Students relive Manilow saga

Eloise Willis-Hardy strikes a sizzling pose as Lola in Maclean High’s production of Copacabana.

Adam Hourigan

BARRY Manilow’s 1978 hit song about love formed in a New York nightclub will be brought to life by Maclean High School students tonight in the razzle-dazzle production of Copacabana.

The musical’s director, Matt Fisher, was nervous but quietly confident about the production when he spoke to The Examiner on Wednesday saying: “Mostly it’s going really well”.

“If we can just get the dance sequences right it will be sorted,” said the music teacher and veteran of six previous musicals since 1999. The school has developed a reputation for quality musicals including the Buddy Holly Story, Little Shop of Horrors and Footloose.

The director summarised what could be expected tonight, tomorrow and next Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Maclean Civic Hall.

“Essentially it’s about a struggling contemporary songwriter, Stephen, who is trying to come up with a hit song and finds himself dreaming of nightclubs in the 1940s,” said Mr Fisher.

Mr Fisher said Stephen, played by popular performer Adam Bowes, creates the girl of his dreams, Lola, played by Eloise Willis-Hardy, and her “love interest” Tony Forte, played by Brad Gimbert, to bring his song to life.

“Lola is definitely going to steal the show,” he said. “I’m excited that it’s finally here.”

Tickets: adults $12, and $8 per child/ concession and can be bought at Maclean High School or Bell’s Brass Ra Zoo, opposite the uniform shop in Maclean.