Rachael Beck
Rachael Beck, 2011
Background information
Born (1971-02-09) 9 February 1971
Sydney, Australia
Occupation(s)Musical theatre and television actress-singer
Years active1985–present
Websitewww.rachaelbeck.com.au

Rachael Elizabeth Beck (born 9 February 1971) is an Australian stage and television singer-actress. From 1991 to 1994 Beck had a major role on the popular sitcom, Hey Dad..!, as Samantha Kelly. From 2006 to 2008, Beck appeared on all three seasons of Seven Network's celebrity singing competition It Takes Two, as a singing coach successively for Mark Furze, Ernie Dingo and Mark Wilson. She has appeared in the Australian musical theatre productions of Cats (1985), Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1995–96), Les Misérables (1995–96), The Sound of Music (August 2000 to February 2001), Cabaret, Singing in the Rain and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.[1] Beck released her first solo album This Girl on 7 March 2014.[2]

Biography

Beck grew up in Sydney, and her father John Beck directed her in school musicals.[3][4] She has a brother and sister.[4] At nine years old, Beck was performing at Eisteddfods where she sang "The Count" (from Sesame Street).[4] She attended SCECGS Redlands school in Sydney.

Beck was married to Australian actor, Ian Stenlake.[5]

Beck is an ambassador for the Australian Children's Music Foundation,[6] a non-profit organisation which aims to provide musical instruments to children in disadvantaged, remote and indigenous communities in Australia.[7]

Television

Following a guest stint on soap Home and Away in 1990, Rachael was cast in the regular role of Claudia Rossi in the serial Family and Friends.

From 1991 to 1994 she had a major role on the popular sitcom, Hey Dad..!, as Samantha Kelly.[8] Her other television credits include brief stints on Home and Away and as a reporter for Postcards WA.[8]

From 2006 to 2008, Beck appeared on all three seasons of Seven Network's celebrity singing competition It Takes Two.[9] In 2006 she earned third place with Home and Away actor Mark Furze.[10] In 2007 she partnered Ernie Dingo, finishing fourth overall.[11] In 2008 she partnered Mark Wilson from Dancing with the Stars.[12]

In October 2007 Beck appeared on Nine Network's practical joke series, Surprise Surprise Gotcha, where a prank was played on her.[13] In 2020 Beck voiced the character of Azaria Chamberlain in the animated Australian TV show, Regular Old Bogan.

Theatre

At the age of 13 she auditioned for the Sydney premiere of Cats but was considered too young, she took the role of Rumpleteazer for its Melbourne premiere in 1985.[14]

Beck has starred in a number of Australian theatre productions. In 1992 she performed the title role in Young Judy – a one-woman show on the early life of Judy Garland – written by her father, John.[3] She appeared in the Australian stage productions of Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1995–1996) as Belle opposite Hugh Jackman, (the cast recording of which won an ARIA Music Award for best cast album of 1996)[15] Les Misérables as Fantine (1997–98), The Sound of Music (August 2000 to February 2001), taking over from Lisa McCune as Maria for the Perth and Adelaide productions),[16][17] Cabaret as Sally Bowles, Singing in the Rain as Kathy Selden.[3][8] In 2006, Beck (as Gladys Hotchkiss) appeared alongside her husband Ian Stenlake (as Sid Sorokin) in a stage production of The Pajama Game at Melbourne's State Theatre.[18]

In September 2007 Beck undertook the role of Beth in the Australia and New Zealand live concert tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds – Alive on Stage.[19] She was cast opposite Michael Falzon (Artilleryman) and Shannon Noll (Parson) as well as album alumni Chris Thompson, and Justin Hayward in their original roles.[20] The cast performed with the holographic head of narrator Richard Burton, as well as musical talents of the 48-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings and 10-piece Black Smoke Band, conducted by composer Jeff Wayne.[21]

During January and February 2012, Beck appeared in the role of Claire in Squabbalogic's premiere of Adam Gwon's chamber musical Ordinary Days at Sydney's Darlinghurst Theatre with Michael Falzon (Jason), Erica Lovell (Deb) and Jay James Moody (Warren).[22]

She appeared in Enda Markeys April gala concert Side by Side by Sondheim in Sydney featuring Ruthie Henshall before joining Falzon again in September in the touring company of Side by Side by Sondheim. The touring production, which saw Beck perform in Canberra included Geraldine Turner and Jessica Rowe.[23]

In November she originated the role of Truly Scrumptious in Australia for the national premiere of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney.[4] Beck remained with the tour throughout 2013.[1]

Beck appeared with fellow Ordinary Days co-star Michael Falzon for A Swingin' Christmas Proms 2014[24] for Adelaide Festival Centre on 12 and 13 December 2014. Also performing were the Adelaide Art Orchestra under the direction of Timothy Sexton. She teamed up with Falzon again in 2016, as well as Alexandra Flood, Luke Kennedy and Queensland Symphony Orchestra for Queensland Ballet's season of Strictly Gershwin.[25]

Theatre
Production Role Company Location Date
CatsRumpleteazerReally Useful GroupMelbourne1985
Beauty and The BeastBelleDisney1995–1996
Les MisérablesFantine1997–1998
The Sound of MusicMariaPerth and Adelaide2000–2001
Singing in the RainKathy SeldonSydney2001
CabaretSally BowlesIMG Productions Pty Ltd,Barry and Fran WeisslerAustralian tour2003
Eureka! The Musical[26]Alicia DunnMelbourne2004
The Pajama GameGladysThe Production CompanyMelbourne2006
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds[27]BethJeff Wayne /Michael ChuggArena Concert tour Australia,
New Zealand		8–29 September 2007
Ordinary DaysClaireSquabbalogic/Darlinghurst TheatreSydney19 January – 19 February 2012
Side by Side by Sondheim[28]The White Ribbon Foundation/Enda MarkeyPresentsSydney20 April 2012
Side by Side by SondheimEnda Markey PresentsCanberra21–22 September 2012
Chitty Chitty Bang BangTruly ScrumptiousAustralian tour2013
Next to Normal[29]DianaBlack Swan Theatre CompanyPerthNovember 2015

Discography

The Australian cast album of Beauty and the Beast[30]

  • "Belle" with Zachary McCay, Hugh Jackman, Kelly Aykers, Laura Hamilton, Kerry Peters, Ensemble
  • "No Matter What" with Ernie Bourne
  • "Me" with Hugh Jackman
  • "Belle" (Reprise)
  • "Home"
  • "Something There" with Michael Cormick, Robyn Arthur, Grant Smith, Bert Newton
  • "Transformation" with Michael Cormick
  • "Beauty and the Beast" (Reprise) – Cast

The Martin King Project[31] with Ian Stenlake; released on 31 December 2010 through Austep Records

  • "The Ocean"
  • "The Beach"
  • "The River"
  • "My War"
  • "Dream Within a Dream"

Stars of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Present Hit Songs from the Musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang[32] with David Hobson and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Guy Noble; released on 14 May 2013 through ABC Music

Beck released her first solo album through ABC Music in March 2014.[33] This Girl featured the songs:

My Baby Just Cares For Me[34] with David Hobson; released through ABC Music on 4 April 2014

Awards and nominations

Award Category Production Role Year Result
Green Room AwardsBest Female Actor in a Leading RoleLes MisérablesFantine1998Nominated
Green Room AwardsBest Female Actor in a Leading RoleSinging in the RainKathy Seldon2001Nominated
Green Room AwardsBest Female Actor in a Leading RoleChitty Chitty Bang BangTruly Scrumptious2013Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 Kristy Muir (24 October 2013). "Stage calls actor after six-year break as mum". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "This Girl". Ovation. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Eureka Cast – Rachael Beck". Essgee (Essgee Entertainment (Simon Gallaher)). Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Bublitz, Jacqueline (11 August 2012). "7 questions with (Truly Scrumptious!) Rachael Beck". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  5. ↑ "Rachael Beck: 'I've fallen in love with every man I’ve played alongside' by Jane Rocca, The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 May 2019
  6. ↑ "Australian Stage Actress Rachael Beck to Release Debut Solo Album this Week". BroadwayWorld. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "About AMCF". ACMF. Archived from the original on 9 August 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 "Episode Fourteen". Spicks and Specks. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  9. ↑ Idaho, Michael (22 May 2006). "Wannabe Warblers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  10. ↑ "Soap Star Rocks Hard". PerthNow. The Sunday Times. News Limited (News Corporation). 25 June 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  11. ↑ "Ernie Dingo". Outback Wildlife Rescue. Freehand Productions. Seven Network. 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  12. ↑ "It Takes Two – Contestants". Grant Denyer. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  13. ↑ "Rachael Beck on MSN Video". Surprise Surprise Gotcha. ninemsn Video (Nine Entertainment Co. & Microsoft. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  14. ↑ "Role Profile for Rumpleteazer in Cats [Australian Production, 1985]". Ovrtur. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  15. ↑ "Winners by Year 1996". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  16. ↑ Aldred, Debra (4 August 2000). "Lisa Can Sing for Her Supper of Marshmallows". The Courier-Mail. Queensland Newspapers (News Corporation). p. 7.
  17. ↑ Archdall, Susan (1 January 2001). "Rachael's Happy to Go Her Own Way". The Advertiser. News Limited (News Corporation). p. 77.
  18. ↑ Parris, Simon (20 July 2006). "Reviews – The Pajama Game". Theatre People Australia. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  19. ↑ Tracey Bond (30 September 2007). "War of the Worlds in Auckland". Fairfax New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  20. ↑ Richard Jinman (10 September 2007). "They've landed ... and they're really scary". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  21. ↑ Michael Gadd (9 May 2007). "Shannon Noll to make theatrical debut". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  22. ↑ Jo Litson (28 January 2012). "Ordinary Days foursome hits sigh note". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  23. ↑ "Side by side with Falzon | Canberra CityNewsCanberra CityNews". Citynews.com.au. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  24. ↑ Catherine Blanch (8 December 2014). "A Swingin Christmas Proms With Michael Falzon, Rachael Beck and the Adelaide Art Orchestra – Interview". The Clothesline. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  25. ↑ "Strictly Gershwin". Byte Media. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  26. ↑ Jim Murphy (11 October 2004). "Eureka! The Musical". TheAge.com.au. The Age Company Ltd.
  27. ↑ "Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of War of The Worlds". Scoop Media. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  28. ↑ AussieTheatre.com.au (28 April 2012). "Side by Side by Sondheim: a star-studded event". Aussietheatre.com.au. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  29. ↑ Tanya MacNaughton (3 November 2015), Next to Normal brings Rachael Beck to Black Swan, Community News
  30. ↑ "Beauty and The Beast". J Musicals. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  31. ↑ "The Martin King Project". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  32. ↑ "Stars of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Present Hit Songs From The Musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – David Hobson & Rachael Beck". CastAlbums.org. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  33. ↑ "This Girl". ABC Music. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  34. ↑ "My Baby Just Cares For Me". ABC. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
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