Brought to you by Nuffnang and Dream Lover
Blessed with a seductive voice and oozing charisma, legendary American singer, songwriter and actor Bobby Darin was a complicated and dynamic performer, who redefined the idea of rhythm in the 1950s and ‘60s. After suffering from rheumatic fever as a child, he always knew he would die young. So, as brand new Australian musical Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical proves, he made every moment of his short life count.
This highly intelligent man, pop idol and Academy Award-nominated actor fitted several lifetimes into his 37 years. And his hit tunes like Mack the Knife and Beyond the Sea, have become timeless classics as artists around the world breathe new life into them.
One such artist is David Campbell, who, in the ‘90s sang swing music in New York clubs. This star of music, musical theatre and TV seems born to play the part of Bobby Darin, as he says “I’ve been ripping him off for years!”. But at this week’s media launch he showed off the voice that makes him perfect for the role.
As he purrs through Beyond the Sea, you feel every word is meant for you. The romance of the music takes over as the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention. If Bobby Darin had half the charisma of David Campbell, then he must have been a heartbreaker.
With Hannah Fredericksen and David Campbell at the media launch of Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical
Dream Lover has had the best of Aussie talent poured into it. There will be over 40 fabulous performers on stage, like David Campbell and Hannah Fredericksen, who plays Sandra Dee, his movie star wife. Her name will be familiar to many from musical Grease’s “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee”. Add acclaimed director Simon Phillips (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and Tony Award-winning set and costume designers, and you have the makings of a show to knock your bobby socks right off!
Dream Lover will have its world premiere in Sydney this September, before it takes on the rest of the world. An 18-piece swing band on stage will lift the roof off the Lyric Theatre with a playlist of much-loved songs, like Splish Splash and multi-million seller Dream Lover.
Behind the music is a fascinating life story which beggars belief. Both Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee had troubled backgrounds, filled with family secrets, lies and abuse. But their love for each other was overwhelming. They were a glamour couple with the eyes of the world upon them. Although they divorced, their son says she never got over him.
Dream Lover is more than a rags to riches story, as it reveals the determination, yearning and heaven-sent talents of the Grammy Award-winning boy from the Bronx. This extraordinary story illuminates the fragility and might of the bright-blazing star.
Dream Lover
The Bobby Darin Musical
Opens 30 September in Sydney.
Tickets on sale at Ticketmaster from 7 April.
Giveaway
To celebrate the launch of this new musical, Escape With Kids readers have the chance to win a double pass to go and see a preview show of Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical when it hits the stage later this year. To be in the running please answer the following question in 25 words or less –
“What is your favourite Bobby Darin song and why?” Leave a comment below with your answer plus your name and email address, so I can contact you if you win!
This giveaway is open to Australian residents only, from 7pm April 7 to 9pm April 28, 2016. The winner must arrange their own transport to and from the Lyric Theatre in Sydney to see the show. See full terms and conditions here.
