Cody Simpson has revealed a major career change.
The former swimming champion, 27, will make his Australian musical theater debut in a production of Guys & Dolls.
On Wednesday, Opera Australia announced that Simpson will star in its production of the classic musical in 2025.
Cody will play the lead role of Sky Masterton, made famous in the 1955 film starring acting legend Marlon Brando, opposite Frank Sinatra.
“The role of Sky has always been one of my dream stage roles ever since I was first introduced to the Guys & Dolls story and soundtrack,” he said.
“I fell in love with the movie as a teenager when I developed my passion for musical theater before my Broadway debut,” added Cody, who made his Broadway musical debut in 2018 after landing the lead role of Dmitry in Anastasia.
Cody Simpson has revealed a major career change. in the photo
The former swimming champion, 27, will make his Australian musical theater debut in a production of Guys & Dolls. On Wednesday, Opera Australia announced that Simpson will star in its production of the classic musical in 2025. Cody will play the lead role of Sky Masterton.
‘I am attracted to the era of the 1940s and 1950s, the music, the style, the fashion. I am very inspired by singers and singers of the era and am excited to introduce this to the next generation.
“That’s probably why the movie Guys & Dolls is an all-time favorite and Frank Sinatra, in particular, is a huge inspiration,” he said.
Joining Simpson will be two of Australia’s favorite leading men: Bobby Fox as Nathan Detroit, and Hamilton’s acclaimed breakout star Jason Arrow as the cheeky rogue Nicely-Nicely Johnson.
Joining Simpson will be two of Australia’s favorite leading men: Bobby Fox as Nathan Detroit, and Hamilton’s acclaimed breakout star Jason Arrow as the cheeky rogue Nicely-Nicely Johnson, as well as Annie Aitken as Sarah Brown.
“I fell in love with the movie as a teenager when I developed my passion for musical theater before my Broadway debut,” added Cody, who made his Broadway musical debut in 2018 after landing the lead role of Dmitry in Anastasia.
Celebrated musical theater performer Annie Aitken will also join the cast as the saintly Sarah Brown, the object of Sky’s intrigue and eventual love interest.
With music by Frank Loesser and book by Joe Swerling and Abe Burrows, the five-time Tony Award-winning musical is packed with instantly recognizable tunes, like ‘Luck Be a Lady’ and ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat.’
The production will be directed by award-winning Shaun Rennie, designed by Brian Thomson, with costumes by Jennifer Irwin.
The production of the hit Broadway show will run at the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbor from March 21 to April 20.
The production of the hit Broadway show will be staged at the Handa Opera House on Sydney Harbor from March 21 to April 20.