Four well known Blue Mountains performers have banded together to bring an evening of great songs from some of the best musicals performed on Broadway or in the West End.
Featuring the talents of Matthew Herne, Virginia Fortunat, Nikki Bakija and Gail Waizer, this awesome foursome have over 100 years of experience between them.
They came together following Blue Mountains Musical Society’s 2015 production of Phantom of the Opera in which they all had major roles.
Matthew Herne played the Phantom and from the first time he sang audiences were in awe of his voice. Herne performed on The Voice, and is a director of music at the Australian Youth Choir. He is a high school teacher at Springwood High school where he passes on his love of the arts to his students.
Nikki Giezekamp-Bakija stole the show with her portrayal as the Prima Donna Carlotta who is loathed by the Phantom. Having sung with the Australian Opera in an assortment of lead roles and winning many awards for her performances, Giezekamp-Bakija established Springwood Singing Studio and is founding musical director and conductor of Shine Community Choir.
Gail Waizer, local vocal coach, performer and recording artist was masterful in the role as Madam Giry. Last year Waizer had a sold out album launch after the release of her two CD’s which are available on iTunes. After extensive training in voice, Waizer studied overseas at the Oxford School of Drama and then at the Actors Centre Australia where she returned in 2013 to train with Philip Quast and Marcia Hines.
Virginia Fortunat was the director of Phantom of the Opera, and didn’t realise the impact her casting of that production would have on her life. Having produced, directed and performed in musical theatre across Sydney, Fortunat has also had professional work as a voice over artist, singer and actor. Currently, she lives to perform and does so on a daily basis as a primary school teacher.
Broadway Bites is the first offering from this wonderful group Mosaic Muse. They will be performing at The School of Arts in Richmond on April 22 and again at the Wentworth Falls School of Arts on April 29. Both shows start at 8pm and seats are limited. Book now online at mosaicmuse.com.au.