Lucy Maunder

Lucy Maunder is an Australian cabaret and theatre performer. She originated the role of Lara in the Australian premiere of Doctor Zhivago opposite Anthony Warlow,^[1] and has toured with her own cabaret Songs in the Key of Black, releasing an album with the same name.^[2] Maunder toured with the national touring company of Grease playing the role of Rizzo.^[3] She then starred in the role of Miss Honey in the Australian tour of Matilda the Musical, replacing Elise McCann.^[4] She is currently starring in the Australian production of Fun Home, in the adult lead role.

Lucy Maunder
Maunder in 2013
Background information
Born	Australia
Genres	Musical theatre
Occupation(s)	Singer, actor
Website	lucymaunder.com

Biography

Lucy Maunder, the daughter of stage director, Stuart Maunder,^[5] moved to England when she was five while her father was resident director of the Royal Opera House. Her mother is singer Anne-Maree McDonald.^[1]

After an initial desire to become a dancer,^[1] Maunder commenced singing at the age of fourteen.^[5]

Maunder graduated from Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with a Bachelor in Music Theatre. In an interview with The Age, Maunder mentioned WAAPA teachers Jenny Lynnd and John Milson as having a profound impact on her.^[5] During this period she became close friends with Stephen Mahy whom she would go on to co-star with in Grease.^[6]

Theatre

Maunder played the lead role of Lara in the premiere of Doctor Zhivago at the Lyric Theatre, Sydney on 19 February 2011 with Anthony Warlow as Yurii Zhivago, Taneel Van Zyl as Tonia and Martin Crewes as Pasha. The production was directed by Des McAnuff.^[7] A cast album was planned with two songs by Maunder and Warlow being released in 2011.^[8] Doctor Zhivago ran from 19 February until 3 April 2011 in Sydney,^[9] before travelling to Melbourne in April until 29 May.^[10] From there it went to Brisbane for a limited run from 6–31 July,^[11] however, its popularity with Brisbane audiences saw the Queensland season extended to 14 August.

Maunder performed in Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens as part of the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival.^[12] The song cycle was a collection of free verse poems and songs inspired by stories from the Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Maunder has also appeared in reasons to be pretty for Darlinghurst Theatre, as well as two staged readings for Neglected Musicals: Lucky Stiff^[2] in November 2012 and It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Superman^[13] in October 2014. She played Janet in The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Richard O'Brien in New Zealand.^[14] Her roles have also included Anne in A Little Night Music, which was directed by her father, Stuart Maunder.^[2]

In the Sydney Theatre Company co-production with the Victorian Opera of Threepenny Opera, directed by Michael Kantor, Maunder played Polly Peachum,^[15] opposite Eddie Perfect as Macheath. This production ran from 4–24 September 2011.^[16]

In September 2013, Maunder was cast opposite Stephen Mahy (Kenickie) as Rizzo in the John Frost production of Grease^[17] for Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. The production also starred Rob Mills, Gretel Scarlett, Anthony Callea, Stephen Mahy, Todd McKenney and Bert Newton as Vince Fontaine.^[18]

Throughout 2013, Maunder starred opposite James Millar in Nancye Hayes' production of Noël and Gertie, a poignant take on the close relationship between Noël Coward and Gertrude Lawrence, including excerpts from several of his famous plays. The musical received glowing reviews in the local press as it travelled throughout New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Maunder received The Colleen Clifford Memorial Award for Best Actor in Music Theatre at the Sydney GLUG Awards in January 2014 for her performance.

During July 2014, Victorian Opera cast Maunder in the role of Cinderella for Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods.^[19] Directed by her father, Stuart Maunder,^[2] Lucy was applauded in Melbourne tabloids and both she and Stuart were nominated in their respective categories, Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Lucy, and Best Direction of a Musical for Stuart, at the prestigious Helpmann Awards.

In 2015, Maunder starred in Heathers: The Musical with the Hayes Theatre Company as Heather Chandler, in a production directed by Australian musical theatre and cabaret star Trevor Ashley, alongside Jaz Flowers as Veronica Sawyer, Stephen Madsen as Jason "J.D." Dean, Erin Clare as Heather McNamara, Libby Asciak as Heather Duke, Lauren McKenna as Martha Dunnstock/Pauline Fleming, Vincent Hooper as Ram Sweeney/Ram's Dad and Jakob Ambrose as Kurt Kelly/Kurt's Dad.^[20]

In 2020, Maunder starred as Catherine in Pippin at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.^[21]

In 2021-22, Maunder starred as the adult Alison Bechdel in the Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company’s co-production of Fun Home.^[22]

Concert

In December, 2011, Maunder performed with Donald Cant, Denis Walter, Melinda Schneider and James Egglestone for the Australian Pops Orchestra 30th Anniversary Party.^[23]

Maunder toured her own cabaret show Songs in the Key of Black, based on the songs of Irving Berlin, throughout Australia, including the Adelaide Cabaret Festival,^[24] Perth's Morning Melodies at His Majesty's Theatre,^[25] and Noosa Longweekend.^[1] In 2012 Maunder released an album of the same name featuring songs from the show:

The title was thought up because he wasn't a particularly strong piano player. He only wrote in the key of F-sharp using all the black notes. And it is set in the darkest dive saloons of old New York City and it is a dark and intimate presentation of his songs.^[1]

On 20 April 2012, Maunder performed in a Gala Concert version of Side by Side by Sondheim featuring Ruthie Henshall at the Theatre Royal.^[26] The Gala was held to support Australia's White Ribbon Foundation, a charity which seeks to raise awareness of violence against women.^[27] The cast also included Rachael Beck, Mitchell Butel, Peter Cousens, Lucy Durack, Michael Falzon and Shaun Rennie. Maunder went on to replace Beck in the Geelong leg of the tour.^[28]

Maunder returned to Morning Melodies in March, 2013,^[29] this time with Anne-Maree McDonald, Stuart Maunder and Alex Rathgeber for Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye, which centres around wartime classics including We'll Meet Again and Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major.^[30]

On 24 March 2013 Maunder joined her parents, Stuart Maunder and Anne-Maree McDonald, for the musical extravaganza The Sound of Rodgers, a tribute to the work of Richard Rodgers, the composer from the duo Rodgers and Hammerstein. The concert, which featured numbers from South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma! and many other musicals from the famous pairing, was held at Riverside Theatre's 25th Anniversary Special Event. The Sound of Rodgers has been performed at many venues throughout the country.^[31]

Maunder starred alongside John O'May and Helen Morse in a tribute to French musical act Jacques Brel, Love. War. Death. BREL. for the 2013 Adelaide Cabaret Festival.^[32]

On a cool night in September 2015, Maunder joined Martin Crewes, her former co-star from Doctor Zhivago – A New Musical and the Hungarian opera singer, Judit Molner, for Opera in the Park, an open air concert held at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The trio was accompanied by the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra and Gold Coast Youth Choir. The concert featured well-known classics from Broadway shows such as West Side Story, Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Chess, Doctor Zhivago – A New Musical and many more musical theatre productions, along with classical opera numbers.^[33]

Recordings

• Grease Cast Album^[34] (as Rizzo)
  • Worse things I Could Do
  • Look at Me I'm Sandra Dee
• I Dreamed A Dream – Hit Songs from Broadway with Michael Falzon; Trisha Crowe; Amanda Harrison; Jacqui Dark; Toni Lamond; Andy Conaghan and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra released on 21 June 2013 through ABC Classics.^[35]
  • I Dreamed a Dream – Les Misérables^[36]
  • On My Own – Les Misérables
• Irving Berlin: Songs in the Key of Black^[1][37]
  • Remember
  • Say It Isn't So
  • What'll I Do/All Alone
  • Yiddisha Nightingale
  • Steppin' Out with My Baby
  • Everybody Step
  • Puttin' On the Ritz
  • Pack Up Your Sins/Top Hat, White Tie and Tails/Cheek to Cheek
  • How Deep Is the Ocean
  • Cheek to Cheek
  • I Love a Piano
  • Blue Skies/Let's Face the Music and Dance
• Doctor Zhivago (duets with Anthony Warlow)^[8]
  • Now
  • On the Edge of Time

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Production	Role	Result
2011^[38]	Helpmann Awards	Best Female Actor in a Musical	Doctor Zhivago	Lara	Nominated
2011^[39]	Sydney Theatre Awards	Judith Johnson Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical	Doctor Zhivago	Lara	Nominated
2013^[40]	Sydney Theatre Awards	Judith Johnson Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical	Grease	Rizzo	Nominated
2013^[41]	Theatre People Pro Choice	Best Supporting Actress	Grease	Rizzo	Nominated
2013^[42]	Glug Awards	The Colleen Clifford Memorial Award For Best Actor in Music Theatre (Female)	Noel and Gertie	Gertrude Lawrence	Won
2013^[43]	Glug Awards	The Colleen Clifford Memorial Award For Best Actor in Music Theatre (Female)	Grease	Rizzo	Nominated
2014^[44]	Helpmann Awards	Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical	Grease	Rizzo	Nominated
2014^[45]	Green Room Awards	Female Actor in a Featured Role (Music Theatre)	Into the Woods	Cinderella	Nominated
2015^[46]	Helpmann Awards	Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical	Into the Woods	Cinderella	Nominated
2017^[47]	Helpmann Awards	Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical	Matilda the Musical	Miss Honey	Nominated

References

1. Nathanael Cooper (14 June 2012). "Lucy Maunder brings her love of old-world music to Noosa Longweekend". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
2. Jo Litson (21 October 2012). "Love at first scene for Lucy Maunder and Luke Joslin who star in Lucky Stiff". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
3. Ashanna Roberts (27 September 2013). "Sydney musical theatre star Lucy Maunder takes on the gum-chewing Rizzo in Grease". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
4. "Honey Handover: Maunder takes over from McCann in Matilda - News". AussieTheatre.com. 18 March 2017.
5. Margaret Cook (4 March 2013). "My School Report: Lucy Maunder". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
6. Jo Litson (29 September 2013). "Old WAAPA mates Lucy Maunder and Stephen Mahy step out of their comfort zone to rock us as Rizoo and Kenickie in Grease". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
7. "Review of Dr Zhivago – a new musical at Sydney's Lric Theatre" by Alex Lalak, The Daily Telegraph, Sydney (22 February 2011)
8. Simon Parris (7 June 2011). . Theatre People. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
9. David Kary (22 February 2011). "Dr Zhivago A New Musical". Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
10. Jo Litson (2 May 2011). . Limelight. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
11. "Musical Doctor Zhivago opens in Brisbane". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
12. David Allen (17 February 2012). "Star Struck – An Afternoon Coffee with Lucy Maunder". Aussie Theatre. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
13. "It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Superman".
14. Tracey Bond (9 November 2010). "No Rocky rehearsal for Horror star". Stuff. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
15. David Spicer. "The Threepenny Opera". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
16. Diana Simmons (4 September 2011). "Three Penny Opera". Stage Noise. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
17. "Grease Cast Announced". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
18. Cameron Pegg (27 August 2013). "Latest Grease little less slick". Arts. The Australian. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
19. "Into the Woods".
20. Ben Neutze (22 June 2015). "Heathers The Musical review (Hayes Theatre, Sydney)". Daly Review. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
21. "Pippin's Sydney Cast Announced Ahead of November Commencement | the Otaku's Study". 14 October 2020.
22. "Fun Home review – Alison Bechdel memoir-musical adaptation burrows its way into your heart". the Guardian. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
23. Sally Bennet (27 December 2011). "Party time for popular pops orchestra". Retrieved 29 September 2013.
24. "Review: Lucy Maunder – Irving Berlin: Songs In The Key Of Black – 2013 Adelaide Cabaret Festival". Glam Digital. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
25. "Morning Melodies Returns With Lucy Maunder, July 25". Broadway World. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
26. AussieTheatre.com.au (28 April 2012). "Side by Side by Sondheim: a star-studded event". Aussietheatre.com.au. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
27. John P. Harvey. "Side by Side by Sondheim". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
28. " 'http://www.biznewsmag.com.au' listing" http://www.biznewsmag.com.au, accessed 12 January 2013
29. "Wish Me Luck @ Morning Melodies". Weekend Notes. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
30. Caitlin Irving (29 January 2013). "Morning Melodies 2013 season kick off at His Majesty's Theatre". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
31. "The Sound of Rodgers 25th Anniversary Special Event".
32. Daniella Bagnara (9 June 2013). "Adelaide Cabaret Festival review; Love. War. Death. BREL". Retrieved 29 September 2013.
33. . Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
34. "Australian Cast Album for Grease". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
35. . 2013 Universal Music Australia Pty Limited. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
36. "I Dreamed A Dream – Hit Songs of Broadway". ABC. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
37. Hope Holmberg (24 February 2014). "Six burning questions for Lucy Maunder". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
38. . Live Performance Australia. Archived from the original on 9 September 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
39. "2011 Sydney Theatre Awards nominations announced". Australian Stage. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
40. "2013 Sydney Theatre Awards nominations announced". Stage Whispers. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
41. Simon Parris (12 December 2013). "2013 Theatre People Pro Choice Nominations Announced". Theatre People. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
42. "2013 Glugs Awards: The Winners". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
43. "The Glugs Theatrical Awards". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
44. "The Helpmann Awards". Retrieved 18 August 2014.
45. Puvanenthiran, Bhakthi (14 February 2015). "Damien Ryan and Bell Shakespeare sweep nominations for Green Room". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
46. "2015 Helpmann Award Nominations". Stage Whispers. Stage Whispers. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
47. "2017 Nominees | Helpmann Awards". www.helpmannawards.com.au. Retrieved 25 July 2017.

External links

• Official website