Palmerston North Boys High to Present WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, March 14-23

The Australasian premiere of Whistle Down the Wind, with Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Jim Steinman, Book by Patricia Knop, Gale Edwards and Andrew Lloyd Webber and Orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber, will play PNBHS, March 14-23, 2013.

Bookings are now open at the PNBHS Finance Office (cash, cheque, EFTPOS, credit card (1.5% loading)and online banking facilities). Ph (06) 354 5176 Extn 799. Fax (06) 354 5175. Email: bookings@pnbhs.school.nz.

Whistle Down the Wind pits the adult prejudice of poor rural 1950s' Louisiana against the hope of their youth for something better. When kids discover a man hidden out in their barn they believe he is Jesus, answering the prayers they have given every day for his return to earth. Simultaneously the redneck sheriff is warning his god-fearing populace to be wary of an escaped killer...

Whistle Down the Wind premiered at The National Theatre in Washington, D.C. on 12 December 1996, but it was not an initial success. A concept album was released in 1998 featuring 12 of the songs from the show, covered by artists such as Tom Jones (Vaults of Heaven), Boy George (Try Not To Be Afraid), Tina Arena (Whistle Down the Wind), Donny Osmond (When Children Rule the World), the Everly Brothers (Cold), Boyzone (No Matter What), Meat Loaf (A Kiss is a Terrible Thing To Waste) and Bonnie Tyler (Tire Tracks and Broken Hearts). This quickly brought the music to a much wider audience with No Matter What reaching number-one on the UK Singles Chart, and where it sold 1.1 million copies and another three million worldwide. The full score reflects a dynamic mix of rock, blues, gospel and folk styles.

This will be the third NZ Premiere season PNBHS has staged following Paris in 2004 and The Wedding Singer in 2008. Director Chris Burton saw the show in London in 2006 and is excited by the challenge of turning WDTW into a production which grips the audience. A cast of 60 are now in rehearsal.