Have you been feeling a little on edge lately? Do you feel like your life is spiralling out of control, on a planet that’s spiraling out of control? Boy, do we have a show for you! Take a load off and step into the vibrant, hilarious world of 1980’s Madrid for the Sydney premiere of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown at Sydney’s beating heart of musical theatre, the Hayes Theatre Co.
We meet Pepa, a heartbroken actress, who finds her life turned upside down after her lover’s sudden disappearance. As she searches for answers, Pepa navigates a series of increasingly outrageous events alongside a cast of eccentric characters, including a vengeful ex-wife, a best friend entangled with an international terrorist, a power-suited lawyer, and enough sedative-laced gazpacho to knock out half of Spain.
Following his award-winning, critically acclaimed seasons of Cry Baby and American Psycho, Alexander Berlage returns to the Hayes to direct this exhilarating comedy based on the iconic 1988 movie by Pedro Almodóvar.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown features an exciting cast including Amy Hack (Yentl, Hedwig and the Angry Inch) as Pepa, and Andrew Cutcliffe (The Dismissal, Caroline or Change) as her missing lover Ivan. Tisha Kelemen (Little Women, Nine) is Lucia, Ivan’s ex-wife, and her son Carlos is played by Tomáš Kantor (Fangirls, West Side Story). Pepa’s best friend Candela is played by Grace Driscoll (Sunset Boulevard, Nice Work If You Can Get It) and film director Hector is played by Sean Sinclair (& Juliet, Aladdin). Aaron Robuck (Parade, Bring It On the Musical) plays a taxi driver who dispenses tissues, mints and advice in equal proportion; while Nina Carcione (The Gruffalo, Brigadoon) plays Carlos’ frustrated fiancée Marisa; and Melissa Russo (The Producers, Fangirls) is the power-suited lawyer Paulina.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is presented by Pinwheel Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co. The short but sweet season kicks off on May 9 and plays through to June 8, and you can snap up your tickets over here.
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