Sutherland performer Kai Lloyd-Jones is busily rehearsing for the coming-of-age musical by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, 13 The Musical.
A student at Kirrawee High School, Kai is no stranger to the stage, with an impressive musical theatre resume already under his belt.
He has been performing since the age of nine, including performing in the recent hit musical Kinky Boots as Young Charlie at the Capitol Theatre, being a featured artist in the 2018 School Spectacular and as a featured singer in Main Arena at The Royal Easter Show.
''My dream is to one day be in a musical on Broadway," Kai said.
''I have loved this show for ages, as it really relates to life as a teenager. I play the character Richie who is sassy and loves to gossip. He is always trying to make people laugh but gets caught up in the school yard drama a little too much!''
Directed by Bexley's Hannah Barn, 13 The Musical follows 12-year-old Evan Goldman, a geeky but lovable pre-teen New Yorker excitedly preparing for his Bar Mitzvah.
When Evan's parents unexpectedly divorce, he suddenly finds himself in sleepy small-town Appleton, Indiana, where he is forced to navigate the complicated social circles of a new school. If Evan can't get the coolest kids to come to his Bar Mitzvah, how will he survive the school year?
With his life in disarray, Evan meets cool kids, nerds, jocks and cheerleaders, while encountering first kisses, heartbreak, gossip, and tough decisions. Along the way, Evan learns what it means to be a friend.
An true ensemble piece of theatre, 13 The Musical is the only Broadway musical ever written with a cast entirely consisting of teenagers. The stories that come to life in this musical, however, connect with all ages, where playground politics are reminiscent of much of adult life.
13 The Musical is on at The Bryan Brown Theatre Bankstown from October 16 to 20.
- Tickets bankstowntheatrecompany.com