Blake Bowden is currently playing the lead role of Elder Price in the musical The Book of Mormon. In July he premiered his new concert show Straight from the Hart at Noosa Alive! Accompanied by a nine-piece band, the show celebrates lyricist Lorenz Hart’s tumultuous life, his wonderfully witty way with words, and his collaboration with Richard Rodgers. Bowden has also released an EP featuring six of the songs. He talks to Limelight about the project.

Blake Bowden. Photographs supplied

Why did you decide to focus on Lorenz Hart for your new cabaret show?

I have always been drawn to music from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. I think so much of what we listen to today is heavily influenced by that period of writing. But mostly I was drawn to Lorenz because of the depth and the wit of his lyrics. It isn’t always true that what a lyricist writes is autobiographical but you can not help but feel like you get to know Lorenz Hart the more you listen to his songs.

What is it about his writing that you love?

I feel like his words reveal so much about the man, the life he lived,...