Anticipation is high for Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre Company’s upcoming musical Come From Away, and with only weeks to go until opening night at The Forge Theatre on Friday, May 2, it was time for the cast and band to come together.
This year will see Grant van Brummelen take on the role of musical director for the first time with Production Line, but certainly not for the first time in the world of Gippsland theatre.
However, this is not the limit to his broad range of talents; they also include but are not limited to directing, acting and playing guitar in a band. Simultaneously treading the boards in Traralgon in Little Shop of Horrors, while rehearsing for Come From Away in Bairnsdale, Grant has certainly been busy in recent months.
At the end of the recent full-day rehearsal with band and cast, Grant was enthusiastic about what he was hearing.
“They sound absolutely amazing,” he said.
“I am just so impressed and incredibly proud of these guys. The way they’ve come together today is a testament to their commitment and talent. I’ve seen Come From Away in Melbourne five times, so you could say it’s a bit of a favourite and I just can’t wait until we get to show everyone what we can do right here in Bairnsdale at The Forge Theatre.”
An uncommon aspect of this musical is that the band is onstage for the entirety of the performance, rather than in the orchestra pit as most musicals do. Someone more familiar with that kind of visibility than his musical band mates is well-known local drummer Ant Capobianco. If ever a town were to claim it were home to a legendary pub band, it would be Bairnsdale with the (for now) retired Underdog, with Ant on drums.
These days Ant can often be seen drumming with The Jimmys, The Afterparty or Adlib on a Friday or Saturday night, but many might be surprised to hear that musical theatre is now top of the list when it comes to his favourite style of drumming.
“Honestly, I had no idea what I was in for when I did my first show,” Ant said.
“I got a call in early 2023 that Production Line needed a drummer for School of Rock, and I thought it was going to be like a school concert or something.
“I can’t imagine not doing this now, I think Come From Away will be my fifth show. And if you’ve ever gone to the pub ‘cos you knew I was playing, then I want you to come see me doing this.
“As soon as they announced it last year, I was on to it and learned the whole show in a week,” Ant said.
Head to the Production Line social pages to check out just exactly what kind of drumming Ant has been up to of late.
Come From Away will open on Friday, May 2, for a total of 10 performances over three weekends, concluding on Sunday, May 18.
More information can be found on the Production Line website and Facebook page, as well as the Forge Theatre website.
