boy George, Culture Club, a photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party: Jamiroquai, Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys, as well as Australia’s very own Guy Sebastian, Pseudo Echo and Lyndsey Ollard

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is thrilled to announce Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, which will be staged at Sydney’s Glebe Island overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour on Saturday December 31st 2011. The inaugural Sydney Resolution Concert Series will feature international superstars including Jamiroquai, Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys, as well as Australia’s very own Guy Sebastian, Pseudo Echo and Lyndsey Ollard.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is sure to be an unforgettable night of music and festivities, showcasing some of the biggest acts in the world against a backdrop that only Sydney can provide.

With unobstructed, stunning views of the city and the fireworks display, there is no better place to be on New Year’s Eve than Glebe Island. See 2011 out with a bang with some of the world’s biggest classic and contemporary artists, playing all the songs you know and love.

Sydney’s Glebe Island will turn into a ‘mini city’ for this very special event, with a custom-built venue providing the very best in entertainment and bars, an incredible on-site ‘village’ showcasing Sydney’s best local and international food, and a unique array of retail and market stalls.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series will be the hottest ticket in town for New Year’s Eve!
Please be advised that Sydney Resolution Concert Series is a licensed event – all patrons must be over 18 years of age.

Glebe Island is situated on the beautiful Sydney Harbour. All patrons will arrive and depart by ferry or bus service from terminals and wharfs provided by Sydney Resolution Concert Series.

Please note there is no parking at the event. Gates open at 2pm, entertainment commences at 4:00pm and all performances will conclude by 1:45am.

Gates close at 3.00am

Tickets go on sale at 9am on 28th November through Ticketmaster.

Websites

Sydney Resolution Concert Series - New Years Eve
www.sydneyresolution.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Guy Sebastian back up singer Carmen

Guy Sebastian, a photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party: Jamiroquai, Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys, as well as Australia’s very own Guy Sebastian, Pseudo Echo and Lyndsey Ollard

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is thrilled to announce Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, which will be staged at Sydney’s Glebe Island overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour on Saturday December 31st 2011. The inaugural Sydney Resolution Concert Series will feature international superstars including Jamiroquai, Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys, as well as Australia’s very own Guy Sebastian, Pseudo Echo and Lyndsey Ollard.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is sure to be an unforgettable night of music and festivities, showcasing some of the biggest acts in the world against a backdrop that only Sydney can provide.

With unobstructed, stunning views of the city and the fireworks display, there is no better place to be on New Year’s Eve than Glebe Island. See 2011 out with a bang with some of the world’s biggest classic and contemporary artists, playing all the songs you know and love.

Sydney’s Glebe Island will turn into a ‘mini city’ for this very special event, with a custom-built venue providing the very best in entertainment and bars, an incredible on-site ‘village’ showcasing Sydney’s best local and international food, and a unique array of retail and market stalls.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series will be the hottest ticket in town for New Year’s Eve!
Please be advised that Sydney Resolution Concert Series is a licensed event – all patrons must be over 18 years of age.

Glebe Island is situated on the beautiful Sydney Harbour. All patrons will arrive and depart by ferry or bus service from terminals and wharfs provided by Sydney Resolution Concert Series.

Please note there is no parking at the event. Gates open at 2pm, entertainment commences at 4:00pm and all performances will conclude by 1:45am.

Gates close at 3.00am

Tickets go on sale at 9am on 28th November through Ticketmaster.

Websites

Sydney Resolution Concert Series - New Years Eve
www.sydneyresolution.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Lindsey Ollard rips her dress

Lindsey Ollard, a photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party: Jamiroquai, Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys, as well as Australia’s very own Guy Sebastian, Pseudo Echo and Lyndsey Ollard

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is thrilled to announce Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, which will be staged at Sydney’s Glebe Island overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour on Saturday December 31st 2011. The inaugural Sydney Resolution Concert Series will feature international superstars including Jamiroquai, Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys, as well as Australia’s very own Guy Sebastian, Pseudo Echo and Lyndsey Ollard.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is sure to be an unforgettable night of music and festivities, showcasing some of the biggest acts in the world against a backdrop that only Sydney can provide.

With unobstructed, stunning views of the city and the fireworks display, there is no better place to be on New Year’s Eve than Glebe Island. See 2011 out with a bang with some of the world’s biggest classic and contemporary artists, playing all the songs you know and love.

Sydney’s Glebe Island will turn into a ‘mini city’ for this very special event, with a custom-built venue providing the very best in entertainment and bars, an incredible on-site ‘village’ showcasing Sydney’s best local and international food, and a unique array of retail and market stalls.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series will be the hottest ticket in town for New Year’s Eve!
Please be advised that Sydney Resolution Concert Series is a licensed event – all patrons must be over 18 years of age.

Glebe Island is situated on the beautiful Sydney Harbour. All patrons will arrive and depart by ferry or bus service from terminals and wharfs provided by Sydney Resolution Concert Series.

Please note there is no parking at the event. Gates open at 2pm, entertainment commences at 4:00pm and all performances will conclude by 1:45am.

Gates close at 3.00am

Tickets go on sale at 9am on 28th November through Ticketmaster.

Websites

Sydney Resolution Concert Series - New Years Eve
www.sydneyresolution.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Lindsey Ollard

Lindsey Ollard, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party: Jamiroquai, Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys, as well as Australia’s very own Guy Sebastian, Pseudo Echo and Lyndsey Ollard

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is thrilled to announce Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, which will be staged at Sydney’s Glebe Island overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour on Saturday December 31st 2011. The inaugural Sydney Resolution Concert Series will feature international superstars including Jamiroquai, Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys, as well as Australia’s very own Guy Sebastian, Pseudo Echo and Lyndsey Ollard.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is sure to be an unforgettable night of music and festivities, showcasing some of the biggest acts in the world against a backdrop that only Sydney can provide.

With unobstructed, stunning views of the city and the fireworks display, there is no better place to be on New Year’s Eve than Glebe Island. See 2011 out with a bang with some of the world’s biggest classic and contemporary artists, playing all the songs you know and love.

Sydney’s Glebe Island will turn into a ‘mini city’ for this very special event, with a custom-built venue providing the very best in entertainment and bars, an incredible on-site ‘village’ showcasing Sydney’s best local and international food, and a unique array of retail and market stalls.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series will be the hottest ticket in town for New Year’s Eve!
Please be advised that Sydney Resolution Concert Series is a licensed event – all patrons must be over 18 years of age.

Glebe Island is situated on the beautiful Sydney Harbour. All patrons will arrive and depart by ferry or bus service from terminals and wharfs provided by Sydney Resolution Concert Series.

Please note there is no parking at the event. Gates open at 2pm, entertainment commences at 4:00pm and all performances will conclude by 1:45am.

Gates close at 3.00am

Tickets go on sale at 9am on 28th November through Ticketmaster.

Websites

Sydney Resolution Concert Series - New Years Eve
www.sydneyresolution.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Alan Jones Joins Cast Of Annie The Musical At Lyric Theatre; The Star

Alan Jones Joins Cast Of Annie The Musical At Lyric Theatre; The Star, a photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Alan Jones Joins Cast Of Annie The Musical At Lyric Theatre; The Star

Australian broadcasting legend Alan Jones will demonstrate his singing skills when he makes his musical theatre debut in a new Australian production of Annie - The Musical.

Jones will star alongside Anthony Warlow, Todd McKenney and Nancye Hayes in producer John Frost's latest show.

The musical marks a return to the role of Daddy Warbucks for Warlow, who played the character in a 2000 production of Annie, about an orphan girl taken in by the multi-millionaire in Depression-era New York.

"It was a wonderful experience then. People say never work with children and animals, but in this case the children were wonderful," Warlow said.

Jones, who will perform a musical number in his role as president Roosevelt, was handpicked by Frost, who advised he had Jones in mind from the early casting days.

"I wanted to pull a rabbit out of the hat in a way," Frost said.

In a video message played at the show's launch on Monday, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said he couldn't believe Frost had taken Jones on, "because he never ever takes direction".

Jones talked down his part in the production, requesting news media to direct questions to "the stars" of the show.

He said he just hoped he could do the role justice.

"I have a lot of good people to help me. I hope I'm going to do alright and not let the team down," he said.

Frost, who is the man behind the smash hit Australian productions of Wicked, Chicago and Phantom of the Opera, is confident Jones will not need any acting or singing lessons, despite having no previous theatrical experience.

Frost knows Jones is a safe bet.

"He's full of confidence and he holds a tune well," he said.

"If anything I'd love to put another song in for him, but I can't."

He said the show will be a true performance of the original stage production.

"The timing now is right to bring it back. With a fresh cast, I think it's got a good chance of being a great success," Frost said.

The battle for the Australian entertainment dollar continues, and certainly Sydney's The Star is going full speed ahead and betting that world class entertainment will remain paramount in the quest to bring more punters to land based casinos and entertainment complexes.

Media blurb we secured...

The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including It's the Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, N.Y.C. and the ever-optimistic Tomorrow, Annie is one of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time. Reprising one of his all-time favourite roles as the charismatic and sophisticated New York ‘zillionaire' Daddy Warbucks, is Anthony Warlow. He will be joined by the ever-popular Nancye Hayes playing everyone's favourite villain, Miss Hannigan. Todd McKenney, Chloë Dallimore and Julie Goodwin also bring their talents to this delightful musical. And in a special treat, radio star Alan Jones will join the cast in the role of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

A MESSAGE FROM PRODUCER JOHN FROST

It gives me great pleasure to bring ANNIE back to Australian audiences. When I produced this show 12 years ago I was overwhelmed by the response it received. ANNIE is such a well known, well loved production that appeals to so many different age groups. Its popularity means that it is staged once a year in many countries around the world, and I have no doubt that the Australian audiences are well and truly ready to see it again.

This time around, I am especially delighted to be able to work once more with Australia's favourite leading man, Anthony Warlow and theatrical legend Nancye Hayes.

To be taking this wonderful show and the star studded cast on tour in 2012 presents a unique and exciting opportunity to reach a new generation of Australians and it gives me enormous pleasure to think that people Australia wide will again be able to experience this special production.

Websites

The Star
www.star.com.au

Annie The Musical
www.anniethemusical.com.au

Lyric Theatre
www.lyrictheatre.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Media Man News
www.mediamannews.com

Casino News Media
www.casinonewsmedia.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Annie The Musical,

Annie The Musical,, a photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Alan Jones Joins Cast Of Annie The Musical At Lyric Theatre; The Star

Australian broadcasting legend Alan Jones will demonstrate his singing skills when he makes his musical theatre debut in a new Australian production of Annie - The Musical.

Jones will star alongside Anthony Warlow, Todd McKenney and Nancye Hayes in producer John Frost's latest show.

The musical marks a return to the role of Daddy Warbucks for Warlow, who played the character in a 2000 production of Annie, about an orphan girl taken in by the multi-millionaire in Depression-era New York.

"It was a wonderful experience then. People say never work with children and animals, but in this case the children were wonderful," Warlow said.

Jones, who will perform a musical number in his role as president Roosevelt, was handpicked by Frost, who advised he had Jones in mind from the early casting days.

"I wanted to pull a rabbit out of the hat in a way," Frost said.

In a video message played at the show's launch on Monday, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said he couldn't believe Frost had taken Jones on, "because he never ever takes direction".

Jones talked down his part in the production, requesting news media to direct questions to "the stars" of the show.

He said he just hoped he could do the role justice.

"I have a lot of good people to help me. I hope I'm going to do alright and not let the team down," he said.

Frost, who is the man behind the smash hit Australian productions of Wicked, Chicago and Phantom of the Opera, is confident Jones will not need any acting or singing lessons, despite having no previous theatrical experience.

Frost knows Jones is a safe bet.

"He's full of confidence and he holds a tune well," he said.

"If anything I'd love to put another song in for him, but I can't."

He said the show will be a true performance of the original stage production.

"The timing now is right to bring it back. With a fresh cast, I think it's got a good chance of being a great success," Frost said.

The battle for the Australian entertainment dollar continues, and certainly Sydney's The Star is going full speed ahead and betting that world class entertainment will remain paramount in the quest to bring more punters to land based casinos and entertainment complexes.

Media blurb we secured...

The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including It's the Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, N.Y.C. and the ever-optimistic Tomorrow, Annie is one of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time. Reprising one of his all-time favourite roles as the charismatic and sophisticated New York ‘zillionaire' Daddy Warbucks, is Anthony Warlow. He will be joined by the ever-popular Nancye Hayes playing everyone's favourite villain, Miss Hannigan. Todd McKenney, Chloë Dallimore and Julie Goodwin also bring their talents to this delightful musical. And in a special treat, radio star Alan Jones will join the cast in the role of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

A MESSAGE FROM PRODUCER JOHN FROST

It gives me great pleasure to bring ANNIE back to Australian audiences. When I produced this show 12 years ago I was overwhelmed by the response it received. ANNIE is such a well known, well loved production that appeals to so many different age groups. Its popularity means that it is staged once a year in many countries around the world, and I have no doubt that the Australian audiences are well and truly ready to see it again.

This time around, I am especially delighted to be able to work once more with Australia's favourite leading man, Anthony Warlow and theatrical legend Nancye Hayes.

To be taking this wonderful show and the star studded cast on tour in 2012 presents a unique and exciting opportunity to reach a new generation of Australians and it gives me enormous pleasure to think that people Australia wide will again be able to experience this special production.

Websites

The Star
www.star.com.au

Annie The Musical
www.anniethemusical.com.au

Lyric Theatre
www.lyrictheatre.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Media Man News
www.mediamannews.com

Casino News Media
www.casinonewsmedia.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Jamiroquai

Jamiroquai, a photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party: Jamiroquai, Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys, as well as Australia’s very own Guy Sebastian, Pseudo Echo and Lyndsey Ollard

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is thrilled to announce Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, which will be staged at Sydney’s Glebe Island overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour on Saturday December 31st 2011. The inaugural Sydney Resolution Concert Series will feature international superstars including Jamiroquai, Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys, as well as Australia’s very own Guy Sebastian, Pseudo Echo and Lyndsey Ollard.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is sure to be an unforgettable night of music and festivities, showcasing some of the biggest acts in the world against a backdrop that only Sydney can provide.

With unobstructed, stunning views of the city and the fireworks display, there is no better place to be on New Year’s Eve than Glebe Island. See 2011 out with a bang with some of the world’s biggest classic and contemporary artists, playing all the songs you know and love.

Sydney’s Glebe Island will turn into a ‘mini city’ for this very special event, with a custom-built venue providing the very best in entertainment and bars, an incredible on-site ‘village’ showcasing Sydney’s best local and international food, and a unique array of retail and market stalls.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series will be the hottest ticket in town for New Year’s Eve!
Please be advised that Sydney Resolution Concert Series is a licensed event – all patrons must be over 18 years of age.

Glebe Island is situated on the beautiful Sydney Harbour. All patrons will arrive and depart by ferry or bus service from terminals and wharfs provided by Sydney Resolution Concert Series.

Please note there is no parking at the event. Gates open at 2pm, entertainment commences at 4:00pm and all performances will conclude by 1:45am.

Gates close at 3.00am

Tickets go on sale at 9am on 28th November through Ticketmaster.

Websites

Sydney Resolution Concert Series - New Years Eve
www.sydneyresolution.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com