Adelaide Festival Centre will bring some of the world’s best ballet companies and musicals to Adelaide through new Musicals on Film and Dance on Film programs, commencing on February 8 in the Dunstan Playhouse, with screenings throughout the year.

The inaugural Dance on Film series in 2012 will bring some of the biggest companies and most beautiful ballets to the screen. The series begins with the Royal Ballet performing the much loved classic Sleeping Beauty on Friday February 10 at 6.30pm. Be enthralled as Aurora is cursed by the wicked fairy Carabosse, in one of the most famous ballets in storybook classical repertoire.

The internationally acclaimed Paris Opera Ballet performs Swan Lake on April 16 at 11am and Profokiev’s Cinderella on October 19 at 6.30pm. Revel in the strains of Tchaikovsky’s composition as Odette and Prince Seigfried’s doomed love unfolds in Swan Lake, or take in the choreography of legendary dancer Rudolf Nureyev in Cinderella.

The multi-award winning film Life In Movement comes to the Festival Centre on August 2. Life In Movement tells the story of renowned choreographer Tania Liedtke, depicting the rising star and the tragic loss felt by the arts community with her passing. Created by South Australian company Closer Productions, the film is an unforgettable look at creativity and mortality. Prior to the screening, the short film To My Suite will premiere.

Musicals On Film is also a new program for 2012, launching in grand style at 10am on Wednesday February 8 with one of the most popular and awarded musical films of all time, My Fair Lady. The film won eight Academy Awards® and is a verbal, visual and musical feast, starring a suave Rex Harrison and the gorgeous Audrey Hepburn showing off Cecil Beaton’s exquisite costumes.

The second showing in the Musicals on Film program, screened in November, is the classic American musical Show Boat, starring talented soprano Kathryn Grayson, the beautiful Ava Gardner and a charismatic Howard Keel. This cinematic classic from the ‘golden age’ of movie musicals is sure to delight audiences.

The Musicals On Film matinee season will be hosted by ABC 891 presenter, film buff and raconteur Peter Goers and will include gossip about the glamorous, with prizes for lucky attendees.

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier says, “I am delighted to introduce a film component into Adelaide Festival Centre’s program for 2012. The Musicals on Film and Dance on Film series will bring some of the world’s best actors, dancers, and companies to life on the big screen right here in Adelaide. It’s a great opportunity to experience some of the very best performances from the comfort of the Dunstan Playhouse, adding to the live feeling.”

For further information visit www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

Direct from Broadway and a U.S Tour, an all-new Australian production of one the most successful American Broadway musicals of all time, A Chorus Line is coming to Adelaide and Melbourne.

Adelaide’s Debora Krizak will play the sexy, full of attitude character of Sheila Bryant in the stunning Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical, opening at Adelaide’s Festival Theatre on December 31.

Debora originates from Adelaide where she obtained a Bachelor Of Arts Degree in Performing Arts. Moving to Sydney in 2001, Debora made her music theatre debut in GFO’s The Producers in which she understudied and performed the role of Swedish secretary ‘Ulla’.

Performer Debora Krizak

“I am very excited about performing as Sheila in A Chorus Line and audiences can expect to witness a bird’s eye view into the grueling audition process that is a part of any music theatre performer’s life! It’s high energy, inspiring and full of emotion. Everyone in this show has to dance, sing and act. There’s no hiding. Not to mention the amazing score and iconic Michael Bennett choreography. I’m so thrilled Adelaide is getting a music theatre premiere,” Debora said.

“There are some strong characters in A Chorus Line which tells the stories of the dreams and aspirations of 17 dancers auditioning for eight stage roles in a musical. Sheila is certainly one of those strong characters who as part of her audition tells the story of her difficult childhood, with a mother who lived her life through Sheila and an unfaithful father,” Debora shared.

Sheila is Debora’s dream role. She first saw the film “A Chorus Line” with her Mum in 1985 and has always remembered Sheila who struck a chord with her and her song “At The Ballet” which is such a poignant part in the show.

Debora has also appeared in Calendar Girls, Respect The Musical, played Shania in Karaoke The Musical for Guy Noble and the role of Madame Aubert in Titanic a New Musical. She recently performed as Gina in Stalker Theatre’s physical theatre piece Shanghai Lady Killer. 

Other stage credits of Debora’s include lead vocalist for some of Australia’s most successful corporate touring acts as well as featuring as a solo performer for Tennis Australia, the Australian Grand Prix and the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games to name a few. Debora has established a successful television career having hosted Network Ten’s The  Music Shop and has featured in many TV commercials, corporate videos and Australian films.

This new contemporary production comes direct from Broadway, directed and re-staged by Baayork Lee, with Musical Supervisor Peter Casey, produced by Tim Lawson and TML Enterprises. Producer Tim Lawson says “Audiences will be blown away by the talent of the cast we have auditioned.”

A Chorus Line

The cast will also include Josh Horner (Billy Elliot on Broadway, Tivoli, Dirty Dancing, Dancing With the Stars) who will play formidable Broadway director, Zach. Josh says “This role of Zach really speaks to me. You see people giving their heart and soul and you are in control of their dreams. I’ve been on both sides of that role so A Chorus Line mirrors perfectly my life as a dancer.”

A Chorus Line was originally conceived, choreographed and directed by Michael Bennett with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban.  Director Baayork Lee has been involved in A Chorus Line since 1975, first as a dancer in the original Broadway cast creating the role of Connie, through to directing the show in the U.S. and now in Australia. 

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier says “It’s the musical for anyone who has ever had a dream and put everything on the line to achieve it. Dance is so popular at the moment and we hope all those who love watching dance on television or the stage, together with the many who participate in dance classes will come out for what will be a thoroughly enjoyable night out.”

The original production of A Chorus Line opened in 1975. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Score and Book, and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award.  It ran for nearly 15 years, closing in 1990 after 6,137 performances, and was revived on Broadway in 2006.

A Chorus Line will run in Adelaide from December 31, before opening in Melbourne on February 4 at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

For more information and tickets visit www.achorusline.com.au