Array of musical talent in Witches
THE musical production of Witches of Eastwick features an impressive array of talent drawn from the community.
THE Witches of Eastwick features one of the strongest casts in the JYM theatre company’s eight-year history, according to director Brendan Cohen.
Cohen, who directed last year’s musical Cabaret and 2008’s Sweet Charity, said there was an impressive array of talent in the community.
“We auditioned more than 40 women for the roles and had to turn many away who were very good,” he said.
The Witches of Eastwick premieres on May 15 at the Phoenix Theatre, Elwood (Melbourne).
Cohen said that Witches is a show that is fun, cheeky, sexy and very entertaining.
“It also has an intriguing undercurrent of gender politics and modern themes.”
The musical is based on John Updike’s novel, The Witches of Eastwick — which led to the 1987 film starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer — and follows the exploits of three witches who acquire supernatural powers and decide to conjure up the “perfect man”.
Cohen and JYM’s producer Shlom Echel started work on this year’s production just weeks after finishing work on Cabaret.
“We started reading scripts and were looking for something different, a lighter type of show,” he said.
Echel added: “It grabbed us straight away. There were lots of laughs when we read the script. Choosing a musical is the biggest decision that we have to make. Then we saw an amateur production of The Witches of Eastwick and we were blown away.”
Echel has been involved in the Jewish theatre company since it was established in 2002 and is impressed with the depth of acting and singing talent in the community.
“A lot of the cast members come to us through the Jewish schools and we have a good relationships with them,” she said.
“There are some kids who saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Coat, our fist production eight years ago, who are now old enough to be involved with us.”
Echel said she spends 10 months a year working on JYM productions.
“In the early years it was a bit of a struggle, but in the past three years it has been smoother sailing,” she said.
“Last year Cabaret was a sellout, so we have extended the season to nine shows.”
Cohen, who is a teacher at Bialik College, has a long association with Jewish theatre. He was a founding member of the Saltpillar Theatre Company where he acted and directed their productions.
JYM’s The Witches of Eastwick stars Adam Kirk, Romi Freedman, Kathryn Sutherland and Hayley Nissen.
The Witches of Eastwick is being staged at the Phoenix Theatre, Elwood from May 15-29. Bookings: www.jymtheatre.com.
DANNY GOCS
PHOTO: The Witches of Eastwick cast members (from left) Rachel Tigel, Oliver Rose and Dina Zaitman. Photo: Des McMillan
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