Welcome to Stage Door Matters, where the house lights are up, the interval snacks are essential, and the Australian theatre calendar is doing absolutely nothing to calm down. This edition takes a whirl through what’s playing now, what’s about to burst onto stages, what’s newly announced, who’s flying the flag overseas, and who’s making magic behind the scenes. From big Broadway energy to local legends, dramatic staircases, fairytale chaos, and the occasional historically questionable life choice. Consider this your friendly theatrical roundup: less formal noticeboard, more overexcited foyer chat with someone who has definitely already read the program twice.
Brisbane
Upcoming – The Book of Mormon
Brisbane, prepare thyself… The Book of Mormon is coming to QPAC from July 31st, 2026. This is not a drill, a sermon, or a polite little musical with jazz hands and sensible morals. It is chaotic, cheeky, wildly inappropriate, absolutely hilarious, and probably the only time you can say you’re going to see missionaries and mean “I expect to laugh until I need medical attention.” So grab your tickets, bring your least shockable friend, and get ready for a night of holy heck, questionable life choices, and musical theatre mayhem. Amen, pass the interval snacks.
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.qpac.com.au/whats-on/2026/the-book-of-mormon
Melbourne
Current – Pride and Prejudice (*sort of)
Mr Darcy has entered the group chat and, regrettably, he has brought emotional repression, excellent tailoring, and the audacity to judge everyone at a party. Pride & Prejudice (*sort of) is touring Australia in 2026, dragging its five-star West End comedy chaos: bonnets, bickering, karaoke, bad decisions, and dangerously elevated levels of side-eye; through Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra, and Brisbane. It’s currently scandalising Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre until July 11th, before swanning off to the Sydney Opera House from July 16th, in a carriage with unresolved feelings and a playlist full of dramatic bangers. Tickets and details here: https://prideandprejudicesortof.com.au/
Current – The Book of Mormon
Turn it off? Absolutely not. Melbourne has turned it all the way up. Currently playing at the Princess Theatre until July 19th, The Book of Mormon is the gloriously unfiltered, multi-Tony Award-winning Broadway smash from the creators of South Park. It’s sharp, chaotic, wildly cheeky and packed with the kind of musical theatre madness that makes you laugh first and question your life choices later.
Official Website: https://thebookofmormonmusical.com.au/
Current – Waitress the Musical
Playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre until July 19th, Waitress the Musical is serving up one final, bittersweet slice of Broadway before closing early. With music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, this heartfelt musical follows Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker, as she dreams of a fresh start and something sweeter than the life she’s been handed. It’s warm, funny, tender, and just a little heartbreaking. The kind of show that reminds you sometimes the last slice is the one you really don’t want to say goodbye to.
Official Website: https://waitressthemusical.com.au/
Upcoming – Ned Kelly the Musical
The Kelly Gang is riding into town, and this time they’re bringing an orchestra. Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly: The Musical comes to Union Theatre, The University of Melbourne, from July 24th to 25th, 2026, after an acclaimed Ballarat season, ready to drag Australia’s most notorious bushranger out of the history books and straight into the spotlight. Written by Reg Livermore AO, with music by Patrick Flynn, this bold Victorian Opera revival follows the life, legend, and loaded question of Ned Kelly: folk hero, outlaw, cold-blooded killer, or colonial-era chaos magnet with the most recognisable helmet in Australian history? Starring Ethan Jones as Ned Kelly, alongside Maria Mercedes as Ma Kelly, Robert Grubb as Superintendent Hare, Rohan Campbell as Aaron Sherritt, Liam Head as Joe Byrne, Darcy Wain as Steve Hart, Luke London as Dan Kelly and Chelsea Dawson as Kate Kelly: plus, Reg Livermore AO himself in a special cameo as Mr Tarleton, the Bank Manager; this is bushranger balladry with theatrical firepower. Expect armour, ambition, betrayal, troopers, bank business, colonial dust, courtroom thunder, and the kind of musical theatre standoff that makes “such is life” feel less like a final line and more like a very dramatic interval mood. Saddle the horses, polish the tin helmet, and keep one eye on the constabulary- Ned is back, and Melbourne has been officially bailed up.
Official Website: https://www.victorianopera.com.au/production/reg-livermores-ned-kelly-the-musical-melbourne/
Upcoming – Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman: The Musical is bringing all the Hollywood sparkle, thigh-high boot confidence, and credit-card-on-Rodeo-Drive chaos to Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from July14th, 2026. Based on the beloved rom com, this glossy stage hit follows Vivian and Edward as they stumble through glamour, romance, class clashes, and feelings they absolutely did not schedule into the itinerary. Expect big laughs, big songs, big heart, and the kind of makeover moment that makes you want to storm a boutique purely for character development. Melbourne, consider this your invitation to head to Hollywood without leaving Collins Street.
Official Website: https://prettywomanthemusical.com.au/
Upcoming – SIX
Divorced, beheaded, died… but make it pop concert. SIX the Musical opens at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre on July 24th, taking Henry VIII’s six wives out of the history books and dropping them straight into the spotlight, where each queen gets the mic, the attitude, and the chance to absolutely roast the man who made them famous for all the wrong reasons. It’s part musical, part concert, part Tudor group therapy session, packed with killer vocals, glittering costumes, savage one-liners, and enough historical side-eye to make Henry’s portrait sweat. These queens are rewriting their stories, reclaiming the narrative, and proving that 500 years later, the wives are still the main event.
Official Website: https://sixthemusical.com.au
Sydney
Current – Anastasia
Playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre until July 18th, Anastasia is sweeping audiences into “A Rumor in St. Petersburg” before carrying them through imperial Russia, revolution, mystery, and the glittering streets of 1920s Paris. Inspired by the enduring legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov; the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, whose story sparked decades of speculation. This Broadway adventure follows a young woman searching for home, identity, and belonging. Sydney has it now, but not for long… soon it’s heading to Adelaide, so consider this your sign to get “On the Neva Flows” stuck in your head and board the musical theatre train before it leaves the station.
Official Website: https://anastasiathemusical.com.au/
Current – Mackenzie
What if Macbeth was a 13-year-old child star with a prophecy, a stage mum, and absolutely no chill? Enter Mackenzie, a world-premiere Bell Shakespeare production playing at Sydney’s The Neilson Nutshell until July 18th, 2026, before transferring to Arts Centre Melbourne from July 23rd. Created by Yve Blake, the award-winning writer behind FANGIRLS, this camp, dark and deliciously deranged new play with songs reimagines Shakespeare’s blood-soaked tragedy through early-2000s pop culture, child stardom, fame hunger and celebrity obsession. Think less “Is this a dagger which I see before me?” and more “Is this a callback email, a brand deal, and my mum having a breakdown in the green room?” With ambition bubbling like a witches’ cauldron and stage-parent energy that could absolutely unseat a Scottish king, Mackenzie proves that fair is foul, foul is fame, and showbiz may be even more ruthless than medieval Scotland.
Official Website: https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/mackenzie
Current – The Lion King
From the moment the sun rises over the savannah, The Lion King at the Capitol Theatre reminds audiences why this Disney Broadway phenomenon has become one of the most beloved theatrical experiences in the world. This is not just a musical; it is a full-body goosebump event, where breathtaking puppetry, stunning masks, sweeping choreography and the unforgettable music of Elton John and Tim Rice come together to create something truly spectacular. With songs like “Circle of Life,” “He Lives in You,” “Shadowland,” and “Endless Night,” the production moves from joyful wonder to deep emotion, following Simba’s journey through grief, identity, courage and the difficult but beautiful task of finding his way home. It is grand, moving, visually jaw-dropping, and the kind of show that makes you feel like you are eight years old again, staring at the stage with your mouth open, while also quietly having an emotional crisis about destiny, family and talking lions. A true theatrical roar.
Official Website: https://thelionkingmusical.com.au/
Current – Hair
Running until Sunday, July 12th, the sun shines 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
Upcoming – The Addams Family
They’re creepy, they’re kooky, and they are absolutely coming to dinner. The Addams Family is bringing its delightfully weird, wonderfully macabre musical chaos to Hayes Theatre Co from July 11th to August 9th 2026, serving up Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday and the whole gloriously odd clan in a night of dark humour, family drama, spooky romance and toe-tapping mayhem. Based on the iconic characters created by Charles Addams, this fun and freaky musical asks what happens when love, secrets and one very unusual family dinner collide; which, knowing the Addamses, probably means someone is emotionally traumatised, someone is dramatically in love, and someone is enjoying the chaos a little too much. Snap snap.
Official Website: https://hayestheatre.com.au/event/the-addams-family/
Perth
Current – MJ The Musical
Moonwalking across the boards at Crown Theatre until Sunday, July 19th, MJ The Musical is in 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/
Treading the Boards …
My Fair Higgins
By George, she’s got it and now My Fair Lady has its Professor Higgins. Nathaniel Parker (Inspector Lynley Mysteries) has been announced as Henry Higgins in the 70th anniversary Australian season, starring alongside Claire Lyon as Eliza Doolittle, with Freddy Hellier making his mainstage debut as Freddy. Opening at the Sydney Opera House in September before heading to Arts Centre Melbourne in November, this lavish recreation of the Julie Andrews-directed Australian production brings all the wit, glamour, transformation and “please stop emotionally terrorising the flower girl in the name of vowels” energy back to the stage. With classics like “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?,” “I Could Have Danced All Night” and Freddy’s swoony “On the Street Where You Live,” it’s a loverly celebration of one of musical theatre’s greats; and yes, the rain in Spain may stay mainly in the plain, but the excitement is currently falling directly over Australia.
Official Website: https://myfairladythemusical.com.au
The Buzz … Recently Announced Shows
Into Her Majesty’s Theatre
Careful what you wish for… because Into the Woods is heading to Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide from August 22nd to 29th 2026, and the fairytales are absolutely not behaving themselves. Hugh Sheridan returns to Adelaide as the Baker, with Johanna Allen as the Baker’s Wife, Jessica Dean as Cinderella, Eliza Brill-Reed as Little Red Riding Hood, and Rosie Hosking as the Witch, leading a spellbinding State Opera South Australia production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s beloved musical. Cinderella wants the ball, Jack wants his cow back, the Baker and his Wife want a child, Little Red wants snacks and absolutely nobody appears to have read the fine print on “happily ever after.” It’s funny, clever, magical and quietly devastating in that classic Sondheim way, where one minute, you’re laughing about beans and the next you’re emotionally unpacking consequences, grief, family, and questionable woodland decision-making. A fairytale fever dream with gorgeous music, sharp wit and one very important lesson: do not trust mysterious beans.
Official Website: https://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/into-the-woods
Aussies Abroad
Sunset Boulevard
Aussies abroad, but make it old Hollywood, doomed glamour, and one extremely dramatic staircase. Sunset Boulevard is heading to Japan for a strictly limited Tokyo season at Tokyu Theatre Orb from July 10th to August 1st, 2026, and the Australian talent is not just present it is practically taking over! The cast includes David Sirianni, Tom Sharah, Campbell Braithwaite, Rachel Cole, Samantha Morley, Mary McCorry, Nigel Huckle, Morgan Palmer, Peter Ho, Charlotte Page, Amy Berrisford, Regan Barber, Leah Lim, Madison Green, Michael Cormick, Genevieve Kingsford, Tod Strike and Mia Dabkowski Chandler. From Australia to Asia, our theatre people do not simply travel overseas – they arrive, belt, brood, descend staircases, and steal the scene.
Official Website: https://sunsetmusicalasia.com/cast/
No kangaroos in Austria … but there is one very talented Aussie! Huge congratulations to Liam Peel, who is officially twisting his way into Vienna to join the magical cast of Beauty and the Beast. From Australia to Austria: same letters, fewer roos, more pretzels, and one very exciting fairytale adventure. 🌹 We can’t wait to see him bring the magic to the stage!
In the Green Room with … Madeline Ybarzabal
Meet Madeline Ybarzabal; co-founder of Stage Arts Geelong, theatre creative, vocal coach, mum of three, and one of six, which explains both her excellent crowd control and her ability to project over chaos. With a background in performance and a passion for arts education, Madeline brings warmth, humour, and serious stage know-how to everything she does. She is the kind of person who can guide a young performer through a song, run a room full of theatre kids, and probably still remember who needs jazz shoes, water, snacks, and emotional support.
What is your name, what do you do in theatre, and what is one theatre habit you have that would confuse people outside the industry?
My name is Madeline Ybarzabal. I was a performer, and now I am a vocal coach and run Stage Arts Geelong, a performing arts school. One theatre habit I have that would probably confuse people outside the industry is that I stretch my tongue or lip trill at completely random times. Totally normal to us, slightly alarming to everyone else.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you earlier in your theatre journey?
I wish mindset tools had been more available and spoken about much more. The science behind performance and audition anxiety is so well researched and accessible now, and I think it is incredibly important for performers to understand what is happening in their bodies and minds, rather than just being told to “push through it.”
What is one thing you think every performer should experience at least once?
I think everyone should play more. We would all be happier if we allowed ourselves to play more, create more freely, and remember that joy is such an important part of the performing arts.
What is your go-to beverage order during rehearsals or production week, and what does it say about you?
A latte with one sugar or a Pinot noir, depending on the hour. It probably says I’m a tired mum. 😂
After a big rehearsal, show, or production week, how do you unwind?
My kids bring me right back down to earth and back into the present moment. They have a beautiful way of reminding me what really matters. ❤️
What is your dream show, creative project, or theatre opportunity?
I actually think I’m living my dream. I get to nurture, inspire and share my passion with young people, and it is the best. Our school is about to launch specific programs for neurodivergent students, which really excites me. I love how useful and powerful the performing arts can be for all kids and adults alike.
WRITER
Stage Door Matters is written by Nic Conolly (she/they) for Theatre Matters, an Australian-based theatre publication. By day, Nic works as a Teacher Aide; by night, they can usually be found loitering in a theatre foyer, pretending this is a personality trait and not a lifestyle choice. Nic’s background includes performing in a travelling Australian circus, teaching circus arts, and being involved in local productions- which explains the dramatic flair and lack of inside voice. They saw their first show, Cats under the Big Top, and have been in a committed relationship with theatre ever since.
