Not just another high school musical…

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27 April 2018

Rachael and Amos Prete from Aquinas College.Some of Melbourne’s best known theatre and television professionals are joining forces with close to 500 young performers from Catholic schools across the city for an incredible production of music, song and dance.
 
Following the success of the first two Catholic schools performing arts galas in 2014 and 2016, Time to Shine is back again for 2018 on Saturday 28 July for two spellbinding shows at the iconic State Theatre.
 
The production will bring together 75 individual singers, a massed choir of 160 students and over 200 dancers, as well as veteran directors and choreographers for a unique production that offers everything from musical theatre to hip-hop and contemporary and classic hits, backed by a combined professional and student orchestra.
 
‘The depth of talent we discovered over months of auditions was enormous,’ Time to Shine Executive Producer Graeme Rowland, the former producer of Channel Seven’s annual Good Friday Variety Gala, said.
 
Among the performers are brother and sister Rachael and Amon Prete, who both attend Aquinas College, Ringwood.
 
Although just 14 and 12, the pair have already racked up an impressive list of professional showbiz credits.
 
Rachael featured in the Melbourne and Perth seasons of Walt Disney’s The Lion King musical and appeared with Bayswater company Fab Nobs Theatre, on top of performing at school, hip-hop and breakdancing concerts.
 
As well as also breakdancing and performing with Fab Nobs, Amon has appeared as the young Bobby Darin in the Gordon Frost Organisation production of Dream Lover with David Campbell, in the junior chorus with Opera Australia and with the Australian Shakespeare Company, clocking up two Lyrebird Youth Award nominations.
 
Both are excited to be joining such a large cast of talented performers in Time to Shine.
 
‘This isn’t just another high school musical,’ Graeme said. ‘We’ve proved before – Time to Shine is a professional production and a fantastic piece of entertainment.
 
‘We’re not just putting on a show. We’re staging a spectacular.'
 
‘And – seeing that it’s all about showcasing Catholic school talent, we’ve got the Pope to MC.’
 
That’s veteran compere Michael Pope, widely acclaimed as one of Australia’s best known and most loved warm-up acts, who joins Time to Shine again as host.
 
‘I’ve seen the best of the best and believe me, these kids have got what it takes,’ Michael said.
 
‘Mix that with the power of skilled behind the scenes veterans and you’ve got something that will really go off.’
 
Time to Shine is also being backed by a well-credentialed artistic team.
 
Musical director Greg Mills has directed everything from AFL Grand Final entertainment to the Logies, while choreographer Linda Henderson is renowned for her work in a number of award-winning Rock Eisteddfod productions.
 
Time to Shine
 
Two shows at the State Theatre: 2.00 pm and 7.30 pm, Saturday 28 July
 
Tickets available from $30.00 from www.artscentremelbourne.com     
 
Group bookings: 1300 182 183