Laughter and music in band reunion story

Wakatipu entertainers (from left) Margaret O'Hanlon, Rachael Gerard-Simons and Jo Blick, with...
Wakatipu entertainers (from left) Margaret O'Hanlon, Rachael Gerard-Simons and Jo Blick, with Kathleen Brentwood (absent), star in Introducing the Sheralees, an original production involving comedy and vintage pop songs, which opens tonight in the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall and runs until Saturday. Photo by James Beech.
Tickets for the opening night tonight of an original laugh- and song-packed stage production have almost sold out, and the Wakatipu stars could not be happier.

Introducing the Sheralees was described as a "getting the band back together" kind of story by co-star and debut writer-director Jo Blick, of Queenstown.

A quartet of intermediate schoolgirls from a provincial town formed a girl group in 1977 and were handed their big break to fame when someone flicked a switch too early during a live Telethon broadcast.

The show picks the girls up 30 years later when they reunite for one last concert, only to find their lives have turned out very differently.

Margaret O'Hanlon plays Lee, the most talented member of the group, who went on to achieve solo success.

Rachael Gerard-Simons is Sheryl, who went from being the self-appointed boss of the group to a high-flying corporate career in Sydney.

Kathleen Brentwood plays Sally, who was the crowd's favourite but experienced bad luck after the group broke up. Ms Blick plays Andrea, the "naughty" one who started her own hairdressing business.

"Anyone who was 10 to 14 years old in the late 1970s will really get this," Ms Blick said.

"School, pashing people, buying ice blocks from the dairy, as well as a lot of truth about friendships between women and a lot of great songs.

"There's a handful of tickets remaining [for tonight], which is really fantastic. We'd love everyone to come."

Introducing the Sheralees is live on stage in the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall from tonight until Saturday. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm.

Tickets are available from World Travellers in Queenstown, the Lakes District Museum in Arrowtown, and at the door. Tickets are $20 plus booking fee for tonight, or $30 plus booking fee on the other nights.

The production is giving away a trip to the musical Rock of Ages, in Melbourne, to one person who attends.

 

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