Action … Director Aaron Joyner at work. 51504 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Charlene Gatt
IT’S the little musical that could, a quirky musical about a quirky musical that made its way to Broadway.
And Footscray director Aaron Joyner couldn’t be happier.
Title of Show is the true story of Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell’s quest to write and stage a new musical in under three weeks for the inaugural New York Music Theatre Festival in 2004.
The musical made its debut, rather ironically, at the New York Music Theatre Festival, then enjoyed an acclaimed run at the Vineyard Theatre Off-Broadway. In 2008, Title of Show made it to Broadway, running for over 100 performances. It also received a Tony nomination.
The musical made its Australian debut earlier this year and is back in Melbourne by popular demand for a two-week season before going on a national tour.
“It was kind of the little musical that could. It was quite extraordinary,” Mr Joyner said, describing the musical as “Seinfeld in a musical.”
“The version we’re presenting is an extension of that, because now it’s come to Australia and it follows the journey of this little tiny show all the way to Broadway and beyond.”
Mr Joyner is a former musical writer, who abandoned his craft to set up independent theatre company Magnormos in 2002.
Magnormos produces musical theatre, with a unique focus on Australian writers.
“It became apparent what was more important was not another writer trying to get work out there, but an entity that would actually support and promote new Australian writing,” Mr Joyner said.
“We’re really trying to develop the industry.
“It is really difficult as an independent theatre company, so when we have successes like this, it’s really gratifying.”
