Fourteen budding singers are being sought to take partcipate in a singing masterclass to be held in front of an audience at the Gaiety Theatre in Douglas from award-winning West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis.
Kerry will also be performing in a concert at the Gaiety Theatre on Sunday, March 30.
The event is being organised by Stage Door Entertainment, founded by performers Alex Toohey, Kristene Sutcliffe and Lisa Kreisky.
Alex said: ‘We are looking for 14 singers, male and female.
‘We have a minimum age requirement of 12 years old and we would advise those who are interested to register with us as soon as possible.
‘There is no maximum age limit so we encourage all to come forward for this unique opportunity. Kerry is very excited to come to the island, not only to perform her concert, but to work with our talented local performers and pass on her vast wealth of experience.’
He added: ‘To have the chance to see one of the best musical theatre performers the UK has ever produced in concert is one thing, but to also be able to learn from her in a singing masterclass is priceless.
‘Attendance to the masterclass is included in the concert ticket price. In essence, this is a two for one ticket to watch and learn from one of the greats of our time.’
Stage Door’s press release says that Kerry Ellis is ‘widely recognised as the First Lady of musical theatre’, from her starring roles in London’s West End and on Broadway.
She has also achieved chart-topping success as a recording artist signed to Universal Decca.
After meeting Queen guitarist Brian May in 2002, Kerry landed and created the role of Meat in We Will Rock You.
In 2006 she became the first British actress to perform the role of Elphaba in the West End smash Wicked, for which Kerry won the 2008 Whatsonstage.com award for ‘Best Takeover in a Role’ following the departure of Idina Menzel.
Later that year she transferred to the Broadway production of Wicked and played Elphaba at the Gershwin Theatre for six months, where she won the Broadway.com Audience Award for Favourite Female Breakthrough Performance.
Kerry’s other lead role credits include Nancy in Oliver!, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Ellen in Miss Saigon and Fantine in Les Miserables.
Kerry was in the Les Miserables feature film in 2012 and will be starring as Mimi in the 20th anniversary tour of RENT in 2014 prior to her concert on the Isle of Man.
Kerry has a diverse repertoire as a solo artist, and regularly performs in collaboration with Brian May. Together they released a studio album ‘Anthems’ in 2010, and a live album ‘Acoustic by Candlelight’ in 2013. In addition to headlining solo concert tours, Kerry involves herself in charity work with the Born Free Foundation.
To register your interest and to receive an application form please email stagedoorentsiom@gmail.com before January 31.
Tickets for Kerry Ellis: Live in Concert are on sale now and are priced at £28.60 (inc booking fee).
Tickets can be bought from the Villa Gaiety box office on 600555 or by visiting its website, www.villagaiety.com