Dusty - The Original Pop Diva

Infobox Musical
name= Dusty
The Original Pop Diva


caption= logo
music= Songs recorded by Dusty Springfield
lyrics=
book= John-Michael Howson
David Mitchell
Melvyn Morrow
basis=
productions= 2006 Australia
awards=

"Dusty - The Original Pop Diva" is an Australian jukebox musical based on the life of Dusty Springfield. The book of the musical was written by John-Michael Howson, David Mitchell and Melvyn Morrow. "Dusty" received its world premiere on 12 January 2006 at the State Theatre of the Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne, Australia.

History

Howson, Mitchell and Morrow had collaborated on SHOUT! a successful Australian jukebox bio musical based on the life of Johnny O'Keefe. The book writers and "SHOUT!" producer Dennis Smith "wanted to produce another biographical musical based on the life of a major musical star, but this time [...] believed the star should be either English or American and someone who had enjoyed international and not just local fame.""Dusty - The Original Pop Diva" souvenir programme] A number of singers were considered before Springfield was selected after Mitchell read "Dancing With Demons", a biography co-written by former Springfield manager and confidante Vicki Wickham.

The first draft of the script was written by early 2002 and an investor's workshop was held in March 2004. The workshop cast included Tamsin Carroll, Trisha Noble, Mitchell Butel and Todd Goddard, who all went on to appear in the world premiere production. The writers approached and received input to the script from Vicki Wickham (although the musical's book is not directly based on Wickham's book).

Other stage versions of Dusty Springfield's life

"Dusty - The Original Pop Diva" is not the only time Springfield's life has been dramatised on stage and the musical should not be confused with other adaptations such as the 2005 American play with music "A Girl Called Dusty" [Citation
title = The painful transformation of Dusty Springfield
url=http://www.provincetownbanner.com/article/arts_article/_/33054/Arts/7/7/2005
accessdate = 2008-02-15] by Susann Fletcher or the 2000 British musical "Dusty: the musical" [Citation
title = Dusty Springfield:Dusty Devotedly
url=http://www.simonbell.com/musical.html
accessdate = 2008-02-15] by Paul Prescott.

Synopsis

From the souvenir programme of the original production:

"In the 1950s a star-struck, plain and dumpy London schoolgirl imagines she could become a glamorous movie idol. Her parents tell her that her fantasies will never come true and not to dream the impossible dream. But nothing deters her. blessed with an amazing voice and talent, she ets out to become a singer and star. Soon, plain Mary O'Brien has transformed herself into the blonde pop icon, Dusty Springfield. But while Dussty, the gorgeous blonde star, is the image the world sees, it is an illusion behind which little Mary O'Brien still lives; the alter ego from which Dusty can never escape and who remains with her throughout her life."

"In the 1960s Dusty Springfield takes the entertainment world by storm with a score of hits, a top TV show and a legion of fans. But the success she wanted is hollow and a real happiness eludes her. Driven by her sense of perfection, Dusty takes on the world even as she discovers a desperate need to be loved in a way that could cause her career to crash. At the pinnacle of international success, with triumphs in Britain and America, Dusty finds the pressure unbearable. Unable to be what other people expect, and finding the spotlight's heat can burn, she retreats from the world into a dark place."

"Finding strength in adversity, Dusty returns to soar to the top. With the world applauding again, she has one more battle to fight."

List of musical numbers

Productions

The original production and Australian tour premiered on 12 January 2006 at the State Theatre of the Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne, Australia. Seasons at the Lyric Theatre at Star City, Sydney and the Lyric Theatre at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (from 29 August 2006) followed.

The Australian tour closed on 21 September 2006 after 253 performances with close to 400,000 audience members having attended the show. [Citation
title = Dusty The Musical website
url=http://www.dustythemusical.com/
accessdate = 2008-02-15]

A London West End production was discussed but did not eventuate.

Major cast members included:

*Dusty Springfield - Tamsin Carroll
*Rodney - Michell Butel
*Peg - Kay Tuckerman
*Kay O'Brien - Trisha Noble
*Mary O'Brien - Alexis Fishman
*Mr O'Brien - Glenn Butcher
*Reno - Deni Hines

Major creatives included:

*Director - Stuart Maunder
*Set and costume design - Roger Kirk
*Choreography - Ross Coleman
*Musical arrangements, direction and supervision - Stephen 'Spud' Murphy
*Lighting design - Trudy Dalgleish
*Sound design - Michael Waters
*Executive producer - Sue Farrelly
*Producer - Dennis Smith

Response

The original production of "Dusty" was nominated for six [Citation
title = Helpmann Awards Nominees Year:2006 Categories:Musicals
url=http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/default.aspx?s=nominees&year=2006&cid=3
accessdate = 2008-02-15] 2006 Helpmann Awards, including two nominations in the "Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical" category, and won two [Citation
title = Helpmann Awards Winners Year:2006
url=http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/default.aspx?s=winners&year=2006
accessdate = 2008-02-15] :
*Best Musical
*Best Direction of a Musical (Stuart Maunder)
*Best Choreography in a Musical (Ross Coleman - winner)
*Best Female Actor in a Musical (Tamsin Carroll - winner)
*Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Deni Hines and Alexis Fishman)

Recordings

The original production did not release a full cast album, just a four track CD that was only available at the theatre. A compilation CD of 24 Dusty Springfield songs was also issued bearing the logo of the musical.

External links

[http://www.dustythemusical.com/ official website of the musical]

References