Kirby Burgess is a powerhouse performer. Starring most recently as the devious Kathryn Merteuil in ‘Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical’, Burgess commands the stage with her magnetic presence. A talented dancer, singer and actor, Burgess is a star of stage and screen. Having starred as Baby in the 10 year anniversary Australian tour of ‘Dirty Dancing’ and Rizzo in ‘Grease’, some of her other theatre credits include ‘Hairspray’, ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’, ‘Sweet Charity’, ‘Bring It On: The Musical’, ‘The Wedding Singer’ and ‘Barnum The Circus Musical’ (the latter earning her a Green Room nomination). Burgess also took Australian TV audiences by storm as part of Guy Sebastian’s team on Channel Seven’s ‘The Voice’ back in 2020, Network Ten’s ‘Wonderland’ and Baz Lurhmann’s ‘The Great Gatsby’. The classic ‘triple threat’ with a dynamic twist, Burgess is an extraordinary talent that showcases not only an aptitude for her craft but a high level of physical fitness and stamina to bring her characters to life. Currently starring as Ann-Margret Olsson in the all-Australian cast of ‘Elvis: A Musical Revolution’, Burgess also holds the title of Assistant Choreographer for the musical, alongside Michael Ralph.

Lara Antonelli-Leorke chatted to Kirby Burgess about her new role in this iconic musical, the physical demands of the show and what brings her joy.

Not only are you described in the industry as a ‘triple threat’ (singer/dancer/actor) you have showcased your talents across TV, film and stage. Was it singing, dancing or acting that you perfected first and which medium do you love performing in the most and why? 

I was a very active kid! Dancing, netball, local theatre shows, travelling the blues festival circuit as the lead singer of a band, circus training; being ferried between many activities every day of the week. But dancing was the activity that kept me the most busy and growing up in a country town, it was the activity I had the most access to. So I started as a dancer. But ironically, I had to pull away from dancing as my professional career progressed, to be taken seriously in my other skills of performance (singing and acting). Performing is what I love – whether that be for stage or camera; both are hard, both are thrilling and both are a privilege. 

Your musical theatre credits are nothing short of extraordinary. You have featured in over a dozen productions, including Cruel Intentions, The Wedding Singer, Dirty Dancing, Hairspray, Sweet Charity and Grease. What has been your most memorable performance to date and why? 

Don’t ask me to pick my favourite child!!! Each show and role brought its own challenges to overcome and moments I will remember for the rest of my life! But notably, I will say playing ‘Baby’ in Dirty Dancing was the first time the industry had the opportunity to acknowledge me as an actor (the role, not singing and having to be a bad dancer). This was a breakthrough moment for me in my career at the time. ‘Linda’ in the Wedding Singer was an absolute thrill – belting out rock songs while dancing like a wild animal. Then as the ‘Ringmaster’ in Barnum, I got to display my circus training. And playing ‘Kathryn’ in Cruel Intentions made me feel like Beyoncé… Ahh, it’s too hard to pick! I’ve been very lucky to play an eclectic range of characters – all of which I am proud of. 

In the new Elvis Presley musical, Elvis: A Musical Revolution, you play Ann-Margret Olsson, the Swedish-born American actress (made famous by her role in Bye Bye Birdie) who starred with Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas. Their intimate friendship is the stuff of Hollywood legend. What do you love about playing this character the most?

Coined ‘the female Elvis’, Ann-Margret Olsson is a legend in her own right! Although her unique style of dance has kept her a favourite for GIFs and SNL skits, what I love most about Ann is her pure enjoyment of the craft. She just loves it, and that love shines through as soon as her hips start up. She is a fighter and has overcome so many challenges to remain the icon she is today. That is why playing her is such an honour – we share that pure enjoyment of performing and that very joy is home for our happiness. 

What has been the most challenging component of portraying a real life Hollywood actress, and one that is still alive today? 

You want to make sure the audience is able to recognise the character immediately without portraying a caricature. You want to do this whilst also staying true as an actor – finding individuality in your performance, not just mimicking. To do this, if ever I play someone I am very familiar with (like Ann), I actually do the opposite to most. I steer clear of over-watching and analysing. I like to workshop my memory of them, the essence they bring as an artist, how they have made me feel as a fan and try to discover what that is. Then THAT is who I portray. 

Do you have any pre-performance rituals to help you get into character? 

I start the show playing another boss of a woman, Marion Keisker, the first person to record Elvis and who convinced Sam Phillips (Sun Records) to sign him. She has a very fun southern accent and playing around with her voice gets me in the mood. For Ann-Margret and her famous moves… a lot of neck stretches! 

Not only are you starring as Ann-Margret, you are the Assistant Choreographer, alongside Michael Ralph. This must be an intense workout of a show for you. What are the highs and lows of being a dual performance cast and creative crew member? 

It is a position/opportunity not many have received, and while intense, it has been a privilege and a very unique position to be both creating a show of such magnitude and performing it every night. I found the split focus challenging when we got into our technical rehearsals in the theatre and getting into show runs. I would be on stage performing my plot, but my mind would be on where everyone else was or if things needed to change. This meant I wasn’t quite satisfied with what I was bringing to the show as the actor. It got to the point where I had to make the conscious choice that once the curtain was up, I was the performer first. Then I could do the best job as a cast member. Now we are well into our season, I am able to be both AC and cast member quite smoothly. The wonderful cast also makes this very easy. 

What sets this musical apart from others and what do you love most about Elvis: A Musical Revolution? 

This is an Original Production!!! Never before seen anywhere in the world! The all-Australian cast has brought this show to its feet and I am exceptionally proud of what we have created. When telling a story about such a publicised person, you want to ensure you bring something new for the audience. On the stage we get to see the many sides of ‘being Elvis’- not just the glitz and glamour of his stage persona. This show is unique because Elvis is not just the hero and the victim – he can also be the villain – pushed there by his circumstance. The price of fame! The show finishes in a climactic regain of Elvis’ power with Elvis’ ‘68 Comeback Special and the audience are once again dazzled by this spectacular story! What a night out! 

Do you have a favourite number/dance performance in the production? 

I have two!! Blue Suede Shows opens Act two. I don’t want to give too much away… but it is one of the most physically challenging and exciting group numbers I have done in my career. And the second is Ann-Margret’s…. Representing how she moves is a career highlight. 

Do you have a personal memory of/connection with Elvis Presley? 10. What inspires you, both personally and professionally? 

Often ‘show people’ say the term, “We are not saving lives”. I disagree. We are bringing joy to thousands of people across the country as we tour these wonderful shows. Joy itself can save a life. It has saved mine. So, at the risk of sounding completely cheesy, joy inspires me. Performing brings me a true sense of joy and with that filling my days I believe I will live a long, happy life! 

Tickets to Elvis: A Musical Revolution at the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne are on sale now via: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/elvisamusicalrevolutionmelbourne