Rachael Beck

Rachael Elizabeth Beck (born 9 February 1971) is an Australian stage and television singer-actress. From 1991 to 1994 Beck had a major role on the popular sitcom, '' Hey Dad..!'', as Samantha Kelly. From 2006 to 2008, Beck appeared on all three seasons of Seven Network's celebrity singing competition '' It Takes Two'', as a singing coach successively for Mark Furze, Ernie Dingo and Mark Wilson. She has appeared in the Australian musical theatre productions of ''Cats'' (1985), Disney's ''Beauty and the Beast'' (1995–96), ''Les Misérables'' (1995–96), ''The Sound of Music'' (August 2000 to February 2001), ''Cabaret'', ''Singing in the Rain'' and ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang''. Beck released her first solo album ''This Girl'' on 7 March 2014.

Biography

Beck grew up in Sydney, and her father John Beck directed her in school musicals. She has a brother and sister. At nine-years-old, Beck was performing at Eisteddfods where she sang "The Count" (from ''Sesame Street''). She attended SCECGS Redlands school in Sydney.

Beck was married to Australian actor, Ian Stenlake.

Beck is an ambassador for the Australian Children's Music Foundation, a non-profit organisation which aims to provide musical instruments to children in disadvantaged, remote and indigenous communities in Australia.

Television

Following a guest stint on soap ''Home and Away'' in 1990, Rachael was cast in the regular role of Claudia Rossi in the serial ''Family and Friends''.

From 1991 to 1994 she had a major role on the popular sitcom, '' Hey Dad..!'', as Samantha Kelly. Her other television credits include brief stints on ''Home and Away'' and as a reporter for '' Postcards WA''.

From 2006 to 2008, Beck appeared on all three seasons of Seven Network's celebrity singing competition '' It Takes Two''. In 2006 she earned third place with ''Home and Away'' actor Mark Furze. In 2007 she partnered Ernie Dingo, finishing fourth overall. In 2008 she partnered Mark Wilson from ''Dancing with the Stars''.

In October 2007 Beck appeared on Nine Network's practical joke series, ''Surprise Surprise Gotcha'', where a prank was played on her. In 2020 Beck voiced the character of Azaria Chamberlain in the animated Australian TV show, '' Regular Old Bogan''.

Theatre

At the age of 13 she auditioned for the Sydney premiere of ''Cats'' but was considered too young, she took the role of Rumpleteazer for its Melbourne premiere in 1985.

Beck has starred in a number of Australian theatre productions. In 1992 she performed the title role in ''Young Judy'' – a one-woman show on the early life of Judy Garland – written by her father, John. She appeared in the Australian stage productions of Disney's ''Beauty and the Beast'' (1995–1996) as Belle opposite Hugh Jackman, (the cast recording of which won an ARIA Music Award for best cast album of 1996) ''Les Misérables'' as Fantine (1997–98), ''The Sound of Music'' (August 2000 to February 2001), taking over from Lisa McCune as Maria for the Perth and Adelaide productions), ''Cabaret'' as Sally Bowles, ''Singing in the Rain'' as Kathy Selden. In 2006, Beck (as Gladys Hotchkiss) appeared alongside her husband Ian Stenlake (as Sid Sorokin) in a stage production of ''The Pajama Game'' at Melbourne's State Theatre.

In September 2007 Beck undertook the role of Beth in the Australia and New Zealand live concert tour of '' Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds – Alive on Stage''. She was cast opposite Michael Falzon (Artilleryman) and Shannon Noll (Parson) as well as album alumni Chris Thompson, and Justin Hayward in their original roles. The cast performed with the holographic head of narrator Richard Burton, as well as musical talents of the 48-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings and 10-piece Black Smoke Band, conducted by composer Jeff Wayne.

During January and February 2012, Beck appeared in the role of Claire in Squabbalogic's premiere of Adam Gwon's chamber musical ''Ordinary Days'' at Sydney's Darlinghurst Theatre with Michael Falzon (Jason), Erica Lovell (Deb) and Jay James Moody (Warren).

She appeared in Enda Markeys April gala concert ''Side by Side by Sondheim'' in Sydney featuring Ruthie Henshall before joining Falzon again in September in the touring company of ''Side by Side by Sondheim''. The touring production, which saw Beck perform in Canberra included Geraldine Turner and Jessica Rowe.

In November she originated the role of Truly Scrumptious in Australia for the national premiere of ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'' at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney. Beck remained with the tour throughout 2013.

Beck appeared with fellow ''Ordinary Days'' co-star Michael Falzon for A Swingin' Christmas Proms 2014 for Adelaide Festival Centre on 12 and 13 December 2014. Also performing were the Adelaide Art Orchestra under the direction of Timothy Sexton. She teamed up with Falzon again in 2016, as well as Alexandra Flood, Luke Kennedy and Queensland Symphony Orchestra for Queensland Ballet's season of Strictly Gershwin.

Discography

The Australian cast album of ''Beauty and the Beast''
* "Belle" with Zachary McCay, Hugh Jackman, Kelly Aykers, Laura Hamilton, Kerry Peters, Ensemble
* "No Matter What" with Ernie Bourne