STAR CAST ANNOUNCED FOR NEW ROCK OPERA

The producers of the rock opera STATE HIGHWAY 48 today announce that television personality Shane Cortese and one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s favourite performers, Delia Hannah, will play the lead roles in the critically acclaimed homegrown production.

STATE HIGHWAY 48 is a New Zealand original work, tracking the life and times of an everyday family and their friends as they navigate the treacherous road of middle age. Changes in the family, workplace, and friendship are set against the backdrop of the recession and brought to life by 26 original songs.

STATE HIGHWAY 48 opens in just three weeks at the Clarence St Theatre in Hamilton before heading to Napier, Wanganui, Rotorua, Taupo, Putaruru and Tauranga. Tickets are on sale now and are strictly limited.

Shane – known for his roles in Nothing Trivial, Outrageous Fortune and The Almighty Johnsons – plays Dave the dad, a character who takes everyone on a journey through his good and bad days, having been bitten by the black dog of depression.

New Zealand’s first lady of musical theatre, Delia, will play Dave’s wife Sharon -- a suburban housewife: fragile, lost, loving, disenfranchised. Beautiful.

“Delia is amazing,” says producer and writer Chris Williams. “She was cast by Andrew Lloyd Webber for the UK tour of Aspects of Love, and has toured Australia and Asia extensively, starring in all the big shows including Mamma Mia!, Cats, Chess, Blood Brothers and Disney’s production of Mary Poppins.

This unique, touching and universally relevant rock opera is raw and real, has lots of laughs and a few tears.

“It’s funny, dramatic, emotional and entertaining. A reminder about the important things in life; the dangers of not facing up to depression and a celebration of the everyday.”

STATE HIGHWAY 48 will have nine performances from August 19; then in October will tour the central North Island. “We want to start the tour in the provinces before taking on the big centres,” says Williams. “In 2017 we will be in Auckland, Wellington and the South Island.”

“The show is a 21st century story that tracks the life and times of an everyday family and their friends as they navigate the treacherous road of middle age. Changes in the family, workplace, and friendship are set against the backdrop of the recession with the black dog of depression taking the driver’s seat in Dave, the lead male’s life, taking everyone on a journey. It’s funny, dramatic, emotional and entertaining. A reminder about the important things in life; the dangers of not facing up to depression and a celebration of the everyday. “

www.sh48.co.nz

www.facebook.com/statehighway48

www.facebook.com/statehighway48

Shane Cortese

Shane is one of New Zealand’s most recognised and loved performers. Before he returned to New Zealand for Shortland St, he starred in a number of musicals on London’s West End. Roles included Rocky and Frank’n’Furter in the New Rocky Horror Show, Pharaoh in Joseph and Elvis the Musical.

In New Zealand he’s played Rum Tum Tugger in Cats, Billy Flynn in Chicago and Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls.

His many TV credits include Mac in Nothing Trivial, Hayden Peters in Outrageous Fortune and Loki/Colin in The Almighty Johnsons – a role which earned him Best Actor in the TV Guide Best on the Box awards in 2013, 14 and 15.

Delia Hannah

Delia is New Zealand’s most highly acclaimed music theatre performer with an amazing list of international credits.

She was cast by Andrew Lloyd Webber to star in the UK tour of Aspects of Love and has also toured extensively through Australia and Asia, including China.

Along with this Delia has starred in Mamma Mia!, Les Miserables, Westside Story, Beach Blanket Tempest, The Buddy Holly Story, Chess, Blood Brothers, Cats, Into the Woods, The Wizard of Oz, Three Penny Opera, Mary Poppins and the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Season details:

Hamilton              August  19-27                    Clarence St Theatre          Ticketek

Napier                   October 5                            Municipal Theatre           Ticketek

Wanganui            October 8                            Royal Opera House          ??

Rotorua                October 12 & 13               The Civic                              Ticketmaster

Taupo                   October 14                          Great Lake Centre            ??

Putaruru              October 21 & 22               The Plaza                             ??

Tauranga             October 27 - 29                 Baycourt                              ??