Throughout 2020, the students of the Brisbane Academy of Musical Theatre have presented a range of well known Broadway musicals at the Hayward Street Studios, including GODSPELL and ALL SHOOK UP, both of which received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike.
But for their final piece for the year, they won't be borrowing from Broadway or even the West End; this November, they'll be premiering a brand new musical - MISFITS SCHOOL OF ARTS.
Written by Dennett Hudson and Tim O'Connor, MISFITS SCHOOL OF ARTS is all about the joys and perils of pursuing a life in the arts that reminds us that in a world where not everyone fits, its okay to be a misfit.
Set in a little town just outside of somewhere, retired performer Eglentine Fitzgerald welcomes the newest co-hort of rag-tag youngsters to her Misfits School of Arts. Over the course of a year, we follow this band of merry muppets as they pursue their Broadway dreams. From fear of wearing tights in ballet to trying to out-sing everybody at all times, to blossoming young love and the pain of heartbreak, and the ever-present question of who will get a solo at the end of year showcase, this hilarious coming-of-age story is both thigh-slappingly funny and heart-warmingly touching.
"We've been picking away at the idea for this musical for years," says writer Tim O'Connor, who is also the CEO of Harvest Rain and the founder of BAMT. "It wasn't until the pandemic hit and we all had to go home and hide out for a few months that life slowed down enough for us to actually get the thing finished! So, as harrowing as 2020 has been, some good has come of it in the form of this show!"
The premiere production opens at the Hayward Street Studios in Brisbane on 25th November and features the students of BAMT's Performance Course. Tickets are available at www.haywardstreet.com.au
"It's a show all about young people trying to follow their creative dreams," says composer Dennett Hudson. "The students at BAMT know all about that, so it's a great fit. Plus, there's some incredible talent in the course and we've been able to really highlight that with all the original music in the show"
To take a look behind the scenes at rehearsals for MISFITS, check out the video below!