Don Lane is an undisputed treasure of Australian entertainment. So who better than his own son, to bring his incredible life story to the stage.
'I Love Your Faces: The Don Lane Story' is so much more than a mere musical tribute to a beloved icon.
Produced by and starring Don's son PJ Lane, the show gives Don's life and legacy the extravagant treatment it deserves. "It's been brewing in my head for about 15 years," PJ says.
"I got approached at the funeral of his old writer. . . by a bunch of industry people saying: 'We want to make a documentary about your dad's life.'
"I'd had this idea for a long time and that was my cue to say: 'Hang on, I'm all for this but his life is a musical spectacular, not a documentary.'
"It's an interesting concept because we are going with something that's new. We are selling emotion, but it's a story and the idea of intergenerational love, it's the passing of a torch, so to speak.
"That's not a simple thing to sell. That's not a simple Sinatra tribute or [an] Elvis tribute, it's a little bit different. My father's life and how that hasn't been made into a biopic is beyond me.
"They've done biopics on everyone around him from that era, and he was the most famous man in Australia for ten years. So, we're doing that and we're doing it live."
Don Lane holds a special place in the hearts and memories of countless Australians. From his early days as a crooner in the '60s to his career peak as host of 'The Don Lane Show', and later work as a sportscaster who introduced NFL to Australian viewers, he easily ingratiated himself into our homes, lives, and the cultural fabric of our country.
In 'I Love Your Faces: The Don Lane Story', PJ has created something that encapsulates the inescapable influence of his father and the wide appeal he held for decades. "There are the different generations," PJ says.
"We have women over 80 who used to love him in the 1960s, then of course there's 'The Don Lane Show' crowd, which is still out there and pretty huge, and then there's the sport crowd.
"It seems to resonate with all those crowds that come along. Once they're in the seat and they see it, they understand it. Then they tell two friends and they tell two friends, and it's this slow burn of popularity."
The show has been making its way northwards up the east coast since launching in Melbourne last year to multiple standing ovations at its premiere.
"Right now, it's a regional tour working our way through New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, getting runs on the board and getting it right," PJ says.
"It seems to be we're recruiting the audience now; they come along, they tell people about us, start following us and it's this slow burn of following.
"It has impact and it has gravity with people. The messages we're getting after are really heartfelt and it seems to be affecting multiple generations of families."
I Love Your Faces: The Don Lane Story Tour Dates
Sat 9 May - Club Central (Sydney)
Sat 16 May - The Cube (Sydney)
Sat 30 May - Norths Cammeray (Sydney)
Sat 11 Jul - Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (Wollongong)
Sun 12 Jul - Goulburn Performing Arts Centre
Sat 5 Sep - Jetty Memorial Theatre (Coffs Harbour)
Sun 13 Sep - The Epping Club (Sydney)
Wed 16 Sep - Tamworth Capitol Theatre
Sun 18 Oct - The Auditorium (Northern Rivers)
Sun 8 Nov - Civic Theatre (Newcastle)
