As we approach the Australian premiere performance of Jerry Herman’s MILK AND HONEY on Monday night, we continue to meet some of the principal performers who will bring this landmark musical to life…

JARED NEWALL (playing David)

Magnormos: Tell us about your character?
Jared: David is an optimist; a dreamer.  While everyone around him sees Israel for the barren land it appears to be, David sees the future: a promised land of ‘milk and honey’.  He is torn between his love for his homeland, and the love of his American wife, Barbara.  It’s these two loves that bring David to question everything he believes.

Magnormos: What drew you to MILK AND HONEY?
Jared: On the surface, Milk & Honey appears to be another show pulled from musical theatre’s ‘Golden Age’, with catchy songs and flashy dance numbers.  But after reading the script and working it on the floor, I found the show’s great depth began to emerge.  It is a beautiful period piece that deals with love; love of family, of a partner, of a people and of a land.  It’s a show with a whole lot of heart.

Magnormos: Why do you think Jerry Herman is so successful?
Jared: Composers like Jerry Herman are few and far between.  Very few composers can boast as many hit songs, sellout shows and awards as Jerry Herman.  His music has been played and performed with the almost the same regularity as when it was written, and recently a whole new generation has been introduced to his work through the movie Wall-E, whether they know it’s his or not.

Magnormos: Tell us a little about you - what’s a career highlight so far?
Jared: I graduated last year from the music theatre course at the University of Ballarat.  Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to work with John Bucchino on his musical It’s Only Life, which was directed by Milk & Honey’s executive producer, Aaron Joyner.  Soon, I will be heading out in a new direction, as a member of the group The Ten Tenors, on their 2011-2012 Australian and International tour, which I’m very excited about.

Click here to see rehearsal footage of Jared performing a song from the show

In the lead-up to MILK AND HONEY we’re going to meet some of the principal performers who will bring this landmark musical to life on Monday 4 July.

SOPHIE CARTER (playing Clara Weiss)

Magnormos: Tell us about your character?
Sophie: Clara Weiss is Jewish-American, part of a group of widows on a tour to Israel who hope to find a man to re-marry. She lost her beloved husband Hymie seven years earlier, and now years to find a companion to share her years with. I have really grown to love Clara over the rehearsal period. She is a woman with a big personality, funny, energetic and sassy, with a huge heart (dare I say the heart of the show!).  She is fiercely protective of her new friend Ruth Stein who is experiencing the torment of loving a man she can not have.

Magnormos: What drew you to Milk and Honey?
Sophie: In this age of i-tunes, youtube and musicals based on popular movies, it is rare to be given the opportunity to present a piece that is completely unknown not only to the audience but also to the cast! It’s a fantastic opportunity to create a character from scratch without any preconceived ideas or influence. It’s also a beautiful thing to create on stage, a world and a way of life foreign to us - a world steeped in traditions and pride.
 
Magnormos: Why do you think Jerry Herman is so successful?
Sophie: Personally, I think he has created some fantastic roles for women and that’s pretty rare! Dolly Levi, Mame and Mabel from Mack and Mabel - sensational roles with fabulous songs. Gotta love that!

Magnormos: Tell us about you - what’s a career highlight?
Sophie: I was fortunate enough to be a Diva in the original cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. It is so rare to be part of the cast of an original Australian musical and watch it grow and mature over the space of a few years. I am so proud to continue to watch the show go from strength to strength, moving from Australia, to the West End, now to Broadway! Knowing that I was part of it’s infancy is something that is truly special and important to me.

See Sophie in MILK AND HONEY - Monday 4 July 8pm at Melbourne Recital Centre
http://www.magnormos.com/jht_milkandhoney.htm

Supported by Shocolate, Tisdall Wines and Hampstead Dental

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In the lead-up to MILK AND HONEY we’re going to meet some of the principal performers who will bring this landmark musical to life on Monday 4 July.

MICHELLE FITZMAURICE (playing RUTH STEIN)

Magnormos: Tell us about your character?
Michelle: Ruth Stein is a woman on a journey of self discovery!  She has lead a very conservative life and ignored her own self fulfillment and happiness.  Touring Israel with a busload of fellow widowers, she rediscovers the joy of life and falls in love with Phil Arkin (Greg Ross), but he is still married and so she is confronted with the moral dillema of what she should and shouldn’t do…

Magnormos: What drew you to MILK AND HONEY?
Michelle: My initial attraction was the opportunity to play such a wonderful character, but I also love the fact it is an opportunity to showcase a musical that would not have been presented to audiences of today. I am thrilled to be working with Magnormos for the first time and excited at the opportunity of re-birthing such a beautiful love story. 

Magnormos: Why do you think Jerry Herman is so successful?
Michelle: Undoubtedly Jerry Herman is one of the best Musical Theatre composers of our time, and not just because he can write amazing roles for women!!!!!  But also for his gorgeous melodies and poignant lyrics. He creates shows that have touched the hearts and souls of a wide audience and kept the magic of Broadway alive!

Magnormos: Tell us a little about you - what’s a highlight so far?
Michelle: Performing in GUYS AND DOLLS at the Princess Theatre was a highlight not only because I was working with such an amazing cast but also because my mother had  performed in THE MUSIC MAN there nearly 40 years earlier! Recently I had the privilege of watching my 10 year old son singing at the State Theatre with Opera Australia, and then to sing with him myself at a function only just the other night!!  So special :)

See Michelle in MILK AND HONEY - Monday 4 July 8pm at Melbourne Recital Centre

http://www.magnormos.com/jht_milkandhoney.htm

Supported by Shocolate, Tisdall Wines and Hampstead Dental

With the first of the triptych upon us, time is running out to benefit from a JERRY HERMAN TRIPTYCH season pass.

Not only do you get DISCOUNTED TICKETS and priority seating to the three great shows in this years triptych, but you also get some exciting goodies on arrival at MILK AND HONEY including:

- Complimentary season program
   (value $10)
- Complimentary box of scrumptious
   chocolates by award-winning master
   chocolatiers SHOCOLATE (value $10)
- Complimentary glass of red or white
   wine from TISDALL WINES

So do yourself a favour and call the Melbourne Recital Centre box office today! 03 9699 3333