Michael Cormick is an accomplished actor and singer of international standing; he most recently played the role of Daddy Warbucks in the Annie The Musical – Australia.

Earlier this year Michael finished filming the role of David on the new series Reef Doctors. Other television credits include Don Andrews in Sea Patrol, Preston Walker in City Homicide and Paul Kruger in Bluebird.

In 2011, Michael released his first solo album to coincide with his starring role in the Australasian tour of The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

In 2009 – 2010 Michael completed a national sell out tour of Mamma Mia in the lead male role and was invited to perform at the prestigious Carols By Candlelight at The Myer Music Bowl on The Nine Network.

Michael’s local theatre lead credits include:  The Rocky Horror Show, Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Grease, Falsettos, Eureka, Sunset Boulevard and the lead role in Beauty and the Beast, for which he received a MO Award.

His international roles include the lead in Phantom of the Opera, Calamity Jane, Romeo & Juliet, Chess, Evita, and most recently; End of the Rainbow for the Edinburgh Festival and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End production of The Woman in White.

Michael has performed in numerous live and television concerts throughout Europe, including Royal Command performances of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, the Christmas Festival opening at Royal Albert Hall and frequent guest appearances on the Terry Wogan Show (BBC London).

He has also performed his own one-man cabaret show, Michael Cormick Sings Burt Bacharach, throughout Australia and at The Ritz and Savoy Hotels in London, to rave reviews.

Julie's warmth and exceptional vocal talents have fast made her a new leading lady of the Australian stage. As a concert artist and theatrical performer, Julie sings music across a number of genres including musical theatre, opera, operetta and classical cross-over.

Julies professional career started at nineteen years of age when she was plucked from obscurity to perform the role of Christine Daae (alternate) in The Phantom of the Opera, starring Anthony Warlow. During 2007-2009 this production won critical acclaim throughout Australasia.

The following year Julie began production on Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, playing the role of 'Maria' in the 2010 Australian national tour. Press reviews were more than favourable for her portrayal with ‘The Australian’ stating that Julie’s ‘Maria’ was “the standout performance with her mixture of innocence and burgeoning sexuality.”

In 2010 Sydney Chamber Opera offered Julie the opportunity to perform in her first opera production, The Cunning Little Vixen. Janacek’s challenging score was a welcomed test and Julie performed the title role with “bright clarity” and “deceptive ease” (Sydney Morning Herald). This same year Julie released her debut classical album “Love Went a-Riding” for Skylark Classics, featuring Art Songs in English with Sharolyn Kimmorley on piano.

In 2011 Julie was thrilled to be cast as ‘Grace’ in the national tour of Annie, where she shared the stage with theatrical greats Nancy Hayes, Anthony Warlow and Todd Mckenney. Again Julie’s performance was well received by critics and public alike with the Courier Mail quoting, Julie’s “secretary Grace is a truly wonderful example of a gifted actress with an exceptional voice working magic”. She was nominated for a Green Room Award for her role in the production.

Julies concert highlights include, Opera in the Market with trumpet extraordinaire James Morrison, Carols by Candlelight at the Melbourne Myer Music Bowl (with Channel Nine Broadcast), Twisted Broadway Melbourne, Hats Off Sydney, Vivaldi's Gloria and Encore at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.

Julie is looking forward to performing with Sydney Philharmonia later this year in a Cole Porter Celebration Concert at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. She is also thrilled to appear in concert with Anthony Warlow at Opera in the Alps early next year.

David began performing in the Canberra region at an early age and cut his teeth with local repertory, philharmonic and opera societies, before moving into cabaret and other musical misadventures. 

David studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London culminating in a critically acclaimed production of Sweeny Todd directed by Matt Ryan.  Other highlights included a national tour with Sir Elton John, the roles of Ciaphas and Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar and making his West End debut.

David joined the Baylis Education Programme with the English National Opera, presenting Bernstein’s On the Town and also provided the role of the Narrator in the children’s opera, Lionhunt!  David was baritone soloist with the London Symphony Orchestra performing Leonard Bernstein’s Mass for the BBC and was also a featured vocalist for Patti Smith’s Meltdown with the London Sinfonetta.

In Australia David has appeared in premiere Australian productions of Titanic, the Musical, Jekyll and Hyde and principle roles in Nigredo Hotel and Jacques Brel is alive and well and living in Paris.  Other works include the Mahagonny Singspiel, Carousel, Godspell, Joseph!, 42nd Street, South Pacific, Peter Pan, Westside Story, and several cabaret seasons at the School of Arts Café in Queanbeyan.

Non-musical roles include, Nic Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Andy Hobart in Star Spangled Girl (RAM), Grainger Cooley in Don’s Party (Canberra Rep) and Fitzwilliam D’arcy in Free Rain’s Pride and Prejudice. Work for television includes numerous commercials, the docudrama The Prime Minster is Missing and the television mini-series The Potato Factory.

Originally from Canberra, Sarah moved to Brisbane in 2006 to study a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium.

Since then she has performed the roles of Mustardseed in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Nightingale in Stravinsky’s Le Rossignol and First Spirit in Massenet’s Cendrillion.

Ensemble performances have included L’Enfant et Sortigeles (Ravel), Les Mamelles de Tiresias (Poulenc), L’Orfeo (Monteverdi), Orfeo ed Euridice (Gluck).

Musical theatre productions have included A Girl in West Side Story (Somewhere), Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, Lilli/Kate in Kiss Me Kate, Cosette in Les Miserables, and the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Outside of music theatre and opera scene Sarah’s concert engagements have included The Messiah (Albert Street Uniting Church) and the Vivaldi motet Nulla in Mondo Pax Sincera (Camerata of St John).

Sarah was a soloist at the 2009 IGA Lord Mayors Carols (televised) and sang with the Queensland Pops Orchestra at their New Years Eve Spectacular concert in 2008.

The role of Monsieur Andre marks Tony’s 7^th appearance with Free-Rain.  Previous roles for the company include Loparkin in The Cherry Orchard (2003), Deputy Governor Danforth in The Crucible (2004), Frank Stark in Rebel Without a Cause (2008), Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls (2009), Ali Hakim in Oklahoma (2011) and more recently as the evil red-neck father Bob Ewell in the play To Kill a Mockingbird (2012), for which Tony was nominated for a Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) Award as Best Actor in a Featured Role.

At the end of 2009 Tony appeared for Canberra Repertory as Dr Hubert Bonney in the English play It Runs in the Family, for which he was awarded the Helen Wilson Trophy for best comedy performance of the year and the CAT Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Tony has continued his passion for musical theatre and, apart from his current role as Monsieur Andre, his other favourite roles to date include Thenardier in Les Misérables (1994/96), Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore (1995), Fagin in Oliver (2002), Bruce Ismay in Titanic, the Musical (2004), Gus the Theatre Cat in Cats (2007) and Roger DeBris in The Producers (2007).  The roles of Bruce Ismay and Roger de Bris also earned Tony CAT Award nominations.

Tony has also worked professionally in theatre restaurant, feature films, corporate videos and television commercials.  And if you look closely, Tony can be seen as a Mexican (with a large Mexican sombrero) cheering on a race in the Australian movie Phar Lap. 

Christine is a coloratura soprano with many years of experience in classical and contemporary vocal performance and drama.

In 2007, Christine starred alongside Jon English in the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Birds and Beast concert, and played Cosette in the 2006 Canberra Philharmonic Society’s performance of Les Misérables.

Christine’s extensive performance regime also includes guest oratorio soloist roles with the University of Canberra Choir, performing as the lead singer of the popular Bathurst-based NSW cover band Nothing too Serious, singing the Australian national anthem at the 2002 Bathurst 1000 and playing leading roles in Riverina community productions of Romeo and Juliet (Juliet) and Twelfth Night (Viola).

In 2008, Christine received a scholarship to undertake a diploma of voice performance with the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, after studying for a year at the ANU School of Music. Christine also holds an AMUSA in vocal studies through the Australian Music Examination Board.

Christine currently studies with renowned Australian voice teacher Anna Connelly and has recently started learning the piano. She is delighted to back on the stage in Canberra and is enjoying embracing her inner diva in the role of Carlotta.

Born in Sydney, Bronwyn studied music and drama before moving to Canberra.  She established herself as an outstanding song stylist and music theatre leading lady and in 1978 won the Canberra Southern Cross Club’s Entertainer of the Year.  In the same year she made her stage debut as Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof.

Since then she has performed many leading roles including Julie in Showboat, Grace Farrell in Annie, Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music, Dorothy Brock in 42^nd Street, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof for which she won a Canberra Area Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical, Mama Morton in Chicago, Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly and Marion Woolnough in The Boy from Oz.

She also appeared as Vanessa in the Australian premiere of Careful He Might Hear You and as Emma in the Australian premiere of Jekyll and Hyde.  A highlight was to perform the title role in the Argentinean opera Maria de Buenos Aires.

Bronwyn is equally at home in cabaret and has had seasons at The School of Arts Café, The Hyatt Hotel and Teatro Vivaldi both solo and with her daughter Fiona.  She was the vocalist with jazz band Swing in Style and has appeared at many concerts including as a soloist with the Canberra Pops Orchestra, the Band of the Royal Military College Duntroon and the Australian Army Bands Melbourne and Sydney.

Bronwyn is delighted to be back with Free-Rain in the Canberra production of The Phantom of the Opera.

Originally a Canberran, Tim graduated from the Australian Institute of Music, Sydney (AIM) in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre. Most notably at AIM, he played Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd and Dr Mandrill in City of Angels.

As well as his success at AIM, Tim has performed at the Sydney Opera House, performed backing vocals for Paul Capsis, Jon English, Jack Vidgen and Lucy Durack, appeared in On the Twentieth Century with Neglected Musicals and even recorded some vocals for the Priscilla Queen of the Desert recording.

He is thrilled to be back working with Free-Rain!

Veronica performs regularly in and around Canberra in the genres of musical theatre, opera, classical and jazz. Most recently she played the part of Gloria in Queanbeyan Players’ production of Return to the Forbidden Planet at the Q Theatre.

Veronica’s theatre credits include Caroline Neville in Supa Production’s Titanic, the Musical, Tessa in Queanbeyan Players’ The Gondoliers, Edith in ACT Singers excerpts from The Pirates of Penzance and chorus for Melbourne Opera’s production of Carmen.

Performing in Phantom of the Opera fulfils a childhood dream that Veronica shared with some of her school friends at North Sydney Girls’ High.

Veronica wishes to thank her seven year old son for helping her learn her lines for this show.

Joseph first heard the soundtrack of Phantom of the Opera in1986. He loved the Album so much that he went to see the show in Melbourne about a year later. Joseph has spent the last 26 years of his adult life enjoying musical theatre.

His first musical was in the chorus of Mother Goose at the Leider Theatre Goulburn. Joseph has over the last two years been involved in Titanic the Musical, Spamalot, Jesus Christ Superstar and in October last year played the Narrator and was the Production Manager for Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. He hopes to meet up with Jeff Wayne later next year.

Joseph wouldn't be able to pursue his love of theatre without the support of Catherine and Audrey, so he wishes to dedicate this show to them. 

Tamina studied Classical Ballet at the Ballet Theatre of Victoria and Christine Walsh Dance Centre as well as training in Flamenco, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Character, Latin and Ballroom dance. She now teaches Latin Dance at K’motion Dance Studio in Canberra.

Tamina has most recently been seen in Free-Rain’s production of West Side Story, as well as in Euroboeat: Almost Eurovision, Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War of the Worlds and Titanic, the Musical with Supa Productions.

Tamina’s performance experience includes The Threepenny Opera (Polly Peachum), Grease (Sandy), Medea (Medea), La Boheme with the Melbourne Lyric Opera, and Hansel and Gretel with Opera Victoria.

She performs regularly at international Latin Dance Congresses and has appeared as a dancer on the mini-series Extras and the televised Good Friday Appeal Gala.

For his first foray into really big musical theatre Oliver has been thrown into the deep end and at first rehearsal admitted to sheer terror.

Brought up in Europe and Asia and partly trained as a serious actor playing GB Shaw, Chekhov, Ibsen, Shakespeare etc., the Phantom characters plus the singing were a sudden revelation but thanks to wonderful, patient Directors and immensely friendly ever-helpful colleagues, the preparation of the show has become a huge pleasure and a new learning curve.

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, of which Oliver is a long-term member, gave permission for him to appear.

Although only recently returning to the stage after a long hiatus, Shane is once again enjoying the challenge of live theatre.

Notwithstanding some appearances on the karaoke stage and a few gigs in television and movies, Shane’s adult life has been spent following less ‘creative’ pursuits.

After experiencing his own renaissance, Shane took the time to write about his journey, resulting in an autobiography – described as a mix between The Hurt Locker and Eat, Pray, Love – published by Allen and Unwin in 2012.

He now revels in the challenge of new experiences and a peaceful existence; a message he advances as a public speaker and consultant in schools, sporting groups and workplaces.

Having just finished Canberra Philharmonic Society’s Les Misérables (2013) in the role of Marius, it’s been great for Matt to be in a new and challenging show with an equally dynamic and talented cast.

Having taken part in theatre and dance from a young age it was only a natural transition into the local amateur theatre scene where Matt was given the opportunity to appear in some dramatic productions including Miss Saigon (2009), Fame (2010), Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat (2010), as Will in Oklahoma (2011), Miss Mary Sunshine in Chicago (2012) and Mark in Rent (2012).

With each experience being rewarding, and fulfilling, he looks forward to The Phantom of the Opera season and the experiences, memories he will gain from it.

Deb has always had a passion for theatre.  Over the past 25 years she has been involved in the theatre scene in Canberra and Melbourne.

She has had roles in several big musical productions including Les Misérables, Nunsense, The Sound of Music, Into the Woods, Grease, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Oliver, The Boyfriend, Godspell and several Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

She has also had a number of dramatic leads in productions such as The Crucible, Murder at the Vicarage, Educating Rita, Allo Allo and Something to Hide.

Deb always dreamed of performing in The Phantom of the Opera and is delighted to have been given the opportunity to appear in this fabulous production. Sometimes dreams do come true.

Zack began performing on stage with the Daramalan Theatre Company in 2009, after successful stints in stand-up comedy, film and local radio.

In 2010, he played Hot Blades Harry in Supa Productions’ Urinetown, and has been performing in amateur shows since.

Recently, Zack has played the roles of Bud Frump in Phoenix Players’ How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Link Larkin in Canberra Philharmonic Society’s Hairspray, Eeyore in Free-Rain’s Winnie The Pooh and Riff in Free-Rain’s West Side Story. Zack will next be on stage as The Dentist in Canberra Philharmonic Society’s Little Shop of Horrors.

Alexander recently moved to Canberra from Sydney, and so is joining Free-Rain as an ensemble member for the first time.

He has previously played in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown as Schroeder and Spring Awakening as Ernst for StageArtz Theatre Company, and has had roles in the male trio in The Boy From Oz and as Doody in Grease, both with Willoughby Theatre Company.

Alexander wants to thank the cast and production team of The Phantom of the Opera for making his first show in Canberra an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding one. He very much hopes you enjoy the magnificent The Phantom of the Opera.

Mathew has been performing around Canberra since he was 11 in singing eisteddfods and shows. The Phantom of the Opera is his second show with Free-Rain.

He started performing with Marist College when he played the role of Oliver in Oliver! His next show was Me and My Girl with Queanbeyan Players.

He then performed in Fiddler on the Roof with Canberra Philharmonic Society then Carmen with the Melbourne Opera Company, which was followed by Free-Rain’s Back to the 80s.

His most recent show was Canberra Philharmonic Society’s Les Misérables when he played the part of Gavroche. Mathew hopes you enjoy The Phantom of the Opera as much as he has enjoyed doing it.

Richard has made a major contribution to Canberra theatre over the last decade by looking after his three daughters instead of performing.  Before that he was in a number of shows including Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado at the Canberra Theatre, and Canberra Philharmonic’s 2002 production of Les Misérables.

After a decade’s absence he returned in Canberra Philharmonic Society’s production of Fiddler on the Roof with his entire family, and is excited to be performing with such a talented cast in The Phantom of the Opera.  And performing Andrew Lloyd Webber when you are a bass provides a suitable challenge.

Linda developed an enthusiasm for being on stage at an early age.

Having studied classical singing for many years, she has completed her 8^th AMEB in Singing and performed with most of Canberra’s amateur theatre groups and in the ensemble of a local production by the Melbourne Opera.

Linda saw her first production of The Phantom of the Opera in London in 1990 and loved it so much she saw it four more times in Australia.

She considers this an incredible opportunity to perform such an outstanding musical in the Canberra Theatre with some of Canberra’s – and Australia’s finest cast and production team.

The Phantom of the Opera is Michelle’s first show with Free-Rain.

Michelle was last seen performing in SUPA’s Eurobeat-Almost Eurovision as Morocco’s Dhara Poppins, France’s Estelle La Croix (all sung in French) and Ulla, the saucy Swedish score presenter. Michelle also recently performed the role of Charlotte Drake Cardoza in the 100 Year Anniversary Production of Titanic in April 2012.

Other favourite roles include Caroline Neville in Titanic – the Musical, Boyka in Eurobeat, Bad Idea Bear (Flossy) in the award-winning Avenue Q and Vicki in The Full Monty.

Michelle trained at the Canberra School of Music and is a professional singing teacher and Musical Director of Vocal Point Choir.

Michelle has been nominated 4 times for a Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) award and won Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for the role of Grace in Annie.

Rosanna has been involved theatre in Canberra for six years.

Her past credits include Les Misérables, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar (twice!), Singin’ in the Rain, The Mikado and Oklahoma.

She saw Love Never Dies in London and is relieved to report that this has not yet affected her enjoyment of The Phantom of the Opera.

She is very pleased to be performing in Free-Rain’s Phantom and is excited to experience the special magic of this show as part of the cast.

Rosanna hopes one day to sing a cadenza during an underground boat ride and she also hopes you enjoy the show.

Charles has just finished a season of Jazz Garters for Canberra Repertory Society at Theatre 3.

Over the years he has performed in theatre restaurant, pantomimes, a play and lots of musicals for nearly all Canberra theatre companies.

Charles is also a judge for the Canberra Area Theatre Awards and was a regular on Foxtel with Coralie Wood doing a TV show called Stage Queens.

Charles is delighted to be in The Phantom of the Opera for Free-Rain.

Kitty has dreamed of being in The Phantom of the Opera since she was a child and is fabulously excited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with professionals in the Canberra Theatre.

On top of this, taking on the double duties of performing in the ensemble and helping with the costumes is sure to make this show an unforgettable experience.

Her past credits include Hair (Queanbeyan City Council), Winnie the Pooh and Cats (Free-Rain), Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision, Titanic, the Musical and Avenue Q (Supa Productions), Beauty and the Beast and Fame (Sydney Youth Musical Theatre Society), as well as The Threepenny Opera, Anything Goes, and Owen Wingrave.

She has extensive classical vocal training and choral experience, and has performed in both the winning NSW (Youth) and ACT ABC Classic FM Choirs of the Year.

Hayley Calderwood grew up in Brisbane with four sisters and a very musical family environment.

After watching Hello Dolly at age 7, Hayley knew she wanted to do things involving singing. At age 12 she was invited to join the prestigious Young Conservatorium Singers at the QLD Conservatorium of Music.

Throughout high school, Hayley was in several choirs and musicals both in and outside school, some included The Man of Steel, a musical based on the Superman story.

Hayley has provided backup vocals on CD’s for her sister Sarah Calderwood in the Celtic band, Súnas for the ABC.

Stumbling upon the Canberra musical theatre scene last year, she appeared as awkward nerd Debbie Fox in Back to the 80’s, another Free-Rain production. From the 80’s to the opera, being a part of Phantom 2013 is a dream come true.

Hayley would like to thank her darling fiancée for understanding her dream, and her parents for taking her to see The Phantom of the Opera when she was 12 years old. The costumes, the MUSIC, THE CHANDELIER!!!! He’s here...

Lisa has been dancing since age nine at Legs Dance Pty Ltd, where she now teaches.

She has appeared in shows around Canberra since 2002 and has performed in productions of West Side Story, Cabaret, Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, Cats and The Boy from Oz.

In early 2008 she choreographed the world premier of It Was That Way When I Got Here which returned to the stage in November 2008.

She was the Assistant Choreographer for Canberra Philharmonic Society’s 2005 production of Cabaret and the 2008 production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Lisa choreographed Canberra Philharmonic Society’s production of Annie in 2008, Free-Rain’s productions of Oklahoma 2011, Chicago 2012 and West Side Story 2013, and all productions of Canberra Repertory’s Jazz Garters.

She won the CAT Award for Best Choreographer 2009 for her choreography in Canberra Repertory’s 2009 production of Jazz Garters.

Katerina started ballet when she was only two years old. Since then, she has completed all grades in ballet, completing her 8^th grade exam at only 13 years old.

She has also studied gymnastics, winning twice at an international competition, but she quit this last year to concentrate on her dancing. Katerina is currently working towards her vocational exams for ballet.

The Phantom of the Opera is Katerina’s first show, which she is undertaking to get more experience to become a professional dancer.  She has loved working with the people in this cast.

Courtney has been dancing since she was three, studying in many styles including ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and national character.

Currently training with Dance City Performing Arts in Hume, in these 12 years Courtney has gained high certification of these genres and has competed as a soloist and member of a showteam nationally and internationally at venues such as Disneyland and Universal Studios, America.

Courtney has been singing for seven years, competing in eisteddfods and doing examinations to broaden her performing opportunities.

Courtney began performing in musical theatre productions when she was eight years old, first in Robin Hood (Ickle Pickle). In 2012 she was understudy for Chava in Fiddler on the Roof (Canberra Philharmonic Society) and then performed in their production of Hairspray. She also does examinations in Musical Theatre through Trinity College of London. Musical theatre allows Courtney to delve into one of her biggest passions – performing.

Courtney also has had an opportunity to be part of a local pop group Ruby Ice, performing for the public to help promote their album as a backup dancer.

The Phantom of the Opera is Hannah’s debut performance in the Canberra theatre scene. Her most recent performance experience includes a variety of dance and theatre productions.

In 2012 she performed in the Salsa Solo competition in Brisbane with the Kocoloco ladies shines team and in 2011 she played the role of Cha Cha in Gold Coast Production Company’s Grease, for which she was also an associate choreographer.

Prior to this, Hannah choreographed Cinderella and the Aristocats (2011) for Tweed Theatre Company and also featured in a number of their productions including the role of lead female, Jessica Riley, in the comedy Pins and Needles (2010) and an ensemble member/dance captain in My Fair Lady (2010) and South Pacific (2009).

Hannah graduated from UNSW with a Bachelor of Arts Dance/Theatre Studies and a Bachelor of Education in 2008.

While at university, she was a dancer in Sue Healey’s Company 34, performed the role of a police woman in New College’s production of Pirates of Penzance (2006), acted in The Defeaning Sound of White: an encyclopaedic performance (2007) and performed contemporary and musical theatre works in a variety of dance showcases and festivals across the Sydney region.

Hannah is delighted to be given the opportunity to perform one of her favourite musicals of all time, The Phantom of the Opera and believes this is a wonderful way to help celebrate the Centenary of Canberra!