Charity Concert - Six Appeal; review

'Six Appeal' is the final event of the MS Society's recently launched fundraising programme called the 'MS Challenge' which featured a series of events over the last five months.

Adelaide singer Melissa Hann is participating in the 'MS Challenge' and will walk the Great Wall of China and climb the 5,500 steps to the top of Mount Huashan. Melissa hopes the proceeds from 'Six Appeal' will help her reach the target sum of $5,500, with all proceeds for people living with Multiple Scolerosis.

'Six Appeal' featured six talented South Australian singers and comprised of cabaret, musical theatre and contemporary works, starring Melissa Hann, Michelle Pearson, Jesse Frick, Mark Oates and Rod Schultz, with James Clark on piano.

Appealing Sextet by Linh

With so much talent on stage, it was difficult to pick a standout performer in the brilliant charity concert 'Six Appeal'.

Talented soprano Melissa Hann presented and performed, showing superb comic timing and character expression with her rendition of The Girl in 14G. She gave another hilarious performance as Glinda with Popular from the musical 'Wicked', and in the duet with Mark Oates I'd Give It All To You from 'Songs For A New World', Melissa conveyed the emotions of the lyrics with intricate vocalisation and Mark radiated the romantic yearning of the song in his delivery.

A familiar and regular performer in many theatre and musical productions, Mark Oates showed his versatility in songs from contemporary to the traditional. Mark showed vocal vigour in Fred Jones, he brings forth emotional intensity in If I Didn't Believe In You from 'The Last Five Years', also joining Rod Schultz and Jesse Frick for the slow and moving ballad On The Willows from 'Godspell', creating fine harmonies and impressive interpretation of the music.

Barista extraordinaire Rod Schultz shows he can serve up more than the perfect cup of coffee, with his contribution to the concert. In the opening song of the musical 'Parade', The Old Red Hills Of Home Rod brought out the intelligence in the lyrics and poignancy of the music through voice and a gripping performance. His highlight was the drinking song Guv'ment from 'Big River' with his dark, mellifluous tones and Rod's comedic portrayal of Pap Finn earned plenty of laughs.

Best known for her brilliant performance as Eponine in 'Les Miserables' featuring Normie Rowe as Valjean, Michelle Pearson gave a stirling performance as Cathy in Still Hurting from 'The Last Five Years', she captivated and revealed a more animated side with Defying Gravity from 'Wicked', and gives a vocally polished performance of 'Sunset Boulevard' s As If We Never Said Goodbye.

Jesse Frick is one to watch as the talented singer crooned his way throughout the concert, sending some female audience members swooning. Jesse opened the concert with the first two songs, giving a vocally textured touch to These Are The Days, followed by more vocal magnificence in the jazzy What A Difference A Day Makes.

Ensemble numbers included the moving anthem from 'Rent' Seasons Of Love and the upbeat closing song Heart And Music.

The concert wouldn't be complete without the talented and accomplished pianist James Clark, who provided stellar accompaniment throughout.