Once upon a time in 1990, cult American screen writer and director, John Waters, launched hot on the heels of the success of Hairspray, a musical romantic parody depicting the love life of teenagers in the 1950s. This film was none other than Cry Baby starring Johnny Depp as the smooth, rock n roll Drape, Wade Walker, commonly known as Cry Baby. The film morphed into a stage musical with a premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse (San Diego, USA) in 2007. Now, rushing forward to July 2018, Hayes Theatre in Potts Point, is bringing to Sydneysiders its vibrant, all singing, all dancing and all spoof production of Cry Baby.
Set in the righteous square land of 1954 Baltimore abounding with glee clubs, community picnics, and stuffy member only country clubs, it’s a story we know all too well of a good girl falling for a guy from the so called wrong side of the tracks. Sweet, innocent Allison Vernon-Williams is bored with being square and is swept off her feet by Cry Baby, a super cool bad boy with a heart of gold and a tragic backstory.
Audiences can expect lots of tongue in cheek social commentary on 1950s hypocrisy, hopefulness and pride in scientific advancements in the catchy glee club on acid tunes and energetic authentic of the times dance routines. Sit back to revel in the colour coordinated costumes of the short back and sides boys and sweet as pie girls in their frocks, bobby socks and cardigans, alongside the daring excitement of the rock n roll guitar thrusting sex and leather look of the Drapes and Drapettes (think John Travolta’s Danny Zuko and his gang in Grease).
The musical’s enthusiastic, fast paced one liners and songs are brought to life by the talented as hell ensemble cast of Christian Charisiou, Ashleigh Rubenach, Laura Murphy, Joel Granger, Beth Daly, Alfie Gledhill, Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Bronte Florian, Amy Hack, Hayden Baum, Aaron Gobby, Ksenia Zofi, Blake Erickson, and Brooke Almond. They will fling you whole heartedly back to a time of 1950s hopeless devotion, and teenage romance. Bring the gang, or your main squeeze to Cry Baby for a foot tapping, uplifting entertaining night out.
Now showing at Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Potts Point, Cry Baby is running for a limited season. Get in quick to catch the musical that everyone in the know is talking about. Tickets can be purchased on line at Hayes Theatre
Director & Lighting Designer Alex Berlage
Musical Director Nicholas Griffin
Choreographer Cameron Mitchell
Designer Isabel Hudson
Costume Designer Mason Browne.
Producer Lauren Peters
Photo by Robert Catto
