She isn't one to shy away from portraying some of the biggest artists of our time. Having mastered the world of Adele, Naomi Price is embracing the crazy and unpredictable life of Miley Cyrus in 'Wrecking Ball'.
With Miley Cyrus currently hauling her giant hand and tongue around the nation on her 'Bangerz' tour, Naomi shares her five favourite Miley hits that she performs in 'Wrecking Ball'.
Wrecking Ball
This is hands down Miley’s best song in my mind. As the second single off her latest album Bangerz, Wrecking Ball displays a musical maturity and vulnerability we hadn’t seen from Miley previously. It was a very smart follow-up to We Can’t Stop, too, as something completely different. Without giving too much away, our treatment of the song is quite haunting and reminiscent of a young girl’s musical jewellery box.Party In The USA
Party in the USA is a perfect pop song and the Wrecking Ball band absolutely loves rocking out to it. Prior to the release of 'Bangerz', 'Party in the USA' was Miley’s top-charting song. It’s got a killer hook and it’s impossible not to smile while singing it. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if groups of girlfriends sing along to this one.The House That Built Me
This song, made famous by American country singer Miranda Lambert, made it onto the 'Wrecking Ball' set list very early on in the creative development. It’s a gorgeous ballad about returning home as an adult and reconnecting with the past. The song’s narrator describes returning to the house that she grew up in and asking its new owner if she could take a look around. After moving to Australia from the UK on my own over ten years ago, it’s definitely a song that speaks to me personally. When I return home every couple of years to my family home in Brighton, the nostalgia that floods me is unlike any other feeling. 'The House That Built Me' is an important song in the show, narratively, and to show a softer side to Miley.9 To 5
A little-known fact about Miley is that the incomparable Dolly Parton is her Godmother! Dolly is the Queen of country, and this is my favourite song of hers, so it’s a delight to include it in the show. Those who caught the premiere season of 'Wrecking Ball' in May will know that we have a lot of cheeky fun with this particular song and take audiences on a bit of a ride. This is our hoe-down song, and we know how much Miley likes to hoe down!
The Climb
Anyone who’s seen me sing before knows how much I enjoy belting out a power ballad! 'The Climb' is another of Miley’s top songs, from the 'Hannah Montana' movie in 2009. When the song was selected for the film, the director told songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe that it would change Miley’s life, and in many ways it did. Our show is set at Hannah Montana’s wake, and 'The Climb' is Miley’s tribute to her.
'Wrecking Ball' plays at the Judith Wright Centre from the 21st to the 29th November.
