It takes a village to make a show and that village has done a great job on the new hit show Dominion Rd the Musical. It’s 85% there, all the pieces of the jigsaw are there in this comprehensive workshop performance.  

This show is an amalgamation of professional theatre meets community theatre; novices play alongside experienced pros. A cross-section of the community displays a dedicated commitment to the diverse cultural storylines in Renee Liang’s script, captured superbly in the show’s score by Jun Bin Lee, confidently embracing cross-cultural musical styles. 

‘Our Place’ is a ripper song to start off the show with beautiful harmony work and a strong ensemble piece. Other stand out tracks include ‘My Life, My Home’, and Brady Peeti’s ‘Embrace the Chains’, Jackie Clarke’s ‘Token White Girl’ and her ‘Why I Hate You’ duet with Mustaq Missouri.

The hard working full cast bring to life migrant and local experiences that celebrate the Dominion Road community, from teenager performers through to an 75 year old. The cast are well directed by Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho, with suitably balanced choreography by Taiaroa Royal.

Costuming (Elizabeth Whiting) and sets (John Parker) capture a vital vibrant and diverse community, with clear references to Auckland’s style today and the pictures of Dominion Road, some still stuck-in-the-past and present landmarks seamlessly tying in the history and modern issues of the Road.

The show is ably lead by Jackie Clarke as “the Token White woman”. Clarke captures beautifully the vegan cafe owner: the long-time resident who has seen the Road’s cultural change first hand. Clarke handles the music with aplomb, though the vocal range of early songs in the piece could be transposed for an easier vocal journey.

Brady Peeti is really convincing as Stevie whose young and ambitious city councillor storyline is captured with soulful grace and poise, and true vocal dexterity, though his lovely powerful voice needs better diction at times to add further clarity to Stevie’s story.

Benjamin Teh – Terry – ably raps, sings and acts an ultimately aimless love story. As son and heir of the Chinese Grocery, he fights his own battle against accepting a scholarship to a New York film school, lacking the courage to break the news to his parents. 

Marissa Holder plays Geeta, the passionate activist and community advocate who protests against an attempt to change the cultural fabric of Dominion Road. Her vocal work suits this piece but Renee Liang’s clever script needs more texture for Geeta’s love story especially which, though modern, seems unnecessary.

Mustaq Missouri is the break out performance of the evening. With a depth of heart, commitment and balance in his portrayal of Ahmed, Missouri gives voice to migrants’ realities and the small business owner’s fight with long hours, low wages and a tireless work ethic.  

Creative Producer Sharu Delilkan freely advises that this is not the finished product, but it’s pretty close and an excellent night out regardless.

Most importantly audience numbers are huge. A truly diverse cross section of Auckland has come to Glen Eden and packed out the theatre. People are intrigued and want to know Dominion Road’s stories. And everyone had a story to share after the show. People stick around and share in that sense of community a hit show demands.

This is a show for all Kiwis, it needs a wider audience and a much larger venue. ASB Waterfront or Rangitara at Q theatre would be great for this. 

Stephen Schwartz once said “Musicals aren’t written, they’re rewritten” and this is 85% there. A superb night out.

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On the way to the venue I’m wondering how appropriate it is that the theatre is in Waitakere, and not somewhere closer to Dominion Road, but I guess that’s not an issue since amalgamation. Besides, Dominion Road is iconic to all Auckland, and even further afield thanks to The Mutton Birds hit.

Given the wealth of experience and talent involved in this premiere production, I’m expecting it to be a treat.

The writers have proved their skill repeatedly before now. Both Renee Liang and Jun Bin Lee have, deservedly, become well-known and respected for their previous theatre works, including musicals. 

Added to that, the cast is headed by five professional actors – Jackie Clarke (Alison), Marissa Holder (Geeta), Mustaq Missouri (Ahmad), Brady Peeti (Stevie), Benjamin Teh (Terry) – who, together, boast a list of quality credits that would stretch some blocks of the road itself.

All considered, the depth of talent here, as in the words of the song, bends under its own weight.

So, is the promised treat delivered?

The story is fictional, though inspired by an event in the city’s recent history: a short-lived idea to transform the culture of the road. The main characters represent some of the ethnicities, religions and cultures that make the real Dom Road the multi-cultural space it is known as. Alison has the vegetarian café (kale smoothies a specialty) across the road from Ahmed with his mango lassis. Geeta is young and out to make her mark on life while Terry the Chinese ‘supermarket guy’ is frustrated he can’t pursue his dream. Stevie, who grew up in the area has moved on to become a City Councillor with great plans for the street.

Through them, issues such as cultural diversity and unity, stereotyping and prejudice are held up for examination. Unlike musicals of the past where a few songs are popped in to break up spoken scenes, here it is the songs that carry the message. There are 20 of them and it’s worth making a special effort to follow all the lyrics.  

Apart from a rather abrupt resolution. the storyline holds up. Top marks for the choice to run right through without an interval. Musically, it’s exciting in its diversity. The composer and co-lyricist, Jun Bin Lee, uses a variety of rhythms, traditions, and instruments so each of the songs stands apart.

Highlights are the duets between Alison and Ahmad – first the strident voices in ‘Why I Hate You’, counterbalanced by the later ‘So Much Time’, which is particularly poignant as it follows immediately after ‘No Time for This’, a favourite with the audience. Jackie Clarke and Mustaq Missouri’s powerful voices blend well in these numbers, as do those of Marissa Holder and Benjamin Teh as Geeta and Terry in their duets ‘True Love Takes Time’, and perhaps the hit of the night ‘Circle the Heart’, in which the pair are supported by several members of the chorus.

But some solo numbers are also standouts, such as Brady Peeti’s ‘Embracing the Chains’, Jackie Clarke’s ‘Token White Girl’, and Marissa Holder’s ‘Paradise’ which is effective and moving. When she sings “I have the power to change the world” you believe she will.

The show’s Musical Director and Vocal Coach, Lavina Williams, has worked well to bring all the singers and numbers up to a high standard.

The five professional actors are supported by Akshay Belas, Rebecca France, Helen Jermyn, Toni Laird, Tess Liew, Dhruv Mody, Louise Phyn, Christina Pusztay, Pat Quirke, Renu Sikka, and Mary Wong, who are all excellent and deserve more than the small mention they get in the printed programme. Not only are they from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, but the notes say they range in age from 18 to 75. Try to pick the extremes – it’s not as easy as it may seem. Four of these additional actors, under the direction of choreographer Taiaroa Royal, also contribute dance backup for some numbers.

Opening night glitches are small, and don’t detract from the overall feeling that this is, indeed, not only a treat but our own home-grown product that deserves to outgrow its neighbourhood and travel further.  

Thanks to the quality of the full team, headed by director Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho and creative producer Sharu Delilkan, there are no ‘halfway down’ measures or results in this Dominion Rd.

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