Anthony Callea Gives Theatre a Try

by lkatulka on July 24th, 2007

Image details: Arrivals At The 2007 TV Week Logie Awards served by picapp.com

As if “The Prayer” wasn’t demanding enough, pint-sized pop star Anthony Callea plans to take up a new challenge. He’s signed on to join the cast of the acclaimed opera, Dead Man Walking.

This is Anthony’ first live theatre role, and despite some early jitters he’s looking forward to the experience.

“I was unsure at first,” he told the Sydney Star Observer. “It’s not one of the lead roles, but I have a few lines and sing a few songs. I’ve always wanted to do a musical - I’m throwing myself in.”

The stage production, based on the Academy Award winning film and award-winning biography, will run from September 27 at Sydney’s State Theatre. But before that, Anthony will kick off his New Chapter tour in Rooty Hill on Friday.

Tags: Anthony-Callea, Dead-Man-Walking, New-Chapter, opera

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Diwally
Aug 1, 2007 at 12:21 am

I bought tickets to see this show purely based on the fact that Anthony Callea will be playing a role in it. I have followed his career over the past few years and very excited all the prospect of seeing him venture into theatre as well. He has a dynamic voice and will be seeing him in his own concert this weekend at Star City.
Dead Man Walking has had rave reviews in the US, so looking foward to the whole production, it sounds very dramatic and based on the true story by Sister Helen Prejean.
lkatulka
Aug 1, 2007 at 12:57 am

Absolutely. I also think this role will also help him gain a little more credibility amongst people who don’t take Australian Idol contestants seriously, which may open some more doors. Let’s face it - it takes a pretty awesome singer to tackle opera!

I think he’ll do really well in the role and hope you enjoy both your Anthony shows! :-)
OzDivo
Aug 1, 2007 at 2:12 am

I’d love to see Anthony in this venture, what a shame that only the Sydneysiders will get to see this talented young man tackle his first stage role.

If he follows the standard he has set for everything else he’s taken on, he’ll do a sterling job.
lkatulka
Aug 1, 2007 at 2:27 am

Perhaps they’ll take the show on the road if it’s successful enough in Sydney? I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, and post any details if I hear them!
Heather Forward
Aug 1, 2007 at 7:41 pm

Bringing great popular singers, such as Anthony callea, into opera can only broaden its general audience. The show sounds awesome1 Bring it to Melbourne I say!
lkatulka
Aug 1, 2007 at 7:54 pm

I agree Heather! By all accounts this is a really great show, and anything that puts bums on seats and broadens people’s musical horizons is positive. I’m sure if it has a successful Sydney run (which I’m sure it will), Melbourne’s the next place they’ll think about!
Diwally
Oct 22, 2007 at 2:29 am

Hi lkatulka, Just wanted to let you know I went along to this production of DMW and it was truely a magnificent, thought provoking show so full of conflicting emotions and Teddy Tahu Rhodes in the lead he was just dynamic. The staging was world class as was the cast.
Anthony Callea’s role while only a small one, he did amazingly well and was very believable and I think it will a good learning curve for him in the lead up to his major role in RENT, which starts next month in Perth.
I also read that there has been some interstate, as well as overseas interest in this new production of Dead Man Walking and I could not recommend it highly enough. Nicole Alexander was very brave to stand by her 3 year passion to bring this New production to the Sydney theatre, and it has paid off with critical acclaim.
Lauren
Oct 22, 2007 at 3:35 am

Thanks for that Diwally! I was really keen to hear how things went, and I’m glad to hear you had such a good time. I think you’re right that this will hold him on good stead for his role in Rent. While Rent’s a very different musical, any opportunity to be up on stage in a more theatrical sense is good.

I just wish Rent was coming to Sydney. I’m a massive fan of the musical, having seen it in Sydney and Philadelphia, and I’d love to see what this cast will do with it. There are some really unusual casting choices (honestly I would have picked someone “nerdier” for Mark) and I’m keen to see how they pay off. Guess I just need to find a reader in Perth!
Diwally
Oct 22, 2007 at 4:11 am

I have to admit Lauren, when I first heard he was cast in the production I thought it would be for the role of Roger, but I really think he will do a great job as Mark. He has a great sense of humour and is always laughing at himself, they must have seen the inner nerd in him to cast him as Mark :lol: . From what I saw from DMW he’s turned out to be a good little actor as well.

I’m actually heading over from the eastcoast to see it with some friends, so I will let you know how it goes…: ).

If your interested there is a clip up on Youtube from the Perth Telethon last weekend, with Anthony and Tim performing “What You Own”, this was done before they had started rehearsals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll2s2WdHVMw

Di
Lauren
Oct 22, 2007 at 8:24 pm

Thanks for the link to that clip. Looking at them, Tim Campbell feels a lot more like a Mark to me. I also felt Tim’s American accent was a little too forced, but I’m sure that will improve in time. Vocally though it was all really strong. I’d love to hear all about Rent when you come back … I would have loved to splash out and fly over myself!