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Welcome to LisaMcCune.net! |
 An early graduate of WAAPA's Musical Theatre degree, Lisa McCune is one of Australia's most prominent and versatile performers of stage and screen. A 'triple-threat' who can sing, dance and act superbly, she has achieved both popular and critical acclaim across a range of disciplines. Lisa first came to the nation's attention for her record 10-time Logie Award-winning role as Maggie Doyle on TV's BLUE HEELERS during the 1990s. However, Lisa's leading lady performances in stage productions such as THE SOUND OF MUSIC and CABARET have firmly established her as one of Australia's greatest musical theatre assets.
Despite tremendous career success - including netting half of the 32 awards for which she has been nominated - Lisa is renowned for being one of the most gracious, humble and genuinely down-to-earth performers in the industry. In recent years, during which she has given birth to three children, Lisa has taken on supporting roles in various television dramas and performed in smaller scale musicals. The new Channel 9 drama SEA PATROL marks her return to major series television, while a principal role in the current revival of GUYS AND DOLLS heralds Lisa's return to large-scale, commercial musical theatre. You can visit the official "Guys and Dolls" web site at: Site Launched: 24th of Feburary 2007 |
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Lisa sets the stage alight (23 March 2008) |
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Catherine Lambert
Sunday Herald Sun
23 March 2008  Lisa McCune tells CATHERINE LAMBERT that chemistry with her co-stars is crucial to her latest role.
WHEN Lisa McCune goes home from rehearsals each day, the glamorous world of stage and screen is quickly left behind.
``I go home to a big washing pile,'' McCune says. ``I cope with work and family by having a great husband and luckily being a performer is very complementary to being a parent because the work comes in spurts and I still get a lot of time at home.''
Her two sons, 6 and 4, and her two-year-old daughter will enjoy seeing their mother star in one of the greatest musicals of all time, Guys and Dolls.
This show has everything a musical needs -- great songs, a romantic tale and some of the musical theatre's best choreography.
McCune is getting back into the swing of dancing. Broadway's star choreographer, Rob Ashford, has reworked the choreography into spectacular athletic displays.
``I haven't danced for so long and this is very hot dancing -- there's so much pelvic work and a lot of lifts,'' she says.
``It's a really interesting way of working because you use every part of your body. In TV you generally just work with the top half of your body unless it's a wide shot, but on stage you have to be conscious of every part.''
McCune plays neighbourhood missionary Sarah Brown in the show. The original is set in New York in the 1940s, but this Donmar Theatre production from London has an unclear time frame. It may be set in the '50s or the '40s.
The story follows small-time gambler Nathan Detroit who bets his big time pal, Sky Masterson, that he cannot make the next woman he sees fall in love with him. When that next woman happens to be neighbourhood missionary Sarah Brown, Masterson seems even more likely to lose the bet.
Masterson is played by Ian Stenlake, who built a strong chemistry with McCune on the set of Sea Patrol.
``Chemistry really is a science. If you want a reaction you have to get the ingredients right and it really depends on how good an actor you are,'' she says.
``I had terrific chemistry with Marty Sacks on Blue Heelers and we didn't have to work at it, which influenced the two writers to start writing for us.
``When it's there, people want to watch for it and you can't wait to see those two people on stage again. That's what I look for myself in a show.''
The role is that of a prim and proper missionary, but McCune continues to look for a challenge in her career. Ever since she played Sally Bowles in Sam Mendes's Cabaret and Hope in Urinetown she has been broadening her repertoire.
She would seem to have a Midas touch, remaining one of Australia's most popular actors.
``I like to take risks. I took a huge risk with Cabaret and the last few years have really taken off for me,'' she says. ``People seem to be trusting me.''
Guys and Dolls opens at the Princess Theatre on April 5. Bookings: 132 849
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