Story
The Musical Man
words Heidi HELBIG
PHOTOGRAPHY john krÜger
Despite the many personas he wears on stage, rising star Reo Gerhardy is a young man of singular character.
In an industry that lauds fame and fortune, the 17-year-old aspires to leave a legacy as a mentor and male role model in musical theatre.
The Faith Lutheran College graduate says inspiring emerging performing artists is especially important in a sports-mad community like the Barossa, where gender stereotypes can be prevalent and entrenched.
“There’s so much stigma around musical theatre,” says Reo.
“People say it’s not masculine, it’s pretty; I’ve seen people bullied, I’ve seen first-hand people give up their passion because they’re too scared or people tell them it’s gay or wrong – I’ve seen that spark die.
“It’s so sad to see, and it’s not the attitude we need to empower young boys.
“That’s why I’m so compelled to teach, to inspire as many young boys as I can.”
The charismatic teenager from Greenock is doing exactly that, as a multi-disciplinary artist who can sing, dance and act.
Recently acclaimed by Glam Adelaide as “a standout” with an “indefinable” star quality, it’s the realisation of a childhood dream for the kid who grew up dancing to High Five in front of the TV.
“I still remember being young and convincing my friends at dinner we had to make a show or do a dance,” laughs Reo. “I not only loved it, I wanted everyone to know I loved it!”
Making his musical stage debut in 2016 in the musical Oliver, Reo spent the next decade refining his vocal technique, choreography, dance repertoire and physical fitness.
As well as music camps, junior youth festivals and formal stage training with youth theatre companies – notably Adelaide-based Pelican Productions – he performed in three pantomimes with Kapunda Musical Society and nine productions with Barossa Dance Company.
“I started jazz and loved it, but when I started tap there was so much more scope for acting and being theatrical. We did shows like Grease and Newsies and I fell in love with it,” says Reo.
He graced national stages through his involvement with Junior Theatre Festival Australia, and his most recent accomplishment saw him collaborate with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra musician Julian Ferraretto on an original composition to Marcus Zusak’s acclaimed novel, The Book Thief.
Reo composed the score last summer whilst recovering from a foot reconstruction, a “setback” he was determined to overcome.
However, his greatest triumph came in September as the lead role, Jack Kelly, in Pelican’s production of Disney’s Newsies JR at the Arts Theatre in Adelaide.
The adaptation of the Broadway musical tells the true story of the 1899 strike by newspaper delivery boys against the big New York newspaper magnates at the time.
For Reo, the similarities with his on-stage character were striking.
“Jack is charismatic, likeable and rebellious, he has such a big presence,” says Reo.
“He’s not afraid to stand up for what he’s morally inclined to do. He’s going to fight for others, and that’s evident in his relationship with others.
“What most drew me to his character was that he was so much like myself – my plight and my determination to fight for something better.”
“I realised it’s not just a side hustle; musical theatre is what I have to do. I’m filled with so much awe and wonder that I’ve found my thing – so many people don’t ever find that.”
- Reo Gerhardy
According to Reo, taking on a character’s persona demands both instinct and discipline.
“As soon as you take yourself out of it and ‘be’ the character, it removes the possibility for underacting or overacting – you just ‘are’,” says Reo.
“Being on stage is just a massive conversation between yourself as a character – as a human – and the world.”
Theatre reviews of Disney’s Newsies Jr touted Reo as “a hero of the piece”, and “everything a leading man should be.”
“I was critically reviewed and I ended up having five reviews – to know that’s what people thought of it was unfathomable,” says Reo.
“I realised it’s not just a side hustle; musical theatre is what I have to do. I’m filled with so much awe and wonder that I’ve found my thing – so many people don’t ever find that.”
Despite the plaudits, Reo has his feet firmly on the ground when it comes to his career aspirations. He plans to study music at Elder Conservatorium of Music and is also honing his skills as a professional vocal teacher at Barossa Music School.
Reo is eternally grateful for Faith’s Aspire Program and the influence of mentors like the late Jennette Mickan of Kapunda Musical Society who reinforced his “worth and talent”, and Faith music teacher Mel Crawford.
“Mel has been there from the start of my high school journey. She has taught me so much self-regulation. In those moments of self-doubt, she has been so brilliant,” says Reo.
“I can’t imagine a life without performing. Where this journey takes me, I can’t wait to see.
“To know I’m going to keep performing my craft and getting better and better and inspiring others is something I’m very much looking forward to.
“Seeing the joy on people’s faces, I think it’s universal.”
