Singer, songwriter and comedian Jude Perl will be headed to Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Studio for a limited season from 16-19 May 2024, to present the premiere of their brand new musical, Share House: The Musical. This comedy-musical, accompanied by a 15-piece orchestra, draws inspiration from Perl’s solo show Roommates: The Musical, which won the Green Room Award in 2018 for Best Original Songs.
Share House: The Musical explores the intricate and often humorous dynamics of living in a share house. Perl will be sharing the stage with Isabelle Davis, playing the roles of Lucy and Jane respectively – childhood friends and longtime housemates. The cast also includes Anita Mei La Terra as Alice, a new addition to the household whose unwavering optimism challenges Jane’s pessimism and threatens the balance within their home. Expanding on the foundation laid by the 2017 solo show, Share House: The Musical introduces additional cast members Jasmine Tuvey and Amie Zwag, portraying younger versions of Lucy and Jane.
Commenting on this new work, Perl shared:
When I write solo shows, I always imagine it in my head as being a fully-fledged production with a band and a cast. Even though it’s usually just me at the piano. I use pre-recorded disembodied voices for the other characters and just hope the audience can use their imagination and fill in the blanks of what isn’t physically there.
Turning a solo show I wrote into an actual musical with a cast, and an ORCHESTRA is beyond what I would even let myself imagine in my wildest dreams. Getting to perform your songs with so many incredibly talented musicians is such an enormous privilege… But more importantly, having 15 musicians on stage will hopefully really make it feel like the cramped share house experience so many of us have had.
What’s really exciting to me about the newly developed version of the show, is that those symbolic characters from Roommates: The Musical are now actual characters, being brought to life by real (incredible) human actors. The story has shifted to highlighting the value of being around people who think and live differently to you. And what better setting to talk about tolerance and acceptance than a dilapidated Melbourne share house!
Jude Perl, originally from Texas but now based in Melbourne, is known for her insightful, humor-infused lyrics and catchy compositions. She has achieved significant acclaim, including three Green Room Awards for Best Original Songs and additional accolades for her contributions to cabaret and theatre. Perl’s involvement in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s A Very Jewish Christmas Carol as both a cast member and musical director in 2023 marked her main-stage debut.
Share House: The Musical is presented by Arts Centre Melbourne, highlighting its dedication to fostering emerging Australian talent. Stephen Armstrong, Arts Centre Melbourne’s Director of Programming, made the following statement coinciding with the premiere season’s announcement:
The pathway for creatives from the fringe circuit to the mainstage is rarely an easy one. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be collaborating with Jude whose work we have been following closely for years. We can’t wait to share the magic of Jude’s lyrical and hilarious songs intertwined with Brendan’s sweeping orchestrations in a uniquely Australian setting. This collaboration promises to be an unforgettable blend of talent and atmosphere and a must see for anyone who has ever lived in a share house.
Share House: The Musical is premiering at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Studio for a limited season from 16 – 19 May 2024. Tickets are now on-sale via the Arts Centre Melbourne website for all five performances, priced between $20 – $59 each excluding booking fee.
