THE stage is well and truly set for the world premiere tomorrow night of “Winging My Way to the Top,” a new Australian musical comedy running at the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre until May 17.

Written by local cabaret performers, Karen Strahan and Jill Walsh, it’s a tongue in cheek show that pokes fun at all those traditional musicals about getting into showbiz – “Singing in the Rain,” “Gypsy,” and the like.

But this show  has a suburban twist, as we saw at this morning’s press call when Walsh, playing the carol character Beryl, headed up the ensemble with the song, “Gotta Get Your Pav Right (to Satisfy His Appetite)”.

In an outrageous moment, upon mention of the famous ballerina Anna Pavlova, blues singer Gaye Reid, who plays the neighbour Phyllis in the musical, teeters onto the  boards  in full ballet gear. As well, a line of dancers choreographed by Michelle Heine, kicked their way across the stage.

That’s just one of 13 original numbers, which will feature in the musical, where older sisters Beryl and Ruby (Strahan) try to discourage their younger sister , Pearl (Lisa McClelland) for her showbiz ambitions. In part, the musical is about simply write sibling rivalry, but if the scene we saw this morning was anything to go by, it’s also about a group of local entertainers having a good time.

“Winging My Way to the Top” at the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre,  May 8-17. Bookings to 6285 6290 or theq.net.au