Many Dresses - A Musical Journey by Cecelia Rochelli

Hello, my name is Cecelia Rochelli. Over the past 45 years, I have been privileged to blend my love for music and theatre into a fulfilling career in the Central West, enriching our vibrant community through performances and educational programs. I am excited to introduce my latest project, “Many Dresses: A Musical Journey

“Many Dresses: A Musical Journey” is a powerful 90-minute musical theatre show featuring a vibrant collection of 17 songs that span the rich spectrum of musical theatre and contemporary music. This production is more than a tribute; it is a personal retrospect of my 45-year career as a music entertainer in the Orange region, celebrating the legendary artists I’ve had the privilege to represent and the enduring support of my community.

Each performance in the show is carefully chosen to resonate with my audience, featuring their musical favorites from my extensive career in musical productions, private events, and community engagements. Through dynamic musical numbers interwoven with poignant storytelling, I share the joys and struggles of being a female performer in a regional setting—highlighting the unique challenges of limited industry resources, the close-knit community support, and the profound connections made through local performances.

“Many Dresses” also delves deeply into the life of a woman balancing the demanding roles of motherhood and professional artistry in the music industry. It addresses the often-overlooked issues women face, such as the lack of regular income and absence of superannuation, which are particularly acute in regional areas where opportunities are sporadic and less financially rewarding compared to major urban centers.

This show is a celebration of womanhood, resilience, and community spirit. It underscores the significance of visibility for women, particularly as they age and face societal pressures to step back. It champions the idea that women, regardless of their age or stage in life, should remain vibrant and visible figures in all spheres, including the arts.

By bringing *Many Dresses: A Musical Journey* to the stage, I aim to inspire and uplift, to celebrate the triumphs and address the challenges, and to weave a narrative that resonates with every woman who strives to make her voice heard against the odds. This is not just my story—it is a story for all women who navigate the delicate balance of their personal and professional lives, especially in the culturally rich yet challenging environment of regional performing arts.

Bios

Cecelia Rochelli has been a vibrant presence in the musical and theatrical landscape of the Central West for over 40 years. A seasoned singer and performer, Cecelia has graced countless stages, bringing her vocal prowess and artistic sensitivity to a wide range of audiences, from local government and private functions to community celebrations.

With a rich history that includes founding roles in musical bands such as 2’s Company and Trouble With Johnny, Cecelia’s career is distinguished by her commitment to not only entertainment but also community enrichment. She has directed and developed educational and therapeutic drama workshops across a variety of settings including Orange Public School, Kinross Wolaroi School, and TAFE Orange, enriching the lives of students from early childhood through senior citizens.

In 1989, Cecelia transformed her passion for theatre into a foundational role with the Orange Youth Troupe, which later evolved into That's It Theatre Company, a testament to her leadership and vision in regional arts. Her work has consistently focused on leveraging the arts for social impact, evidenced by her involvement in projects like the HIV/AIDS Community Task Force and accessible arts initiatives for the developmentally disabled.

Throughout her career, Cecelia has been an advocate for the arts as a tool for social change and personal development, a philosophy that led her to co-found the R+R Productions in Orange. This cabaret company toured extensively throughout the Central West, showcasing Cecelia’s flair for innovative, community-centric entertainment.

Her dedication extends beyond performance to education and community service, where she has facilitated workshops aimed at harnessing music and drama for empowerment and healing, particularly in her impactful sessions at the Lyndon House Therapeutic Community in Canowindra.

Cecelia Rochelli's career is a compelling narrative of artistic passion, community service, and the enduring power of music and theatre to foster connections and celebrate the human spirit.

Andrew Worboys - Musical Director 

Andrew Worboys – composer, video designer, vocalist, pianist, and musical director, grew up in Orange, a town in the Central West of New South Wales, Australia, surrounded by pub rock and musical theatre.

Andrew created new modern musical arrangements for Dean Bryant’s production of Sweet Charity, the inaugural production at the Hayes Theatre, earning him a Helpmann Nomination and Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Musical Direction. 

Andrew has been musical director for professional productions of Little Shop of Horrors, Assassins, High Fidelity, Rent, Truth Beauty and a Picture of You, Love and Death and an American Guitar, American Psycho, Merrily We Roll Along (Hayes Theatre Co), The Dismissal (Squabbalogic), A Chorus Line*(DTC), Betty Blokkbuster Reimagined* (Redline), Mr Burns a Post Electric Play (NIDA), The Lovers (Bell Shakespeare), and is a regular performer and musical director for the Wharf Revue.

In the world of cabaret and concert, Andrew has performed alongside the likes of Christine Anu, Jenny Morris, Melanie Safka, Florence and the Machine, Paul Capsis, Trevor Ashley, Catherine Alcorn, Jimmy Somerville, and John Cameron Mitchell. Andrew co-produced the original Australian cast recording of Hedwig and the Angry Inch starring iOTA and Jimmy Somerville’s album Suddenly Last Summer. 

As videographer, Andrew worked with Dr. Yantra de Vilder on her projects Latitude 33 and Haiku as cinematographer and editor. He created video clips for Parissa Bouas’s Nothing’s Gonna Change and for Jimmy Somerville’s People Are Strange. 

In the world of sound design, Andrew worked on An Act of God (DTC), Assassins (Hayes Theatre Co), and Away (Lambert House). In 2015, Andrew received from the Glugs the Hayes Gordon Memorial Award for Important Contribution to Theatre and in 2019 won a Sydney Theatre Critics Award for his work on American Psycho