Artist Biographies Musical Melodies 2009

Anne Wood

Anne's career began with the original Melbourne cast of CATSand continued with the first national tour before joining the German company. She spent six successful years working in London and Germany with A SWELL PARTY marking Anne's London West End debut.  Other U.K. and European credits include lead roles in ASPECTS OF LOVE, BARNUM, CRAZY FOR YOU, ROMANCE ROMANCE, INTO THE WOODS and CLOSER THAN EVER.

Her Australian credits include the roles of Irene in CRAZY FOR YOU, Elsa Schraeder in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, The Journalist in MINEFIELDS AND MINISKIRTS, The Soap Star in MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL, Phyllis in FOLLIES and Meg in DAMN YANKEES. Anne spent nearly three years playing the lead role of Donna in the Australian premiere of MAMMA MIA! earning a Green Room Award and an invitation to play the role on London's West End. More recently Anne performed the role of Magenta in ROCKY HORROR SHOW.

Kane Alexander

Kane has performed all over the world, collected numerous awards, and signed an international recording deal with Sony BMG Music. Best known for his lead roles in musical theatre including Bobby Strong in URINETOWN(Helpmann Award nomination), Claude in HAIR, Willard in FOOTLOOSE(MO Award nomination), the Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ and Billy Crocker in ANYTHING GOES, Kane also performed in the 10th Anniversary production of LES MISERABLES, SOUTH PACIFIC and ONLY HEAVEN KNOWS.

Kane's own cabaret show at the FireBird Café and the Algonquin Oak Room in New York won him awards for "Best New Voice" and "Most Outstanding Debut". A 2001 Young Australian of the Year Award finalist, Kane has toured Australia supporting Il Divo and last year appeared in concert with the MSO at Hamer Hall. Television credits include GOOD MORNING AUSTRALIA, SUNRISE, THE TODAY SHOW, THE FOOTY SHOW and roles in NEIGHBOURS,WATER RATS, BLUE HEELERS and STINGERS.

Chelsea Plumley

Chelsea Plumley is a singer, actor, comedienne, writer, and musician. Her roles in Australia have included Rizzo in GREASE, Betty in SUNSET BOULEVARD (Green Room Award Nomination) and Amy in COMPANY.

Chelsea has appeared in Concert and Cabaret in America, the UK, India, Australia and Asia. She toured Australia with her acclaimed shows LIVE & LUSCIOUS (GLUG Award for Most Versatile Performance) and CHELSEA PLUMLEY IN CONCERT. She made her New York debut in ANGEL IN TRAINING at Don't Tell Mama and her London West End debut in LIVE & LUSCIOUS at Too2Much. Her first solo album, Live & Luscious, was released in 2004.

Chelsea has recently returned to Australia from the UK.  During her time there, she was the West End correspondent for Australian radio program Broadway at Bedtime on Joy Melbourne 94.9fm. 

Chris Parker

Chris Parker, nominated in 2005 for "Best Newcomer" by the Sydney Theatre Awards, trained at WAAPA. Last year Chris toured Australia with David Williamson's play THE CLUB and created the role of Alec for the World premiere of SIDESHOW ALLEY. Chris played Will Parker in The Production Company's OKLHOMA, receiving a Green Room Award nomination, and toured internationally with the Australian Production of MAMMA MIA! in the role of Sky. He has performed in MACBETH,ROMEO &JULIET, KING OEDIPUS and opposite Rachel Beck in the Sydney Theatre Company's production of SUMMER RAIN. 

Prior to this Chris has been in productions of BRIGADOON, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, HELLO DOLLY, BATBOY, GODSPELL and performed in the national tour of Nick Enright's play DAYLIGHT SAVINGS.  Television credits include guest roles in MARSHAL LAW and LOVE LETTERS FROM A WAR. Chris is a member of the twice internationally acclaimed corporate act The Three Waiters and with SMA Productions The Rat Packs Back.

Carrie Barr

Since graduating in Adelaide with a Bachelor of Music in voice, Carrie has performed extensively as a singer, actor and musician in Australian music theatre and opera with leading roles in many shows including LES MISERABLES, CATS, HAIR, RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET, NINE, THE DUSTY SPRINGFIELD STORY , SIDESHOW ALLEY and  CAROUSELwinning a Green Room Award for 'Best Supporting Actress in a Musical' in the role of Carrie.

The same year Carrie made her debut as Musical Director for THE PLEASURE OF THEIR COMPANY with Shaun Micallef and Glynn Nicholas. Carrie's operatic credits include CARMEN, UN BALLO, PIRATES OF PENZANCE, THE RAKES PROGRESS,LAKME, MOZART'S REQUIUM, THE GONDOLIERS, TURONDOT, HMAS PINAFORE/TRIAL BY JURY, MIKADO,THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO and TOSCAfor Opera Australia and SWEENEY TODD, ORPHEUS AND EURADICEand THE MAGIC FLUTE for State Opera of S.A and Co. Opera Adelaide. Carrie's television credits include Jenny McKenna in NEIGHBOURS.

Alex Rathgeber

Alex is one of Australia's fastest rising young leading men, having spent the past year on London's West End playing the role of Raoul in the 21st Anniversary Cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Alex trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). After graduating he was cast in The Production Company's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, followed by Gremio in KISS ME KATE. He then played alongside Topol in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF understudying the lead role of Fyedka before returning to full-time study of dance. Prior to graduating, he was cast as Lancelot in The Production Company's CAMELOT. Alex's last Australian appearance was as Billy in the Pratt Prize and Helpmann Award-winning all-Australian production of SIDESHOW ALLEY by Gary Young and Paul Keelan. Alex recently played Older Patrick opposite Rhonda Burchmore in The Production Company's 10th Anniversary celebration of MAME.