Caroline O'Connor The Hatpin New York

As part of this years NYMF is the American premiere of the new Australian Musical...



The Hatpin is the true story of a single mother, Amber Murray, who advertised her baby in a newspaper trading column in the hope of saving his life...and ended up embroiled in one of the most captivating, moving and exciting criminal trials in Australian history.

This gripping musical drama by young Australian writers James Millar and Peter Rutherford comes to NYMF following an acclaimed run in Sydney.

http://www.nymf.org/Show-901.html

American Theatre of Actors (Chernuchin)

Monday, Sep 15th at 8:00 pm Wednesday, Sep 17th at 8:00 pm Saturday, Sep 20th at 4:30 pm Saturday, Sep 20th at 9:00 pm Sunday, Sep 21st at 1:00 pm Wednesday, Sep 24th at 8:00 pm

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Just another bump, it's not that often ( well really never, well there was Boy From Oz ) that Australian Musicals ever see the light of day on the other side....

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I have yet to hear the recording ( not to self, buy )so thats a question i cannot answer, the Sydney season sold out and from what i have heard, the show was stunning...

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When I saw it, Caroline was definately the strongest performer (not to diss anybody else - but she had 'it'). Saying that though the 11 o'clock number 'The Hatpin' by the character Clara Makin (I saw here with Gemma-Ashley Kaplan in the role) was by far the song that made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and made me pay attention. Gemma-Ashley basically stole the entire show with that number.

The one thing I do hope they rewrite for the NY production is some of the insane geographic dialogue at various times of the production. I mean I know it is a show set in Sydney, but at various points I just sat there confused when they rattled off names of suburbs and characters going from this place to another. As a Melbourian it meant nothing to me and took me out of the show because I started to think 'where is this place', isn't this other place just around the corner from that place et cetera.

So yeah, parts of the book needed to be tightened up, but I thought the rest of it was swell.

On that note, I am seeing 'Damn Yankees' tonight with Gemma-Ashley Kaplan in it. :)

Updated On: 8/22/08 at 10:55 PM

I also flew up from Melbourne to see The Hatpin back in March and it was incredible. One of the most amazing nights of theatre I've ever had in my life. The story is very powerfully - yet simply - told and the staging was spot on perfect. I only wish I could see it in New York too! I'm thrilled to shreds that Gemma-Ashley and Caroline get to reprise their roles. :)

Hey Rosscoe,

"Damn Yankees" was great. But Jeanne Pratt always puts on a great show. And DY was quiet good, especially since it had a heavy choreographic element to it (and the short rehersal time I knew it would have).

So it is my third show for Gemma-Ashley this year and second for Anne Wood. I swear I am starting to collect a few of these people! All we need is to get Sharon Millerchip to do something other then Rocky Horror and I can start catching them all!

I'd highly suggest any Melbournians to see TPC's version of "Mame' in October, it looks like it is going to be a whole lotta fun (and I gotta admit - I like Rhonda Burchmore!)

The only thing I didn't care too much about DY was Pia Morely's dancing as Lola. I think it is though I have seen way to many clips and such of Gwen Verdon that I have completely ruined myself. Pia was great don't get me wrong, but I swear to some degree I have alot of those Verdon/Fosse routines permamently burnt into my brain.

I also ask Santa if I can have Matt Hetherington for Christmas.

The only other thing was Lola's character development sort of got truncated at the last possible moment (they spend a good part of the second act fleshing her out yet she disapears with Mr Applegate with neery a whim or a quip).

I saw the opening night. Besides a couple of tech glitches (which is becoming increasingly normal for festival shows I have found) this show was a fantastic experience for me. A fascinating story and very fast paced and exciting. It's a very dark subject, but laughs are strong throughout and the music is very unique and beautiful which makes it very moving. Caroline O'Connor was brilliant in it and the song she sang which was about being a mother was my favourite. For my money's worth- this is a must see at the festival. It's apparently a true story too which shocked me. The response from everyone in the audience around me on opening night seemed to be very good too. Even though that theatre sorely needs to get some air conditioning going. Anyway, it was so satisfying to see a show that isn't just another slapstick send-up. I loved it. Off to see "Wood" tonight.

Updated On: 9/17/08 at 11:14 AM

Does anyone have an approx. running time? Thanks!

samcd3 - it is Alana Scanlan, not Alan.