Podcast appearances and mentions of Harry M Miller

Happy Anniversary to the original Australian company of The Rocky Horror Show - the production opened at the New Art Cinema, Glebe on April 19th, 1974. This outrageous musical has a book, musical and lyrics by Richard O'Brien, and is a  tribute to the B-grade Science Fiction and Horror films of the 1930s to early 60s. It's premiere production was produced and directed by the brilliant Australian creative Jim Sharman, upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre on 19th June, 1973.The iconic Australian production was produced by the legendary impresario Harry M. Miller and directed by the brilliant Jim Sharman.A veritable who's who of actors filled the roles throughout its first Australian productions. The musical continued to host extraordinary talents in the flamboyant roles through the decades since, and the show has morphed through different production approaches to realise the camp tale of Dr Frank N. Furter and the disturbed, disruptive and decadent inhabitants of his isolated castle.The show awakens a sexuality and excitement in each new generation that witnesses the stage production, or the iconic film The Rocky Horror Picture Show: also directed by Jim Sharman and designed by celebrated Australian designer, Brian Thomson.The STAGES podcast featured Brian Thomson in a thrilling double episode. We've also been honoured to traverse the careers of many of the original Australian production's sensational cast, which include Maureen Elkner, Reg Livermore, Sal Sharah, and Kate Fitzpatrick.In this very special episode of the STAGES podcast, we recall the experiences of those artists in that very first Rocky Horror Show, and salute a musical that has become an intrinsic part of that theatrical form.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

Our own Olivia Newton-John starred as Sandy in the 1978 film GREASE. The stage musical, which the film is based on has a long history in Australia, from 1972 Broadway to Australia produced by Harry M Miller, Gordon Frost Productions and now Crossroads Live Australia - Producer John Frost (AM) has been at the forefront and this is a lovely in-depth history of the musical for any fan. Enjoy! Watch performances: ~ Sydney opening night 'Grease Megamix' ~ Red carpet interview with Annelise Hall (Sandy) ~ Red carpet interview with Joseph Spanti (Danny) ~ Video interview with Keanu Gonzalez & Mackenzie Dunn (Kenicki & Rizzo) ~ Sydney opening night fun Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Denise Drysdale began her career at GTV-9 when she was 10 years old, performing in the Tarax Happy Show. She has worked in and around television ever since, providing a host of magical moments through the live medium. The longevity and brilliance of her career in television confirms she is one of the best and few have replicated her golden talent. Her life has paralleled the growth of television. In the 1960's Denise appeared regularly on Graham Kennedy's In Melbourne Tonight as a dancer, and performed many comedy sketches on that popular late night show. Denise worked on The Ernie Sigley Show in the 1970's and won Gold Logies in 1974 and 1975 for the Most Popular Female Personality on Australian television. She is affectionately known as ‘Ding Dong', a moniker given to her by Sigley.  As well as appearing on The Ernie Sigley Show twice weekly throughout 1975, Denise also appeared on Celebrity Squares, Young Talent Time, Countdown, the Norman Gunston Show.Denise has worked all over Australia in radio, commercials and television, as well as various club work. From 1983-84 she worked in Sydney, appearing on Weekend Magazine and Beauty and the Beast.  In 1989 she teamed up once more with long-time friend Ernie Sigley, hosting a top rating national morning television show.She has also worked in regional television in Victoria with guest appearances on BTV-6 Ballarat and hosting a morning magazine show on GLV-8. Denise joined the cast of Hey Hey it's Saturday for a season and presented her own show, Denise, for channel seven. She was seen on The Circle for channel ten and can be seen as a guest host on Studio 10.She has also had extensive experience as an actress, appearing in the television stalwarts Division Four, Homicide and Bellbird. Most recently, she was seen as Ginger in Josh Thomas'  Please Like Me and the iconic soap, Neighbours. Her film work includes The Last of the Knucklemen, Snapshot and Blowing Hot and Cold.Her professional life began in the theatre with credits that include Dimboola, Grease (for Harry M. Miller),  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (JCW), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Aztec productions), Salad Days (St Martin's Youth Theatre) and Hello Dolly! (GFO).The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

John Diedrich is one of the Australian theatre's greatest and most versatile talents, having contributed to the industry across many platforms as actor, writer, director and producer. John commenced his career at age 11 with J.C. Williamson's, appearing in the classics Camelot and then Oliver!, playing the Artful Dodger. At the age of 19 John produced and directed his first musical, presenting Minnie's Boys, a musical based on the life of the Marx Brothers. Regular engagements as an actor followed in both plays and musicals, including Salad Days at St Martins, Grease for Harry M. Miller, Two Gentlemen of Verona for Kenn Brodziak, Lloyd George Knew My Father, starring alongside Sir Ralph Richardson, and with Leslie Phillips in The Man Most Likely To.John co-wrote, directed and performed in three highly successful revues; Gershwin - a musical tribute to the songwriting brothers, The Twenties and All That Jazz and Oh Those Thirties.In 1980, John was cast as Curly in Cameron Mackintosh's revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's seminal musical Oklahoma!, playing the Palace theatre on London's West End. The production was directed by Oscar's son, James Hammerstein. For his performance, John was nominated for an Olivier Award as Best Actor in a Musical. He returned to Australia in 1982 to recreate the role in the Australian production and tour.In 1987, John co-produced and starred as Guido Contini in the ground breaking musical Nine, for which he was nominated as Best Director of a Musical in the Sydney Theatre Critics awards. Nine was also nominated as the outstanding production of the year. John co-produced the original cast album of Nine which won the ARIA Award for Best Cast recording. He has recorded five other cast albums. John's other theatre credits include Inspector Javert in Les Miserables, Wolf by Tobsha Lerner and Insignificance by Terry Johnson for Playbox, Aren't We All with Sir Rex Harrison and Claudette Colbert, High Society for the Melbourne Theatre Company, as Dr Grant Swain in David Williamson's Dead White Males for the Sydney Theatre Company and as Vittorio Vidal in Sweet Charity. In 1993, he again appeared on London's West End at the Prince of Wales theatre in the role of Frank Butler in Ronald Lee's production of Annie Get Your Gun.In 1998, John created the role of the silver-tongued lawyer, Billy Flynn, in the acclaimed revival of Chicago. In 2000, he was invited to London to play the role on the West End stage. Further theatre credits include Mack & Mabel, South Pacific, Into the Woods and Follies. Producing and directing credits include the musicals South Pacific, Titanic, Zorba and Jekyll & Hyde.His television and film credits include Bluey, Special Squad, Class of '74 and The Challenge. In the UK, the sitcom The Gingerbread Girl and Second Thoughts; and Fred Scheppsi's The Devil's Playground. In this two part conversation with John Diedrich, STAGES recounts many of those highlights, along with the challenges of a life in the theatre, and the tremendous legacy that his career has gifted us.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

John Diedrich is one of the Australian theatre's greatest and most versatile talents, having contributed to the industry across many platforms as actor, writer, director and producer. John commenced his career at age 11 with J.C. Williamson's, appearing in the classics Camelot and then Oliver!, playing the Artful Dodger. At the age of 19 John produced and directed his first musical, presenting Minnie's Boys, a musical based on the life of the Marx Brothers. Regular engagements as an actor followed in both plays and musicals, including Salad Days at St Martins, Grease for Harry M. Miller, Two Gentlemen of Verona for Kenn Brodziak, Lloyd George Knew My Father, starring alongside Sir Ralph Richardson, and with Leslie Phillips in The Man Most Likely To.John co-wrote, directed and performed in three highly successful revues; Gershwin - a musical tribute to the songwriting brothers, The Twenties and All That Jazz and Oh Those Thirties.In 1980, John was cast as Curly in Cameron Mackintosh's revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's seminal musical Oklahoma!, playing the Palace theatre on London's West End. The production was directed by Oscar's son, James Hammerstein. For his performance, John was nominated for an Olivier Award as Best Actor in a Musical. He returned to Australia in 1982 to recreate the role in the Australian production and tour.In 1987, John co-produced and starred as Guido Contini in the ground breaking musical Nine, for which he was nominated as Best Director of a Musical in the Sydney Theatre Critics awards. Nine was also nominated as the outstanding production of the year. John co-produced the original cast album of Nine which won the ARIA Award for Best Cast recording. He has recorded five other cast albums. John's other theatre credits include Inspector Javert in Les Miserables, Wolf by Tobsha Lerner and Insignificance by Terry Johnson for Playbox, Aren't We All with Sir Rex Harrison and Claudette Colbert, High Society for the Melbourne Theatre Company, as Dr Grant Swain in David Williamson's Dead White Males for the Sydney Theatre Company and as Vittorio Vidal in Sweet Charity. In 1993, he again appeared on London's West End at the Prince of Wales theatre in the role of Frank Butler in Ronald Lee's production of Annie Get Your Gun.In 1998, John created the role of the silver-tongued lawyer, Billy Flynn, in the acclaimed revival of Chicago. In 2000, he was invited to London to play the role on the West End stage. Further theatre credits include Mack & Mabel, South Pacific, Into the Woods and Follies. Producing and directing credits include the musicals South Pacific, Titanic, Zorba and Jekyll & Hyde.His television and film credits include Bluey, Special Squad, Class of '74 and The Challenge. In the UK, the sitcom The Gingerbread Girl and Second Thoughts; and Fred Scheppsi's The Devil's Playground. In this two part conversation with John Diedrich, STAGES recounts many of those highlights, along with the challenges of a life in the theatre, and the tremendous legacy that his career has gifted us.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

It's been a big start to the year for Michael Cassel. The theatrical producer moved the mega-hit Hamilton to Brisbane (and brought creator Lin Manuel Miranda to Australia to meet the team and promote the production). He opened the juggernaut Mary Poppins in Melbourne to rave reviews. Then finally, he launched & Juliet – a Broadway darling based on the songs of international hitmaker Max Martin, who was flown in from Sweden for opening night. In this episode, Good Weekend editor Katrina Strickland chats to Cassel about everything from what he learnt from Harry M Miller and Alan Jones, to the theatre shortage in Sydney, to his hopes for a new show based on the songs of John Farnham.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roland Rocchiccioli was made for a life in theatre. With a career spanning 50 years, he worked on Broadway and The West End with legends like Ingrid Bergman and Debbie Reynolds.  He is a stage manager, actor, director, playwright, company manager and broadcaster. He has worked with the impresarios Harry M. Miller and Ken Brodziak on productions of The Rocky Horror Show, Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar. He's worked on Broadway and The West End with luminaries like Ingrid Bergman, Debbie Reynolds and Googie Withers. 

Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians.Today we share a recent chat with Annas from Harry M Miller's Australian production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber music Jesus Christ Superstar, John Paul Young, AKA Squeak AND JPY.We talk everything from the head advisor to the high priest to heart throb guest presenter on ABC's Countdown, to his resurgence with Australian hit movie, Strictly Ballroom, touring with APIA and now his 50 Years Young tour.Includes Songs:John Paul Young - Yesterdays HeroJohn Paul Young - Love Is In The AirJohn Paul Young - Standing In The RainJesus Christ Superstar Cast Recording - SuperstarWhat's John Paul Young up to at the moment?   Let's find out .....

Martin Croft started his professional career at the age of 17 with appearances on Melbourne TV. Initially trained as a classical singer, his first major show was Jesus Christ Superstar for Harry M. Miller touring Australia and New Zealand. This led to a full career in music theatre and opera, first as performer and then adding director/musical director, writer, teacher, event manager and producer to the list.Martin has starred in most of the major shows of the last 25 years in Australia, the U.K. and USA including Les Miserables, Godspell, Cats, Miss Saigon, and The Phantom of the Opera. He has been a guest principal singer with Opera Australia and he produced and performed in Closer Than Ever, Putting It Together and the award-winning 3 Vile Men. Martin produced, co-wrote and starred in the highly successful Joe Starts Again which received the 2004 Green Room Award for Best New Musical and was invited to the inaugural New York Music Theatre Festival in September 2004.Martin's recent credits as resident director include: Come From Away (Melbourne), Jersey Boys (New Theatricals Australasian Production), Les Miserables (Asia/South Africa Tour), The Boy From Oz (Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth), Oliver (Cameron Mackintosh Australia/Singapore), and as director: Into The Woods In Concert at Melbourne's Regent Theatre, Hats Off 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 Hats Off To Sondheim, Chelsea Plumley - Live and Luscious, Nothing's Changed - Nehama Patkin, Alex Rathgeber - Momentary Act, Ship of Fools, Dutch Courage, Boxed In, Kim Smith is Madly Adored, Thrill Me - The Leopold and Loebe Story, Up, Is There Life After High School, Into The Woods, Company, and A Little Night Music. He has also directed numerous award ceremonies, concerts, workshops, cabarets and plays in Australia and overseas.STAGES caught up with Martin in his studio where he imparts infinite knowledge to a new generation of performers. His career has taken him around the world and he shares some of that in this insightful conversation.The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Whooshkaa and Spotify. Also from where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Listening to Michael Cassel’s early forays into DIY producing, it is apparent that a career as a major player on stages was his destiny. As an avid letter writer he sought advice and opportunity from anyone prepared to listen to his ambition and passion. At 14 he galvanised a community to support him in his first vision of a live entertainment - the Kiama Carols by Candlelight Christmas Spectacular. The success of the show cemented his hungry pursuit and quest to succeed in a precarious industry.An apprenticeship in a variety of offices and theatres, guided along the way by a masterful faculty of mentors such as Harry M. Miller, James Thane, John Frost, Thomas Schumacher, Michael Eisner and Cameron Macintosh built determination, experience and resilience. Learning on the job provided him with a multitude of creative skills and business acumen.Cassel rightly fits the label of Showman. His enthusiasm for the job is palpable. He surprises with his calm demeanour and extensive knowledge of all aspects of production - personnel and craft. He is respectful of heritage and keen to blaze a way into what live entertainment might be in the future. He formed his company, the Michael Cassel Group, to produce and present the world’s greatest musical and theatrical productions, live entertainment experiences, marquee events and concert attractions. It is well on its way!Productions have included the triumphant 19-month Australian and international tour of Les Misérables, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, the 10th Anniversary Tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Australian premiere of Cyndi Lauper’s Kinky Boots and the Australian and Asian tour of Singin’ in the Rain. Broadway and West End co-producer credits include DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt, Pretty Woman: The Musical and The Cher Show.Next week he premieres the Australian production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Michael provided Stages with access to 'the room where it happens' to discover his remarkable story, his passion for the work and some hint at the future, in this most excellent episode of STAGES.

Brian Thomson made his theatre debut in 1971 when he designed set and costumes for Jim Sharman’s celebrated production of As You Like It for the Old Tote Theatre. The tribal musical Hair quickly followed, beginning a succession of iconic productions constructed for impresario Harry M. Miller.Brian designed settings for the original Australian and London productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and The Rocky Horror Show. He also designed the cinematic staple, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a cult classic that continues to charm audiences through generations.In 1996 Brian Thomson was awarded the Tony Award for the Broadway production of The King and I. The production also played The London Palladium having originated in Australia.The Thomson resume is considerable recording a vast repertoire of work for stage, film and live performance. He has worked for many of the Nation’s major theatre and opera companies and in 1999 designed Kylie Minogue’s Intimate and Live Tour. He was a Supervising Designer for The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games also.A Brian Thomson design guarantees immediate transportation to the world of the play. His aesthetic is informed, unique and seductive. He is a prolific stage designer and it was our pleasure to record this episode of Stages and capture an extraordinary life in the theatre.

Roland Rocchiccioli is a man of the theatre. His, is a celebrated career of more than 50 years. Comedian Billy Connolly said of him: ‘His name is like alphabet soup’.Rocchiccioli spent his childhood watching the unfolding dramas in Gwalia, a town on the north eastern goldfields of Western Australia. He was schooled by nuns and monks in New Norcia. It was a unique childhood recounted in his engaging memoir ‘And Be Home Before Dark’.A life in the Arts eventually called and in1966 he served an apprenticeship with a theatre company in Perth, learning much of the craft that would support him in his future roles - stage manager, actor, director, playwright, company manager and broadcaster.He has worked with the impresarios Harry M. Miller and Ken Brodziak on productions of The Rocky Horror Show, Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar. He’s worked on Broadway and The West End with luminaries like Ingrid Bergman, Debbie Reynolds and Googie Withers. He has written the plays ‘Now You Can Eat Father Christmas’ and ‘Letters From The Heart’. A new play is in the works.As a broadcaster he can be heard regularly on radio sharing his infinite knowledge of all things entertainment. He is wonderful company, erudite and charming.

John Tiffany and cast members discuss Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Marcia Hines and John Waters recall when Hair brought the promise of revolution to Australia, and we remember the defiance of those in drag at the Stonewall riots and meet three First Nations performers who continue to use drag as a tool for political expression.

John Tiffany and cast members discuss Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Marcia Hines and John Waters recall when Hair brought the promise of revolution to Australia, and we remember the defiance of those in drag at the Stonewall riots and meet three First Nations performers who continue to use drag as a tool for political expression.

We hear music from The Ghetto Cabaret which follows a group of Jewish performers living in horrific conditions in the ghettos of WWII, Marcia Hines and John Waters recall when Hair, the "American Tribal Love-Rock Musical", brought controversy, excitement and the promise of revolution to Australia, and British playwright Alistair McDowall shares the works that have most inspired his journey as an artist in Top Shelf.

We hear music from The Ghetto Cabaret which follows a group of Jewish performers living in horrific conditions in the ghettos of WWII, Marcia Hines and John Waters recall when Hair, the "American Tribal Love-Rock Musical", brought controversy, excitement and the promise of revolution to Australia, and British playwright Alistair McDowall shares the works that have most inspired his journey as an artist in Top Shelf.

Fine food entrepreneur Simmone Logue had relished 17 years of true love and companionship with celebrity agent Harry M. Miller, before he died of a heart attack on July 4, 2018, aged 84. But in a way, Simmone had said goodbye to her beloved Harry long before he died. A few years into their relationship, Harry was diagnosed with dementia and his decline was swift. And for the last seven years of their relationship, she was not just his partner but his carer.    So how do you say goodbye to the love of your life? Click here to subscribe to No Filter. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman  With thanks to special guest Simmone Logue.  Find out more about her business here.  Producer: Elissa Ratliff GET IN TOUCH: Call the PodPhone on 02 8999 9386. Email the show at podcast@mamamia.com.au Find any book mentioned at apple.co/mamamia No Filter is a podcast by Mamamia. Find more shows here.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fine food entrepreneur Simmone Logue had relished 17 years of true love and companionship with celebrity agent Harry M. Miller, before he died of a heart attack on July 4, 2018, aged 84. But in a way, Simmone had said goodbye to her beloved Harry long before he died. A few years into their relationship, Harry was diagnosed with dementia and his decline was swift. And for the last seven years of their relationship, she was not just his partner but his carer.    So how do you say goodbye to the love of your life? Click here to subscribe to No Filter. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman  With thanks to special guest Simmone Logue.  Find out more about her business here.  Producer: Elissa Ratliff GET IN TOUCH: Call the PodPhone on 02 8999 9386. Email the show at podcast@mamamia.com.au Find any book mentioned at apple.co/mamamia No Filter is a podcast by Mamamia. Find more shows here.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fine food entrepreneur Simmone Logue had relished 17 years of true love and companionship with celebrity agent Harry M. Miller, before he died of a heart attack on July 4, 2018, aged 84. But in a way, Simmone had said goodbye to her beloved Harry long before he died. A few years into their relationship, Harry was diagnosed with dementia and his decline was swift. And for the last seven years of their relationship, she was not just his partner but his carer.    So how do you say goodbye to the love of your life? Click here to subscribe to No Filter. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman  With thanks to special guest Simmone Logue.  Find out more about her business here.  Producer: Elissa Ratliff GET IN TOUCH: Call the PodPhone on 02 8999 9386. Email the show at podcast@mamamia.com.au Find any book mentioned at apple.co/mamamia No Filter is a podcast by Mamamia. Find more shows here.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.