By Shelby Brooks
Pakenham’s CPAC Musical Theatre has been awarded two top gongs at the 2021 Music Theatre Guild of Victoria awards.
The company’s April production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert was nominated for four Bruce Awards; Costume Design – Scott Hili, Creative Design of ’Bus Design’ – Scott Hili, Cameo Role – Danielle Tyler as Shirley and Junior Performer – Justin Wilksch as Benji.
Danielle Tyler walked away with the win for Cameo or Minor Role Performance for her portrayal of the rough and tough bogan Shirley.
“I’m overwhelmed and excited,“ she said.
“I didn’t expect it at all, I was just happy to be nominated.“
This was only Danielle’s fourth musical production after first appearing in CPAC’s production of Rock of Ages in 2018.
Although she has been a dancer all her life, acting and singing was something she grew to love once her daughter started performing with CPAC.
To prepare for the role of Shirley, Danielle said she watched the movie about 15 times.
“I wanted to get a feel of how the character was portrayed and tried to copy a lot of that,“ she said.
Danielle is also a self-confessed true blue Aussie so other parts of the character came naturally to her.
“I’m laid back and go with the flow,“ she said.
The production also won a Judge’s Award for Scott Hili’s creative pre-show announcement.
“CPAC would like like to offer its congratulations everyone nominated for Music Theatre Guild of Victoria awards for our production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert,“ founder of CPAC Musical Theatre Lee Geraghty said.
“CPAC’s most recent production of A Chorus Line had to be postponed until August 2022 due to Covid-19 restrictions, but CPAC is also delighted to announce that they are turning 21 next year and to celebrate have put together an amazing concert involving past and present cast members.
“You will get to relive moments from such productions as Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, Catch Me if you Can, Oliver, Kinky Boots, Matilda and many more.“
Tickets are now on sale at trybooking.com/BTQUM and will be held on Saturday 5 March at 8pm and Sunday 6 March 6 at 2pm.
To stay informed of what is coming in 2022 and 2023 check out cpacmusicaltheatre.com.
