Come and Meet … Those Dancing Feet

Napier Operatic Society is staging the toe-tapping Broadway smash 42nd Street at the Napier Municipal Theatre next March.
 
The company  has joined forces with theatre groups from around the country to secure the set, props and costumes direct from the show's recent Broadway revival. Napier will produce the show after its opening season in Auckland.
 
``We have pulled off a major coup securing the set which just a couple of years ago was gracing the stage of the Hilton Theatre on Broadway,'' society vice president Marc Collier said.
 
``A small window became available in the set's schedule and we leapt at the chance to extend its run in New Zealand.
 
``At the conclusion of the six-city New Zealand tour the set will travel to the UK to begin a two-year professional run  through Europe.''
 
It is the second time Napier Operatic has staged  42nd Street, having
previously produced the show in 1997.
 
``Many people still vividly remember that season,'' Mr Collier said. '`And it is remembered as one of the society's most successful productions.''
 
Auditions are scheduled for November for the production which will be directed by Robert Hickey, formerly of Napier and now based in Wellington.
 
``I first saw 42nd Street in Sydney,'' Hickey said.
 
``I was hooked on the vibrancy, energy and sheer joy that exploded from that stage and filled every heart in the audience. Magic.''
 
Hickey has a long association with Napier Operatic including directing sellout seasons
of Grease and Evita as well as smaller shows at the Tabard Theatre.
 
``Rob also starred in many of our shows, including the 1995 season of Les Miserables and as the lead in Me and My Girl. He brings a wealth of experience to the role,'' Mr Collier said.
 
 
``I broke my theatrical eye-teeth doing productions with Napier Operatic and I'm thrilled
to be coming home to direct 42nd Street,'' Hickey said.
 
He trained as an actor with Theatre Corporate and Court Theatre before deciding to take up teaching. He continued to develop his theatrical skills while teaching in primary schools before throwing himself over to a professional theatrical career.
 
In that time he directed mainly musical theatre throughout New Zealand as well as
performing in musicals, dramatic theatre, improvised theatre and television. He is reputed
to be the first person to die on Shortland Street.
 
In 1998 Hickey moved to Wellington to complete an MA in theatre at Victoria University and, subsequently, the Royal Holloway, London.
 
Joining Hickey on the artistic team is Napier dancer and teacher Belinda Harvey.
 
``Belinda spent time in Auckland recently with American choreographer Kelli Barclay who took her through the revised choreography,'' Mr Collier said.
 
There are two new dances in the revival show and many of the other dance numbers have been reworked.
 
 ``Belinda is a talented dancer and choreographer and Napier Operatic is thrilled she is taking on this challenging role.''
 
Harvey  has an ongoing love for the theatre and has performed in many stage productions, as well as choreographing a number of shows  including Buddy'' _ The Buddy Holly Story and Return to the Forbidden Planet for Napier Operatic. She has
also choreographed the   Napier Girls' High School productions since 2000.  
 
Belinda has been found working behind the scenes in NOS productions of late rather
than onstage due to running her  busy Prestige Dance Studio.
 
In 2001 she won  a scholarship from the renowned LA Danceforce to attend classes at the
Edge Performing Arts Centre in Hollywood.
 
The society will hold  audition workshops from September 18 where prospective cast members can learn a routine from the show ready for the auditions.
 
To register your interest, email production secretary Deidre Hitchcock on dhitchcock@xtra.co.nz  or call (06) 8359687.