Rob Mills has matinee idol good looks and oodles of charm which, combined with his singing talent and dance ability, make him what is known in showbiz as a triple threat.
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Since he was unearthed as a future star on the first series of Australian Idol in 2003, he has appeared on the small screen in Underbelly – Razor; The Celebrity Apprentice, Dancing with the Stars; Peter Allen – Not the Boy Next Door, and most recently on Neighbours.
But it is musical theatre roles that have kept him in the spotlight. He appeared alongside John Farnham, Natalie Bassingthwaite and Craig McLachlan in Grease – The Musical Arena Tour; has played Fiyero in Wicked, Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde, Danny in Grease, Corny Collins in Hairspray, and Sam in Ghost –The Musical.
He is currently in rehearsal for the lead role in The Production Company’s revival of rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, which will be staged at Arts Centre Melbourne from July 29 until August 13.
The 35-year-old then joins the 30-strong cast in rehearsal for the song and dance spectacular Puttin’ on the Ritz tour, which kicks off on August 30. It criss-crosses the country until September 25, when it will go out with a bang at our Glasshouse.
But be quick if you want to put on the Ritz as the 7.30pm show is sold out, and a matinee has been added at 2pm that day.
Mills says the show features all the songs you know and love. “I grew up watching the old school musical movies with my grandmother. The songs from them are classics for a reason. It will be a great night out.”
He says he jumped at the chance to be in the show. “I’m wholeheartedly a fan of the genre of theatrical musicals.” He believes anyone from eight to 80 will love the show.
“La La Land [movie] was a huge success and I think the choreography makes you feel more invested in the music. And who doesn’t love the Buub [Michael Buble], Sinatra and Astaire. These songs are known to all ages.”
You will hear much-loved classics Cheek to Cheek, Alexander’s Rag Time Band, Birth of the Blue, Swaneee, Night and Day, I Got Rhythm, Easter Parade and, of course, Puttin’ on the Ritz.
Mills sings six or seven songs, he says, his favourite being Gershwin’s They Can’t Take That Away from Me, which won an Academy Award as Best Original Song from the 1937 movie Shall We Dance, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
“I feel extremely chuffed,” he says regarding the added matinee. “It’s not on my name – these songs are so loved. From the footage I’ve seen of the UK production, the dancers are great. There’s nothing like a live performance. Experiencing it with other people you feel the energy in the theatre.”
