Bloom (musical)
| Bloom | |
|---|---|
| Music | Katie Weston |
| Lyrics | Tom Gleisner |
| Book | Tom Gleisner |
| Premiere | 18 July 2023: Arts Centre Melbourne Playhouse, Melbourne |
| Productions |
|
| Awards | Green Room Award for New Australian Music Theatre Writing |
Bloom is an Australian musical with book and lyrics by Tom Gleisner, music by Katie Weston and directed by Dean Bryant. Set in an aged care facility, the musical comedy is a story of intergenerational connection and the power of music.[1]
It was originally produced by the Melbourne Theatre Company at the Arts Centre Melbourne Playhouse, from 18 July to 26 August 2023. The cast included Anne Edmonds, Frankie J. Holden, Evelyn Krape, Vidya Makan, Maria Mercedes, Eddie Muliaumaseali’i, John O’May, Christina O’Neill, Jackie Rees and Slone Sudiro.
A Sydney season at the Roslyn Packer Theatre for the Sydney Theatre Company ran from 29 March to 11 May 2025.[2] The Sydney production featured new actors Christie Whelan Browne and John Waters, with all other Melbourne cast members returning.[3]
The musical was generally well received.[4][5][6] It received a 2024 Green Room Award for New Australian Music Theatre Writing.[7]
Principal casts
| Role | Melbourne | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2025 | |
| Mrs MacIntyre | Anne Edmonds | Christie Whelan Browne |
| Doug | Frankie J. Holden | John Waters |
| Rose | Evelyn Krape | |
| Ruby | Vidya Makan | |
| Betty/Chef | Maria Mercedes | |
| Sal/Inspector/News Reporter/Trev | Eddie Muliaumaseali'i | |
| Roland | John O'May | |
| Gloria | Christina O'Neill | |
| Lesley | Jackie Rees | |
| Finn | Slone Sudiro | |
Musical numbers
- "Nowhere Else to Go" – Finn and Rose
- "Chasing the Clock" – Ruby, Gloria, and residents
- "I Just Need a Break" – Finn
- "Maybe It's Time" – Rose and Ruby
- "Sunny Days" – Betty, Doug, Lesley, and Rose
- "The Best Is Yet to Be" – Ruby
- "Everything I Do" – Mrs MacIntyre, Staff, and residents
- "People Like You" – Ruby and Finn
- "The Story of My Life" – Residents
- "Here At Pine Grove" – Mrs MacIntyre, Staff, and residents
- "Salvatore's Song" – residents and staff
- "Choir Rehearsal" – residents and staff
- "All This Wasted Time" – Finn, Doug, Ruby, and Lesley
- "Being There With You" – Gloria, Ruby, Finn, and residents
- "Grow a Little Older" – residents and staff
References
- ↑ "Bloom extends acclaimed season at Arts Centre Melbourne". AussieTheatre.com. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ↑ Johnson, Travis (12 September 2024). "Sydney Theatre Company unveils a bumper season for 2025". Time Out Sydney. Time Out Group.
- ↑ "Bloom". Sydney Theatre Company. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ↑ Byrne, Tim (23 July 2023). "Bloom review – Tom Gleisner's aged care musical is cheerily good-hearted". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ↑ Horan, Patrick (24 July 2023). "Review: Bloom at Arts Centre Melbourne ★★★★☆". Time Out Melbourne. Time Out Group. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ↑ On, Thuy (23 July 2023). "Musical review: Bloom, Arts Centre Melbourne". ArtsHub. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ↑ "2024 Green Room Award Winners Announced - Australian Stage Online". Australian Stage Online. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.