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ABOUT THE MUSICAL
It’s 2009 in Auckland which is a representation of any city in the world. The recession has just hit and everyone is starting to feel the strain of it all. Our characters, being middle-aged, have had a fairly good run up to now. They are all comfortable and comparatively well off.
Along with the change in the economic climate, many other changes are starting to take place. Long term relationships are becoming strained and kids are getting older and more demanding. On top of this, the workplace environment is evolving. Restructures are commonplace as young and highly qualified executives make their way up the ladder.
This set of circumstances is being played out in communities all around the world. Most people work their way through it and come out the other side. For some, the stress and pressure are exacerbated by a common mental illness – depression. Whether or not one triggers the other is a moot point; the fact is that depression hand in hand with all the stress and pressure is a powerful combination.
And so it is with Dave, our central character, who gradually but surely succumbs to depression’s dark symptoms. Doubts about his marriage, trouble in the workplace and the realisation that middle age has set in for a while all combine to enhance his depression and cause behaviour changes, bad judgement and thoughts about ending it all for good.
His family are caught up in the heartbreak of Dave’s journey and lack of communication without realising that beneath the bravado is an illness. Just as Dave appears to be slipping out of control, he finally asks for help. At the same time his wife, Sharon, in a true act of heroism, decides that her journey to true single life may not be all it’s cracked up to be and it’s not too late to try to patch things up.
State Highway 48 is a road that travels the roller coaster journey of middle age. It celebrates the ordinary and the everyday. And it’s about the perils of not facing up to depression and some of life’s cold, hard truths.
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CONTACT US
To book an audition time fill in the audition form in the link provided.
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