This Monday night Magnormos continues the celebration of JERRY HERMAN with the Tony Award winning DEAR WORLD.  In the days leading up we will meet some of the principal performers who will bring this landmark musical to life…

JACKIE REES (who plays Mme Constance)

Magnormos: Tell us about your character:
Jackie: The character I am playing is Constance.  She is Aurelia’s (the Madwoman of Chaillot) friend.  She is a little kooky to say the least - hears voices in her hot water bottle and seems to have had quite a few encounters with the opposite sex and is still interested!

Magnormos: What drew you to Dear World?
Jackie: Firstly the fact that Jerry Herman wrote the music.  Then when I read the script I realised how topical its story is.  Its about the greed of the Corporate Giant being overcome by the little people.  That one person’s vision can make a difference - can inspire others and can win the battle against the Corporates.  Its message is as important now as when it was first written.  And its told in a crazy, fun way with wonderful words and music.

Magnormos: Why do you think Jerry Herman is so successful?
Jackie: He has written such memorable, beautiful music and lots of his show tunes have become standards with people recording them outside of the musical theatre arena.  Recording them and having huge hits with them.  He’s also one of only two composer/lyricists to have 3 musicals run more than 1500 consecutive performances on Broadway.

Magnormos: Tell us a little about you. What’s a career highlight so far?
Jackie: I’ve been working in the performing arts since I first arrived in Australia in 1973.  My first major musical was the original Rocky Horror Show and I played Columbia.  I did 2 performances with Reg Livermore.  I was rehearsing with some of the new cast - this was 6 months into the production - and the then Columbia got sick - and they threw me on after only a week’s rehearsal.  Scary but great to work with Reg.  And since then I’ve worked in plays and television and film, been part of an award winning cabaret act called The Ritz Company, and continued with my love of musical theatre with roles in musicals like Me and My Girl and Nine to name a few, and had a long running affair as Madame Giry in Phantom of the Opera.  I was lucky enough to be nominated for a Helpmann Award for Best Supporting Actress for this role.  I live in Melbourne with my husband who is a journalist/presenter for the ABC, and my darling dog Bella.

See Jackie and her talking hot water bottles in DEAR WORLD, this Monday Night 11 July 8pm at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Book online now or call 03 9699 3333