Podcast appearances and mentions of Tony Sheldon

Time to dish up some Pavlova- the Queen of desserts, for the one and only Mr. Tony Sheldon! (Say what?! *faints) In this week's jam-packed, mini-reunion episode, we take Tony for a coast-to-coast trip from Mr. Bungle's 'California', across to the funky NYC of 'Seesaw' with the original Broadway cast!Plus, we chat Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Laramie Project, Mother's Day- or lack thereof, Dee Snider, Tony's Pioneering Family, Aussie Musicals, Living in NYC, Retirement, Social Failures, and heaps more!The Laramie Project Tickets: https://www.cityrecitalhall.com/whats-on/events/the-laramie-project/-SOCIALS- Tony: https://www.instagram.com/aldonzamudd/ Matt: https://www.instagram.com/mattyoungactor/*****Juxtaposing Metal with Musicals - joined by iconic guests from the worlds of Music, Broadway, Hollywood, and more! https://www.thetonastontales.com/listen -- https://www.patreon.com/bloomingtheatricals - https://twitter.com/thrashntreasurehttps://linktr.ee/thrashntreasure*****Help support Thrash 'n Treasure and keep us on-air, PLUS go on a fantastical adventure at the same time!Grab your copy of The Tonaston Tales by AW, and use the code TNT20 when you check out for 20% off eBooks and Paperbacks!https://www.thetonastontales.com/bookstore - TNT20 ***** ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Tune in to this special Broadway Spotlight series, brought to you by Peter Eyers, host of the STAGES podcast. In January 2024, Peter will be leading a 10-day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple.In this episode, Peter chats with theatre great Tony Sheldon, who triumphed as Bernadette in the musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT……following an extensive tour the production played Broadway and garnered a TONY Award nomination for Sheldon, and along the way, a slew of accolades for his spell-binding performance. Tony reflects on his brilliant career – and the realisation of a dream – playing Broadway.Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts.Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

The government is set to face a parliamentary inquiry over its Qatar Airways decision, NSW Premier Chris Minns intervenes to keep the Eraring Power Station open. Plus, Tony Sheldon and Sarah Henderson on Alan Joyce's Qantas departure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tune in to a Broadway Spotlight edition of the STAGES podcast. A Spotlight replay brought to you by Academy Travel - a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours.In January 2024, Academy Travel will be leading a 10 day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple.Find further information at the Academy Travel website … academytravel.com.au and search Theatre in New York - Best of Broadway tour.To whet the appetite, STAGES will be revisiting conversations with Australian artists who have conquered The Great White Way in a series of Broadway SPOTLIGHT episodes - brought to you by Academy Travel.Theatre great, Tony Sheldon triumphed as Bernadette in the musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT ……following an extensive tour the production played Broadway and garnered a TONY Award nomination for Sheldon, and along the way, a slew of accolades for his spell-binding performance.Tony Sheldon joined the podcast in November, 2018 and reflected on his brilliant career - and the realisation of a dream - playing Broadway.

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's episode 359. The final episode of season 5 - from the STAGES podcast. It's that time of year again when we haul out the holly, stuff the stockings and trim the turkey … have you been naughty or nice? Kate Fitzpatrick drops in for our annual lunch and reflections. We are also visited by Rhonda Burchmore, Tony Sheldon, Ron Creager, Lauren Schmutter, and Geraldine Turner - sprinkling their Christmas cheer and spicing up the festive period with mirth and music. It's been another wonderful year for the podcast, recording and preserving precious stories and experiences from a diverse range of creatives, performers and essential supporting roles, who all contribute to the arts and entertainment, on and around our stages. We've lots planned in this episode; a perfect accompaniment as you wrap your gifts, decorate the tree or pour that first glass of Christmas cheer! Happy holidays! Merry Christmas! And best wishes for the New Year!

Though the shops seem to commence their yuletide spruiking earlier with each passing year, the Christmas period is fleeting. It begins to look a lot like Christmas when carollers stalk our shopping centres and actors in jolly red suits beckon little ones to approach and impart their festive wish list. Christmas is time to replay our favourite Christmas movies; to revisit that miracle on 54th street or relate to the Griswolds family as they navigate their stressful Christmas. It might mean your annual intake of plum pudding, egg nog; or that singular opportunity to pull a Christmas cracker. It's a merry time that beckons us to haul out the holy and to put up the tree, before our spirits fall … again! But in the worlds of the Broadway musical, Christmas is a setting, a period, a backdrop, a location, a moment; that is called upon to elicit an emotional engagement. STAGES was recently spinning some show tunes and was caught by the magnificent Christmas sequence (The Twelve Days to Christmas) in the jewel box musical, She Loves Me. A golden age musical that takes place over the Christmas period, providing an enchanting backdrop for the two protagonists to slowly realise that they are destined for each other. This show tune set off a challenge to compile a list of musicals that are set at Christmas time or feature a Christmas themed song. The show might even feature a scene set at Christmas time. The challenge became obsessive. Then it dawned that the the best source to seek out, to satisfy the search for Santas and snow in the show tune, would be none other than our favourite showbiz oracle, Tony Sheldon. Sheldon is one of our favourite Australian actors and theatre-makers. Show business is the family business and he has tread the boards on national and global stages for several decades. His respect, passion and investigation of the entertainment industry has equipped him with an infinite knowledge of all things show. So, the challenge to provide STAGES with a stocking stuffed with shows and show tunes celebrating and set during the festive season was met with the excitement of Old Saint Nick delivering toys on Christmas morning. This is the perfect episode to indulge as you wrap your gifts and get in the Christmas mood. We may be rushing things but deck the halls again now! Merry Christmas from Sheldy, and STAGES. 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. Recipient of Best New Podcast at 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages). www.stagespodcast.com.au

With episodes nearing 300 in the STAGES archive, it's time to revisit conversations featured in our previous seasons. STAGES spotlights such episodes, in case you missed them the first time ‘round - or so you can simply savour, a second listen. Either way, you'll accessing precious oral histories from the people who were there, on and around our stages.Born into a family dynasty of performers it would appear that Tony Sheldon's destiny was pre-ordained. Recognition as a talented youth saw him perform on In Melbourne Tonight with Graham Kennedy and join the workhouse in the Sydney season of the musical Oliver.As a young man his career as an actor in plays saw him embrace a fast-growing repertoire in roles as a sensitive young man - Equus, The Glass Menagerie and Peter Kenna's seminal Australian work, A Hard God. His break-out performance as Arnold Becker in Torch Song Trilogy quickly followed.It wasn't long before he extended his playing into the Musical Theatre; a form that has been a life-long passion. Sheldon's engaging style, colossal charm and extensive appreciation of the form have provided us with perfect portrayals in shows that include The Venetian Twins, Into The Woods, The Producers, The Witches of Eastwick, Dames At Sea, Man of La Mancha, My Fair Lady, Hello Dolly!, Victor/Victoria, and a show that has taken him around the world, given him Olivier and Tony award nominations - and a portrait in Sardi's – the role of transsexual Bernadette, the glamorous and resilient showgirl in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – The Musical.This interview was recorded during the Sydney run of anniversary production of PRISCILLA in 2018. Sheldy was negotiating a back-injury and doubted he would reach 2000 performances in the role of Bernadette. The show goes on and of course, Sheldon continued on to Adelaide and Brisbane seasons of the musical. Not deterred by a back-injury, he completed 2006 performances in a role that commenced his global journey in 2006.Tony Sheldon has retired from the stage. His legacy is a host of glorious turns on stage, as well as being a cherished mentor, accomplished teacher, director and writer, and professional colleague to a legion of performers. The Broadway TONY Awards are on this weekend in New York. What better way to mark the occasion than revisiting this wonderful conversation with the brilliant Tony Sheldon.The Stages podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify, Whooshkaa and where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Tony Sheldon was honoured with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award' at The Sydney Theatre Awards (the first in almost two years since the pandemic). He was surprised on the night with the award, and accompanying performance of his peers dedicated to him. I was thrilled to speak to him after the show, he talks about, also his life's work, his mother Tony Lamond and his proudest contribution to musical theatre, creating the character Bernadette in ‘Priscilla Queen Of The Desert'.

To mark the return of theatre to New York City, Michael revisits his private tour of Broadway with Audra McDonald, then delivering her Tony Award-winning performance in Porgy and Bess, and Tony Sheldon, who was starring in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.Also, we check in with the New York Times' chief theatre critic Jesse Green and preview next week's long-delayed Tony Awards, and we meet the man whose experiences informed Windmill Theatre Co's Amphibian, a play about a young Afghan's journey to Adelaide.

To mark the return of theatre to New York City, Michael revisits his private tour of Broadway with Audra McDonald, then delivering her Tony Award-winning performance in Porgy and Bess, and Tony Sheldon, who was starring in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Also, we check in with the New York Times' chief theatre critic Jesse Green and preview next week's long-delayed Tony Awards, and we meet the man whose experiences informed Windmill Theatre Co's Amphibian, a play about a young Afghan's journey to Adelaide.

To mark the return of theatre to New York City, Michael revisits his private tour of Broadway with Audra McDonald, then delivering her Tony Award-winning performance in Porgy and Bess, and Tony Sheldon, who was starring in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Also, we check in with the New York Times' chief theatre critic Jesse Green and preview next week's long-delayed Tony Awards, and we meet the man whose experiences informed Windmill Theatre Co's Amphibian, a play about a young Afghan's journey to Adelaide.

Here it is: Part 2 of my conversation with the brilliant Tony Sheldon! Tune in today to hear him discuss his New York career, including roles in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Amelie on Broadway, Charles Busch's Cleopatra, and The Band Wagon at Encores. Stories abound: A false promise from the Weisslers, giving suggestions to Charles Busch, how Beth Leavel helped him at the Tony Awards, his cut number from Priscilla, an odd backstage visit from Cloris Leachman, the Encores! show he had to turn down, why he thought Amelie on Broadway was a mistake, and living in Audra McDonald's basement. Plus: Roger Rees, Jordan Roth, Jerry Mitchell, Shirley MacLaine, and more!

I am so happy to be joined for the latest installment in Backstage Babble's Pride Month series by international musical theater star Tony Sheldon. His immense body of work in Australia including starring roles in productions of TORCH SONG TRILOGY, I HATE HAMLET, INTO THE WOODS, PRIVATE LIVES, FALSETTOS, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, COMPANY, THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG, NOISES OFF, ONCE IN A LIFETIME, and more. Today he talks about all of that and more in Part 1 of the in-depth conversation. Hear him talk about singing on TV at the age of 7, growing up with performing legends Toni Lamond (his mother) and Helen Reddy (his aunt), how he accidentally exposed the homophobia of a major casting agency, why it took a bomb scare to meet Harvey Fierstein, Cyd Charisse's unexpected shortcoming, why The Producers was “a nightmare,” the basic history of Australian musical theater, plus stories about Yvonne DeCarlo, Bob Fosse, Mel Brooks, and more.

Tonight - Mums against the lockdown, they want their kids back in school. And the Aussie of the day is the smartest kid we have ever met on Paul Murray Live. Plus, Rowan Dean, Tony Sheldon, Sharri Markson, Annelise Neilsen and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Of his many Musical Theatre appearances across the world, Sheldon has played Roger De Bris in The Producers in which he won a Helpmann Award as well as the Sydney Critics Award, the Mo Award, and the Glugs award. Tony wrote and directed the Time of My Life at the Ensemble Theatre in 2006 as well as the Adelaide Cabaret Festival for his wonderful mother, Toni Lamond. Tony has starred in over 1900 performances as Bernadette in Priscilla Queen of the Desert in Australia, Toronto and Broadway! Throughout this experience, he was nominated for a Tony award as Best Actor in a Musical which is just the peak of anyone's Musical Theatre Journey. Tony recently also played Grandpa Joe in the recent Australian Professional Production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We can't wait to chat with Tony and the interview is available on all podcast providers from 6am Tuesday morning!

In this video, Tony speaks of what is missing in mainstream social networks and what is missing. Check out his: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonysteve... Website: https://www.comunev.com/

Visit the Every Musical Ever Patreon page for more exclusive content Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: everymusicalpod@gmail.com **************************************** Follow Richard Carroll on Twitter and Instagram or visit his website **************************************** Every Musical Ever is recorded primarily on Gadigal land, and from time to time on the land of other Aboriginal peoples across the land we now call Australia. This land was never ceded by its traditional custodians, but was taken through violence, criminality, and other human rights abuses of the worst kind. The atrocities of colonialism are an unresolved injustice in need of redress. We support the goals of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and call for the urgent implementation of the reforms it sets out as a starting point for the reparation of wrongs done to First Nations people, both historically and through to the present day. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. **************************************** Theme music composed and performed by Brent Hill Alternative version performed by Sheridan Harbridge Artwork by Mils Achi Introduction, content warning and outroduction read by Leo Campbell Supported by City of Sydney Copyright One Eyed Man Productions 2020

Rev. Bill Crews spoke to actor Tony Sheldon about his life and career on the stage.  

There is a reason that Nancye Hayes is called Australian Musical Theatre Royalty, apart from maintaining her position at the top of the musical theatre tree for over half a century, Nancye’s majestic air portrays a grace and refinement that only royalty can have. As I sat down to talk with Nancye about her career and her life, my initial nerves slowly melted away as she shared in her gentle way, an indefatigable passion for her career and intimate stories about her life so far. It was so wonderful to gain insights into the woman I have known and revered for over 30 years. Nancye brings these stories to The Hayes in her new one woman show appropriately named “Hayes at The Hayes” as a part of the October cabaret Series. Directed by Jason Langely, musically directed by Michael Tyack and devised by Tony Sheldon (a creative dream team), you will see perhaps a part of Nancye that you have never seen before. Race to book your tickets to see Nancye headlining a double bill with Cath Alcorn and Phil Scott in “30 Something" and Daniel and Chiara Assetta in “Siblingship”. "Hayes at the Hayes" plays from the 2nd to 13th of October . Tickets and times are available online at hayestheatre.com.au or call box office on 02 8065 7337

Tony became an actor against his mother's wishes. Three decades later, he won the part of a lifetime (R)

Political scientist Andy Marks says: ‘I’d suggest the momentum is with Labor and it hasn’t substantially shifted’. AAP Image/NIC ELLISWe are but a few weeks from a federal election, and the way the wind is blowing may depend on what state you’re in. Trust Me, I’m An Expert – along with Politics with Michelle Grattan – is bringing you state-focused podcast episodes as polling day approaches. To catch up on all the political drama unfolding in NSW, I spoke to political scientist (and self-described political tragic) Andy Marks, who predicted a Labor victory on May 18. “Labor will win this election. I think that’s virtually unquestionable. We’re just not seeing enough movement, even in the polls at this point, in the primary vote level, to say the Libs or the Coalition will hang on. I think this is going to be a Labor victory,” he said. Read more: The myth of 'the Queensland voter', Australia's trust deficit, and the path to Indigenous recognition Take this week’s Newspoll – which appeared to show the gap between the two major parties – with a grain of salt, he said. “Early in April, we saw exactly the same primary vote polling as we saw on the weekend. So, there hasn’t really been a discernible shift. You need to see a gap open up to the degree of around about five or six points, for the Coalition to even look like hanging on. It will stay tight, I think until polling day, but I’d suggest the momentum is with Labor and it hasn’t substantially shifted.” You can read the full transcript below, and hear The Conversation’s chief political correspondent Michelle Grattan talk with experts on the seats and issues to watch in WA and Victoria on the Politics with Michelle Grattan podcast. Production assistance by Tilly Gwinner. Read more: Politics with Michelle Grattan: Caroline Fisher on the spin machines of #AusVotes19 New to podcasts? Podcasts are often best enjoyed using a podcast app. All iPhones come with the Apple Podcasts app already installed, or you may want to listen and subscribe on another app such as Pocket Casts (click here to listen to Trust Me, I’m An Expert on Pocket Casts). You can also hear us on Stitcher, Spotify or any of the apps below. Just pick a service from one of those listed below and click on the icon to find Trust Me, I’m An Expert. Additional audio Kindergarten by Unkle Ho, from Elefant Traks SBS news report ABC news report Image AAP Image/NIC ELLIS Transcript: Andy Marks: I’m Andy Marks, I’m a political scientist and Assistant Vice-Chancellor at Western Sydney University. Sunanda Creagh: So Andy, let’s just catch up on where things are up to in New South Wales. What do you see as the key issues in voters’ minds in New South Wales as polling day approaches? Andy Marks: New South Wales is a strange case. It’s the usual suspects in terms of issues but not in the usual way. So we’re seeing the economy feature but we’re not hearing too much in the way of big ticket reform. We are hearing some of that from Labor of course and it’s not about fiscal performance. That’s not winning votes anymore. It’s about issues like cost of living, it’s about issues like wage stagnation. At the other end, you have issues around negative gearing reform and franking credits which are more at the investment end. So a very unusual take on the economy in terms of elections. The other issues that feature, of course, Labor have made it about health in terms of cancer care and the package they have there. Alternatively, the Libs have sought to bring it back towards security and issues around border protection, of course, that we saw with John Howard coming into the campaign on the weekend. The big sleeper is climate and it’s a sleeper in the sense that it’s coming to the fore from a number of angles. We’re seeing the issue of energy reform come up from industry who are madly seeking coherent energy policy from both sides of the parliament. We’re seeing the issue of the environment played out with issues like Adani, and water, of course, is the big one in terms of agriculture and rural electorates across the country. So there’s three different lenses being applied but they all come up in terms of how both sides address the issue of climate. Sunanda Creagh: You mentioned negative gearing there. Sydney, being the centre of the property boom in Australia, people here seem to be mortgaged up to their eyeballs. Lots of people negatively gearing properties. Do you think that issue might be a decider for some Sydney voters who do take advantage of that policy? Andy Marks: Negative gearing will factor on the minds of many voters, but not in the seats that are pressure cookers, so they’re not going to swing seats. I think, for example, certainly among the retirement community those issues, particularly around the franking credits matter, are of importance. The housing market in Sydney and across the eastern states more broadly is softening anyway ahead of this measure. It’s hard to tie a definitive link to that and the coming reforms, should Labor win government. It’s not an issue that’s going to turn swinging seats, but it will factor into some more rusted-on voters. Sunanda Creagh: And speaking of seats, what do you see as the key seats to watch? Andy Marks: Across New South Wales, I reckon there’s about five that are up for a change. At the outset, I have to say this election won’t be won or lost in New South Wales. It’s most likely Queensland where you have up to eight seats and margins of 4% or less that will decide it. In Victoria, there’ll be some significant movement as well. There’s about five that I’m looking at in New South Wales in terms of potential change. Wentworth, of course, is the big one with the contest between Kerryn Phelps and Dave Sharma. Lindsay, where Emma Husar has been moved aside through misconduct allegations, and you have a contest there and out at Western Sydney. Banks, the immigration minister faces a challenge there on a 1.4% margin. Then we, move into some coastal regional seats. Gilmore, where former ALP president Warren Mundine is running against Labor’s Fiona Phillips. Robertson on the Central Coast which is held by just 1.1% by the Libs, so they’re the ones where I think you can see some movement. Now the exciting stuff, in terms of drama, Warringah, of course, where former PM Tony Abbott is facing a challenge. In Reid, Turnbull-backer Craig Laundy turned that razor thin margin into almost a moderately safe seat for the Libs, and that’s up in play again as well. Sunanda Creagh: You mentioned Gilmore, that’s an area that takes in places like Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, and some of those Batemans Bay type areas. Tell us, what are some of the issues that will be in voters minds in that area? Andy Marks: Look that’s a difficult one to pick. It’s really a four-way contest. You have a candidate in Warren Mundine who was essentially parachuted in by Morrison. The controversy there, of course, being his former role with Labor. You also have Katrina Hodgkinson, who was a former Nationals New South Wales minister and really reputable individual running against the Labor candidate Fiona Phillips. And Grant Schulz, the Lib turned independent who was passed over by Mundine. So, it’s interesting in the sense that the way the vote splits over the course of the election will be something to watch. It’s really one that’s very uncertain for all of the players. Sunanda Creagh: You mentioned Reid, which takes in Canada Bay, Burwood, Strathfield and is currently held by Craig Laundy for the Liberals. He’s been somewhat of a comparatively moderate voice. What do you think will be the issues there? Andy Marks: Reid is an interesting one. Laundy was an incredibly strong local member and he stood up against his own party’s attempted reforms of the anti-discrimination act. That area was lost to Labor in the recent New South Wales election, due to comments made by the Labor opposition leader around Asians taking jobs. Really retrograde comments on his part. So the momentum probably was with Labor, whether the voters have forgiven the foibles of the state party though will remain to be seen. But, that’s a big loss to the Libs in Craig Laundy moving on. Sunanda Creagh: I wanted to ask you about the seat of Farrer. That’s a regional seat, it takes in places like Hay, Murrumbidgee. Some of those areas around the Murray Darling, the Central Darling. With the seat of Farrer, what do you think of some of the issues there? Andy Marks: Look Farrer is an interesting one - you wouldn’t be talking about an electorate with a 20% plus margin as being one that’s up for grabs, but it is. We saw swings in the state election against the coalition of up to 26% in Murray, 19% in Barwon, and around 37% in Orange. So these rural electorates are very volatile and the issue of water management, of course, is the dominant thread across a seat like Farrer. But it’s a diverse seat. So you have areas like Albury, where unemployment is very high, educational attainment is quite low, economic activity has been suppressed through the drought. So the issues across that electorate are incredibly diverse and equally you don’t have in the New South Wales case we had the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party running against the Nationals quite successfully in three seats. They’re not a consolidated force at the federal level. Really, Farrer’s in play because of the Albury Mayor Kevin Mack, who is running the strongest challenge against Sussan Ley. She’s held onto that seat since 2001 and that’s Tim Fischer’s old seat. So, it should be a sure bet for them. This is suddenly a seat that’s in play. Sunanda Creagh: So you mentioned water being an issue in the seat of Farrer, and certainly that’s shaping up to be an issue across the board. If you believe what you read on social media, suddenly everybody’s talking about water buybacks and we’ve had the big story breaking around the water buybacks issue that involved Barnaby Joyce. I’m interested to know what you think on how that issue may influence voters in the lead up to polling day. Andy Marks: Look, there’s already a bit of disaffection towards the Nationals. I think their own internal troubles around leadership, and the other controversies they’ve had around Andrew Broad and other figures have given weight to the perception that their mind is not on the game. They’ve taken their eye off the ball in terms of the concerns of rural voters. So, that’s why we are seeing such a pronounced reaction against them in some seats. Whether that anger was spent, at the New South Wales election and the earlier Victorian poll remains to be seen. I can’t see a repeat of the swings we saw in the state election here in NSW. But certainly, some very generous margins will be really damaged, I think. Sunanda Creagh: So let’s talk about Warringah where Tony Abbott is facing that strong challenge from independent Zali Steggall, who’s been supported by GetUp! in her campaign. That’s also become a point of contention and a point of attack for her political foes. How do you see things playing out? Andy Marks: Look, there’s no doubt it’s going to be a contest. Zali Steggall will take it down to the wire. People need to be aware though that Tony Abbott loves a fight, shifting him on that margin of over 11% is going to be incredibly difficult. It’s not like Bennelong, for example, where we saw John Howard go as a result of demographic shifts and other factors. And it’s not like Wentworth where, of course, Turnbull stepped aside. A former PM, even one that’s controversial, still attracts some traction among voters. Zali Steggall has done well in opening the debate up into issues that challenge the principles that Tony Abbott’s put forward. So, forcing him to for example to talk more about climate, to talk more about issues where he’s clearly a little uncomfortable, has been a good tactic on her part. Obviously, the work of groups like GetUp! will influence things as well. I just can’t see it shifting. I think Tony Abbott is far too an experienced player to go down without a fight, and this is the guy that loves to be backed into a corner. I might be proven wrong, but I think he’ll just hang on in Warringah. Sunanda Creagh: And you mentioned former PMs, speaking of which, let’s talk about Wentworth. Do you think voters will punish the Coalition for turfing out Malcolm Turnbull? We saw Turnbull’s son, Alex Turnbull actively encouraging people not to vote for the Liberal candidate Dave Sharma. And as it turned out Kerryn Phelps did win that seat. So how will things play out there? Andy Marks: Wentworth is an interesting one. I like to call it the contest for the soul of the Liberal Party. Because really, it’s about whether the party will choose to push forward in a progressive way, or revert more to those hard right tendencies that we’ve seen in recent times. The thing to watch at Wentworth will be whether Phelps has managed to translate in a really short timeframe that protest vote into a base. And that would mean Phelps has to have really strong points of differentiation on issues like climate, immigration and border protection. Which she’s, to a very large extent, done on the latter issue. Whether that’s enough to shift people across for good remains to be seen. That’s one that’s too hard to call. Sunanda Creagh: So, Andy Marks what’s your prediction? Who do you think is going to win this federal election? Andy Marks: Look, Labor will win this election. I think that’s virtually unquestionable. We’re just not seeing enough movement, even in the polls at this point in the primary vote level to see the Libs or the Coalition hang on. I think this is going to be a Labor victory. Sunanda Creagh: Even with Newspoll saying it’s tightening as voting day draws closer? Andy Marks: You have to look again at that primary vote figure. Early in April, we saw exactly the same primary vote polling as we saw on the weekend. So, there hasn’t really been a discernible shift. You need to see a gap open up to the degree of around about five or six points, for the Coalition to even look like hanging on. It will stay tight, I think until polling day, but I’d suggest the momentum is with Labor and it hasn’t substantially shifted. So with the Coalition on 38% and Labor on 37%, I don’t see it shifting sufficiently for there to be a change in the momentum. Sunanda Creagh: Let’s talk about the upper house. What do you see as the issues to watch there? Andy Marks: Look, that’s an interesting one from the New South Wales point of view. Jim Molan, arguably their highest profile senator, finds himself in an unwinnable spot on their ticket. This is largely due to reforms that he instigated, internal party reform. So it’s a big ask therefore for somebody to get up. You know, you’re going to require a quota in excess of 14% of the vote to get a spot. Brian Burston’s the other interesting one. He’s a former One Nation representative, now with Clive Palmer’s outfit, and he’s their parliamentary leader in the house. It’s a very interesting contest there. There’s Doug Cameron, a long-standing senator for Labor, retiring, and Tony Sheldon, the former Transport Workers Union secretary coming in on his spot. Sunanda Creagh: And just lastly, what do you want to say about preferences? Do you think preferences will make a big difference in this election? Andy Marks: Look, there’s no doubt that the question around where the United Australia Party’s preferences flow has been a dominant issue in Queensland. I don’t see it being of sufficient weight to shift the momentum, which again in those marginal electorates, up to eight of them, is all with Labor at the moment. So, it will make things a little trickier to call earlier. But, I still see things going Labor’s way in those key seats. Sunanda Creagh: Any final comments? Andy Marks: Look, this is a contest where New South Wales will provide plenty of action. But it’s not going to be the place where it’s won or lost. But it’s certainly going to be the place of high drama. Sunanda Creagh: Andy Marks, thank you so much for your time. Andy Marks: Thank you.

STAGES very first guest, launching the podcast, was the legendary Toni Lamond – a woman of abundant talent and huge heart. It is a delight that we are going to bookend this very first season with her son, Tony Sheldon; our final guest for 2018.Born into a family dynasty of performers it would appear that Tony Sheldon’s destiny was pre-ordained. Recognition as a talented youth saw him perform on IN MELBOURNE TONIGHT with Graham Kennedy and join the workhouse in the Sydney season of the musical OLIVER. As a young man his career as an actor in plays saw him embrace a fast growing repertoire in roles as a sensitive young man - EQUUS, THE GLASS MENAGERIE and Peter Kenna’s seminal Australian work, A HARD GOD. His break-out performance as Arnold Becker in TORCH SONG TRILOGY quickly followed.It wasn’t long before he extended his playing into the Musical Theatre; a form that has been a life-long passion. Sheldon’s engaging style, colossal charm and extensive appreciation of the form have provided us with perfect portrayals in shows that include THE VENETIAN TWINS, INTO THE WOODS, THE PRODUCERS, DAMES AT SEA and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. Most significantly, one role has taken him around the world, rewarding him with 'Olivier' and 'Tony' award nominations – that of transsexual Bernadette, the glamorous and resilient survivor, in PRISCILLA – QUEEN OF THE DESERT – The Musical.But not “everything has come up roses” for Sheldon … long bouts of depression and personal upsets along the way have provided their challenges. He is frank, warm and always inspiring in detailing these.He is a true gentleman of the theatre; a captivating raconteur and a thoroughly nice man – it was an absolute delight to spend some time with Tony Sheldon.

This week Julie Miranda, and Zane chat with Jessica Kate Ryan about which of life's truths can be gleaned from Sondheim's infamous flop, Merrily We Roll Along!"...to be a Stephen Sondheim fan is to have one's heart broken at regular intervals. Usually, the heartbreak comes from Mr. Sondheim's songs -for his music can tear through us with an emotional force as moving as Gershwin's. And sometimes the pain is compounded by another factor - for some of Mr. Sondheim's most powerful work turns up in shows (''Anyone Can Whistle,'' ''Pacific Overtures'') that fail. Suffice it to say that both kinds of pain are abundant in ''Merrily We Roll Along,'' the new Sondheim-Harold Prince-George Furth musical that opened at the Alvin last night. Mr. Sondheim has given this evening a half-dozen songs that are crushing and beautiful - that soar, and linger, and hurt. But the show that contains them is a shambles." - By FRANK RICH, New York Times- FURTHER READING -Wiki - Musical, PlayiTunesSpotify- CELEBRITY SHOUTOUTS -Stephen Sondheim, George Furth, George S. Kaufman, Moss Hart, Jim Walton, Lonny Price, Ann Morrison, Terry Finn, Jason Alexander, Geoffrey Horne, David Loud, Liz Callaway, Tonya Pinkins, Abby Pogrebin, Giancarlo Esposito, John Rubinstein, Chip Zien, Marin Mazzie, Heather MacRae, Colin Donnell, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Burlinson, Tony Sheldon, Peta Toppano, Greg Stone, Gina Riley, Wayne BradyLike us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! Support us on Patreon!Email us: musicalstaughtmepodcast@gmail.comVisit our home on the web thatsnotcanonproductions.comOur theme song and interstitial music all by the one and only Benedict Braxton Smith. Find out more about him at www.benedictbraxtonsmith.com

This week on the show we speak with TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon about the Fair Work Ombudsman's legal action against Foodora for alleged wage theft and sham contracting. We also speak with Tasmanian CPSU secretary about what the recent state budget means for public sector workers on the Apple Isle.It's been a big week for strike and industrial action. As always we bring you a wrap of the week's union news and workers' stories.

The term Showbiz Royalty is often used to describe performers of considerable success and longevity in the business. My guest today is the real thing. She’s experienced great success across a range of mediums in a career that has spanned eight decades. She is the daughter of vaudevillians Joe Lawman and Stella Lamond, the sister of songstress Helen Reddy and the mother of actor, Tony Sheldon – she is of course Miss Toni Lamond.Toni is a woman of firsts. In a time when overseas stars were brought to Australia to lead local productions of Broadway musicals, Toni was first to be given the opportunity to lead an Australian cast in The Pajama Game. With husband, Frank Sheldon, she was the opening night act on Australian television going on to be the first woman in the world to host a tonight show, when filling in for the legendary Graham Kennedy. So, I am delighted that she completes another first today – the very first guest on STAGES. 

In addition to a weekly wrap of union news, this week we report on the War Against Workers Rally in Melbourne. We also speak with Tony Sheldon about the Senate inquiry into trucking.

As part of the Equity Foundation’s In Conversation series, performers are given the opportunity to attend an intimate question and answer session with leading performers, producers, directors, writers and other members of the industry Mitchell Butel Mitchell is a triple Helpmann Award winning actor and singer. His theatre credits include The Government Inspector, Angels in America, Strange Interlude, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, The Laramie Project, A View from the Bridge, Dead Heart (Belvoir), Romeo and Juliet, The Grenade, Summer Rain, The Republic of Myopia, Harbour, Tartuffe, Mourning Becomes Electra, The Café Latte Kid, Summer of the Aliens, Six Degrees of Separation (STC), Tomfoolery, Urinetown, Piaf (MTC), Boeing-Boeing (Dainty), Stones in his Pockets, The Venetian Twins (QTC), Emerald City (Griffin), Laugher on the 23rd Floor (Ensemble), Meow Meow’s Little Match Girl, Woyzeck (Malthouse), Othello (Bell) and Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love (STCSA). Music theatre credits include South Pacific, Orpheus in the Underworld, The Mikado (Opera Australia), Assassins (Silo) Avenue Q (AAP), The Producers, Sugar, Little Me, Hair (Production Company), Grease, Little Shop of Horrors (DAE), Man of La Mancha and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (GFO) opposite Geoffrey Rush. Film/TV credits include Holding the Man, Hiding, The Broken Shore, Mr & Mrs Murder, Bordertown, Wildside, Grass Roots, Rake, The Bank, Two Hands, Dark City and AFI-nominated performances in Strange Fits of Passion and Gettin’ Square. Mitchell has appeared in three solo cabaret shows, Excellent Adventure, Now for the Weather and Killing Time (which is available on iTunes and just completed a sellout season at the Hayes Theatre). Mitchell received Helpmann Awards for The Venetian Twins, Avenue Q and The Mikado and Green Room Awards for Piaf and Hair. Proud member of Actors Equity since 1988 and a member of the National Performers Committee since 2007. He is also a Board member of Belvoir St Theatre. Tony Sheldon Tony Sheldon made his Broadway debut starring in PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT at the Palace Theater. He played the role of Bernadette for more than 1750 performances in Australia, New Zealand, London, Toronto and New York, winning the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut as well as nominations for the TONY Award, the Drama Desk Award, the Drama League Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award as Best Actor in a Musical. He was honored with his own caricature at Sardi’s restaurant in Times Square. For his performance in PRISCILLA he won the Toronto Theatre Critics Award and the DORA Award as Best Actor in a Musical in Toronto. In Australia he won the Sydney Critics Award, the Green Room Award, the Glugs Award and the Aussietheatre.com Award for Best Actor in a Musical as well as the MO Award as Musical Theatre Performer of the Year. He was also nominated for the Australian Dance Award and the Helpmann Award. In London he was nominated for the Olivier Award and the What’s On Stage Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Since his arrival in the USA, Tony has appeared as Horace Vandergelder in HELLO, DOLLY! at the historic Goodspeed Opera House, King Pellinore in CAMELOT for Theatre Under The Stars in Houston and in the films CARRY ME HOME with Cuba Gooding, Jr. and BUTTERFLIES OF BILL BAKER with Will Chase. He was featured on the tv series JOAN & MELISSA: JOAN KNOWS BEST and performed on THE VIEW, ROSIE! and THE NBC TODAY SHOW. In Australia, Tony won the 2005 Helpmann Award, the Sydney Critics Award, the Mo Award and the Glugs Award for his performance as Roger de Bris in THE PRODUCERS. He was also nominated for a Helpmann and a Green Room Award for his work in THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK in 2003. Tony played the lead role of Lawrence Jameson in the Australian premiere of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, to rave reviews. Media Super is the principal sponsor of the Equity Foundation.

Per Capita Reform Agenda Series public forum with Wayne Swan MP, Tony Sheldon and David Hetherington - a conversation about the pursuit of the Good Society. Economists now know that inequality is not only unfair - it's inefficient. Swan argues that Australia, probably more than any other country, was able to match strong economic growth with fairness of outcomes throughout the twentieth century, through industrial relations, universal healthcare and education, and a highly progressive tax and transfer system. These gains are now being challenged.

"Priscilla Queen of the Desert"'s Tony Sheldon talks about his six year journey with the show, from his dislike of the original film on which it's based to his transcontinental success as Bernadette in Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada and now the United States. He also talks about growing up in a multi-generational show business family in Australia (including his mother Toni Lamond, who's still performing at age 79, and his aunt Helen Reddy) which saw him working professionally at age 7; his performing hiatus from age 12 to 17, after which he rebelled against his family's singing and dancing tradition by embarking on work in plays; his youthful roles as Alan Strang in "Equus" and Tom in "The Glass Menagerie" (as well as the hit show "Hamlet on Ice"); his first exposure to Shakespeare; his success -- after a shaky start -- as Arnold in the Australian debut of "Torch Song Trilogy"; how the burgeoning Australian film industry and resident theatre movements ran in parallel, rather than intertwined, paths; his dual career as writer and director of cabaret vehicles for many of Australia's best known performers, including his mom; his profound unhappiness at being cast as Roger De Bris in "The Producers"; and whether -- after working outside of Australia for the first time in Priscilla -- he'd like to work again in London or New York. Original air date - June 8, 2011.

"Priscilla Queen of the Desert"'s Tony Sheldon talks about his six year journey with the show, from his dislike of the original film on which it's based to his transcontinental success as Bernadette in Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada and now the United States. He also talks about growing up in a multi-generational show business family in Australia (including his mother Toni Lamond, who's still performing at age 79, and his aunt Helen Reddy) which saw him working professionally at age 7; his performing hiatus from age 12 to 17, after which he rebelled against his family's singing and dancing tradition by embarking on work in plays; his youthful roles as Alan Strang in "Equus" and Tom in "The Glass Menagerie" (as well as the hit show "Hamlet on Ice"); his first exposure to Shakespeare; his success -- after a shaky start -- as Arnold in the Australian debut of "Torch Song Trilogy"; how the burgeoning Australian film industry and resident theatre movements ran in parallel, rather than intertwined, paths; his dual career as writer and director of cabaret vehicles for many of Australia's best known performers, including his mom; his profound unhappiness at being cast as Roger De Bris in "The Producers"; and whether -- after working outside of Australia for the first time in Priscilla -- he'd like to work again in London or New York. Original air date - June 8, 2011.

Tony Sheldon, nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Priscilla Queen of the Desert, talks about the first lesson he learned in theatre.

A Tony nominee for his Broadway and U.S. stage debut as "Bernadette" in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Australian stage veteran Tony Sheldon answers the question, "Is there a part you'd like to play that you don't think people would consider you for?"

Ed Theakston sits down to talk to Tony Sheldon; the star of the West End production of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.