An inspiring new cabaret that will move you and pull at your heart-strings. The true spirit of the migrant experience.

Nominated for the 2019 Helpmann Awards for Best Cabaret Performer.

Igniting memories of a story that millions of Australians can relate to, Michaela Burger pays tribute to her Greek migrant family and hard-working, fun loving larrikin father Luke who defied all odds. From early morning deliveries for the family bakery at age seven, down opal mines in Coober Pedy at age sixteen and opening a chain of discount supermarkets in Adelaide, Luke’s road was not one for the faint-hearted.

Premiering to a sell-out Adelaide Cabaret Festival season and Winner of the Frank Ford and Best Cabaret weekly awards for Adelaide Fringe 2019, this critically acclaimed work conveys tells an incredible true story, brought to life through original music written & performed by Burger alongside local community choirs.

Featuring a live band, including piano and bouzouki, Michaela tells her family story with poignancy and comical aplomb. The show is both hard-hitting and hilarious, traversing 100 years from Russia to the Australian outback – following the hardship, ingenuity, tragedy and triumph in all migrants’ stories.

Described by Australia’s leading lady of cabaret Kate Ceberano as an “asset to the cabaret community” come join Michaela for an evening of song and laughter, memories and the love of family.

Venue Format
Theatre, Hall, Black Box Venue, Outdoor
Technical Rating
C, The production can be modified to suit most venues
Touring Party
5
Considerations

Performance contains coarse language. This is only in the form of one of the characters that the cabaret artist plays who uses the "F" word frequently. The artist does not use course language while 'herself' in the show.

Described by Kate Ceberano as “an asset to the cabaret community”, Michaela Burger is the recipient of the award for Best Cabaret Adelaide Fringe 2016 and has been nominated for two Helpmann Academy Awards for Best Cabaret Performer 2016 and 2019.

In addition to winning the 2015 International Cabaret Contest, Burger is the co-creator and star of the successful stage show Exposing Edith, about the life and songs of Edith Piaf. The show has performed to sell out audiences throughout Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

Other performing credits include Rumpelstiltskin (Southbank Centre London/Windmill/State Theatre SA), Can You Hear Colour? (Adelaide Festival/Patch Theatre), Her Majesty’s Closing Benefit; alongside Meow Meow, Robyn Archer, Nancye Hayes, Johanna Allen, Tim Rogers and Cameron Goodall (Adelaide Festival Centre), Bronya's Late Night Hour (Julia Zemiro/Adelaide Cabaret Festival), Cranky Bear (Patch Theatre).

Michaela is now working with Critical Stages Touring to manage touring opportunities for A Migrant's son. Our goal is to make outstanding live theatre accessible to audiences throughout Australia. We support outstanding theatre artists to achieve their touring ambitions and regional presenters to achieve their audience development goals. For more information please visit http://criticalstages.com.au/

Company Website
michaelaburger.com

Unique Selling Point

This is a multicultural show. It is appealing to people who have ever doubted their ability to prove their circumstances wrong or struggled starting a new venture as a minority. It is a tale of strength, passion, determination, inspiration and a hunger to change the course of ones destiny - all for the sake of 'family'.

It features all original Australian songs [written by Burger] and it is "the story that millions of Australians could relate to" [Australian Stage].

We work with community choirs from the towns/venues, who perform back up vocals during the show [see below].

5 Star reviews!

Marketing Materials

  • Short promo clip of the show is available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cXOXxx0jgI
  • high resolution hero images and production images
  • full archival available
  • Various versions of hero images, to suit your community e.g. more dramatic or more comical, depending on what sells well.
  • Excellent reviews.

Full archival available. Contact Critical Stages for Vimeo link.

Community Engagement

  1. Community choirs to be part of the touring show

Carol Young [MD], contacts community choirs [ahead of time] in whichever towns we are going to. They are sent sheet music to work on the songs. We then rehearse the show with the choir once we arrive and they perform with us during the show. This has proven to be highly successful and has enhanced the impact of the show in addition to involving communities on a deeper level - bringing people together demonstrating the power of community and acceptance first hand.

  1. Free Your Natural Voice workshop with Michaela Burger

Experience what it’s like to speak and sing with your natural voice. Learn how to have more ease, flexibility, strength and confidence in your voice and how to sing and speak from a more open, expressive and comfortable space.

Free Your Natural Voice workshops focus on helping people, through awareness, find the full potential of their natural voice. These workshops include one-on-one personal advice on how to connect with and free your natural voice and proven to be of benefit to anyone who simply wants to reconnect and discover the power of their natural voice.

Additional fees for this workshop. Maximum 20 participants.