Liza Minnelli story for Navan stage

Last February, Sharon Sexton and her fiancé Cillian O' Donnachadha doned their producer hats, as they put their wedding fund on the line in order to stage what has undoubtedly been their most challenging production to date. Partners on and offstage since they graduated from college eight years ago, the couple set up a theatre company Biscuits For Breakfast in 2003 and have been staging and producing work in Dublin for a number of years, as well as performing professionally. 'Somewhere Under The Rainbow - The Liza Minnelli Story' is their first original piece and has been a work in progress for the past three years. Telling the tales of Liza's colourful life, interspersed with well recognised songs from Liza's song book, this musical won the hearts of many musical theatre fans during its first outing as part of The International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival last summer, where Sharon picked up the Eva-Gore Booth award for Best Female Performer, for her portrayal of Liza. When approached by management of Dublin's Olympia Theatre and offered the opportunity to stage the show in the prestigious venue last February, the couple jumped at the chance, funding the whole production themselves. "In this day and age, money for the arts is extremely scarce. Producers don't want to take a risk with their money, but we had absolute confidence in the piece and so we took the gamble". And the gamble paid off. The Olympia Theatre was packed out to the rafters (literally!) and after what could only be described as a magical evening of entertainment, the show was greeted by an amazing audience reaction. They are now staging the first national tour of Somewhere Under The Rainbow this summer, playing the Solstice Theatre in Navan this Friday 24thJune. Sharon is no stranger to the venue, having graced the stage here two years ago in the leading role of 'Jane Eyre - A Musical Drama', staged by St Mary's Musical Society in 2009. " I am really excited about playing Navan again, I have such lovely memories of this venue!" says Sharon. "We are delighted that we can take this show on the road. Liza is such an icon and has had the most astonishing life, both professionally and personally. She is probably one of the few remaining stars that grew up in that Hollywood Golden age and so it really is a pleasure to tell her story!" Tickets are available now at the Solstice Arts Centre Box Office on (046) 909 2300.