Vidya Makan is back on the Showtime podcast, this time in the Melbourne studio, to talk about the momentous success of her groundbreaking original Australian musical, The Lucky Country, following its ARIA nomination for Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theater Album.
Vidya dives deep into the painstaking, nearly two-year-long process of creating the Original Cast Recording, detailing how she and her collaborators, producer Michael Tan and music director Heidi Maguire, translated the show's vision—an "Aussie radio dial" of sounds—for the listener's ear. She notes that a cast album is a separate, highly controlled art form, revealing the "luxury" of being able to craft the music like a "detailed painting."
She discusses the immense shock and honor of the ARIA nomination, sharing what this top-level recognition means for a show created by and featuring minority voices that is meant to serve as "a mirror as to who we are" as a nation. Vidya gets emotional about the powerful meaning behind the newly rewritten finale track, "Rise," which includes the Indigenous language Gugu Yalanji, and the feeling of gratitude to be part of such a sacred moment.
Finally, she expresses her excitement about bringing the show back to Melbourne, the city where she first discovered her artistry and wrote the musical. She is thrilled to share a contribution to the national dialogue that is meaningful, doesn't shy away from tricky conversations, but is also "a lot of fun."
Don't miss the show or the ARIA-nominated album!
🎭 The Lucky Country
🗓️ 13 October to 18 October
📍 Lawler Theatre
🎟️ http://mtc.com.au/
VIDYA MAKAN is one of Australia's most exciting multi-hyphenates, renowned as a composer and a leading lady. Her acting credits include Eliza in Hamilton, Catherine Parr in SIX, and Dot/Marie in Sunday In The Park With George, all of which earned her major industry nominations. Her critically acclaimed original musical, The Lucky Country, opened to rave reviews in 2023 and is currently touring. The Original Cast Album has been nominated for a 2025 ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theater Album. She is currently working with Queensland Theatre on a new musical exploring the lives of South Asian Australians.
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