All images copyright Ben Apfelbaum.
Yesterday, in the middle of the day, invited media attended the ABC rehearsal studio in Ultimo to take a first look at DREAM LOVER : THE BOBBY DARIN MUSICAL which is currently in the early stages of rehearsal.
The media call began with introductions by producer John Frost and director Simon Phillips. John Frost said that he is every excited to be presenting what he expects to be another great Australian musical, written by Australian brothers Frank Howsen and John-Michael Howsen.
Simon Phillips, who appears to be the busiest director around Sydney this year, is looking forward to presenting Sydney music theatre lovers with a real treat with this show’s ‘God given soundtrack’ and the retelling of Bobby Darin’s ‘stranger than fiction’ life story.
After introductions by producer John Frost and director Simon Phillips, we saw three numbers performed by the cast including well known Bobby Darin hits, Mac The Knife and Splish Splash. Leads David Campbell as Darin, Hannah Fredericksen as Sandra Dee and Caroline O’Connor playing the duel role of Polly, Bobby Darin’s mother and Mary Douvan, Sandra Dee’s mother were in sparkling form as were the featured supporting cast Bert LaBonte, Martin Crewes and Marney McQueen along with a scintillating young dance ensemble.
I chatted briefly to David Campbell and asked him how he is coping with his hectic lifestyle which includes his co-hosting every weekday morning of Channel 9’s MORNINGS which he co-hosts with Sonia Kruger, his radio program on Smooth FM, his numerous stage commitments and a busy family life raising three young children with his wife Lisa.
David replied that when he knew that he was taking on the show he was advised to adopt a vegan diet which he commenced at the beginning of the year. The diet has proved to be ‘a revelation’ in that it equals out the energy highs and lows of conventional diets. He no longer misses consuming milk, fish or meat and will says that he will remain a vegan. David made it clear that he wasn’t trying to preach or convert and that one of his son’s has proudly stated to him that he is a committed carnivore!
David’s other coping mechanism is that he adopts a very disciplined approach to time management so that he can fit in everything including his continuing commitment to perform some charity work.
DREAM LOVER : THE BOBBY DARIN MUSICAL will have its world premiere season at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star from September 22.