This lovely musical theatre piece was first staged by FAMDA as a prize-winning entry in the 2007 South Gippsland One Act Play Festival. The play is composed by Paddy Broberg with book and lyrics by Edwin Coad.

Open Call returned to South Gippsland in 2013 for one night only as part of the Coal Creek Literary Festival in Korumburra.

The musical’s storyline deals with a small town director attempting to audition prospective performers for a musical to be staged locally, however, the usual nerves are compounded by rumours that a major international producer (could it be Cameron McIntosh?) was in town searching for raw talent.

Barbara Fleming accompanied all of the auditionees on piano and later regaled the audience with a song called Piano Girl, an inspired blend of ideas from Billy Joel’s Piano Man, Noel Coward’s Don’t Put Your Daughter on the Stage, Mrs Worthington and insights into the trials and tribulations of being a rehearsal pianist.

Peter Clyne played Bobby, a rather garrulous song and dance man whose best days are behind him.

Sue Dower provided a tale of brief interludes in her theatrical career in dispersed with much longer periods of time in which she ‘rested’.

Natalie Burrow’s musical talent was used to good effect as the exotic Helga.

Making a welcome return to the South Gippsland stage was Judy Barnard whose theatrical experience shone through in the role of a serious actress who has had to resort to various forms of theatrical endeavours to make ends meet.

The youngest performer, Taylor Eady, dazzled the audience with her star power as a talented but precocious brat, addicted to her mobile phone.

Kate Crowl played the local director with conviction with Fleur Wheeler serving as her assistant and sounding board.

The cast was completed by Bruce Crowl as the mysterious man and Jo Eady as his chauffeur.

FAMDA staged Open Call on Saturday 5 October 2013 at the Pig and Whistle Hotel, Coal Creek Community Park and Museum, Korumburra as the finale to the Coal Creek Literary Festival.