'Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical': Tickets + Info + Giveaway

'Dream Lover' is coming - and Josie's Juice was one of the first to see the mini preview at the media launch for blogger, journos, and some serious Bobby Darin aficionados at The Star, Sydney.

Indeed, at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, we got a preview of this much anticipated show, coming in September.

Here is a look at it:

In fact, Sydney will host the world premiere of 'Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical', from September 2016.

Says the blurb:

An extraordinary story that goes far beyond the song, Dream Lover reveals the amazing life of the legendary American singer, songwriter and actor. An intimate and epic story of an all-round entertainer adored by his fans, Bobby Darin, together with his movie star wife Sandra Dee, provided the iconic soundtrack to a generation.

One of Australia’s most popular and versatile entertainers and winner of three Helpmann Awards, the multi-talented David Campbell is set to return to the musical theatre stage for the lead role of Bobby Darin. Campbell is the perfect choice to star as Bobby Darin. Campbell has starred on stage as ‘the wild one’, Johnny O’Keefe, in the musical Shout!, as Marius in the 10th Anniversary production of Les Miserables, and in Carousel, Sunset Boulevard and Company amongst others. He is also one of the popular hosts of the national Today Extra program for the Nine Network, and presents his own top rating weekend afternoon show on Smooth FM.

Campbell will be joined by Hannah Fredericksen as Sandra Dee. Fredericksen most recently starred as Olivia Newton-John in the hugely successful TV mini-series Molly, and on stage in the new Australian musical Ned, A New Australian Musical and the Green Room nominated production of City of Angels.

Director Simon Phillips has assembled a dream Australian creative team for Dream Lover. Brian Thomson will be set designer, Guy Simpson is musical supervisor, Andrew Hallsworth is choreographer, Tim Chappel will be costume designer, Michael Waters is sound designer and Daniel Edmonds is musical director.

Written by Frank Howson (writer of award-winning films such as Boulevard of Broken Dreams and What the Moon Saw) and John-Michael Howson (co-writer of Shout! The Legend of the Wild One and Dusty – The Original Pop Diva), the show includes 34 great hits from the 50s and 60s including Mack The Knife, Beyond the Sea, Splish Splash and the multi-million- seller Dream Lover.

Frank Howson and John-Michael Howson are thrilled their show is coming to fruition. “It has taken nine years of painstaking research and development both here and in the US to get to the heart of this inspiring story of Bobby Darin, who risked it all, every day of his life, to achieve his dream of being one of the greatest entertainers the world has seen,” they said. “He also found the love of his life in Hollywood movie star Sandra Dee. Their marriage is one of the great love stories and the stuff of dreams. As the writers and originators of this show we are honoured that our work will be brought to life by three men who are internationally acclaimed in their respective fields – producer John Frost, director Simon Phillips and David Campbell as the star.”

The musical captures the glamour and passion of the big band era, the Rat Pack in Vegas and the Golden Age of Hollywood, a time of trail-blazing stars, knock-out fashions and life-changing events. Featuring a sensational cast and an 18-piece band, Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical is a big show with a big score and a big heart.

Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical was secured for Sydney by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said, “Sydney is the home of first-run musicals in Australia and we are incredibly proud to have secured not only an Australian-first, but the world premiere of Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical. This exciting production will bring Bobby Darin’s extensive songbook to life for a new generation of audiences and we expect almost 30,000 overnight visitors will travel to Sydney to see this production, delivering over $7 million in visitor expenditure for NSW.”

John Frost, on behalf of his co-producers John and Barbara Gilbert of Gilbert Theatrical Pty Ltd, said, “We are extremely excited about Dream Lover. It is a fascinating story about the Grammy award-winning singer and Oscar nominated actor, and features an incredible selection of hit songs from the 1960s, including Mack the Knife, Splish Splash, Beyond the Sea and of course, Dream Lover. Who better to fill the shoes of Bobby Darin than David Campbell, a sensational performer who is genuinely a big fan of Darin and has previously recorded some of his songs. With Simon Phillips at the helm and an incredible cast and creative team, this brand new musical is set to provide audiences with an unforgettable experience.”

Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical will be staged at the Sydney Lyric Theatre for an exclusive limited season, with tickets from 30 September on sale from 7 April.

Don’t miss Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical, a true story stranger than fiction and far beyond the song. 

Follow them on Instagram: @dreamloverAU

SEASON DETAILS

Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star

PRICES + Season Performance Times:

Wed & Thurs 7.30pm, Fri & Sat 8pm, Matinees Tues & Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm
From $69.90

BOOKINGS:

ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 795 267


Groups 8+ call 1300 889 278


TICKETS ON SALE FROM 7 APRIL

THE BOBBY DARIN MUSICAL

*A ticketmaster handling fee of $8.35 plus a credit card fee of 1.95% will be levied at purchase. A delivery fee may also apply depending on the chosen delivery method

And now, more about the wonderful cast and crew:

BIOGRAPHIES

DAVID CAMPBELL (Bobby Darin)

THE BOBBY DARIN MUSICAL

David Campbell is one of Australia’s most popular and versatile entertainers. A proven television and radio host, he also headlines theatre, cabaret and concert performances as well as being a multi-platinum recording artist.

David is one of our leading musical theatre stars and has achieved similar success on the international stage, most notably captivating New York with his award winning cabaret show.
David and Sonia Kruger are the popular hosts of the national Today Extra show for the Nine Network. David also co-hosts the beloved Carols By Candlelight telecast with Lisa Wilkinson. On radio, David presents his own top rating, national weekend afternoon show on Smooth FM.

This year, David was very excited to be asked to voice the character of the news reading Koala in Disney’s international animated feature film Zootopia. His love for Disney was further underscored in 2016 with David starring in the spectacular national concert tour of Disney Under the Stars.

Born and raised in Adelaide, David was drawn to the performing arts initially as an actor. He was performing at the STC and Sydney Opera House by the age of 22, and in 1997 starred in a major revival of Les Miserables in Sydney. Shortly after this, David moved to New York, where his downtown cabaret show attracted major crowds. Due to what Time Out New York described as “the biggest buzz since Barbra Streisand”, David moved his show to the iconic cabaret room Rainbow & Stars, becoming the youngest performer ever to headline the venue.

With this success as a launch pad, David was soon in demand from Broadway’s most prestigious writers and directors. Stephen Sondheim cast him in the New York premiere of his musical Saturday Night and he played leading roles in shows such as Babes In Arms (at the Lincoln Center) and South Pacific.

In 2001, at the height of his New York success, David was tempted back to Australia by the role of a lifetime, ‘the wild one’ Johnny O’Keefe, in the musical phenomenon Shout! He toured Australia in the show for over a year and became a household name as a result. David went on to star in Australian productions of classic musicals such as Carousel and Company, new works at the MTC and STC, and even in Pirates of Penzance for Opera Australia. Along the way, he picked up a Helpmann Award for Best Actor for his 2005 role in Sunset Boulevard.

David quickly established himself as one of Australia’s biggest selling recording artists. His albums The Swing Sessions (2006), The Swing Sessions 2 (2007), Good Lovin’ (2008) and On Broadway (2010) were all chart successes and achieved platinum sales awards.
David has mounted five sell-out national concert tours in Australia, for which he has received a further two Helpmann Awards. In 2009, his live concert DVD Good Lovin’ Live reached number one on the ARIA chart.

Returning to the recording studio in 2014, David recorded David Campbell Sings John Bucchino. The album was released in June 2014 to critical acclaim, reaching #1 on the Australian Jazz Charts followed by a successful tour throughout venues across Australia.
The release of On Broadway was complemented by the specially commissioned television documentary David Campbell On Broadway, produced by Luckiest Productions. A mixture of Broadway history, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the album recording, the documentary was broadcast on the STVDIO Channel on Foxtel.
Regularly performing in the USA as a headlining artist at G’Day LA, David has also acted as MC and headlined at G’Day NY on several occasions.

In recent years David’s position in the Australian entertainment industry has extended beyond his roles as a performer. He was appointed Artistic Director of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, the largest cabaret festival in the world. With Luckiest Productions, the production company he runs with his wife Lisa Campbell, David now produces national concert tours and live theatre productions, their most recent venture being the critically acclaimed revival of Little Shop of Horrors. This follows on from the highly lauded national tour of Sweet Charity, which received numerous Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Awards, including Best Musical.

David is a founding member of Independent Music Theatre, the group of producers behind the Hayes Theatre Co., a venue in Potts Point devoted to musicals and cabaret. It opened in January 2014 and has quickly established itself as a venue of productions of exceptional quality winning a recent poll as Australia’s favourite theatre.

Despite having such a fascinating and varied career, David’s favourite role by far is being father to his three adorable and adored children.

HANNAH FREDERICKSEN (Sandra Dee)

Hannah Fredericksen is a graduate of the inaugural Victorian College of the Arts Bachelor of Music Theatre course (Company 2011). Whilst at VCA, Hannah performed as Mallory/Avril in City of Angels and Wendla in Spring Awakening. In her final year, she was awarded the VCA Orloff Family Charitable Trust Scholarship for demonstration of outstanding commitment to the course.

Hannah’s theatre credits include Olivia in Twelfth Night (Carving Theatre Co.), Elizabeth in David Williamson’s Third World Blues (Company Eleven) and Cecily Cardew in The Citizen Theatre Company’s sold out season of The Importance of Being Earnest. In 2015, Hannah originated the role of Kate Kelly in Ned, A New Australian Musical and received rave reviews for her performance. Most recently she performed Mallory/Avril in Life Like Company’s critically acclaimed and Green Room nominated production of City of Angels.
Hannah’s screen work is equally as expansive; she has featured as Lilly in Offspring, starred as Olivia Newton-John in the hugely successful mini-series Molly, appeared in Opera Australia’s The Divorce (ABC) and Vance Joy’s original music video From Afar. She starred alongside David Wenham and Jacqueline McKenzie as Poppy in Paul Cox’s feature film Force of Destiny, which opened the Melbourne International Film Festival in
2015 and has been selected for screenings at festivals worldwide. Most recently, Hannah features alongside Nathan Phillips as Jessie Slavish in Matchbox Pictures upcoming sci-fi series Hunters.

Join in the social media convo with the official hashtag: #DreamLoverAU

READER GIVEAWAY!

Josie's Juice readers will be treated to a night at 'Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical'. YES!

Brought to you by Nuffnang, Josie's Juice is giving away ONE double pass to see the preview show of 'Dream Lover The Bobby Darin Musical’ when it hits the stage later this year, in September.

All you need to do to be in the running are the steps below:

- 'Like' the Josie's Juice Facebook page

- Follow me on Instagram and Twitter if you are on the social media platforms. Also, share the 'Dream Lover' photo on my @josiegags Instagram page by taking a screenshot of it, then using these hashtags: #regram #josiesjuice #competitions #giveaways #prizes #DreamLover #BobbyDarinMusical #BobbyDarrin

- Share this link on your Facebook wall

- Comment below on:

Who would you take to Dream Lover and why?

The competition is open from today until May 2, 2016. 

AND then, email me at josiegags@optusnet.com.au so I can contact you in case you are a winner (so many people forget this step and don't enter a valid email address below, and I spend lots of time trying to track you down, or simply give the prize to the next person - not fun for anyone!)

(If you find it hard to comment below because your device won't let you - sometimes that happens on an iPhone, for example - simply send me your entry and address via email at josiegags@optusnet.com.au).

*Competition is open to Australian residents only.

For full terms and conditions, go here.

Submit your entries before May 2 for your chance to win. Double pass only up for grabs; winner must pay for own transport and accomodation.

NSW Gambling Help: It Takes Guts

Gambling is SUCH a difficult topic to share thoughts on - that's because the shame associated with it is so private, the pain in the grief caused by those affected so deep, the guilt felt by those in its grip so raw and kinda scary. That whole feeling of helplessness can be overwhelming.

I know this because Josie's Juice readers have told me so.

In a series of re-posts of this particular post written for NSW Gambling Help, many private messages straight to the Josie's Juice inbox ensued, each story more heartbreaking and honest than the next.

I gave readers the opportunity to speak their mind, anonymously if they preferred. Many took that opportunity, with some sharing the post with loves ones, so they could anonymously give their own, firsthand feedback. And it was as honest as it gets.

Says Jim* (all names changed):

"I knew I was in deep when I became such an expert in lying to the partner, I started to not know where the truth stopped and the lies begun. I started to weave such elaborate tales, I was ashamed of my lying expertise. It simultaneously broke my heart; how could I have sunk so low? How could I betray the people (my wife and kids) who I loved the most? And yet, here I was doing it daily, saying I was doing overtime when I was at my local, spending hours there in a pokie daze. One night, I broke down to my wife when she questioned what has happened to our 'emergency' money. I could not lie. I confessed it all. We hugged, we cried (but that was well after she got exceptionally angry with me, and I cannot blame her). And then, I promised I'd seek help. And I did. Well, I took the first step, which I know is often the biggest - and most difficult - step of all. But I know I am now on the right path."

The stories got more honest with each message. This one, from Harry* had me actually feeling grateful we live in a country that cares so much for those how want to see help.

Says Harry*: "Our second child was just born, and I was feeling the pressure. Not only was I sleep deprived in trying to help settle our older child - who is only a baby himself, he just turned 1 - but I was feeling the pressure of a one-income home. I decided on one particularly down afternoon that I would try my luck at increasing my week's wages, doubling them even. How hard could it be? A few buck on the pokies - done, easy, then I'd go home.

Nope. How wrong I was. A 'few bucks' here and there turned into my entire week's pay packet. Before I knew it, when my partner asked me why her EFTPOS card was declined when buying nappies, I had to fess up. It was so very hard. I was mortified, embarrassed, angry (at myself) and ashamed, all rolled into one. I could barely look my partner in the face. But… I had to man up. I had to tell her the truth. After telling me how disappointed she was, she marched me straight to the phone and to a gambling helpline. It was the best and most significant phone call I ever made. The journey is slow, but the help is immediate. I am so grateful something like this even exists. I am so grateful there is help to help myself. I am getting there, and we all are, as family, together."

Gambling does not discriminate amongst the genders, either. Sue* shared her story also.

"Gambling for me went hand in hand with depression. I was feeling SO low, at such a horrible point in my life, so sad and lonely and hating my life and job. My relationship had just broken up so I felt more alone than ever. And so, I'd head to my local club after work for a meal and to be around people, even though I hated being around people and conversing. And so, heading over to the poker machines felt ideal. I’d escape my solo-ness at the dinner, to go to more 'socially acceptable' part of the club to be solo, the pokie area. It was here I became entrenched in the whole gambling setting: I’d just sit there with a blank stare and not interact much at all, just to get that little buzz (which then became a bigger thrill) when the pokies clicked over to a win. I knew I was in trouble when I barely had money for groceries. I am yet to seek help, but I will. I know it's kind of urgent."

And this one, from Peter.*

"Although I am not a gambler, the best advice I ever heard was this: 'If you win big the first time, it's the worst thing that can happen. Because when you do, you get the taste. And once you get the taste, you will want to keep satisfying that itch to win. I am so glad that when I had a 'casual flutter' on the horses I lost. Best win ever, actually."

With Australians spending nearly $12 billion a year on poker machines and three quarters of people who have a serious problem with gambling play the pokies, the occasional punt can be seen as part of the cultural fabric of Australia – you have a go and try your luck at your local. But, as we can see from the real-life stories above, this is a huge concern Australia-wide and it's not a matter to be treated flippantly.

Statistics show that between 8-17% of people with a gambling problem seek professional help (of any kind), and this subset of people tends to be those who have hit rock bottom and are in crisis. And this group is far more likely to have a problem with gaming machines than any other form of gambling.

Almost half of people seeking help suffer from anxiety and depression, and around one third of help seekers have a problem with alcohol.

While it's evident from discussions we want to break down the stigma, we still have a long way to go. Feel free to use this blog post as a way to start the gambling acknowledgement process, and share your own stories. You can email or comment anonymously. You will be surprised at just how good this first step feels. Help is at hand, and it’s not far away at all.

It’s also free. You can learn more at www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au 

Holden Commodore VF Pre Launch

(Sponsored Post): Holden Commodore VF Pre Launch

Okay. So I’m not necessarily a car enthusiast but I am here to dispel any myth that women can’t be enthusiastic about a new car. They can! I am! And logging onto the site www.buildthecommodore.com.au and registering my interest in helping to unveil the new VF Commodore is the first step in being a big part of the unveiling of this new, highly anticipated Commodore model.

The social media-driven campaign by Holden is a clever one, and taps right into the way we communicate today. Clues are teasingly revealed to participants in the competition – and you’ll see when you register – are led onto a fun trail where discovered puzzle pieces are slowly revealed.

The campaign centres around the VF Commodore big ‘reveal’. The VF Commodore will actually be officially launched in Australia in mid-2013 (I know, exciting! And so far, yet so close!), though Holden is giving us a taster by using the new VF Commodore in the Nascar in February (this month!), even though Holden will still not release all details about the car until its mid-year release.

The comp is perfect for savvy social media sleuths: Holden will run a promotion where pictures of small pieces of the new Commodore VF will be hidden in the main Australian capital cities, and online. Everyone that signs up to www.buildthecommodore.com.au and finds a clue will be in the draw to win the new VF Commodore. Oh yes! One of the very first off the Holden production line could be yours just by entering.

And every single time someone finds a coveted clue – a picture - the image is displayed on the competition ‘microsite’, and the car will start to be revealed. Kinda like a jigsaw puzzle for grownups, and infinitely more fun. As any Commodore aficionado will tell you – and there are scores of them around the country and the globe – wondering exactly what the new release Commodore will look like is the most exciting part.

Crack the clues, find a piece, take a photo with your smart phone and then submit it. That very piece of the puzzle is then revealed on the site moments later. Each person that uploads a photo to help build the VF is entered into a draw to win one of the first one off the production line. The more pieces you find, the higher your chances of winning it.

The competition will run from February 6 2013 to February 10 2013. Then, on Sunday February 10, there will be a live stream of the car reveal on the official Holden YouTube Channel – see http://www.youtube.com/user/HoldenAustralia?feature=gb_ch_rec

Clues of where the pieces will be hidden will be updated daily on www.buildthecommodore.com.au and there will be a total of 101 hidden pieces - 32 in the ‘real world’, and 69 in the digital space.

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up now at www.buildthecommodore.com.au and be a part of Holden history, part of the VF Commodore heritage.

Dove Nutri-Oil: Product Talk

I was given the opportunity to sample the new Dove Nutri-Oil serum by the gang at Nuffnang and I thought, why yes... I can do this... With my eyes closed... And a head full of dry hair that is crying out for some TLC.

After all, I was a beauty editor for a glossy mag, and am now beauty correspondent for a renowned lifestyle site.

I was most intrigued by the claim in print ad campaigns that Dove Nutri-Oil was deemed as effective as Moroccan Oil.

And so, I gave it a go.

Nuffnang and the Dove crew were kind enough to send me six - six! - bottles of this liquid gold, and I say this because, well, two weeks on from using it after every hair wash and my hair is soft and manageable and has its lovely bounce back.

These were two self-taken iPhone shots. The one below is still from my iPhone, but taken outside, by my pro photog (aka, I made my husband do it!) hence the difference in hair colour:

The blurb:

Dove Nourishing Oil harnesses the power of oils to transforms dry, rough and frizzy hair into beautifully smooth hair that’s easier to manage and style.

The weightless nourishing oil is enriched with Argan Oil, that penetrates the hair rapidly to deeply nourish, instantly smooth frizz and revitalize shine without weighing down hair.

Here's the stuff you need to know about Dove Nutri-Oil:

• It's formulated with coconut and sweet almond oil

• It reduces roughness and frizz by 99%

• It has a weightless formula, that doesn't leave an oily residue

• Dove Nutri-Oil is part of a three step system, including Dove Nutritive Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo and Conditioner

• The RRP is a teeny $9.99 (which yes, does make it as effective as Moroccan Oil, but is a fraction of the cost).

Do I recommend the product for dry-as-straw, in-need-of-serious-help hair? Absolutely!

Here is the Australian TVC for Dove Nutri-Oil: