Encore!
I am back – and no, unlike The Phantom of the Opera, I have not been lurking dramatically beneath QPAC this whole time. For those who do not know me, my name is Nic (she/they) and I am a Brisbane-based theatre enthusiast with a passion for the arts, teaching, and inclusion. Due to university commitments, my regular theatre column took a long interval. But the curtain is rising once again with a new name, fresh energy, and the same informative spirit. I cannot wait to share what is happening in the world of Australian professional musical theatre: from major productions and casting news to theatre chatter, openings, closings, and everything in between. If you would like anything included, you can find Theatre Matters on your friendly social media platforms, or email me at: nicconolly@gmail.com
Around the traps, it is less “empty chairs at empty tables” and more full houses and final bows so let us see what is “defying gravity” this June …
Adelaide
From June 8th – Pretty Woman: the Musical
Playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Pretty Woman: the Musical is heading to Hollywood with glamour, charm, and a whole lot of “big mistake, huge!” energy. Starring Samantha Jade as Vivian Ward, this dazzling stage adaptation brings the beloved romantic comedy to life with an original score by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, plus direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell.
Adelaide Festival Centre: https://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/pretty-woman
Ticketek tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=PWOMAN26
Brisbane
Current – Georgy Girl: The Seekers Musical
Playing at Twelfth Night Theatre, Georgy Girl: The Seekers Musical is giving Brisbane audiences something to hum about. This official Queensland premiere production, presented by On the Boards Theatre Company, celebrates the story and songs of The Seekers in a professional independent production full of nostalgia, heart, and those unmistakable harmonies.
Ticketek Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=GEORGIRL26&v=TTN
Twelfth Night Theatre: https://twelfthnight.com.au/events/
From June 7th– Beetlejuice the Musical
Karis Oka as Lydia Deetz
Brisbane, Brisbane, Brisbane … Playing all month at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre, Beetlejuice the Musical brings Tim Burton’s cult classic to life in an irreverent, high-energy Broadway hit. Featuring an original score by Australia’s own Eddie Perfect, this production is strange, spectacular, and seriously fun.
Official Website: https://beetlejuicethemusical.com.au
Tickets: https://www.qpac.com.au/whats-on/2026/beetlejuice-the-musical
Melbourne
Current – The Book of Mormon
Hello! Playing all month at the Princess Theatre, The Book of Mormon is the outrageously funny, multi-Tony Award-winning Broadway satire from the creators of South Park. Bold, cheeky and wildly popular, this musical comedy continues to be one of Broadway’s biggest crowd-pleasers.
Official Website: https://thebookofmormonmusical.com.au/
Princess Theatre / Marriner Group: https://marrinergroup.com.au/shows/the-book-of-mormon-2026
Tickets: https://thebookofmormonmusical.com.au/tickets/melbourne/
Current – Waitress the Musical
Now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Waitress the Musical is serving up a sweet slice of Broadway with plenty of heart, humour and just enough pie to make you question your interval snack choices. Featuring music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, this deliciously heartfelt musical follows Jenna, a waitress, and expert pie-maker, as she searches for a fresh start.
Official Website: https://waitressthemusical.com.au/
Tickets: https://waitressthemusical.com.au/tickets/melbourne/
From June 18th – Pride and Prejudice (sort of)
Pride and Prejudice (sort of) is bringing Austen, attitude and absolute chaos to the at the Athenaeum Theatre stage. This Olivier Award-winning musical comedy retells Jane Austen’s iconic love story with five fearless women, pop classics, microphones and enough romantic tension to make Mr Darcy dramatically exit through a lake.
Official Website: https://prideandprejudicesortof.com.au/
Melbourne Venue Page: https://www.athenaeumtheatre.com.au/shows/pride-prejudice-sort-of
Sydney
Current – Anastasia
Playing through 5 July at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, Anastasia is taking audiences on a journey to the past and all the way from imperial Russia to 1920s Paris. This sweeping Broadway adventure follows a young woman searching for home, identity, and belonging.
Official Website: https://anastasiathemusical.com.au/
Sydney Lyric Event Page: https://www.sydneylyric.com.au/anastasia/ Tickets: https://anastasiathemusical.com.au/tickets/sydney/
Current – The Lion King
Playing all month at the Capitol Theatre, The Lion King is ready to make audiences feel the love tonight. Disney’s visually stunning Broadway phenomenon roars to life with world-class puppetry, breathtaking staging and iconic music by Elton John and Tim Rice.
Official Website: https://thelionkingmusical.com.au/
Capitol Theatre Event Page: https://www.capitoltheatre.com.au/the-lion-king
Tickets: https://thelionkingmusical.com.au/tickets/
Current – Tootsie
Now playing at TEATRO at the Italian Forum, Tootsie is dressing Sydney up in big laughs, bigger ambition, and enough showbiz chaos to require a quick-change artist on standby. Making its Australian premiere, this fast-paced Broadway musical plays with identity, ego, and the lengths one performer will go to for a role because sometimes breaking into show business takes heels, heart, and an exceptionally good wig.
Official Website: https://teatroitalianforum.com.au/date/tootsie/
Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/tootsie-tickets/artist/2728443
From June 6th– Hair
Opening at Theatre Royal Sydney, Hair is letting the sunshine in with peace, love, rebellion, and a whole lot of rock-musical energy. Presented by the Australian Shakespeare Company and directed by Glenn Elston OAM, this major professional tour features a fully professional cast, crew and live band. Expect big voices, big hair, and even bigger flower-power vibes.
Official website: https://shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/hair-sydney
Tickets: https://www.theatreroyalsydney.com/events/season-2026/hair/
Perth
Current – Footloose: The Musical
Playing until 14 June at The Regal Theatre, Footloose: The Musical is cutting loose in Perth with all the high-energy choreography, big 80s anthems and dance-floor rebellion you could want.
Official Website: https://footloosethemusical.com/perth/
Regal Theatre Event Page: https://www.regaltheatre.com.au/
Ticketek Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=FOOTLPER26
From June 6th– MJ The Musical
Opening at Crown Theatre, MJ The Musical is ready to moonwalk into Perth for its final Australian tour stop. This explosive Broadway musical celebrates the life, artistry, and iconic moves of Michael Jackson.
Official Website: https://mjthemusical.com.au/
Crown Theatre event page: https://www.crownperth.com.au/entertainment/crown-theatre/shows/mj-the-musical
Tickets: https://mjthemusical.com.au/tickets/perth/
Aussies Abroad
Aussies Taking Centre Stage Overseas
It is not just Australian stages lighting up at the moment, a few familiar names are also making serious noise overseas. From the Moulin Rouge to the barricade, Broadway and beyond, these performers are proving that Australian talent really does know how to hit its mark.
Sarah Bowden – Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Sarah Bowden is currently can-canning her way through Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre as Nini, the fierce principal dancer of the club. Having also performed the role on the North American tour, Bowden is bringing precision, power, and plenty of rouge to the stage.
David Harris – Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Also flying the Aussie flag at the Moulin Rouge is David Harris, starring as The Duke of Monroth. He is sharing the stage with Bowden in the Broadway production, bringing brooding charm, villain energy and enough dramatic tension to make the windmill spin a little faster.
Daniel Assetta – & Juliet
Daniel Assetta is currently performing nightly in the Broadway company of & Juliet at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. He plays Henry and is also the primary understudy for William Shakespeare and Lance. He is keeping one foot in the ensemble and the other ready to rewrite the ending; no quill required.
Kyla Bartholomeusz – Chess
Kyla Bartholomeusz is currently making all the right moves in Chess on Broadway. After her work in Hamilton, she is now part of another major musical moment, proving that when it comes to Australian talent overseas, it is definitely checkmate.
Hayden Tee- Les Misérables
Hayden Tee; technically a New Zealander, but we are claiming him with full musical-theatre confidence, is currently starring as Javert in the US tour of Les Misérables. With powerhouse vocals and serious “Stars” energy, Tee continues to prove that no one patrols the barricade quite like him.
Phoebe Panaretos – Sinatra the Musical
Australian performer Phoebe Panaretos is currently bringing old-school glamour to the West End as Nancy Sinatra in Sinatra the Musical at London’s Aldwych Theatre. After first originating the role in the world premiere Birmingham Rep season, Panaretos is stepping into the spotlight once again, proving she can do it her way, with classic Sinatra style.
