Stages of Life
A Journey told through Broadway Hits
Every life is made up of moments. Some loud. Some quiet. Some fleeting. Some that change everything.
Stages of Life was created from a simple idea: that no matter who we are, we all move through similar chapters of life - childhood wonder, the in-between years of growth, the drive of adulthood, and the reflections that come with time.
This production was developed as a constructed theatre experience, bringing together narration, monologues, and iconic Broadway songs.
The cast brought to life the emotions, dreams, struggles, and triumphs that shape who we become. Each song carefully chosen to reflect a different moment along life’s journey.
It’s about the laughter, the lessons, the friendships, the challenges, and the dreams that shape who we are.
Because in the end, every life is made up of stages - and every stage has a story worth telling.
Original Concept Revue from Alnna Cutbush & Kelly Mahoney
The first ever staging of a brand-new musical, ‘The Land Girls’ in early December 2025.
Written and Directed by our very own local talent Tim Stevens.
Five young women from very different lives join the Women's Land Army during World War II
The 'land girls' arrive at ‘Swanley’ farm to begin their training under the motherly wing of Farmer Kate, her brusque husband Jack and closely watched by the couples daughter who wants to be just like the older girls.
Featuring well-known songs from Frank Sinatra, The Andrews Sisters, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and more!
*The Women's Land Army (WLA) was an organization of women who worked in agriculture during WWI and WWII, often called "Land Girls". These women filled labor gaps left by men who had joined the military, working on farms and in pest control to ensure food supplies were maintained. They were a vital part of the war effort, performing a wide range of agricultural and domestic tasks.*
We were excited to stage the beloved family classic, ‘The Wizard of Oz’. September 2026. It was a great chance for a large, super-talented cast of varying ages with the youngest age of 8 years old all the way up to 80.
This was a fun and exciting show with heaps of well-known songs and many fun dances and scenes to learn.
Top hits on tour 8th- 11th May 2025
Waipawa M&D presented ‘Top Hits on Tour’
A Jukebox show which brought some of the biggest pop hits of the last 60 years to a local small hall.
It was a fun night out at your 'local'. The Waipawa M&D's singers brought a song they liked to sing which was a ‘Top Hit’ over the last few decades. A great chance for a sing-a-long and a few keen and talented audience members even found themselves up on the stage belting out their favourite karaoke number!
‘When you wish upon a star’ October 2024.
Our talented cast embarked on a magical journey through a beloved musical world.
Audience experienced the music that has captured hearts across generations.
A journey, that began 101 years ago in 1923 with the first full length animated classic 'Snow White'.
Featuring songs 'A Whole New World', 'Be Our Guest', 'Circle of Life', 'We Don't Talk About Bruno', and many, many more.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ July 2024
Little Shop of Horrors is a horror comedy rock musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman. The story follows a hapless florist shop worker, Seymour, who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh. The music, composed by Menken in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, includes several well-known tunes, including the title song, "Skid Row (Downtown)", "Somewhere That's Green", and "Suddenly, Seymour"
‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ November 2023
An original panto written and directed by our local talent, Helen Griffin.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has all the makings of the traditional story that we all know and love. Join our Snow White as she navigates her way through the Evil Queen’s plans, of finding love, meeting new people and facing new challenges.
Join our amazing cast as they bring you music, dancing, humour and maybe a couple of twists along the way.
‘The (not so Royal) Variety Show’ April 2023. Fundraiser for the CHB Mayoral relief Fund following Cyclone Gabriel
Songs, dances and theatre entertainment for the community, to support those who have been impacted by the weather event.
Featuring familiar faces, local performers and favourite songs you all know, with lots of aroha, hope and togetherness as well as some humour and comedy to put smiles on everyones faces.
With special thanks to major sponsor New World Waipukurau
;West End To Waipawa’ November 2021.
The Waipawa Musical & Dramatic Club winter Musical Revue.
West End to Waipawa “Musical Theatre through the Ages” culminating in a mix of favourite (and soon to be new favourites) from the great musical theatre shows we love.
November 2020
‘Cinderella’, 2020 Christmas Pantomime. "You shall go to the ball Cinderella"
Yes...it's exciting news, theatre friends!
Waipawa M&D were thrilled to be bringing Sir Roger Hall's Cinderella, written especially for Waipawa M&D, to the stage.
Filled with local places and references with all your favourite panto, gender switching fun, songs you will know and can sing along to and audience interaction. Boo for the bad guys, cheer and clap for the good and support your local dramatic club!
2019’s End of year Panto was enjoyed by many
Jack and his mother are so poor they have to sell their beloved cow, Betsy. Young Jack accepts beans as payment… but they are magic beans! Sending him up into the clouds to a wondrous land where there is a goose that lays golden eggs, and – Fee, Fi Fo, Fum ........!!
2019’s Mamma Mia! Was another hit for Waipawa M&D!
A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget!
Get ready to say “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do!” Mamma Mia!, the smash-hit musical based on the songs of Swedish super-group ABBA
Over 60 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and timeless music that makes Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show.
With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! is written by Catherine Johnson and features non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers, set to 22 of ABBA's hit songs including Super Trouper, Dancing Queen, Knowing Me, Knowing You.
Footrot flats 2016
This show turned out to be a real hoot- from start to finish!
Under the guidance of Simon Law (Director) and Helen Walker (Musical Director), the cast, crew and orchestra produced an amazing, funny, entertaining production to be very proud of.
This was Simon’s first time as a director of a musical and we all loved working alongside him on this show; we hope to work with him as our director again soon.
We moved “over the water” for this production, re-locating to the Little Theatre in Waipukurau. This turned out to be a perfect venue for us, for this show.
Rural Kiwiana at it’s very best, right in the middle of Lamb Country… The tale of dagging, tupping and moving into town brought so many laughs and people through the doors to see it that we had to put on two extra performances. Playing to full houses night after night was inspiring, uplifting and a very welcome boost for the club.
Thank you to all those involved and also the CHB community for getting behind us.
SWEENEY todd 2016
This production must go down as being one of the most technically difficult productions to pull off, but we did it, and did it exceedingly well (we think!). We engaged the services of Scott Andrew, Director; the cast and crew have learned so much from his approach and creativity, that we feel very fortunate to have found him!
Mary Flemmer, our musical director, gave herself an incredibly difficult M&D debut… But she endeared herself to all the cast and orchestra with the commitment and energy she put into her role. She went above and beyond, in assisting everyone (cast and orchestra) to learn their parts, grow in their singing and playing abilities and cope with the incredibly difficult score.
I feel that I have to make mention of the fact that our lead man (Sam Draper), our musical director (Mary Flemmer) and our stage manager (Lucy Mavin) had a combined average age of only 21
Whistle down the wind 2015
Set in the wild wild west, Whistle Down The Wind followed three siblings coming to terms with the death of their mother and how religion played a part in their lives. When out of no where "Jesus" was in their barn. With the help of some locals and the rest of the village children this powerful show highlights the difference between the innocence of children and the anger of adults.
a christmas carol 2014
A classic done well can never fail. And our 2014 production of A Christmas Carol sure didn't, this was a fun loving show enjoyed by everyone from the audience, to cast & crew. We'd like to thank everyone involved in this production for making it such a fun show to celebrate the end of 2014 and of course christmas.
next to normal 2014
Mid 2014 Waipawa M&D were lucky enough to produce the New Zealand premier of the Broadway hit Next To Normal. This show wasn't what audiences are used to seeing in small town Hawkes Bay, but with the great direction of Lisa-Jane Hay and powerful story this beautiful musical tugged on the heartstrings of cast,crew and audiences alike. A special show that will be remembered fondly.
CHRISTMAS SHOW 2013
This modern christmas cabaret was a celebration of all things music. Featuring classics like 'The Prayer' and 'Ave Maria' along with some musical theatre favourites from musicals such as Wicked, as well as a sample from our 2014 show Next To Normal. In addition we had both children and teen sections to highlight the young talent within our society. To round it all off we included some Christmas and New Zealand classics.