Michael Falzon (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Falzon
Michael Falzon, photograph by Gavin D. Andrew
Background information
Born	(1972-05-16)16 May 1972 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died	23 June 2020(2020-06-23) (aged 48) Australia
Genres	Musical Theatre Swing
Occupation(s)	Singer, actor, producer
Years active	1994–2019
Associated acts	Swing on This Music of Queen: Rock and Symphonic Spectacular

Michael Falzon (born May 16, 1972 – died June 23, 2020) was an Australian singer, actor, and producer. He was well-known for his powerful tenor voice in musical theatre and rock shows. Michael also ran his own company called Good Egg Creative.

He became famous for his roles in popular musicals like We Will Rock You, Rock of Ages, and Hedwig and The Angry Inch. Michael performed in many different types of shows, from small cabaret acts to huge arena concerts. He toured Australia, Asia, and Europe with the Queen/Ben Elton musical We Will Rock You. He was the very first 'Galileo' (the main character) outside of the UK. Michael also appeared in TV shows and films, including the short film Computer Boy. He sang with symphony orchestras across Australia and recorded albums. In 2013, he recorded I Dreamed A Dream: The Hit Songs of Broadway with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. He was also a founding member of the group Swing on This.

About Michael Falzon

Michael was the third of six children. His father was from Malta, and his mother was Australian. When he was a teenager, his family moved from Sydney to Brisbane.

He went to Kelvin Grove High School in Brisbane. This school was known for its drama program. Michael was very active in the school choir and musical plays. After high school, he planned to study English and Psychology at the University of Queensland. However, he decided to focus more on performing instead.

Michael said that seeing the arena show Jesus Christ Superstar in 1992 inspired him to pursue a career in musical theatre. He later had the chance to play the role of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar in 2015.

He once mentioned that his first leather jacket was one of his favorite things. He even wore it to his successful audition for We Will Rock You. Michael chose to play Galileo in the Edinburgh production of We Will Rock You partly because he wanted to visit the city.

In 2019, Michael was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He had to cancel all his shows for the rest of the year to get treatment. Sadly, Michael passed away from cancer on June 23, 2020, at the age of 48. He is survived by his wife, Jane Cho, who is a violinist.

Starting His Career

Michael began singing professionally in Brisbane with a group called VocalPoint. This group had eight singers and specialized in close harmony music. They performed both in Australia and overseas. Because of his work with VocalPoint, he was asked to audition for The Pirates of Penzance in 1994. He got the part, and this show marked the start of his professional acting career. He toured with the company to New Zealand.

After that, he appeared in Hello Dolly in 1995. Then he returned to the same company (EssGee) for HMS Pinafore. He also toured internationally with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Both HMS Pinafore and Pirates of Penzance were recorded for DVD.

In 2000, Michael starred in a short film called Computer Boy. It was a funny movie that made fun of the successful film The Matrix. Michael played the role of Neo and won an award for Best Actor at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival.

During this time, Michael also started a production company called SMA Productions. He worked with other entertainers to provide entertainment for events around the world. He divided his time between performing and managing his own production company, Good Egg Creative.

First Theatre Roles

Main Theatre Roles

Becoming Galileo

In 2003, Michael Falzon was chosen for the lead role of Galileo Figaro in the Australian production of We Will Rock You. This show featured the music of Queen and was written by Ben Elton. It was a perfect fit for Michael, as he loved rock music and acting. The show opened in Melbourne in August 2003, making it the first production outside the UK. It then toured other Australian cities. Michael starred alongside other talented actors like Kate Maree Hoolihan and Amanda Harrison.

We Will Rock You played in Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney. Michael left the show after its Australian run. However, he returned to play Galileo in Japan when another actor got injured.

War of the Worlds and Hedwig

In 2007, Michael was cast as the Artilleryman in the Australian and New Zealand tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds - Alive on Stage. This show was a huge production with a giant machine and holographic images.

In 2008, Michael took on a very different role as "Hedwig Schmitt" in the glam rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He wore a mini-dress and knee-high boots for this role, which was a big success in Brisbane and Sydney.

Returning to Rock and Roll

Michael played Galileo again in 2009 and 2010 for the UK tour of We Will Rock You. He performed in Edinburgh and Dublin.

In 2010, he briefly returned to Australia for a concert performance of Floyd Collins. He also joined the 2009 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, playing the Pharaoh in a style inspired by Elvis Presley.

He went back to The War of the Worlds in 2010 for its European tour. This time, he played two new characters: an astronomer and a NASA controller. The tour included big arenas in the UK and Europe, like London's Wembley and O2 arenas.

In 2011, Michael returned to Australia permanently for Rock of Ages. He starred as Stacee Jaxx, a classic 80s rocker. He drew inspiration from famous rock bands like Bon Jovi and Van Halen for the role. Rock of Ages played in Melbourne and Brisbane.

Later Theatre Work

In 2012, Michael played Jason in the musical Ordinary Days in Sydney. This show was sung without microphones, with only a piano for music.

He also performed in Chess in Melbourne in 2012. His role as The Arbiter was praised for engaging the audience.

In November 2012, Michael went back to the UK for Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds – The New Generation. This new version of the show was filmed at London's O2 Arena and later released in cinemas.

In 2013, he was cast as scientist Leó Szilárd in the new musical Atomic. Michael was excited to create a new character and enjoyed the modern rock music in the show. Atomic premiered in Sydney.

Michael returned to theatre in 2015 to play Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar in Canberra. He also performed in Evita (musical) with Opera Australia in 2018 and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in 2019. Sadly, he had to leave Sweeney Todd due to his illness.

Concert Performances

Falzon mentoring at the Greenroom Project, the Arts Centre, Gold Coast in July 2013

Michael Falzon performed in many concerts throughout his career, both as a main singer and a guest artist. He sang in a special show called Side By Side By Sondheim and performed with his own band. He also headlined "Wickedly Showstopping" with famous musical theatre star Lucy Durack.

In June 2013, Michael performed with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for "TSO goes to Broadway." This happened at the same time his musical theatre album, I Dreamed A Dream: Hits Songs of Broadway, was released. He often performed for important guests, including former Olympic gold medalist Betty Cuthbert.

Michael was a big supporter of many charities. He performed at fundraisers for groups like Light The Night, Hats Off!, Twisted Broadway, Variety, and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

He was also part of "The Rat Pack's Back," a show he helped create and produce. They performed at many venues around the world, including sold-out shows at Perth Zoo and London's Palace Theatre.

In 2014, Michael performed songs by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach from their album Painted From Memory. He toured with fellow musical theatre star Bobby Fox for this show. Michael said he wanted to perform these songs because they were "written from the heart and experience."

Michael, along with Luke Kennedy, Ben Mingay, and Matt Lee, formed the group Swing on This for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Rob Mills later joined the group.

Producer Work

Michael Falzon was involved in creating many successful entertainment acts. He was part of SMA Productions and later became the managing director of Good Egg Creative.

Good Egg Creative operates in Australia and the UK. They have produced shows like "The Music of Queen: Rock and Symphonic Spectacular" and Swing on This. In 2015, Good Egg Creative also helped produce "Kurt," a show about the music of Kurt Cobain.

Other Appearances

Television

• In 2013, Michael filmed a six-part comedy show for Ben Elton and BBC1 called The Wright Way. He played Kyle, an Australian fitness trainer.
• He performed on RTÉ's The Late Late Show in Ireland with Dr Brian May and Roger Taylor from Queen in 2010.
• Michael was considered to host the Australian game show The Singing Bee.
• He had a guest role in three episodes of the Australian drama Blue Heelers in 2005.
• As part of the cast of We Will Rock You, Michael performed at the opening of the Australian Rules Football Grand Final in 2003 at the MCG. This was shown live on TV across Australia.
• He performed for "Carols by Candlelight" events in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
• Michael appeared with Swing on This on the "Channel 9 Gold Telethon" in 2015, a fundraiser for Sydney Children's Hospital. They also performed for the "Good Friday Appeal" in 2016, a fundraiser for The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.
• Swing on This performed at "Carols in the Domain," a live televised event with about 80,000 people watching.

Film

• Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds – The New Generation Alive! On Stage was filmed in London in 2012 and released in cinemas.
• Ned (2002)
• Computer Boy (2000)

Recordings

• Atomic (The New Rock Musical) (2016) – Michael sang the role of Leo Szilard.
• Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds – The New Generation Alive! On Stage (2013) – Live recording of the stage show.
• I Dreamed A Dream: The Hit Songs of Broadway (2013) – Michael sang songs like "Stars" and "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables.
• Michael Falzon EP (2007) – His own extended play album with original songs.
• Blue Heelers (2005) – Episodes he appeared in.
• Ned (2002) – The film he appeared in.
• HMS Pinafore Australian & New Zealand Cast Recording 1997
• The Pirates of Penzance Australian Cast Recording 5 November 1994

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Michael Falzon para niños