Gisborne performer Erin Haberecht is set to take the stage this weekend in Theatrical Symphony, a spectacular musical theatre concert celebrating some of the genre’s most iconic songs, performed alongside a full orchestra.
Presented by Theatrical Inc, the special three-night event will be held at The National Theatre.
The production brings together some of the company’s most promising emerging performers, showcasing beloved hits from blockbuster musicals including Les Misérables, Matilda, Annie, Dear Evan Hansen, RENT and Wicked – all accompanied by a powerful 36-piece orchestra.
For Haberecht, the opportunity marks an exciting new chapter in a lifelong love of performance.
“I’ve been singing since I was a teenager,” she said. “I studied music theatre and then spent a couple of years performing as a singer on the Royal Caribbean cruise line, which allowed me to see so much of the world. It was an incredible experience.”
Now 43, Haberecht lives in Gisborne with her husband Simon and their three children, aged eight, six and four. The family relocated in 2017 after spotting the town on the TV program Postcards.
“We just thought it looked like a beautiful place,” she said. “I grew up in a small community, and I really wanted that for our family.”
While she has spent recent years performing locally with the Kyneton Theatre Company, Theatrical Symphony marks her first audition for Theatrical Inc – a decision she made at the last minute.
“One of the orchestra members at the Kyneton Theatre Company sent me the audition link the night before entries closed,” she said. “I just went for it. I’ve got such a supportive husband, and the thought of performing on a bigger stage with a full orchestra was too good not to have a crack.”
Balancing rehearsals with family life has been no small feat, but Haberecht embraces the challenge.
“My kids are champs – they let me practise my songs in the car,” she said. “I’m learning lines as fast as I can. As a mum of three in my 40s, it’s definitely harder to retain everything, but that’s part of what we love as performers – that challenge.”
The performance will also be a special moment for her extended family, with relatives travelling from Queensland to cheer her on.
“For me, it’s about coming back to something I love,” she said. “Once the kids were a bit older, it felt like the right time to step back into it.”
Led by acclaimed musical director and conductor Kent Ross, Theatrical Symphony promises a vibrant and emotionally charged evening. The combination of soaring vocals and a live orchestra creates a rich, immersive experience that celebrates the magic of musical theatre.
For Haberecht, being part of such a large-scale production is both a personal milestone and a chance to represent her community.
“I’m really proud to be representing Gisborne,” she said. “There’s so much talent in the Macedon Ranges, and it’s wonderful to see local performers stepping onto bigger stages.”
Theatrical Symphony will run for three nights only, from April 10 to April 12, at The National Theatre in St Kilda. Tickets are now available via booktickets.com.au.
