Broadway bound via Opera Australia
Doron Chester has plans to head to Broadway, but before that, the ex-Moriah student will perform in Opera Australia’s production of West Side Story on Sydney Harbour.
Doron Chester
The 30-year-old was born and bred in Bondi, and he spent his entire school life at Moriah.
Followers are quick to state that Doron has star quality. Between roles, he performs in well-known TV ads and mentors aspiring Jewish performers.
J-Wire had a warm chat with Doron.
JW: Tell us about your early days.
Doron: I’m a typical Eastern Suburbs Jewish boy. I spent my entire early years attending Hineni, and I loved it. That’s where I became myself. That was a personality coming of age. I guess it was just them allowing me to be my creative, funny self. It’s a great organisation.
Moriah holds a special place in my heart. The music program was not just amazing, but it also laid a strong foundation for my career. I am forever grateful to Roberta Goot for her tireless efforts in Moriah’s music section, which shaped me into the performer I am today.
JW: After Moriah, where did you further your musical education?
Doron: I attended The Australian Institute of Music in Surry Hills, where I obtained a Bachelor of Musical Theatre.
JW: Let’s talk about West Side Story. There are only four adult roles in the show and you are playing Gladhand.
Doron: It’s a small role, but it has a special meaning. He is a social worker, and he wants the Jets and the Sharks to get along. It’s basically his dream for them to get along. Personally, I want everyone to get along. I’m very, very lucky to be in the dance at the gym. It’s the only thing that I do, and it’s an exceptional scene. And I’m also lucky to be in amongst all the cast and I get to watch them dance, which is a big privilege. They are exceptional people in this cast. I am also the understudies for Officer Rupke and Doc, who runs the general store where the Jets hang out and where the principal role Tony works.
JW: Are you the only Jewish performer?
Doron: No. Chloë Marshall, Jamie Reisin and Noah Missell are also performing. I can’t remember the last time there were four Jews in a professional music theatre production. West Side Story has been one of my favourite shows of all time. The score and the script are exceptional, and it’s just very, very, it’s timely. So wanting to be part of the show was a huge encouragement. For me to audition and then getting the role. it’s It’s really a dream come true.
JW: But why do you think West Side Story remains relevant these days?
Doron: Throughout history, there have been racial segregation issues. People just do not understand other cultures. I think, as Jews, we understand that more. We understand that every single day. So I think right now, with what’s happening overseas and what’s happening here in our own country, every culture should understand other cultures and understand different races and create that empathy for each race.
That’s why stories like West Side Story are a magnifying glass of the racial segregation happening in New York City in the late 1950s. Sadly, it continues today. So I think that’s why it’s incredibly relevant and incredibly timely for this production to be on right now.
JW: As a Jew, are you proud of your achievements?
Doron: I’m really proud of my Judaism. I don’t shy away from it. And it’s really actually quite nice. And I will message you those people because we’re very proud to be Jews at the moment and we’re very proud to be Jews representing in our industry at the moment. , I pride myself on being Jewish in the industry
And I’m also very proud of West Side Story and its exceptional team. The creative team are wonderful. The cast are wonderful, and it’s gonna be it’s really going to be an epic show. So I hope people can come along and spend a few hours looking at the Harbor View and, and really enjoy the show because it’s going to be spectacular.
JW: Can you share an ambition or two?
Doron: Yeah, I want to go to Broadway. So, the plan is to start applying for a green card, hopefully get it, go to America within the next year, and then hopefully perform on Broadway one day. That’s the plan.
