Fierce and Fabulous: Michael Ralph

 At the tender age of 22, Michael Ralph has been making waves in the Australian theatrical and dance worlds for several years. Hailing originally from New Zealand, Ralph is power ball of energy, and one fiercely talented man.  

 At the tender age of 22, Michael Ralph has been making waves in the Australian theatrical and dance worlds for several years. Hailing originally from New Zealand, Ralph is power ball of energy, and one fiercely talented man. 
A consummate performer in his own right, Ralph has ‘strutted his stuff’ in shows such as Cats (as the kitten Pouncival, and later as storyteller Skimbleshanks) and FAME!. But after winning the 2011 Short Sweet+Dance Festival’s People’s Choice Award for the choreography of his 7 minute piece “Mood Swing”, Michael feels he is finally settling into his own creative position on the other side of the stage.
Currently working as choreographer on Magnormos’ production of Milk and Honey alongside director Avigail Herman, Ralph took some time out of his rehearsal schedule to talk about the show with AussieTheatre.com. 
“I heard through [Magnormos artistic director] Aaron Joyner that Magnormos were looking for choreographers, so I submitted my CV and some links to my choreography for them to look at. Avigail [Herman] was sent my details and she asked to chat with me on the phone”, says an excited Ralph. 
“We spoke on the phone for ages, and despite her reservations about my age, she seemed impressed by my choreography. The more we talked about the piece and our goals for the show, the more it became clear what a great team we’d make.  Now, rehearsing full time since last week, it’s just like clockwork!”
Set in Israel in1961, Milk and Honey is the first in a line of wonderful musicals written by American composer Jerry Herman, the man who brought us Mame, Hello Dolly!, Mack and Mabel and La Cage Aux Folles. 
Ralph explains that the while the show has a traditional ‘love story’, it is also about love of land and love of country. He spoke with excitement at the opportunity to be working with such an interesting and diverse show, from a choreographer’s perspective. 
“Every day is different in the rehearsal room. I am enjoying the challenge. It’s requiring so many different flavours and styles. Yes, it’s a Jerry Herman musical, yes it’s Jewish inspired. But not every song is like the Jewish bottle dance. There is a tango, there’s a cheerleading march, and there are some funny numbers too”, he said. 
The show is to be performed on for one night only (Monday July 4) at Melbourne’s Recital Hall, as the first of three shows in Magnormos’ Jerry Herman Triptych.  ?“Yes, it is a concert venue”, says Ralph, “but we are using a tarquet floor, a band onstage and a few bits of rostra. The cast will be seated along the side of stage when they are not involved in the scenes.”
“I’ve been involved in the staging of every musical number, regardless of the dance content and at times it’s been quite a challenge and really out of my comfort zone”, he said, “but I’m really enjoying the experience”. 
So, once Milk and Honey has finished it’s one-off performance, what will be in store for Michael Ralph? 
“I do hope I get more choreography gigs from this experience. I am quite young, and the more I can do, the more experience I can get is wonderful.” ?It is clear that Ralph is underselling himself, and it equally as clear that his work speaks for itself. Next up, he is choreographing a show for Alister Smith called Petticoat Soiree, after Smith (The Director of Short Sweet+Dance) saw his work in the SS+D festival this year. 
Michael is currently teaching at Ministry of Dance, The Space, Centre Stage/ShowFit and Michelle Slater in Melbourne. With a focus on jazz and music theatre, Ralph’s classes are always filled with his innovative choreography. 
But for now, he is concentrating on the show at hand, and the final preparations before the performance on Monday.  MILK AND HONEY – Melbourne Recital Centre Monday July 4 2011 Bookings: