Director Alex Berlage joins Stages.

It’s 1954. Everyone likes Ike, nobody likes communism and Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker is the coolest boy in
Baltimore. He’s a bad boy with a good cause – truth, justice and the pursuit of rock and roll. Cry-Baby and
the square rich girl, Allison, are star-crossed lovers at the centre of this world. Fueled by hormones and
the new rhythms of rock and roll, she turns her back on her squeaky-clean boyfriend, Baldwin, to become
a “drape” (a Baltimore juvenile delinquent) and Cry-Baby’s girl. At the other end of the topsy-turvy moral
meritocracy of 1954 America, Baldwin is the king of the squares and leads his close-harmony pals against
the juvenile delinquents.
Featuring a delightfully ridiculous book from the writer of Hairspray and a rip-roaring score including wild
titles such as “Can I Kiss You With Tongue?” and “Sucks to be a Square”, Cry-Baby is a one off, wacky,
strange and endearing musical.
The title role of Cry Baby, the leader of the gang known as the ‘Drapes’, will be played by Christian
Charisiou who has featured in Rake and Griffin Theatre Company’s The Witches. Laura Murphy (Muriel’s
Wedding, Grease) will play Lenora, who desperately wants to be a Drape as she is in love with Cry Baby,
while Joel Granger (Brigadoon, Dogfight) plays Baldwin, Allison’s boyfriend, an enthusiastic square. In
the role of Mrs Vernon Williams, Allison’s protective Grandmother, will be Beth Daly (Grey Gardens,
Fiddler on the Roof), while Alfie Gledhill (Griffin’s Replay) is Dupree, Cry Baby’s best friend, and Manon
Gunderson-Briggs (Muriel’s Wedding) is Hatchet Face, a Drape who many others fear. Pepper, Cry
Baby’s tough sister, will be played by Bronte Florian (Kinky Boots, High Fidelity) and Wanda, a Drape
who just wants to be Jane Mansfield, will be Amy Hack (Romeo and Juliet). The ensemble includes
Hayden Baum (Cats) and newcomers Aaron Gobby (Chimerica) and Ksenia Zofi (Peter Pan & Tinker Bell).

Director Alexander Berlage says, “We are thrilled to be presenting the Australian Premiere of the musical
adaption of “King of Trash” John Waters’ subversive cult classic romp Cry-Baby. Cry-Baby is a grotesque
mirror held up to the world, a rip-roaring provocative satirical comedy about paranoia, bigotry and the
irrational fear of ‘the other’ in a 1950’s post-war Baltimore. Waters captures 1950’s America then parodies
and transcends the period to create a piece with themes and ideas which ring just as relevant to us today.”
Berlage continues, “In a time of increased social awareness and incredible progress towards a kinder and
more inclusive world, Cry-Baby is that little reminder that everything wasn’t as squeaky clean as some
may often lament it so, and more often than not, it is far better to ‘make things great again’.”
Joining director Alexander Berlage (There Will Be a Climax, Home Invasion) as part of this Australian
creative team is choreographer Cameron Mitchell (The View UpStairs, Calamity Jane), musical director
Nicholas Griffin (The View UpStairs), set designer Isabel Hudson (The View UpStairs, Dry Land), and
costume designer Mason Browne (Darlinghurst Nights, Ruthless).
CRY-BABY
Director Alexander Berlage
Choreographer Cameron Mitchell
Musical Director Nicholas Griffin
Set Designer Isabel Hudson
Costume Designer Mason Browne
Associate Lighting Designer Veronique Bennett
SEASON DETAILS
Venue: Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point
Season: From 20 July 2018
Times: Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Sat & Sun 2pm
Price: $69 Adult, $64 Concession and Early Bird Special, $59 Preview, $54 Preview Concession
Bookings: hayestheatre.com.au | (02) 8065 7337