Shows
Peter Waterman began his career in Perth Western Australia as a tennis coach and football coach in the professional arena. He also had a passion to perform music during this time and began singing in some of Perth’s top bands during the 60’s and 70’s.
He met co-writer Rod Christian in 1967 and they formed a band together, playing Perth’s circuit of hotels, cabarets and night clubs. Peter trained as a primary school teacher in these years, completed a Masters degree in Education and went on to become the Principal of Tammin Primary school and, subsequently, Hyden Primary School in the wheatbelt of Western Australia.
Much later in1989 Peter approached Rod with an idea to write a rock ‘n roll musical based on their experiences in bands during the 60’s. The first draft of Cruisin looked pretty ordinary, but then Rod suggested incorporating the ethnic ingredient of an Italian family and their struggle to survive immigration and the “perils” of coming to terms with their son being involved in a rock and roll band.
In the years that followed, many long distance phone calls and meetings in coffee shops and at each others’ houses, numerous interruptions to family life, re-writes, new songs, additions, subtractions, the musical Cruisin was ready for showcasing.
In 2003 Peter moved to a teaching position in Sydney and, with Rod’s help, produced the first major workshop production of Cruisin’ at the Hills Entertainment Centre, Castle Hill New South Wales. Peter had to finance this amazing production using his family home as collateral. He moved back to Perth in 2006 and the first major pro-am production of Cruisin was staged at the Regal Theatre in Subiaco.
This show was produced by the Rotary Club of Balcatta and also by Rod and his wife Glenda. Star of the show was Glenn Shorrock of Little River Band fame. The success of this production secured Cruisin as a major Australian musical in association with David Spicer Productions with shows being produced in The UK, Canada, New Zealand and in schools and colleges throughout Australia.
Peter Waterman is currently Principal of the Montessouri School in Leederville Western Australia.
Website: www.cruisinthemusical.com