Come to the Cabaret, my Friends...
"Stage by Stage" to benefit Theatre Workshop of Nantucket
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER

Summer resident Stephanie Speakman is a patron of the arts, and last year she attended every Theatre Workshop performance she could. Wanting to support the local drama company, Speakman approached TWN's Producing Director Jordana Fleischut with an idea for a fundraiser - a cabaret performance she offered to host at her own home.

Tonight, July 2, at 5:30 p.m., those who also want to bolster the Theatre Workshop are invited to 75 Hulbert Ave. for cocktails followed by 6:30 p.m. performances by Australians Simon Gleeson and Natalie O'Donnell. They will be accompanied by island pianist Diane Lehman.

"I enjoy the theater," said Speakman. "I just happened to know this couple and when I saw Simon in London last year I asked him if he would be interested in doing this fundraiser in the States - to come to Nantucket and do something here."

"It's a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and support the Theatre Workshop," said Fleischut. "If we can continue to expand our programming and sustain that programming, we need to expand our funding resources. This is a great way to raise that revenue."

Gleeson graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. His Australian theater credits number many, including "Les Miserables," "Fame," "Mama Mia" and "The Republic of Myopia." When Gleeson moved to London, he appeared in "The Far Pavilions," Southwark Fair" and "Certified Male," among other productions.

His British film and TV credits include "Neighbours," Blue Heelers" and Seachange." He recently completed filming "My Life in Ruins," starring with Richard Dreyfuss and Nia Vardalos in the Tom Hanks production. In August, Gleeson will appear in the Australian Sydney Theatre Company's "Convict's Opera," which will play in London starting in January 2009.

O'Donnell also graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Her film and TV credits include "Water Rats," "All Saints," "The Coast" and "South Pacific." She is also in "My Life in Ruins."

O'Donnell's theater performances have included "The Sunshine Club," "Get Here," "Jumping the Queue," "Murderous Instincts" and "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

The cabaret will benefit the TWN summer resident company and musical theatre conservatory company. Tickets are $75 but seating is limited. To see if seats are still available call the TWN office at 228-9001. I