Gerry Connolly joins Anything Goes cast

Actor, comedian and impressionist Gerry Connolly will join the cast of the Opera Australia /John Frost production of Anything Goes to play the Captain of the S.S. American during the Melbourne and Brisbane seasons.

Because of his increased radio and television commitments, Alan Jones needs to remain located in Sydney so has had to withdraw from the Melbourne and Brisbane seasons, but will join the company to play the Captain during the Sydney Opera House season.

Perhaps best known for his satirical caricatures of public figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Margaret Thatcher, Joh Bjelke-Peterson, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and Dame Joan Sutherland amongst many others, Gerry Connolly has a long list of theatre, film and television credits to his name. Connolly’s successful career in the theatre has included roles with Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company and Belvoir, and most recently as Marcus Lycus opposite Geoffrey Rush in John Frost’s production of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.

Connolly will join the other principal cast previously announced: Caroline O’Connor as evangelist turned nightclub singer Reno Sweeney; Todd McKenney as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh; Alex Rathgeber as young Wall Street broker Billy Crocker; Claire Lyon will be American debutante Hope Harcourt; Carmen Duncan in her musical theatre debut as Evangeline Harcourt; Wayne Scott Kermond will play second-rate gangster Moonface Martin; Debora Krizak is Moonface’s girlfriend Erma; and Bartholomew John plays Wall Street banker Elisha J. Whitney.

The Anything Goes ensemble comprises Aljin Abella, Annie Aitken, Spencer Bignell, Jan Di Peitro, Samantha Leigh Dodemaide, Xander Ellis, Josh Gates, Alex Gibson-Giorgio, Bridget Hancock, Nicholas Kong, Evan Lever, Hayley Martin, Suzie Melloy, Imogen Moore, Glen Oliver, Natasha Paramor, Nathan Pinnell, Jordan Pollard, Ashleigh Rubenach, Mason Schaube, Greta Sherriff, Ashlee Smith and Lyndon Watts.

Season Details:

Princess Theatre, Melbourne from 31 May, tickets from $79.90, Bookings: Ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 111 011, Groups of 12 or more call 1300 889 278

Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane from 28 July, tickets from $79.90, bookings: qpac.com.au or phone 136 246, groups of 12 or more 07 3840 7466

Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House from 8 September, tickets from $79.90, Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com or 9250 7777, Ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 723 038. Groups of 12 or more call 02 8240 2290

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