Elegies: A Song Cycle delivers a rich tapestry of stories by Tony Award-winning composer William Finn in Adelaide this October.
Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre students rehearsing for Elegies. Credit: Dylan Henderson
Presented by the second-year students of Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre, Elegies will be performed at the University of Adelaide's Little Theatre from Thursday 16 October to Sunday 19 October.
Finn, renowned for works including Falsettos, A New Brain, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, first staged Elegies in 2003. The University's production will be one of the first to be performed following Finn's passing in April this year.
Assistant Director and University of Adelaide student Amelia Beveridge says it is an honour to celebrate Finn's works.
"The performance is a deeply personal and heartfelt collection of songs, beautifully capturing the moments that shape our lives, from the joy of friendship to the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye," Beveridge says.
"With Finn's signature wit, humour and emotional depth, Elegies resonates universally, offering comfort and reflection in equal measure.
"Usually, this show is performed with a cast of five, but with our cast of eighteen, we've really been able to flesh out each of the song's characters and storylines. It's been an educational process staging a show as a cohort for the first time, and we're excited to bring this work to an Adelaide audience."
Director Joseph Simons says bringing the performance to life is an exhilarating experience for both him and the students.
"I'm so excited to be working on Elegies, a text that means so much to me, and with William Finn's recent passing, means so much to others," Simons says.
"Audiences may recognise this group of students from the 2024 production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Now past the halfway point of their degree, Elegies is a wonderful opportunity to see the stars of tomorrow before they graduate."
Famously autobiographical, much of Finn's writing celebrates important figures in his life, from friends and family to beloved pets, with lyricism that honours their lives and idiosyncrasies while reflecting on personal tragedy.
Elegies is Nick Hedger's first production as music director with Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre. A passionate advocate for new Australian work, Hedger is well known in the theatre community as the driving force behind Homegrown Musicals Australia, where he has championed the development of original Australian musical theatre.
With its vibrant blend of musical styles and poignant lyrics, Elegies is a unique musical experience and a moving tribute to the human spirit. Whether a long-time admirer of Finn's work or discovering it for the first time, the production promises an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling from the second-year Bachelor of Music Theatre cohort.
When: Thursday 16 October - Sunday 19 October 2025
Where: Little Theatre, University of Adelaide Union House, Gate 10, Victoria Drive, Adelaide 5000
