James Ruse Musical, Sydney (2026)

10/07/2020

❗❗ IMPORTANT ❗❗

It is with great sadness we announce that we will be unable to present Big Fish to a paying live public audience

The cast and crew have worked hard for the past 7 months to prepare. Costumes have been sourced and sets constructed but due to COVID-19 restrictions and ongoing maintenance in the hall we will not be able to do it.

This decision was made after directions from both the Department of Education and our school principal, Ms Powell. The safety of audience members, our performers, and our crew is our utmost priority.

The final Meet the Characters photos have been attached. These leads have worked tremendously hard and deserve just as much recognition as those whose profiles have already been released.

It is incredibly sad for us all that this musical will not be presented for your entertainment.

18/03/2020

❗❗ IMPORTANT ❗❗

It is our unfortunate duty to inform you that a decision has been made to postpone the 2020 James Ruse Musical.

This decision was made after directions from both the Department of Education and our school principal, Ms Powell, were released regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic. The safety of audience members, our performers, and our crew is our utmost priority.

The ~100 students involved in the production of this year's school musical have worked extremely hard over the past 5 months. It is incredibly sad for us all that this musical has been postponed.

We are issuing full refunds and if you have bought a ticket, you should receive an email within the next week to confirm your refund has been issued. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Rachel Hann at: [email protected]

On behalf of the production behind the 2020 James Ruse Musical, we wish you and your families best of luck in these challenging times. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and look forward to hopefully seeing you later this year, after this pandemic has eased. Stay safe 🐟✨

14/03/2020

✨🐟 BEHIND THE CHARACTERS [6/9] 🐟✨ - JOSEPHINE BLOOM 👰
Introducing: Ashna Aravinthan!

1. How long have you been doing Musical for?
I’ve been doing Musical since Y8! OG gang check 😎

2. What made you decide to audition?
I love musicals and the vibes are so wholesome 🥺

3. Who in this show is most like their character?
Shravan, like, I don’t even think the man needs to act to be Amos.

4. If you weren’t playing Josephine, who would you like to play instead?
I would probably like to play Sandra because her character is so sweet, OR the witch because she is ICONIC.

5. What is one thing you love about your character?
She’s really sweet and helpful and forgiving, but at the same time she’s kind of extra and lowkey over the top.

6. What is your favourite lyric from the repertoire?
🎶 ‘I used to think the world was small, now I don’t think that way at all’ 🎶

7. Fun Facts ❗❕
❗ Name any TikTok dance and I can do it 😋🤞 ❗

📷: Estella Huang
🖌️: Doris Wu

12/03/2020

Tickets are out! Come and see our 58th Annual James Ruse Musical: Big Fish 🐟

Bring your family and friends and we hope to see you there on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of April from 7pm 😊
Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BIDIM

Book by JOHN AUGUST
Music and Lyrics by ANDREW LIPPA

Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace
and the Columbia Motion Picture
Written by John August

BY ARRANGEMENT WITH ORiGiN™ THEATRICAL ON BEHALF OF THEATRICAL RIGHTS WORLDWIDE, NEW YORK

www.origintheatrical.com.au

ORiGiN Theatrical

09/03/2020

✨🐟 BEHIND THE CHARACTERS [5/9] 🐟✨ - DON AND ZACKY PRICE 👬
Introducing: Damon Lee & Terrence Truong!

1. How long have you guys been doing Musical for?
DAMON: I’ve been with the orchestra since Y8 (which is absolutely beast and lots of fun)!
TERRENCE: This is my first time doing it!

2. What made you guys decide to audition?
DAMON: Mrs Annetts was like “You should do Musical,” and I was like “Yeah… nah”, but when you realise you get to spend so much time with so many talented people in the grade, it’s all worth it. XoxoOurCast 💓 💞
TERRENCE: Everyone last year kept asking me if I was going to do Musical but I refused because I didn’t know much about The Musical Experience™ at that time. But after the 2019 Musical was over, everyone told me what a fun experience it was, so I decided to try out this year - and I can’t say I’ve regretted it one single bit 😊

3. What is the most surprising thing about the rehearsal process?
DAMON: There’s a lot of patience needed when it comes to rehearsals. You would think it’s really frustrating, but really, it’s as fun as you can make it. All the times we get to mess around playing charades or just jamming out to the random ukulele 🎵 is really special.
TERRENCE: How sweaty David gets after every rehearsal 🤣💦

4. If you guys weren’t playing Don and Zacky, who would you like to play instead?
DAMON: To be honest, I think Will is the most interesting character. He’s so layered and shows so much growth in his character throughout the show. Plus, he gets to be angsty about daddy issues.
TERRENCE: The Witch so I could SCREECH those high notes 🎤🎶

5. What is one thing we should know about your characters?
DAMON: I guess Don is kind of a bully towards everyone, but deep down he just doesn’t know any other way to act than tough and cold.
TERRENCE: Zacky SCREECHES. It’s the next best thing to the Witch since no other character does it.

6. What are your favourite lyrics from the repertoire?
DAMON: 🎶 ‘But you hardly know me’ ‘I have the rest of my life to find out’ 🎶 It literally makes my heart melt every time.
TERRENCE: 🎶 ‘The ones who face their fears lead the most, INTERESTING LIVES’ 🎶

7. Fun Facts ❗❕
DAMON: ❗ I have these night contacts which make my left eye long sighted in the mornings, so if you see me covering my right eye in class you know why. ❗
TERRENCE: ❗ I was originally from Baulkham Hills! I transferred in Y9 and I am very happy to be here 😊❗

📷: Estella Huang
🖌️: Doris Wu

07/03/2020

✨🐟 BEHIND THE CHARACTERS [4/9] 🐟✨ - JENNY HILL 💫⁣
Introducing: Swetha Sureshkumar!⁣
⁣
1. How long have you been doing Musical for?⁣
Two years!! 🙂⁣
⁣
2. What made you decide to audition?⁣
It seemed like such a wholesome experience and a chance to make new friendships and memories 💛 Plus, let’s be real, when are we ever gonna do this again?⁣
⁣
3. What is the most surprising thing about the rehearsal process?⁣
How much EFFORT goes into it. Crazy respect for the choreographers, stage managers, set crew, sound and lighting, orchestra and teachers. Those guys are incredible ❤️ Not to mention a lot of the time in rehearsal we’re just chilling and messing around but when you’re surrounded by such talented individuals and an epic ukulele, it’s just that much more special 🥺❤️⁣
⁣
4. Who in this show is most like their character?⁣
I know most people’s answer to this is going to be Shravan and Amos, but Shravan and Amos. The resemblance is uncanny 😂🎪⁣
⁣
5. What is one thing you love about your character?⁣
One thing I’m grateful for is Jenny’s character development 🙇‍♀️ She goes from being so reliant on others for validation and love to mature and independent and that’s something I really admire about her 🙏⁣
⁣
6. What is your favourite lyric from the repertoire?⁣
🎶 ‘I know somewhere in the future, adventure waits for me, filled with mystery and people I can love’ 🎶🎤🥁⁣
⁣
⁣
📷: Estella Huang⁣
🖌️: Doris Wu⁣

04/03/2020

✨🐟 BEHIND THE CHARACTERS [3/9] 🐟✨ - AMOS 🎪
Introducing: Shravan Suriyanarayanan!

1. How long have you been doing Musical for?
2 years. I did Musical Orchestra last year!

2. What made you decide to audition?
It seemed like a fun experience and a great way to get to know people better.

3. Describe this year’s musical in one sentence.
Dysfunctional family meets musical numbers meets a giant, witch and circus.

4. What is the most surprising thing you’ve discovered about the rehearsal process?
I get super hungry really quickly during musical rehearsals 😔 but also it’s actually a super fun time.

5. If you weren’t playing Amos, who would you like to play instead?
The witch 🔮 so I could say ‘boyysss’ but also because she’s iconic.

6. What is one thing you love about your character?
My fit is kinda cool 😂 but also I really admire Amos’ confidence and his ability to lead and own a circus!! 🤡

7. Fun Facts ❗❕
❗ I can lick my nose. ❗

📷: Estella Huang
🖌️: Doris Wu

02/03/2020

✨🐟 BEHIND THE CHARACTERS [2/9] 🐟✨ - KARL THE GIANT 🙋‍♂
Introducing: Oscar Lin!
1. How long have you been doing Musical for?
2 years - as orchestra last year, and as cast this year!

2. What is the most surprising thing about this year’s musical?
The amount of fish in it 🐟🐟🐟

3. Who in this show is most like their character?
Terrence as Zacky Price, because it’s just Terrence being Terrence when he’s acting. Also, Shravan as Amos, because they’re both CRAZY 🤪

4. What is your favourite piece from the repertoire?
‘Time Stops’ ⏱🖐🛑, because the music accompanying it is too good 🎶🎶 The lyrics always go with the music, so all in all, it’s actually 33% lyrics, 66% music, and 100% David’s good singing 😁🎤

5.Fun Facts ❗❕
❗ I have a queen bed to myself 😃😃 ❗

📷: Estella Huang
🖌️: Doris Wu

28/02/2020

✨🐟 BEHIND THE CHARACTERS [1/9] 🐟✨ - THE WITCH 🔮
Introducing: Yaduza Sivarasa!

1. What made you decide to audition?
I was finally able to do Musical so I was like heck yeah. Plus everyone is really wholesome in Musical and I wanted to experience it because it’s my last year to do it 😥

2. What is the most surprising thing about the rehearsal process?
Half the time I’m not doing much, but it’s so cool just watching scenes come together. It’s just… so good. You should totally come watch it! Plus the cast is soooo wholesome so it doesn’t really feel like 4 hours of rehearsal on a Saturday; we really just be vibing 😎😎

3. If you weren’t playing the Witch, who would you like to play instead?
I don’t think I’d be able to play any other role HAHAHA because my range isn’t that high 😥😓 but if I had to choose I’d probably go with Jenny Hill because she’s so adorable 🥺 My heart belongs to her ❤️❤️

4. Who in this show is most like their character?
Terrence!! Zacky Price is my favourite character and he’s so iconic. We stan the underappreciated younger brother!

5. What is one thing you love about your character?
I love her song so much!! It’s so FUN, that’s one of the main reasons I chose to audition for the role oopssss...

6. Fun Facts ❗❕
❗ I only realised that I could hit the high note in the witch’s song when I was screaming to myself at home alone! So that was fun! ❗

📷: Estella Huang
🖌️: Doris Wu

27/02/2020

✨🐟 BEHIND THE PRODUCTION [2/2] 🐟✨ - DIRECTORS 🎬
Introducing: Ms Korch & Mr Travers!

1. What’s something new that you like about this year’s musical?
MS KORCH: The scope for it - where fantasy blends with reality which allows us to do so much more fun, creative and totally new things. Before, we’ve never worked with a completely stationary set - previous musical sets were moved around by people but this year it's the opposite, where people move through it.
MR TRAVERS: Based on what we’ve got so far, it’s got to be the story. There’s a real emotional centre in it, where the musicals that came before it have been more of a fun romp, but this has a serious message underneath which retains the fun fantasy but with a heart.

2. Describe this year’s musical in one sentence.
MS KORCH: Stories define our lives, actions, relationships - sometimes the truth doesn’t matter, and the story is more real than what actually happened.
MR TRAVERS: How in the end, we’re all just stories.

3. What’s your favourite part of directing?
MS KORCH: The “lightbulb” moment where the crowd goes “awww” and the whole scene comes together. It’s a product of the creative freedom that we as directors get from it being a musical.
MR TRAVERS: It’s the process of taking these words on the page, where the script is like a recipe and the musical is a meal: these words give clues to how to create a show for all of the senses. It’s only been written by one playwright, but it takes everyone involved in the musical to make a performance which brings out the unexpected.

4. Describe the process of the musical so far.
MS KORCH: The process is different every year, and this musical has demanded a lot of the traditional realism-type acting, while previous musicals have dealt more with inflated caricatures, but now it’s real life!
MR TRAVERS: Of course it’s been changing moment by moment depending on what’s required by the scene, one day it’s a traditional acting exercise and another day it’s some arranging on the stage. We haven’t followed anything strict so it’s impossible to expect what’s going to happen next.

5. Fun Facts ❗❕
MS KORCH: ❗ I harassed David for 2 months to audition for the lead role. I’d barely known him as the practice pianist for Addam’s Family but he took a chance and now he’s our star! ❗
MR TRAVERS: ❗ Most would know that I’m a big fan of musicals - but I’ve never even seen a single clip of either last year’s or this year’s show before I started directing them. They were both completely new to me. ❗

📷: Estella Huang
🖌️: Doris Wu

26/02/2020

✨🐟 BEHIND THE PRODUCTION [1/2] 🐟✨ - MUSICAL DIRECTORS 🎼
Introducing: Ms Hann & Mr Wong!

1. What's something new that you like about this year's musical?
MS HANN: What’s new as well as this being my first Ruse Musical is that I’ve never done it before - whole learning experience which makes it all the more exciting.
MR WONG: Well there’s Ms Hann, but along with the new people it's a new storyline and I hadn’t even heard the songs before.

2. Describe this year's musical in one sentence.
MS HANN: Family relations and fantasy
MR WONG: A fantastical and poignant show with lots of good music and acting

3. What’s your favourite part of being a musical director?
MS HANN: That I’m in charge, in a position where I can see the product of the orchestra’s work and the singing. Basically I’m in charge of what you hear while Ms Korch and Mr Travers are in charge of what you see.
MR WONG: I’m the musical director and I love making the script and music come to life.

4. Describe the process of the musical so far.
MS HANN: It’s a very eclectic process but it all seems to be falling into place right about now.
MR WONG: So far it’s been chaotic but fun and watching it come together has been extremely rewarding.

5. Fun Facts ❗❕
MS HANN:❗ I just became another grandmother 2 weeks ago, which means now I’ve got 2 grandchildren ❗
MR WONG:❗ I’ve been playing piano for musicals since I was a year 9 student ❗

📷: Estella Huang
🖌️: Doris Wu

James Ruse Musical

10/07/2020

18/03/2020

14/03/2020

12/03/2020

09/03/2020

07/03/2020

04/03/2020

02/03/2020

28/02/2020

27/02/2020

26/02/2020

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