WHAT a cast. What a show. An exciting new company, Leading Note Theatre, has selected the perfect musical to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with in the Ballarat market.Last week they premiered the much anticipated The Boy From Oz — the story of song and dance man Peter Allen. It's all there; Allen's life and career from his boyhood in Tenterfield to his record sell out performances in New York at Radio City Music Hall to an audience of 6000 people.Andrew Ronay-Jenkings, who trained at the University of Ballarat Arts Academy, is dynamite as Peter Allen. This professional artist shares centre stage with Allen's memorable songs and the mix of the two is pure magic.He gleefully delights the audience with candid stories of his loves and losses, hits and misses, successes and disappointments.The clever book, written by the late Nick Enright, depicts the light and shade of Allen's life. We see the child's budding showmanship, his rise to stardom, marriage to and divorce from Liza Minnelli, the death of his male partner Greg Connell and his father's suicide. Talented director and performer Stephen O'Neill provides taut and sensitive direction, weaving the story, choreography and cast throughout the sequence of events. Musical director Ian Govan leads a tight orchestra in a repertoire of Allen's best loved songs, including Quiet Please There's a Lady on Stage, Everything Old is New Again, Tenterfield Saddler, I Still Call Australia Home and a brilliant carnival-inspired I Go To Rio with a very special added guest performance that will stun everyone. The superb Sophie Livistanis, as Judy Garland, captures the tremulous legend in her final days, singing All I Wanted Was The Dream. Sophie is an outstanding performer who ticks all the boxes. She would steal the show if it wasn't for the equally talented cast.Jess Carbone as Liza Minnelli is far better than many I have seen play this role; she is a first class singer and actor who really shines on stage. Scott Leggo as Allen's partner, Greg Connell, sings a heart-wrenchingly version of I Honestly Love You and is a great example of Ballarat's outstanding local artists. Beth Sheehan who returns to the stage after 17 years is impassioned when singing Don't Cry Out Loud as Allen's supportive mum Marion Woolnough. She is warm and engaging, her presence is felt throughout the show. She has been sadly missed onstage Young Uisce Goriss-Dazeley as the junior Peter Allen is a wonderful new find and will go on to much greater things. With solid support from Meg Brandenburg, Alex Moroney and Kate Sanders as Peter Allen's trio of singers, Laurence Heenan as Chris Bell, Graeme Russell as Dee Anthony and Dick Woolnough, Garath Grainger as Wally Bell plus the chorus of singers, dancers, the Radio City rockette showgirls and a 100 strong children's choir really make this is a mammoth production.Carolyn Bennett as choral director again ensures the singing is top notch throughout and Vanessa Sheehan brings the production numbers to life with her choreography. The Rockettes and Rio benefit from the presence of a supplementary group of dancers, supporting the already strong ensemble. The Wendouree Performing Arts Centre is a good venue made even better by the lavish lighting design by Mystic Entertainmentz.Producers Matt Hustwaite and James Belsar must be congratulated on bringing a new company to Ballarat and assembling an outstanding initial presentation. Do not miss it.What: The Boy From OzWhere: Wendouree Performing Arts CentreWhen: Thursday to SaturdayBookings: Owen - 5338 0980