Well, it’s one for the money – Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers musical premieres at Brisbane Powerhouse
Live and direct from Wannapoo – Li’l Elvis Jones is back, alongside bandmates Janet and Lionel to introduce a new generation to the wonders of Didgibilli rock! The beloved 90s Australian animated series is making the leap from screen to stage with a live musical adaption. Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers will be making its world premiere at Brisbane Powerhouse from January 10–18, 2025. Read on to learn more …
First developed in the 1990s as a joint venture between Australian Children’s Television Foundation and Viskatoons, Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers is set in the tiny outback town of Wannapoo where ten years ago, an old guitar case was left at Grace ’n’ Len’s Roadhouse with a baby inside, swaddled in a rhinestone-studded wrap. This babe, named Li’l Elvis by his loving adoptive parents, grows into a boisterous young boy who, alongside his best friends and bandmates, Lionel Dexter (didgeridoo) and Janet Rig (drums), gets into many shenanigans and scrapes, often foiling the schemes of brash, fast-talking property tycoon W.C. Moore.
Brought to life by a national team of creatives with support from the original series writers and producers, Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers – The Musical has been years in development. Its sensational creative squad includes actor and writer James Millar, quick-witted comedian Steph Tisdell, Darwin-based playwright Rachael Chisholm, the musical director behind American Idiot Glenn Moorhouse, and director Madison Thew-Keyworth, director/choreographer for Australian and New Zealand seasons of major musical productions including Disenchanted, The Wizard of Oz and Mamma Mia.
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“This show is such an incredible opportunity for Australian audiences!” Madison says. “Like so many others, I grew up watching this cartoon – the songs, characters and landscapes are lodged deep within my childhood memories and to have the privilege of unpacking and reimagining them for stage has been an amazing experience. In creative development for the last two years, we’ve had the honour of bringing the original creators together with our favourite Australian writers, to build a show that ultimately reflects our own experiences of belonging within this wide brown land.”
Featuring an iconic cast of characters from the original series, Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers is a musical adventure that celebrates country, community, mateship and the power of rock ’n’ roll. Packed with original songs, high-energy choreography and a narrative filled with humour and emotion, Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers is set to be an unforgettable musical experience for the whole family.
Kicking 2025 off with a bang, Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers will take over the Brisbane Powerhouse stage for a limited opening season from Friday January 10 to Sunday January 18. Book your tickets on the Powerhouse website now.