Jersey Boys

- June 27, 2021

Back in June of 2017 Blue Mountains Musical Society (BMMS) thought they were getting rid of me for an undetermined, but definitely lengthy amount of time when I moved to England... Six months later I joined the marketing team, and found a way to be involved in every production since. Then COVID hit and I moved back Australia, and I found myself onstage as a Featured Dancer in Jersey Boys.

Photo: Neaton Photography

You'd be forgiven for thinking that dancing onstage for the first time in about a year and a half was the highlight of my time in the production, but you'd be wrong. The true highlight? Well, that honour goes to this long piece of carrot being held up by Ben.

I'm yet to do any research on the matter, but that is definitely the longest piece of carrot ever. That carrot brought many of us together that first rehearsal.

Some rehearsals we just ate food. Other rehearsals we actually rehearsed. We were hoping to be part of something that was more than just put-on-able.

Here I am with the other Featured Dancers - Sam, Emelie, Alyssa and Lauren. Becky was responsible for all of our fabulous dance moves.

At this point I feel like I should say thank you to all the people who let me film them lip syncing, dancing, or in a microwave, and those who forgave me for making them look like Dracula.

Another highlight of being back in a BMMS production was definitely Carmen's muesli bars at the Lappo.

The pub was pretty packed that night... Packed full of personality and style courtesy of Annastasia, Lewis and I.

After one rehearsal Ben, Annastasia and I went to Lewis' house for a quiet catch up around a fire. Well, it got pretty messy that night, but that was only because I dropped an entire tray of party pies.

After a shorter than normal rehearsal period we were ready to hit the stage.

Photo: Neaton Photography

Opening night included cookies from Dylan, which (for the record) were delicious.

The night also included getting a little dressed up.

Then hitting up the pub... if you weren't underage.

Throughout the show run there were lots of supportive people in the audience.

These are just some of my friends and family who saw the show.

Opening weekend also included a photo with me and one of the banners, which is currently residing on my garage floor. Please submit any suggestions for the use of the banner in the comments below.

Following the banner photo Mum, Eric and I ended up at The Bunker.

Here it was essential to pose with our food for the blog.

On the final weekend Mum posed with her food at Thai Square, which is just across the road from the Blue Mountains Theatre (and Community Hub).

I couldn't finish the show run without a Dressing Room 2 photo shoot.

For a dressing room with only two people Alyssa and I sure had a lot of fun and adventures, including wonderful singing, evicting a moth, handstands,

and searching for the dressing room pass.

In between a couple of backstage selfies we did some more dancing.

Photo: Neaton Photography

And sometimes we even sang in French.

Photo: Neaton Photography

I also pretended to play the trumpet. Sadly there is no photographic evidence of me doing so on stage, so I thought some awkward selfies were in order.

Mitchell wanted in on the awkward instrument photos.

According to Director Tamer, tradition and superstition dictates we don't practise bowing before we get into the theatre, but we do have a shot of tequila after closing night.

You might also feel like you've had a shot of tequila after looking at this next selfie.

Honestly, I think we've never looked better.

This next photo is definitely my favourite... ever.

A few more photos were taken at the cast dinner the next night.

Thank you to all the incredibly talented and supportive cast, crew, production team and audience members who were part of my return to the BMMS stage. xo