Todd steps into Allen's comfortable old shoes
TODD is back on the road to Rio.
He is the originator of the ultimate Peter Allen portrayal and that's why one of Australia's most versatile and critically acclaimed performers, Todd McKenney is returning to the stage with "Songs and Stories of Peter Allen", a live national concert tour from October to December 2012.
The two-hour extravaganza featuring an eight-piece band, singers and dancers is a brand new show and a different take on Allen's life and career that will showcase the classics, some new songs and untold stories of McKenney's time in Peter Allen's sequins.
This is a very personal show with an emphasis on outrageous fun.
Currently on stage with Annie The Musical and on Channel 7 as the controversial Dancing With the Stars judge, McKenney trained from the age of three in jazz, tap, acrobatics and ballroom dancing and first performed the role of Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz in 1998.
Following nearly 800 shows to over 1.2 million people McKenney made it one of Australia's most successful musical theatre productions and became a household name earning himself two Mo Awards, the Variety Club Heart Award, the Glugg Award, the Green Room Award, the Australian Dance Award and two coveted Helpmann Awards.
Todd reprised the role of Peter Allen in The Production Company's production of The Boy From Oz in 2010 and 2011.
There is an uncanny synergy between McKenney and Allen, much of which will be revealed within the show.
Allen in fact had woven in and out of Todd's life in his younger years, and has remained a constant inspiration and influence to this day.
"To be totally honest I feel like I have been living with Peter Allen since 1998 and we get on really well. I love the man and I love his music," McKenney said.
Songs and Stories of Peter Allen will showcase many of Peter's hits including Rio, I Still Call Australia Home, Not The Boy Next Door, Tenterfield Saddler, Everything Old Is New Again and more.
"I think I've sung I Still Call Australia Home 2000 times, but I never get tired of singing it," McKenney said.
McKenney will also highlight songs from many of the artists who influenced Allen's early years including Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Frances Faye, Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli.
"Up Close and Personal" will be a special 45 minute pre-show event to Songs and Stories of Peter Allen featuring a screening of the Peter Allen documentary The Boy From Oz Special Edition and McKenney on stage discussing Peter's life and career along with his own personal experiences with Allen and his famous friends and career colleagues.
