Reception The Musical
What inspired you to write Reception?
After graduating from acting school, I moved to Melbourne and was determined to work part time in the arts while I put together a theatre season for my first play The Weather and Your Health. That show did well, and in the meantime, I landed the receptionist job at the Australian National Academy of Music. I had no idea I would end up writing a show about my time on the front desk! It was an inspiring place to be, surrounded by talented musicians, listening to the orchestra rehearsing down the hall (the best live hold music an office ever had).
Nobody could ever get my name right, so I started a list: Stephanie, Beverly, Tiffany, Destiny, Melanie, Gary! One day, I made a joke with one of the piano students that I could write a show called Reception: The Musical and that the opening song would be “My Name is Bethany, Not Stephanie”. He laughed, and we ended up booking a practice studio in my lunch break to see what happened. That student was my composer, Peter de Jager. And this show is what happened.
We performed a couple of songs as a joke for staff and students at the front desk one day. Someone filmed it, we put it on Youtube and the response was fascinating. We realised we were onto something, so we kept working on the show whenever we had time.
What character do you play?
I play a version of myself in the show. I loved being a receptionist – it was fast and varied work, I often felt like an octopus on that swivel chair, arms moving in every which direction managing demands from staff, stressed classical musicians, international guest artists, deliveries, selling tickets, booking rooms, helping lost people… and then there was the phone. It was off the hook!
Why do you think this story needed to be told?
Mary Poppins says, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun – you find the fun, and snap! The job’s a game”. That’s essentially my motto in life and work, and when I come across people, especially those in under-appreciated jobs, who tackle things with the same energy, it’s a delight. Think of a cheery bus driver who makes people smile as they board the bus, a cleaner who takes pride in their work, a postman who stops for a chat and walks with a spring in their step. Life is what we make it, and so is work. I loved being a receptionist, and that made all the difference.
Is there a storyline?
Yes, but it’s a surprise! We call the show a celebration of administration. It’s a very simple story. Lots of relatable jokes about working in an office, meeting funny characters (I play over 15 in the show) – but, it’s the receptionist’s moment to shine. We find the story greatly resonates with audiences. That’s why, after the show, we have a little ‘office party’ with lamingtons and a memo board in the foyer. People love sharing their own stories with us after we perform.
How many songs are in the musical and did you write them all?
There are 12 songs in the show, all original, written by Peter and myself.
Who composed the music?
Normally, a musical will have a composer and a lyricist. But, it was a true collaboration in the sense that we bounced off each other in the rehearsal room. Sometimes I would come to Peter with a whole melody and lyric, and he would shape it into a song on the spot. Sometimes he would be playing around on the piano and I would say, “Wait! I’ll record that” and I would fit lyrics to it later. It was such a fun and easy process. The hardest part was editing it down. We had a lot of ideas and material.
Where have you toured the show?
We premiered the show in Melbourne in 2014. It sold out, so we returned for the Fringe Festival later that year and won Best Cabaret! Since then, the show was nominated for Best Writing and Best Original Songs at the Green Room Awards and has been on the VCE Drama Playlist, meaning drama students all over the state of Victoria have been reading the script in class and traveling to see the show! We have performed in Sydney, at the Dream Festival in Dubbo in 2014, all over Victoria and we can’t wait to return to DRTCC this weekend as the first stop on our 2017 national tour.
You’re from Dubbo, where did you go to school?
I attended Dubbo Christian School from Kindergarten to Year 12.
When did you know you were ‘destined for the stage’?
I had an ‘aha’ moment when performing the lead role of Eliza in My Fair Lady at Dubbo Christian School in Grade 11. My Mum was playing piano in the orchestra pit, so we would rehearse at home often. After the show one night, I said “It was like magic during ‘I Could Have Dance All Night’. Imagine if you could do that for a job!” Mum was the one who encouraged me to pursue acting. I had only ever considered being a drama teacher before that. Remember, these were the days when Dubbo didn’t have a theatre, so exposure was limited to Sydney excursions.
What path did you take when you left Dubbo, to get to where you are now?
I studied Acting for Screen and Stage at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga from 2004 – 2006, and then I was invited to stay on for an Honours year in 2007, which is when I wrote The Weather and Your Health (about my Nan’s life in Gilgandra). My lecturers told me I should perform the show in Melbourne, so I moved there… and you know the rest.
How often do you get back to Dubbo and what do you love to do because you miss it when you’re away?
I love coming home. I come back at least once through the year and at Christmas, but it’s not enough! I long for cups of tea on the red lounge, reading in the garden, making up games with my nephews and singing around the piano with my Mum and sister. I often pop into Dubbo Christian School to run a drama class and sometimes I do little concerts for Nan and whoever else wants to listen at the nursing home.
You have a well-known mum here in Dubbo (she sang at my wedding!), how has she influenced your career?
Mum brought music into the home. Not in a formal way - none of us kids were great at practicing the piano, I’m sad to say. But, I grew up singing with mum and my siblings, performing at local events (in matching outfits she had sewn!), and watching old musicals. But it’s unfair to say Mum has been the main influence. Dad always says we got our talent from him because he hasn’t got any left! He’s been the greatest supporter, driving all over the country so that he and mum can watch me perform. It’s nice to bring the show to them once in a while!
Anything else you’d like to add?
It’s funny. Many actors lament over waiting for the phone to ring. As a receptionist, it never stopped! And now, I’m working on stage as an actor being a receptionist. I certainly milked that day job…