Program
Aknowledgement of Country
We recognise the Kaurna People as the First Peoples of the Adelaide Plains of South Australia, where we operate from. We respect and acknowledge their Elders, past, present, and emerging.
Credits
Production
Artistic Director ......................................................................................................................... Benji Riggs
Writer .................................................................................................................................................... Benji Riggs
Choreography ....................................................................................................................... Bridget Tran
Props ............................................................................................................................................... Serena Cann
Production Assistant ..................................................................................................... Emma Riggs
Lighting Design ..................................................................................................................... Cais Nitsche
Technical ................................................................................................................................. Rodney Bates
Sound ...................................................................................................................................................... Ethan Joy
Set ............................................................................................................................................................. Adrien Joy
Publicity ................................................................................................................................................ Jeff Smith
Cast (in order of appearance)
Old Man ..................................................................................................................................... Steven Turner
Mum/Babbit ..................................................................................................................... Keira Wubbolts
Jack Barker .............................................................................................................................. Nemanja Illic
Everett .......................................................................................................... Harrison James Thomas
August ................................................................................................................................... Jonathan Siow
Rose ..................................................................................................................................... Ava-Rose Graves
Mary ............................................................................................................................................................... Milla Illic
Hornswaggle ................................................................................................................... Sophia Genery
Cecil ...................................................................................................................................................... Josh Curtis
Tolbit .................................................................................................................................. Khushi Choudhari
Musical Numbers
Opening
Sunrise & New Beginnings
The Argument
There it Goes
One More Sleep (‘Till Christmas Day)
List’ the Nell
Too Much We Have to Do
Lord of Misrule
The Grunkel’s Carol (So Shines the Nell)
Stringbean
He Was
Finale
From the Writer
Saying goodbye to loved ones is never easy, despite it being one of the most universal experiences. This process is something I wanted to explore for my fourth stage musical, and there is perhaps no more honest a lens to do so with than through the eyes of a child. But loss is not what Book Nooks is really about, rather the rattling and ever intangible hum of hope. This classically Christmas theme fits so elegantly into the seasonal narrative, so it made perfect sense to me when I had the idea to make Book Nooks a Christmas musical. Finally, after two years of thinking and four months of writing, it is ready to inject hope into anyone eager enough to receive it.
The secondary purpose of writing Book Nooks was to study two storytellers whom I admire - Stephen Sondheim and Charles Dickens. I imagine they would have made quite the conjurors if they had lived simultaneously. Sondheim was a master of words who wrote both music and lyrics not just to co-exist but to converse, as if one was the conscience of the other. Dickens on the other hand could used words to carve worlds of innate humanity, where characters were often reflections of the best and worst of us all.
Bridget Tran
Bridget Tran has been studying singing, dancing and acting since she was 2, landing her first professional role at 6 years old in John Frost and Opera Australia’s production of South Pacific with Lisa McCune, Teddy Thau Rhodes and Christine Anu. To continue her passion in musical theatre, she has since performed in a number of musicals with Adelaide Youth Theatre, with leading roles such as Moana (Disney Moana jr), Cat (Seussical Jr), Patty Simcox (Grease), Anna (Frozen), Mabel (Fame) and many more. Bridget has also been on TV in major commercials for beyond bank, filmed a TV series with Tim Minchin and appeared in the TV series first day, which has been internationally recognised. Most recently Bridget had the opportunity to travel to America in the Australian Youth Performing Arts Tour and perform on stages in Disney World, Universal and at the Junior theatre festival, while also participating in many Broadway workshops in the New York City. Bridget has been choreographing for many years, making her choreographic debut in Adelaide Youth Theatre Madagascar Jr, and most recently the Little Mermaid. Bridget has been training at Total Image Dance Company for over 10 years, with a certificate 3 in dance.
Nemanja Illic
Nemanja is 10 years old and has been dancing since the age of 2. He trains at TIDC Performing Arts Studio where he discovered a love of singing and musical theatre. He was very excited to make his professional debut this year as Young Elivs in Elvis The Musical Revolution" with David Venn Enterprises. Nemanja also performs with Adelaide Youth Theatre where some of his favourite roles to perform have been Nemo in Nemo Jr, Jo Jo in Seussical Jr and the Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland Jr. Nemanja was also very excited recently to play Young Peter in The Boy From Oz with The Met Theatre Company. Nemanja would love to thank his family for their ongoing support and all of the wonderful teachers who have nurtured him on his musical theatre journey.
Harrison J Thomas
Harrison, 13, is an award-winning actor, filmmaker, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist represented by United Management (Sydney). Harrison has performed leading roles in over 30 stage productions since 2020, including multiple seasons at Adelaide University's Elder Conservatorium, Adelaide Fringe, the Royal Show, Adelaide Youth Theatre, Pelican Productions, Northern Light, Shane Davidson, etc. Harrison recently starred as Young Elvis in the Adelaide season of Elvis: A Musical Revolution at Her Majesty’s (David Venn Enterprises) and in 2023, piloted the role of Rapskullio in Between the Lines Jr with New York producers at Junior Theatre Festival Australia in Newcastle, NSW. His self-produced, written, directed, edited and scored short films (5 to date) have won awards at over 30 International & Australian festivals, he’s twice been awarded the Young Filmmaker Award at Queensland’s Sparrowland Short Film Festival and earned Best Young Filmmaker Under 26 at Fleurieu Film Festival 2023. Social media @harrison_j_thomas
Sophia Genary
Sophia is an eleven-year-old with a huge passion for singing, acting, and dreams of one day performing on Broadway. She has been studying musical theatre, singing, acting, and dance for several years and has had the chance to perform in some amazing productions. Recently, she took on the role of Annie in the sold-out 2024 Fringe Show, An Evening on Broadway with VIVA Performing Arts, and has performed in several shows with Adelaide Youth Theatre. This is her second production with The Flying Elephant Company, following her role as Phoebe in “I Wonder”. Sophia is thrilled to be back on stage for Book Nooks a Christmas Musical and can’t wait to bring the character of Hornswaggle to life. When she’s not performing, she loves surfing, reading, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her two guinea pigs.
Josh Curtis
Hi! My name is Josh Curtis, I am 14 years old and I will be playing the role of Cecili in Benji Riggs Book nooks! I am very excited for this show as I have done many in the past. Some of which include, Fagin (Oliver), Horton (Seussical), Tevye (Fiddler on the Roof), Partrick (Spongebob Youth Edition), and The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland Jr). It has been a dream of mine to originate my own role and I finally get to do that. Book nooks is such a great emotional story and it would be a mistake to miss this opportunity!
Milla Illic
Milla has had a passion for singing and dancing since a young age.She has been dancing since she was two and found her love for musical theatre in 2021 when she joined Adelaide Youth Theatre and played the role of Private the penguin in Madagascar Jr. Milla then continued her musical theatre journey in 2022 by performing in Frozen Jr as Young Elsa, Seussical Jr as Mayzie La Bird, Finding Nemo Jr as Nemo and in 2024 played the role of Summer Hathaway in School Of Rock and recently Alice in Alice In Wonderland Jr. Milla also performed as the Boy in The Boy and The Golden Fox with the Flying Elephant Company. She trains at TIDC Performing Arts Studio, Adelaide Youth Theatre and an after school program RADAR technique. Milla is very grateful for all of the different opportunities she has had in the past few years and is excited to see what awaits her in the future.
Ava-Rose Graves
Ava-Rose Graves is a 16 year old student who finds love in performing arts. From the ages of 4 to 13, Ava-Rose competed in Jazz, Lyrical, and Contemporary dance competitions. She has participated in Broadway bootcamp as well as multiple school based musical events held at the Golden Grove Recreation and Arts Centre. Ava-Rose has had the fortunate opportunity to collaborate with a number of Australian artists whilst competing with her advanced school choir, Luminaire, in the Generations and Jazz festival based in Mount Gambier. This production is one of Ava-Rose’s first out-of-school musical performances and she is very excited to work beside her talented cast mates.
Jonathan Siow
Jonathan is a versatile performer with broad interests in the performing arts. His stage career began with the role of Moth in the 2021 State Opera of South Australia production of Benjamin Britten’s opera, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jonathan joined Adelaide Youth Theatre earlier this year playing the part of Lawrence in the musical production of School of Rock. He was then casted for a lead role as the White Rabbit in AYT’s production of Alice in Wonderland to critical acclaim. Jonathan is an accomplished musician on piano, violin, pipe organ, and with voice. He is currently a tenor with the Choir of the Holy Cross, and a violinist in the Flinders University Chamber Ensemble. Jonathan’s creative interests extend to composing music, writing for music theatre, and designing and performing magic.
Keira Wubbolts
Keira Grace Wubbolts has been dancing with TIDC performing arts studio since the age of 6. Trained in all genres of dance including ballet, jazz, hip hop and tap Keira enjoys performing in a range of dance competitions and concerts through out the year. Keira developed a love of musical theatre from a young age appearing in her first musical as the lamp vendor in Aladdin Jnr with Adelaide Youth Theatre company. Keira has played many roles in musicals since, but more recently she performed the role of Ariel in Little Mermaid jnr and The Queen of hearts in Alice in Wonderland Jnr. Keira is also a proud member of Impact Entertainment dancing at Civic Park Carols, Gawler show, lighting of the Christmas tree and in the Adelaide Christmas Pageant.
Keira is delighted to be performing in her first role with Flying Elephant Theatre company.
Khushi Choudhari
My name is Khushi Choudhari, Im 14 years old and have a passion for musical theatre. I have performed in Aladdin Jrn as Genie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Voilet, Lion King Kids as Scar, Moana Jrn as an Ansestor, High School Musical as Taylor, School of Rock as Katie, Frozen as Elsa and Anna and Alice in Wonderland as Queen of hearts. I have recently had a great opportunity to attend this years Juinor Youth Festival with Adelaide Youth Theatre. Earlier this year I have started musical theatre and acting classes through TIDC. I am very thankful for this opportunity to perform in Book Nooks as Tolpit.
Steven Turner
Special Thanks
The City of Burnside
Burnside Lions Club
Michelle Wubbolts
Adelaide Youth Theatre
The Arts Hub
Jeff Smith Creative Consultancy
Dianne Kilpatrick
Kylie Mobbs
Sarah
Archie Siow
Joanna Wilson
Helen Car