My name is Rod Christian, co author of Cruisin' The Musical. I was Head of Music at Sacred Heart College in Western Australia where we staged Cruisin' in 2004.

Cruisin' is a great crowd pleaser and is enjoying success wherever it is staged. I first started writing the show with Peter Waterman when we were both teaching in different schools in WA back in 1990. Set in Australia from 1951-1959, it is basically a universal story about an Italian migrant family settling into their new country, but their teenage kids do the rebellious thing and want to become involved in this "new" rock 'n roll culture. The father is a very traditional Italian with his son's ideal life already planned.

When conflict comes to a head as his son (Vinnie) defies him and joins the rock 'n roll band CRUISIN', it takes the power of the music itself and some help from wife Rosa and friend Johnny Angel, The owner of "Johnny Angels" teenage hangout, to finally reconcilliate the family.

What has been so rewarding for us as composers and scriptwriters is the reaction we have had from the schools and their audiences so far. When you present completely original music for the first time, it is interesting to receive feedback and we have been astonished with the excellent reviews to date.

I have recently completed the full score for the show, adding more instruments. The score now includes flute, clarinet, 1st and 2nd trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, trombone, piano, keyboards (string pads) guitar, bass and drums.The arrangements are exciting and cover rock, Jive, Latin, blues and a couple of big "show stopper" numbers. I know you will like the "big band" arrangements. Recently I travelled to the UK and met the UK and European agent David Waters who has just secured a further 2 bookings for Cruisin in the UK in 2009.

You can check out our production pics and info HERE.

Rod Christian

Rod's personal studio, Hotel Sorrento, has been used by some top recording artists including Courtney Murphy, Australian Idol Finalist and Lead role as Rory Storm in Cruisin' The Musical, Russell Perkins, solo guitar with orchestral arrangements, Mark McEntee from Divinyls who edited and mixed a soundtrack for Wheels and Doll Baby Fashions, Mike Harvey composer of "Eureka" The Musical, who sent the midi files to Rod for editing and enhancing for full score, Cliff Lynton who performed on the soundtrack for a documentary, "Tractors Across Australia" which was composed and arranged by Rod, to name a few. Rod can arrange and compose music for most combinations of instruments on Sibelius and composed and used this to arrange the entire soundtrack of his musical "Cruisin'" at Hotel Sorrento. The studio caters for re-mixes, edits, songwriters and arrangers who wish to learn more about the art of recording, editing and mixing as well as those who just want to get a great sound for demos or commercial releases. Contact Rod on this website if you have any specific questions or projects you would like to develop.
Rod has added a new dimension to the production side of things called "Create Your Song". This allows clients to write their own lyrics and/or song and have it professionally arranged and recorded by well known artists including Courtney and Chris Murphy. The CD is then mastered and given to each patron as a gift at weddings, 21st birthdays, funerals or any important occasion.
For further information, contact Rod on e mail link at this site.