The Orange Theatre Company recently announced its cast, with Allie Platt bagging the lead role of Sophie. She has been with the group for nearly 15 years and thinks of it as her "second family."

"We're really lucky to have a dedicated cast who just want to bring something to the stage," she said.

"It's such an uplifting show as well, I just think this is what we need at the moment."

The show has been 18 months in the making, with COVID causing it to be postponed twice already - once in May 2020 and then later that year in October. Scheduled to run from October 14-24 this year, Peita Mages - who will play Tanya - knows how important it will be to get it off the ground.

"It seems like a very first world problem to say we haven't got to do our musical, but at the same time people underestimate how much joy the arts bring not only to the performers but other people," she said.

"People are going to need a fun night by then and even though we're only peripherally affected (by COVID), people are looking to get back into a normal state."

Katrina Kittler will play Rosie and could not be happier to be back on the stage.

"Last year it felt like there was a piece missing," she said.

"It's a really fun show and the energy coming from the cast is just phenomenal."

Grant Westcott will play Sam and said the show means so much to so many.

"It's a big social and creative outlet," he said.

"The next few months will be a bit hectic, but what we really hope for is to get the show on."

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