“There is something for everyone in a show like this because so much is on offer. It is both challenging and superbly entertaining.
“The comedy is superbly written. The music is outstanding. The characters are memorable.”
Avenue Q has been showered in awards, winning Best Musical, Book, and Score at the 2004 Tony Awards. One of the writers, Robert Lopez, is known for helping create The Book of Mormon and the Disney blockbuster Frozen.
Derby says Avenue Q is a complex play with puppetry on top of singing and acting, but Gisborne has the talent.
“My job will be to get the best from them in bringing it all to life. The themes are quite adult. A compaction of many of the social issues prevalent on many levels, but things that affect us all.
“Commonly examined are themes of finding our place in life, acceptance of self from others as well as personally, and finding who we are in a chaotic world of expectations.”
Derby grew up surrounded by the theatre in Te Kuiti in the north of the King Country. The middle child of three, his family had front row seats to plenty of productions.
“Back in those days you only had black and white TV and only one channel, so it was the social event to be at.”
The stage and music were mesmerising, alive with colour, life and energy, says Derby.
“For us as kids it was magic land.
“Mum and Dad took our family to see Fiddler On The Roof in Auckland and I was hooked. I was in a few shows at high school but only got back into musical theatre after very many years when I first came to Gisborne to teach at Gisborne Boys' High School,” Derby says.
He soon heard that Gisborne Theatre Arts were taking on the production of the musical Chess, and Derby was a fan.
“I loved the music. I auditioned and got the role of KGB agent Molokov. I quickly realised what an amazing organisation it was, with great skill levels and huge musical talent for a small company, and from there I never looked back. I guess it was a theatrical version of the prodigal son returning from the artistic wilderness.”
Since then he has acted in numerous musicals — Hairspray, Beauty and the Beast, The Addams Family, The King and I, Godspell and Hair and Pirates of Penzance.
Derby said the quality of the production in Gisborne is a major joy for him.
“The huge amounts of fun during the rehearsal period has to be experienced to be appreciated. When you are working with talented people, the many different personalities are always more uplifting than demanding.
“There is a common sense of purpose, and having a high standard of production brings out the best in all those who strive to create something special and memorable. I love the challenges of stepping slightly outside one's comfort zone. Live, onstage performance is really intense, everyone around you depends on you to get it right.
“Viewing patrons deserve the best that we can give them. That in itself is the greatest reward, not necessarily the applause given.
“I must admit our society has always received a lot of positive feedback and has been a real asset to Gisborne city.”
Although it is his first time directing for MTG, he has stage-managed several of their productions and done plenty with Girls' and Boys' high shows.
Auditions for Avenue Q will be held on Saturday, April 9 between 9.30am and 4pm at MTG clubrooms, 101 Innes Street. Recalls for role selections will be on Sunday, April 10. Those wanting to audition will need to be aged 18 or over because of the adult themes. Information is available on the MTG website including character synopsis and recommended song lists/dialogue to be familiar with for each character. MTG is also looking for anyone interested in offstage roles, especially in lighting, sound, etc. An information pack is available on Musical Theatre Gisborne's Facebook page and on their webpage www.musicaltheatregisborne.nz
