Spotlight Theatrical Company is celebrating an impressive 70 years, and what better way to mark the occasion than with an electrifying season of Fame the Musical? This is my first time catching a Spotlight production, and if this sold-out show is anything to go by, I’ve seriously been missing out! (Curse living in Brisbane!)
Fame is a high-energy spectacle that transports us straight into the bustling halls of New York’s High School of Performing Arts. This film-turned-international sensation deals with all the ups and downs, the romances and heartbreaks, and the pursuit of your dreams as young artists. Spanning from their freshman year in 1980 to their graduation in 1984, the musical swiftly follows the journeys of several students. With an astonishing cast, beautiful production design, and some seriously impressive choreography, I found this show was a blast from beginning to end.
As you settle into your seat in the Halpin Auditorium, you're time-warped straight back to the 80s, with music from that era playing before the show even kicks off. The theatre’s setup makes the experience even better, offering tables for comfort and excellent sight-lines from every seat. The performance I attended was completely sold out, and by all accounts, the rest of the season is too—so if you managed to snag a ticket, count yourself among the fortunate!
When the lights dim, the opening number "Pray/Hard Work" comes to life with a crescendo, as the entire cast—including the teachers—delivers a high-energy performance to introduce the characters and set the stage for the story. Their characterisation is strong across the board, with each performer bringing authenticity to their roles (not too difficult when they’re all triple threats themselves). You can sense that every student at the High School of Performing Arts is eager to make their mark, and so is this cast. One especially electrifying moment is when the cast charges downstage to the curved edge, passionately belting out, “When I hit the heights! Put my name in lights!”—instant chills.
Visually, this production is stunning. The scenic design (by Andrew Kassab and team) appears highly professional as a fully immersive high school aesthetic. Complete with posters and graffiti-covered walls, functional rotating lockers that double as dance studio mirrors, a staircase and a balcony level for the live band. There’s even a large painting of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon on the wall—nice touch. The wings are cleverly concealed, with doors used for entrances and exits, making it feel as though we’re truly inside the performing arts school's courtyard and classrooms.
Lighting (by Leonnie Jones, Stuart Morgan, Ariana Sinner, and team) is well-utilised, even though they apparently had some tech issues during the performance—you'd never know it. In "Pray I Make P.A.," the silhouetted students stand behind the scrim, illuminated by spotlights from above, and singing beautiful layered harmonies that were incredibly pleasing to listen to. The use of fog and red/blue lighting effectively transports us into the gritty, electric world of '80s New York. Costumes (by Stuart Morgan, Andrew Kassab, and team) fully embrace early '80s fashion—scrunchies, denim, neon. The accents are also quite notable, particularly the NYC dialects from the boys and the German teacher being especially convincing.
The choreography by Dean Giltinan and Jam Marshall is explosive from the opening number chaos of "Hard Work" to the grand finale "Fame". Every move is sharp, energetic, and wholeheartedly executed (with some acro adding extra excitement). I appreciate how the choreography draws inspiration from the 80s—big, bold, and full of attitude. "Dancin' on the Sidewalk" blends jazz, hip-hop, and groovy disco moves that radiate pure joy. You can tell the cast is having a blast in this number—that's what it's all about! The opening of Act Two, "Junior Festival," features Carmen and Joe (Alannah and Andrew) commanding the spotlight with their stunning partner work and impressive lifts, while the ensemble dances in beautifully coordinated, Spanish style choreography.
The nine-member band, under the direction of Matt Pearson and assisted by Ben Harris, expertly merges rock, pop, funk, post-disco, and orchestral elements to bring the score alive. Incorporating musicians playing on stage as part of the cast adds a clever touch of authenticity to the show. Sound design by Nick Willner and Caed Lawson is excellent, perfectly resonating and reverberating the vocals at all the right moments. With a total of 23 students, the vocal power in the finale numbers is immense but never overpowering.
Director Stuart Morgan has assembled an exceptional cast, each actor passionately embracing their roles and always serving face. Alannah Eyerich is absolutely magnetic as Carmen Diaz, the sassy and determined triple threat desperate for stardom. With an insanely strong voice and compelling stage presence, she embodies Carmen’s fiery ambition and tragic downfall. Her powerhouse vocals soar in "There She Goes/Fame," a show-stopping double-number featuring vibrant Spanish-inspired choreography that complements her character, along with a massive neon FAME sign lowered from above. Even more impressive is Alannah's vocal control while executing the demanding choreography, especially against the strength of the live band (and a trumpet beside her!). Her final solo, "In L.A.," is gut-wrenching, revealing Carmen’s shattered dreams and hardened persona laid bare, unquestionably delivering the best vocals of the night.
Xavier O’Brien delivers a nuanced portrayal of Schlomo Metzenbaum, the reserved yet passionate pianist and songwriter. The duet "Bring on Tomorrow," performed by Xavier and Alannah, highlights his powerful tenor voice and their undeniable chemistry that adds an emotional undercurrent to the show. Brock Drinkwater as Jack Zakowski commands the stage with effortless swagger in "Jack’s Rap," infusing humour and charisma into the role of the talented yet struggling dancer. His vibrant energy electrifies the stage and he makes the choreography look like a walk in the park. But he really shines in his self-choreographed "Dancin' on the Sidewalk," where the entire ensemble delivers this joyful number in polished synchronisation.
Ashley Williams (Goody King) and Shilo Kwocksun (Grace Lamb) totally rock in their roles as the loveable and eccentric band members, with Ashley showing some serious skills tooting the trumpet and Shilo energetically banging away on the drums. Plus, Shilo genuinely looks like she stepped straight out of an '80s film—I'm obsessed! Andrew Kassab as Joe Vegas is an absolute scene-stealer. His knack for comedy and playful execution in "Can’t Keep It Down," a song essentially about teenage hormones, is played with just the right amount of cheek; avoiding what could have been a cringeworthy number and instead making it a comedic highlight.
Ally Jeanes-Grant, portraying student Serena Katz, delivers a stunning and heartfelt performance in her solos "Let’s Play a Love Scene" and "Think of Meryl Streep." Her powerful belt and emotional expression make hers one of the show's most memorable voices. Ty Jordan, as Nick Piazza, brings earnest energy to the role of the serious classical actor, balancing ambition with vulnerability. His duet with Ally in "Love Scene Reprise" showcases the beautiful blend of their voices.
Sophie Willmot exudes grace and poise in her portrayal of the talented yet misunderstood ballerina Iris Kelly, especially during her delicate pas de deux with Jack (Brock). Tahlia Gibson as Mabel Washington owns her moment with "Mabel’s Prayer," a song that, much like "Beauty School Dropout" in Grease, might not be entirely necessary, but is performed so brilliantly that you wouldn't want it omitted. Mabel is my spirit animal; her love affair with food is both relatable and entertaining (I'm literally munching nachos as I write this review). Tahlia showcases powerhouse vocals in her solo that's far too short for my liking, and she exudes an irresistibly fun energy, the most vibrant of the entire cast!
I found myself waiting for that moment to emotionally connect with a character (beyond my affection for food and the arts). That moment arrived with Rowena Orcullo Ryan as Miss Sherman, who commands the stage as the strict yet caring academic teacher. Her jaw-dropping vocal expression in "These Are My Children" creates a profoundly moving scene—being a teacher myself, I was particularly touched by her heartfelt delivery. The high note she hit was so breathtaking that I distinctly heard someone in the audience gasp, “Wow...” In the "Teacher's Argument," Rowena engages in a rapid-fire lyrical debate with Jennifer Gilbert, who plays Miss Greta Bell, reminding us that "artists are special"—gotta love a dance teacher who’s got your back!
The ensemble is equally spectacular as the leads, with eye-catching energy from Jam Marshall, Luan Fitzgerald, and Harrison Salter in particular. Every cast member is engaged, expressive, and bursting with energy though, ensuring that even background moments feel purposeful. Stuart Morgan's direction guarantees that each character has their moment to shine, with smooth pacing that keeps the energy high without feeling hurried (stage managed by Kathryn Henderson, Vicky Speight, and team). The blocking ensures there are no dull moments—much like life at a performing arts school, the action never stops.
Despite being written decades ago, Fame still resonates today—exploring the pressures and struggles faced by young artists and the exhilarating yet challenging journey of pursuing a dream. Sure, some elements feel dated, but many themes remain relevant within the current arts industry: competitiveness, egos, ambition, adrenaline, heartbreak, community, and the harsh realities of trying to make it.
This production is carried by an incredibly strong ensemble, many of whom are alumni from top theatre schools—and it shows. By the time the finale rolled around, I realised I had been smiling throughout almost the entire performance; except for the more sombre moments, of course, which were beautifully acted and emotionally gripping. This production perfectly captures the heart of Fame—a whirlwind experience through four years of arts education, so be ready to keep up! Bravo to the entire cast and creative team—this is one performance that will undoubtedly “live forever” in my memory!
Now playing at the Halpin Auditorium until 1st March 2025.
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