The Sunshine Club facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Sunshine Club |
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| Music | John Rodgers |
| Lyrics | Wesley Enoch |
| Book | Wesley Enoch |
| Productions | 1999-2000 Brisbane/Sydney |
The Sunshine Club is an exciting Australian musical. It was created by Wesley Enoch, who wrote the story and songs, and John Rodgers, who composed the music. This show tells a powerful story about hope and change.
The Story of The Sunshine Club
The musical is set in Brisbane, Australia. It follows a young Aboriginal soldier named Frank Doyle. Frank has just returned home from World War II. He fought for his country, but he finds that things back home haven't changed much. People still have old ideas about Indigenous Australians.
Frank is full of energy and wants a better life for everyone. He decides to open The Sunshine Club. This is a special place where both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can meet. Most importantly, they can dance together! Frank dreams of a future where everyone is equal. He especially hopes to dance with Rose, the girl next door, who is the girl of his dreams.
How the Musical Was Made
The Sunshine Club was first asked for by the Queensland Theatre Company. It took three years to create and develop the show. Many people worked hard to bring Frank's story to the stage.
The very first show by the Queensland Theatre Company opened in Brisbane on November 26, 1999. This was at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Before that, it had a short run in Cairns. Wesley Enoch, who wrote the show, also directed it. The dances were created by Stephen Page, a famous choreographer.
After its time in Brisbane, the musical moved to the famous Sydney Opera House. It was shown there starting January 15, 2000, and ran for six weeks.
Songs from the Show
The musical features many lively and meaningful songs. Here are some of them:
- "Lest We Forget"
- "We Dance/Shadows Dance"
- "The Sunshine Club"
- "Dare to Dream"
- "Sellin' Man"
- "Dancin' Up a Storm"
- "Let It Rain"
- "We Dance"
- "I Will Remember You"
- "Shake a Leg"
- "Shadow Dancer"
- "Passionfruit Vine"
- "Sit Down Mr. Menzies"
- "Strictly Saturday Night"
- "Hey Sister"
- "Homecoming"
- "If Not Now Then When?"
A special CD was released with three songs from the musical. It included "We Dance," "Passionfruit Vine," and "Let It Rain." These songs were sung by the original cast members, Ursula Yovich and Natalie O'Donnell.
