I’m not sure if this was a first for NOW Productions, but it was definitely the first time I have seen them do a Musical Revue.

NOW Productions has an amazing attitude towards training the next generation of not only performers but technicians to take theatre into the future.  This time they have allowed young people full rein of their creativity by selecting numbers from some of the most iconic Musicals around.  I’m not sure how they came up with a shortlist and hopefully not spoiling any future announcements but perhaps there might be some more revues like this to come.

As usual the show was broken up into two Acts with four Musicals in each.  Auditions were held back in November 2024 and rehearsals commenced on the 18th January 2025.  According to the Cast Diary that can be scanned using a QR Code in the program, there were a total of 14 rehearsals, Bump In and Tech Run and one Dress Rehearsal.  With all the moving parts of this production, a truly amazing feat.

Most cast were members of the NOW Family, However I was pleasantly surprised that this was not a criteria for being selected in the show. Some notable exceptions were cast members who travelled from Tasmania to be part of the production along with some first timers.  That’s dedication on their behalf and inclusiveness on behalf of the company has to be recognised and commended.

Cast were divided up into Musical Productions with all fulfilling multiple roles throughout the show.  Each “Item” was a showcase of selected songs from the Musical it represented.  Act I comprised songs from Matilda the Musical, The Pirates of Penzance, Dear Evan Hansen and Mary Poppins.  You guessed it, the first act finale was Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and it brought the house down.  That is absolutely the way to finish a first half and ensure the audience return full of energy and enthusiasm for the second.

Act II included Come From Away, The Sound of Music, Into The Woods and Les Miserables.  As always Agony from Into the Woods was an absolute riot and as with the end of the Act I, Act II finished with One Day More which sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

I have to mention the Bows.  Often these can be a little messy as so much time and focus is spent on the actual show and the Bows become a last minute afterthought.  Not in the case of this production.  A lot of time and effort obviously went into the bows for this show as each of the cast stepped forward in Item groups with a quirky choreographed piece which identified to the audience which show bracket they had performed in. This truly allowed the audience to see the scope of work that had been involved in getting this production to the stage.

It is truly sad that there are only two performances of this production and I hope if it is something on NOW’s radar for the future they are able to perhaps sneak in a few more.  Well done to everyone involved and I look forward to your upcoming shows in 2025.

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