While there have been rumours that multiple gay players exist, there is no openly gay player – past or present – in the men’s AFL. A new Australian musical, One Day in September, explores the fictional story of a professional footballer grappling with his personal and private lives and opens at the Athenaeum 2 in Melbourne from 28 – 30 November 2024.
One Day in September will feature some of Australia’s most-loved musical theatre performers including Keanu Gonzalez, currently wowing crowds in the role of Kenickie in the Australian tour of Grease, Sunset Boulevard favourite Ashleigh Rubenach, Lorinda May Merrypor and Yashith Fernando who both recently starred in the much loved Australian debut of &Juliet and Moulin Rouge’s Des Flanagan.
The creative team behind the new musical include Green Room Award winning creative Maverick Newman, Mackenzie Dunn (Grease, Hairspray and the upcoming Australian tour of Annie), director Trudy Dunn (current Resident Director on Grease) and highly respected Musical Director Kohan Van Sambeeck with orchestrations by Jason Arrow (Hamilton).
The story follows rising star Sam Thompson (Keanu Gonzalez) as he begins a relationship with Sophie (Lorinda May Merrypor) a young woman misguidedly drawn to the status of dating a high-profile athlete. Sam’s life gets thrown into disarray when Sophie discovers him in a relationship with the brother of one of the WAGs.
Desperate to keep his personal life private, Sam goes to extreme lengths to avoid his increasingly impressive career from being overshadowed by his relationship with a man. As Sam’s success as a footballer grows and the public attention intensifies, can he hold onto to both his public and private lives? Or are they fundamentally incompatible?
The story explores self discovery, sacrifice and asks us whether it is possible to have it all or if some paths inevitably lead to loss. One Day in September is five years in the making and, led by an extraordinarily talented cast and creative team, is a new Australian musical that will be talked about for years to come.
One Day in September
Athenaeum 2, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne
Season: 28 – 30 November 2024
Information and Bookings: www.onedayinseptember.com
Image: One Day In September (supplied)