Dream out loud

VCA third year Music Theatre students have created a new show taking a satirical look at the evangelical mega church phenomenon while exploring issues of faith, religion and spirituality,

The show, Dreamsong, has been written, composed and choreographed by the students and is expected to be a playful, but provocative show.

VCA Music Theatre has a long tradition of supporting new Australian work, and this latest original work follows a six months development process.

Music Theatre co-ordinator Martin Croft says the school was proud to present this “audacious, home-grown musical comedy that questions the true meaning of faith and spirituality through a wickedly satirical depiction of evangelical populist religion, American politics and popular culture”.

Book and lyric writer Hugo Chiarella says the story revolved around Pastor Richard Sunday’s American Evangelical Christian church, Dreamsong, which is in trouble.

“They’ve lost a lot of money in the global financial crisis, so to revive their fortune they decide to stage the second coming of Christ and market him as a pop star. Meanwhile the actual second coming of Christ occurs and the public is forced to pick a Messiah.”

He says at its core, the piece was about the true nature of faith.

Dreamsong also features the talents of Robert Tripolino (score) and Sam Hooper (choreography) with dramaturgy by Eddie Perfect and Margot Fenley and direction by Michael Gurr.

Dreamsong runs from 9–21 April at the VCA’s Grant Street Theatre. Admission: $20 / $18
http://www.vcam.unimelb.edu.au/events