Penrith Musical Comedy Company

History

The Penrith Musical Comedy Company was originally founded by Wayne Findlay and
Inga Neugebauer in 1978. It was formed to meet the needs of the Youth of the area
who were wishing to pursue their interest in Theatre. At this stage the local schools
were no longer organising School Musicals. The group was initially called �Penrith 
Youth Musical Society� and consisted of approximately twenty members, mostly aged
from fifteen to twenty years. Two of the original members are in our current show
(Margaret and Coralie Pope).

In the early 1980�s, the name was changed to Penrith Musical Society. This was to
encourage more experienced members to join. Then in 1991 the name changed again
to Penrith Musical Comedy Company, the name we are currently known as today.

Originally the Company used to put on two Musical Productions per year, but due to
large rises in Copyright and Licensing costs (up to $2000 per show!) we are limited to
one Major Production per year. As an alternative, we produce a Variety or Music Hall
Show in the earlier half of the year. At Christmas time, the Company voluntarily visits
local Nursing Homes to entertain the residents.

PMCC has been a breeding ground for many a Professional Performer! Including John
Doull, Sheridan Gandry and Carrie Long who have all continued on to the Professional
Dancing circuit. David Collins went on to form a much needed half of the �Umbilical
Brothers�. �Reflections� was formed by three members of PMCC (Jenny Vanderlam,
Bev Long and Sharon Lissa). This group performs Musical Variety Shows at Clubs,
Restaurants, etc. Heidi Vanderlam (currently the Company�s youngest member), was
last year crowned �Miss Teen NSW�.

Some of the shows we have performed over the last nineteen years are:
	- Salad Days
	- The Boyfriend
	- Annie Get Your Gun
	- How To Succeed In Business
	  Without Really Trying
	- Chicago
	- Bye Bye Birdie
	- Iolanthe
	- Me And My Girl
	- Singing in The Rain
	- Oklahoma

All Productions have been performed without any form of Government Assistance. At
some stages this has seen the Company in severe financial hardship, but thanks to hard
work of all the members we have been able to stay afloat. Costs are kept at bay by
members voluntarily providing and making costumes, sets, props and by volunteering
many hours of long, hard, work, all to keep our dreams alive.

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Author: Matthew Mulroney.
[email protected]
Copyright � 1997. All rights reserved.
Last Revised 28 August 1997