BEHIND THE SCENES

All shows on offer were written by Lea da Silva Gomes and Corrado Porcaro. Corrado Porcaro worked as an Italian teacher in Primary Schools for over 30 years and has written various materials for the Department of Education. He created the teachers' reference pack that is sent out to all schools on confirmation of a booking, with over a semester's worth of supporting material to accompany each show. All original songs were also written by Corrado Porcaro.

MICHELLE PITCHER 
MANAGING DIRECTOR/LEAD PERFORMER

Michelle began Violin/Viola and Singing lessons at a young age and has always had a passion for the arts, starting her dance training at May Downs under the guidance of Renie Ann Martini.

She went on to graduate from the Ballarat Academy of Performing Arts – Music Theatre in 2001 and has since performed in Musicals, Theatre, Film & TV productions both in Australia, Asia and in the UK.  Credits include; Narrator “Alice in Wonderland”, “Peter & the Wolf”, “Baba the Elephant” – a series of Children’s concerts with Whitehorse Symphony Orchestra, Lead Vocalist/Dancer “Vaudeville Variety Show” Gorman Productions, Angelina in “The Secret Life of Us” West Street Productions Channel 10, Ensemble in “Oliver!” Cameron Mackintosh & IMG Australia/Asia Tour, Vocalist “Good Morning Australia” Channel 10, “Train Girl” Tropfest film festival, Ariel in “The Tempest” Ozact Australia, “The Magic Faraway Tree” Garry Ginivan Productions, “Beatrix Potter” Garry Ginivan Productions.

Whilst living in London Michelle performed in the Russian Opera “Eugine Onegin” for the Royal Opera Company, Covent Garden. She also toured the UK with Kinetic Theatre Company’s “The Light Fantastic”, a science based children’s Theatre in Education show.  Michelle has expansive experience in teaching Voice, Dance & Drama in schools & Universities across Melbourne, as well as adjudicating festivals in QLD and WA, and is currently teaching Singing at May Downs Performing Arts in Alphington.
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She met her Italian husband in London and spent a decade living and working in the alps of Piemonte. Now fluent in Italian, Michelle is delighted to be back in Australia and performing again for Spectacular Spettacolo!

LEA DA SILVA GOMES
PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR

Lea started Spectacular Spettacolo in 2010 and has produced/directed and performed in shows across VIC, SA and QLD with her bilingual productions. In 2021 she graduated from the VCA with a Masters of Producing, gaining first class honours. Also holding a degree in Musical Theatre Performance, Lea has worked as a professional singer/actor/voice over and jingle artist throughout Australia and Europe. 

Currently an Associate Producer at Princess Bento on a Guinness Book of Records holding show, Lea also worked as a Production Supervisor on Universal Basic Guys for FOX and a Production and Cast Coordinator on the NITV/ABC's Little J & Big Cuz. Lea has also produced short films and is currently producing her first feature film with some of Australia's most iconic and loved actors. 

Professional performance credits include: resident singer at the 5 star Hayman Island Resort in the Whitsundays, solo show in Cyprus, lead singer for a tribute show in Majorca, workshop of ‘Flowerchildren’ for Magnormos, various Crown Casino performances and many television commercials including AGL, Monash Health, The Royal College of General Practicioners, The AEU, Jenny Craig, Kmart, Slater and Gordon and a Channel 10 ID for “Offspring” alongside the fabulous Kat Stewart. Most recently, Lea reprised her role of Isabella Pinter on ‘Neighbours’.

She is also a jingle/voiceover artist and is the voice of such brands as: Brighton Toyota, Dollar Curtains and Blinds and Noosa Civic Shopping. She also played both the Queen of Hearts (2010/2011) and The Duchess (2012/2013, 2013/2014) in the Australian Shakespeare Company’s productions of Alice in Wonderland.