SPOTLIGHT FEATURE: If/Then - VOX Theatre Arts
- Samantha Hancock
- Sep 30
- 6 min read
What if one choice — left or right, yes or no, answer or ignore — could change everything?
Every choice leads us somewhere, opening one door while closing another. If/Then is a musical all about those little choices that change our lives in big ways. With its powerhouse score, clever sliding-door narrative, and bold ballads, it’s a rare Broadway gem now landing in Brisbane.
This VOX Theatre Arts production is brought to you by producer Rhona Bechaz, director Hayley Gervais, choreographer Ruby Thompson, and music director Alex Angus. I’m here to give you the insider scoop from the team about their own “what if” moments, the challenges of telling two stories at once, and why this production is so special to us.
A RARE BROADWAY GEM
The story will whisk you away to New York City, where Elizabeth’s life branches into two possible paths: one as Liz (the one with glasses) and the other as Beth, following her down the roads she takes and the ones she leaves behind.
Samantha Sherrin (Guys and Dolls, Xanadu, Jekyll and Hyde) takes on the monumental role(s) of Elizabeth. Playing opposite her is the “how can someone so handsome be so awkward” Cameron Rollo (Jekyll and Hyde, Company) as Josh, the army medic whose chance encounter with Liz alters everything.
For Samantha, stepping into a role originated by musical theatre royalty Idina Menzel (Frozen and Wicked) has been both daunting and exhilarating. But she is thrilled for audiences to finally see this special show: “There’s so much happening across the multiple timelines that everyone will find something to relate to, especially us over-thinkers and people pleasers!” And for anyone wondering what lesson she takes from Elizabeth’s journey? Samantha believes the message is clear: “This show tells us that whatever is meant for us will find us, and not to get lost in the ‘what might be’s.’”
Lisa Alsop (Legally Blonde, Carrie) brings fiery passion as Elizabeth’s fiercely loyal neighbour Kate, alongside Micheal Enright (Fun Home, The Addams Family) as Kate’s partner Anne. Making her stage debut is Amiel Morris as Elena, Beth’s confidante through her toughest life decisions. Dominic Bradley (The Crucible, The Importance of Being Earnest) takes on the role of Beth’s boss Stephen, while Isaac Brown (Ride the Cyclone, Jesus Christ Superstar) plays her activist friend Lucas, with Jackson Muir (My Fair Lady, Chess) as his romantic interest David.
Phew! You still with me?
I asked Rhona Bechaz, artistic director for VOX Theatre Arts, what drew her to this stunning 2014 Broadway musical. Confession time: I myself had only ever heard two songs from it now... I know, extremely slack for someone who lives and breathes musicals! Rhona explained: “I was drawn to If/Then for its raw, real stories and characters, and the incredible musical score. I knew that Hayley’s fresh take on the story would be incredible, and I really wanted to see it come to life under her direction.” She’s talking about Hayley Gervais, the well-known artistic director of Phoenix Ensemble, who has directed countless productions and brings her signature heart to this multiverse tale.
SONGS THAT HIT HARD
Our music director Alex Angus deserves superhero status for steering us through this score and for conducting the formidable 13-piece orchestra. The rhythms in This Day are wild, the key changes in It’s a Sign are relentless, and some numbers split into eight-part harmonies that make my brain do flips!
For many cast members, the music is what makes this show so powerful. Cameron Rollo admits: “Isaac’s solo ‘You Don’t Need to Love Me’ hits the hardest for me, with ‘I Hate You’ a close second. Sam’s acting breaks my heart so much that it makes me reluctant to leave the stage, even though my character must do so.”
Lisa Alsop agreed that the emotions come thick and fast when “Samantha Sherrin sings literally anything. She is my theatre crush! ‘Love While You Can’ (a stunning duet between Kate and Anne) is almost impossible to get through without crying.”
For Amiel Morris, the impact is equally powerful: “I’ve literally never made it through this show without crying… ‘Always Starting Over’ (the mammoth five-minute ballad from Sam) has a special place in my heart.”
And Ryan Bascle, also making his stage debut, added: “‘No More Wasted Time’ knocks my socks off every time. The harmonies of these four powerhouses at once reverberates within my soul. Couple that with a message of breaking out of patriarchal expectations and you get to the heart of what I think this show is about: forging your own path regardless of the direction or outcome.”
From my own spot in the ensemble, I can confirm there’s no lull in this score. It’s a true no-skip album, with numbers like What the F*ck?, Ain’t No Man Manhattan, Surprise, and of course What If? Each is a multiverse adventure that will leave you breathless to see how profoundly the timelines diverge. Rounding out the ensemble is Molly Parker, Alicia Brite, Casper Haringcaspel, Ryan Bascle, Mark James and yours truly, Samantha Hancock. And let me just say: this ensemble is the hardest-working bunch of NPCs I have ever worked with. We might be background New Yorkers, but we give it our all in every crosswalk, coffee sip, and subway shuffle.
CHALLENGES AND REWARDS
Tackling a Broadway show this complex isn’t a walk in the park. For Cameron Rollo, the challenge is vocal: “handling the high G# I have to keep singing!" Jackson Muir is breaking new ground: “This is the first time I’ve been in a role where my character is in a relationship.” Dom Bradley reflected on walking the fine line between Stephen’s flaws and his humanity: “He could be played as a complete asshole, but I like to think he’s got good qualities.”
Lisa Alsop added that part of the reward has been the process itself: “This show has so many different ways it can be interpreted, so it’s been really rewarding hearing each actor’s perspective for their character and working with such a talented group of people to present a considered and impactful performance.”
WHAT AUDIENCES CAN EXPECT
What makes If/Then unique is its sliding-doors structure. Dom Bradley said: “I think audiences will enjoy all the times we see a scene twice. There are many moments we do a scene, the worlds swap, then we see it again in the other timeline.”
There are plenty of hidden gems too. Lisa Alsop hinted: “The saga of Kate’s ring is something the audience might not notice, but we’ve put thought into.” Plus, my own little background romance with “sexy guitar guy” might not be something audiences consciously notice, but it’s a detail we’ve woven into our tracks because this show is all about those unseen choices and connections.
Rhona Bechaz adds, “I hope the audience finds special moments of reflection in the story. I personally find so many places where theatre mirrors life, and I know our audience will see themselves in the characters and their stories. I hope they leave with both a tear and a smile — our goal in theatre is to make our audience connect with our stories, and this one absolutely ticks ALL the boxes!” And after being part of the rehearsal room, I can safely say Rhona was right.
ADVICE FOR ELIZABETH
When asked what advice they’d give Elizabeth, the cast had plenty to say. “Choose out of love, not out of fear,” said Cameron Rollo. Lisa Alsop’s response was lighter: “Have a bev and chill out a bit.” Dom Bradley went straight to the point: “Make a f*cking decision. Don’t worry about the what-might-have-beens. Just think about what could be.”
Ryan Bascle offered this thoughtful advice: “I think I’d tell Beth the same thing I try to remind myself and others often — trust yourself. You never know if a decision is right until after you’ve made it, so trust yourself to handle it when things don’t go the way you’d hoped, and to be able to appreciate the good things that come while they’re there.”
Like Elizabeth, I have plenty of “what if” moments that replay in my mind. What if I had stayed in the career I was building before COVID pulled the rug out from under me? What if I had never posted that video of me singing, the one that was seen by the right person and swivelled my life in a completely new direction? Would I still be here, telling stories on and off the stage? Or would I be sitting in an office somewhere wishing I had followed the music instead? The roads not taken are always tempting to imagine.
That’s why If/Then hits home for so many of us. It’s not just Elizabeth's story, it’s all of ours. Every decision we make, or don’t make, nudges us in a new direction. Being part of this show reminds me that while we can’t live both timelines, we can choose to embrace the one we are in fully. As the lyric says, “You learn to love the not knowing...”
Yes, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll leave reflecting on your own “what if” moments.
Performances run at Arcana, 46 Evesham Street, Moorooka on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 October. Tickets are $49 (concession $45, groups 10+ $39) and are available now!
One woman. Two paths. Infinite possibilities.
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