Dusty Springfield is a 1960s icon whose musical legacy is being saluted in a new show.
Queensland’s Prospero Arts has announced a stellar line-up of homegrown and national talent for Dusty The Musical – In Concert, hitting the Concert Hall at QPAC for six performances from June 5.
Dusty Springfield took the world by storm with her revolutionary sensual soul singing. For more than 60 years her music has reached out across generations with a score of hits including I Only Want To Be With You, Wishin’ and Hopin’, The Look of Love, You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself and Son of a Preacher Man (YouTube clip, below, from 1968).
Playing Dusty is one of Australia’s most celebrated musical theatre performers, Amy Lehpamer, fresh from her critically acclaimed role in the hit musical & Juliet.
Brisbane-based Lehpamer, known for her standout performances in Once, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Sound of Music and The Production Company’s Dusty The Musical in 2016, will bring the ’60s soul singer back to life in this spectacular concert production.
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Joining her on stage is a 17-person cast that blends nationally renowned creatives and artists with the cream of Queensland’s rising stars, drawing on a strong pool of performing arts graduates from around the country.
Prospero Arts managing director and producer Hayley Johnson is passionate about spotlighting local talent. Prospero Arts was established in 2022 with a mission to nurture the careers of up-and-coming locals by providing opportunities for them to work in Brisbane with creatives and artists of a national calibre.
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Audiences will see Queenslanders Kat Harrison, Chris Kellett, Jade Delminguez and Justin Anderson share the stage with performers from across the country, including Taylah Johns, Lauren Jimmieson, Sarah Bakker, Emma Wilby, Romina Villafranca, Taye Grant, Jack Rowan and Callum Marshall.
Elethea Sartorelli, the Perth triple-threat artist, will play Dusty’s mother Kay and understudy the lead role of Dusty.
Other stars include Nikola Gucciardo as young Mary O’Brien (before she became Dusty); Jayme-Lee Hanekom, hot off the back of appearing in Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, as Reno; Nat Jobe as Dusty’s friend and hairdresser, Rodney.
The production brings some of Australia’s top creative minds to Brisbane, with acclaimed director Jason Langley and choreographer Michael Ralph working alongside local musical director Brendan Murtagh and musical supervisor David Young.
Dusty The Musical – In Concert is a celebration of the introverted Londoner who shattered norms and became a trailblazing music icon. Adapted by Australian writers John-Michael Howson, David Mitchell and Melvyn Morrow, the show has received rave reviews for its heart, grit and unmistakable soul since its debut national tour in 2006.
Dusty The Musical – In Concert, Concert Hall, QPAC, June 5 to 8.