Showtime with Andrew G | Arts & Entertainment

Rob Mills | Musical Theatre Veteran: Why he only says yes to roles he can fully commit to

In this episode of Showtime, Andrew G sits down with Australian performer Rob Mills to reflect on a career spanning Australian Idol, major musical theatre productions like Wicked, Grease, and Waitress, and the personal evolution that came with life in the spotlight. What begins as a chat about performance quickly becomes a deeper conversation about identity, resilience, and what it takes to keep showing up in a demanding creative industry. Rob reflects on growing up in suburban Melbourne as a “footy-playing, pub-singing tradie,” and how that grounded upbringing shaped his confidence on stage, even without a clear path into the arts. He revisits his Idol breakthrough, describing it as a time of “ignorant bliss” that opened doors but also led to a period of identity loss and self-doubt once the fame settled. The conversation follows his rebuilding phase—therapy, reflection, and stepping into musical theatre after discovering West End productions—which helped him redefine his sense of self and purpose beyond pop fame. He now sees theatre as a team sport, where every role on and off stage matters equally, and no performer succeeds alone. Rob also explores masculinity and emotional intelligence, emphasising vulnerability, humour, and self-awareness as essential traits, especially for young men today. Ultimately, this episode is about reinvention, collaboration, and learning to find identity beyond public expectation.

Monique DiMattina | Australian Musical Creator: The Real Cost of Choosing an Artistic Life

Andrew G sits down with Monique DiMattina to unpack the journey of building a creative life across music, theatre, and storytelling—shaped not by a traditional pathway, but by persistence, curiosity, and a deep need to create. A highly versatile Australian musician and writer, Monique reflects on how her career evolved from performing and releasing albums to ultimately stepping into musical theatre as a space where all her artistic influences could finally coexist. They explore the making of her new Australian musical Stella, based on the life of literary icon Miles Franklin. Monique shares how the project began almost accidentally, sparked by a conversation with her niece and a desire to spotlight overlooked Australian cultural figures. What started as a few songs gradually grew into a full production through workshops, performances, and collaborative momentum, eventually becoming a large-scale stage work exploring ambition, sacrifice, and legacy. Monique opens up about the realities of becoming a professional artist, including years of feeling behind, struggling with technical confidence, and experiencing the deflating pressure of being surrounded by more advanced peers. She reflects on how her creative voice only began to fully emerge in her mid-thirties, after years of practice, experimentation, and slow development rather than overnight success. The conversation also dives into her wide-ranging musical influences, from classical composers like Bach and Beethoven to film score legends like Ennio Morricone and John Williams, as well as singer-songwriters across multiple genres. She explains how musical theatre became the perfect format to combine these influences, allowing her to move freely across genres in service of storytelling rather than commercial constraints. Andrew and Monique also discuss the challenges facing modern artists, particularly the pressure of social media, streaming culture, and constant online visibility. Monique reflects on how stepping back from digital noise has helped protect her creativity, and how live performance remains the most meaningful form of connection with audiences. At its core, this episode is about creative resilience, artistic identity, and the long, often uncertain process of finding your voice. Through Monique’s journey with Stella, the conversation reveals how meaningful work is often built slowly over time—through rejection, experimentation, collaboration, and the willingness to keep showing up even when the path forward is unclear.

Penny Ashton | The Live Performance Addict: How she chose real audiences over screen fame

Andrew G sits down with Penny Ashton to unpack the reality of building a global performance career from the ground up—without a manager, agent, or traditional pathway. A one-woman powerhouse with over a thousand shows under her belt, Penny shares how her love for live audiences, comedy, and storytelling shaped a career defined by independence, resilience, and relentless creativity. From performing as a child to touring internationally, she reflects on why the stage—not screen fame—became her true calling. They explore the deeper themes behind her hit show Promise and Promiscuity, a wildly funny, Austen-inspired performance that blends comedy, music, and sharp social commentary. Penny breaks down why Jane Austen’s stories still resonate today—highlighting how the pursuit of love is often intertwined with the need for financial security, stability, and agency. The conversation reveals how timeless human desires continue to shape modern audiences, no matter the setting or era. Penny opens up about the less glamorous side of the industry—touring challenges, financial instability, rejection, and the constant hustle of producing, marketing, and performing her own work. She shares how tenacity became her greatest asset, from applying multiple times to become a wedding celebrant to pushing forward despite funding rejections and career setbacks. Rather than waiting for opportunities, Penny explains how she created them—building her career through sheer persistence and adaptability. Andrew and Penny also dive into the unique energy of live performance—the unpredictability of audiences, the thrill of real-time connection, and why no two shows are ever the same. From awkward audience moments to unforgettable on-stage mishaps, they highlight how spontaneity and imperfection are part of what makes theatre so powerful and alive. Beyond the stage, the episode becomes a broader conversation about creative independence, the realities of sustaining a career in the arts, and the courage it takes to keep showing up. At its core, this episode is about tenacity, self-belief, and the pursuit of meaningful work—proving that success doesn’t always come from following the traditional path, but from carving your own

James Liotta | The Art of Making People Laugh: Why comedy is “a service” to audiences

Andrew G sits down with James Liotta to explore what it really takes to build a long-lasting career in entertainment. With over 25 years across comedy, radio, theatre, and television, James reflects on how growing up in an Italian-Australian household shaped his humour, storytelling, and passion for live audiences. From community radio and early theatre roles to national tours and television appearances, he shares how persistence, adaptability, and creating his own opportunities became the foundation of his career. The conversation dives into the power of cultural comedy, the realities of rejection and unpaid gigs, and why James never chased fame—only the chance to keep performing. Andrew and James also unpack the unpredictability of live theatre, audience interactions, and the success of Nonno and Yaya with George Kapiniaris, a comedy show celebrating Italian and Greek family culture through sketches, music, and stand-up. At its core, this episode is about resilience, creative independence, and the joy of making people laugh—proving that success in entertainment comes from consistently showing up, evolving, and staying connected to your audience.

Max Meaden | Why Parma Night Means More Than You Think

Andrew G sits down with Max Meaden to unpack the creative journey behind The Last Parma Night, a darkly funny and deeply Australian stage production inspired by the pub rituals, friendships, and growing pains that define so many young adults. From childhood obsessions with Doctor Who to writing and starring in his own original work, Max shares how storytelling became both a personal outlet and a way to explore identity, nostalgia, and human connection. They explore the emotional weight behind everyday rituals like “Parma Night” and why simple traditions between mates can hold far more meaning than they first appear. Max reflects on his early experiences performing, training at 16th Street Actors Studio, and the realities of navigating auditions, rejection, and the pressure of building a career in Australia’s arts industry. The conversation also dives into the decision to stop waiting for opportunities and instead create work from the ground up with the people and stories closest to him. Andrew and Max discuss the uniquely Melbourne identity woven throughout The Last Parma Night, from pub culture and tram rides to the anxieties of adulthood, changing friendships, and the fear of being left behind. They also unpack the show’s surreal and unexpected elements, how sci-fi influences shaped its darker undertones, and why the best theatre often disguises immense emotional and technical complexity beneath something that feels effortless and familiar. Beyond the play itself, the episode becomes a wider conversation about the value of Australian storytelling, the struggle for arts funding, and the challenge creatives face in balancing authentic artistic expression with the demands of social media and modern entertainment culture. At its core, this episode is about friendship, reinvention, creative risk-taking, and the importance of telling stories that reflect who we are, where we come from, and the moments that quietly shape our lives.