Last-minute tickets still available

There is still a handful of tickets available for stage superstar Judi Connelli’s four-show only cabaret performance at the Civic Hotel.

Connelli is returning to the stage in Sydney after a four-year break and is looking forward to seeing the city at Mardi Gras again.

“I’d like to think people haven’t forgotten me,” the humble singer said.

“It’s going to be great to be back in Sydney, and at Mardi Gras time. It warms the cockles of my heart, because the gay community in Sydney have certainly taken me to their hearts.”

Connelli said her new cabaret show would take on a more reflective tone than previous efforts.

“I’m in the September of my years. I’m in my 60s, and I’m not singing about young love any more. I’m singing about life, what I’ve learned and what I remember. I’m selecting songs that are a bit more mature,” she said.

“We’re also doing a bit of a salute to Sondheim, because it’s Sondheim’s 80th birthday this year. That’s in amongst some other wonderful songs.”

While many gay and lesbian performers, once ‘out’, still seem reticent to talk about their private lives, Connelli was effusive when conversation turned to her long-term partner (and occasional co-star), opera singer Suzanne Johnston.

“To be with someone in life and to have that amazing pool of experience we both have — she comes from opera, I’m from musical theatre — when you meet on the stage and sing, it’s so special. I just adore her voice, and she adores mine — it’s so mushy,” Connelli giggled.

“We’d like to do another CD, I’ll admit that, but if we don’t it doesn’t matter. We’re in heaven living in our place up here, and she’s just so funny and gorgeous, and we share the same birthday. Ten years apart, of course, and she looks forever young, with her youthful genes.

“Sometimes people assume I’m her mother, which can be tough… I don’t slap them though.”

info: Judi Connelli plays the Civic Hotel, February 25-26 and March 5-6. Tickets through Ticketek.