FREE-RAIN Theatre Company launched its 2013 season on Tuesday with the announcement of the worst-kept-secret in town— they’ve secured the rights to stage “The Phantom of the Opera” at Canberra Theatre in August next year. 

We’re glad, at least, THAT chandelier won’t have to fit into The Courtyard Studio.

“CityNews” understands that the rights were hotly contested and that artistic director Anne Somes is now negotiating for out-of town creatives, as yet unannounced, to join locals in staging the mammoth musical.

Details of all the other productions for 2013 were released at the launch, as follows:

“Winnie the Pooh,” directed by Amy Dunham” at The Courtyard Studio, January 10-20;

“West Side Story,” directed by Anne Somes at The Q, musical director John Yoon, conductor Geoff Grey, choreographer Lisa Buckley, Feb 8-24

“Amadeus,” directed by Cate Clelland at The Courtyard Studio, May 3-18.

“A Month of Sundays,” directed by Anne Somes – Courtyard Studio, Oct 17-Nov 3.

Bookings for Free Rain Theatre to www.canberraticketing.com.au

At the well-attended launch, serving as the company’s end of year get-together, Free-Rain’s own internal awards for 2012 are as follows:

Best Actor in a Play – Colin Boldra – “To Kill a Mockingbird” and Jarrad West, “Doubt”

Best Actress in a Play – Naone Carrel – “Doubt”

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play – Steph Roberts – “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Best Actor in a Musical – Adrian Flor – “Chicago”

Best Actress in a Musical – Jenna Roberts – “Chicago”

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play – Martin Hoggart – “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical –Lachlan Ruffy – “CATS”

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical – Hannah Ley – “Chicago”

Best Ensemble in a Musical – Michelle Norris and Chris Pappas – “CATS”

Emerging Artist – Production – Andrew Jackson – “Back to the 80s”& “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Emerging Artist – Production – Cameron Burgess – “Back to the 80s”& “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Emerging Artist in a Leading Role –Lachlan Whan – “Back to the 80s”

Emerging Artist in a Leading Role – Maddison Smith-Catlin – “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Emerging Artist in a Featured Role – Nicola Hall – “Back to the 80s”

Emerging Artist in a Featured Role – Ben Burgess – “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Emerging Artist in a Featured Role – David Kinyua – “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Life Members Awards:

Hannah McCann – “Doubt”

Hannah Ley – “Chicago”

Lachlan Ruffy – “CATS”

Kiki Skountzos – “The Velveteen Rabbit”