DREAM WEAVERS
He adline cast members of a hit national musical are urging aspiring performers to idnore naysayers and chase their dreams.
As the stars of the hit show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical attest, pursuing a career as a performer requires perseverance and a boundless source of confidence WHEN you tell someone you dream of red carpets, Academy Awards and a name on the Walk of Fame, many will be quick to remind you that the arts isn’t a “viable profession”.
So, to anyone who has ever tried to pull people down from their achievable, real cloud nine, I suggest you buy a ticket to Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at QPAC, Brisbane.
The show follows the determined and passionate songstress Carole King, who breaks into the industry at a young age, defying the soundtrack of a generation and landing a No.1 hit at the age of 17.
We chat with the show’s leading players Josh Piterman, Mat Verevis and Lucy Maunder, and talk about blocking out the haters and what it takes to land your dream role.
Bona fide star and stage heart-throb Piterman, who plays King’s husband Gerry Goffin in the show, wants aspiring performers to ignore anyone who tells you that show business is unrealistic.
“I hate when people refer to it as ‘not a real profession’ because it is reality … this is our reality,” he said.
“There is not one job that I can think of that is as rewarding as being an actor. Tell me the last time you walked out of the dentist and got a standing ovation? Don’t be governed by fear, and especially don’t let anyone stop you from chasing your dream; you are in control of your future.”
Queensland’s own Mat Verevis plays the cheekily loveable Barry Mann, one of Carole’s dearest friends and strongest competitor.
“I would say to anyone who is told that it isn’t realistic, ‘you can fail at what you don’t want to do, so you may as well fail at something you (want to) do’,” said a giggling Mat.
“What I mean is, you should take the risk of doing something that you want and you’re passionate about. Otherwise, it’s not a life worth living.”
Alongside Lucy Maunder, a true Sasha Fierce of the stage, plays the darling Cynthia Weil, Barry Man’s song partner and lover.
Lucy said it was important to be true to yourself.
“Stay informed, listen to artists and shows, always keep your ear open and be willing to do things,” Lucy said. “You are guaranteed to go far in life if you work hard at where you want to be and, most importantly, know who you are as a performer.”