News

The Wedding Singer announces new Sydney opening dates and an encore Melbourne season

An example of the incredible resilience in Australia’s live entertainment industry, David Venn Enterprises is proud to announce new opening dates for the feel-good ‘80s spectacular, The Wedding Singer, at Sydney’s State Theatre from 5 January, followed by an encore season at Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre from 27 January, with more cities to be announced.

Following rave reviews and sell out performances around the country, Melbourne and Sydney audiences can snap up the best seats by joining the waitlist at weddingsingermusical.com.au, counting down the days until tickets go on sale on 28 October.

Chase away the long-haul lockdown blues, get on your dancing shoes, and show us your best moves to celebrate all the fun of this adrenaline-charged hit! Locked down audiences are called on to perform their favourite iconic ‘80s dance moves, dressed in their best disco attire, to win opening night tickets and a VIP experience to the silliest, funniest, rom-com musical in town, for you and your dance posse (6 tickets total). Simply post a video on your Instagram and tag #weddingsingerau and @weddingsingerau to be in the draw. Entries close on 28 October.

The Australian premiere tour of the Tony Award nominated Broadway musical sees Sydney local Christian Charisiou star in his breakout title role as jilted-groom and nice guy Robbie Hart, lauded by critics as “even funnier than Adam Sandler”. The NIDA graduate draws from his experience, most notably for his critically acclaimed performances as Jamie Wellerstein in Ensemble Theatre’s production of The Last Five Years, and the title character in Hayes Theatre Co and LPD’s sold out season of Cry-Baby.

One of Australia’s most beloved musical theatre stars, Melbourne girl Teagan Wouters (Kinky Boots The Musical) shines in the role made famous by Drew Barrymore, Julia Sullivan (almost Julia Gulia!).

Rising mainstage and event Producer David Venn has had to be incredibly agile as he navigates touring during a pandemic. He said:

It’s no secret that it’s been an incredibly challenging time for Australia’s live entertainment industry. We’ve had to cancel and reschedule performances, make incredibly quick decisions to move cast and crew around the country, and think on our feet more times than we can count. After all of this, I feel incredibly fortunate to announce these new season dates and could not be more excited to welcome audiences back to the theatre. It’s a testament to our amazing cast and creatives, that we’ve had such a phenomenal response to the show and are able to continue the tour. We can’t wait to party with some all-out ‘80s fun!

Crowd favourite Stephen Mahy (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Saturday Night Fever, Mamma Mia!), was one of the original Jersey Boys and has a dedicated fan base Australia wide. The versatile performer perfectly personifies the role of slimy Wall Street poster boy Glen Guglia.

Rounding out the critically-acclaimed lead cast, Nadia Komazec (School Of Rock, Matilda) stars as the fabulously fun, Madonna-esque costume clad Holly, Ed Deganos (The Lion King) as the iconic George, celebrated character performer Susan-ann Walker (Xanadu, Les Misérables) as Robbie’s naughty beat-boxing Grandma Rosie, true triple threat Kirby Burgess (Barnum, Dirty Dancing) in the jaw-dropping role of Robbie’s villainous ex-girlfriend Linda, Haydan Hawkins (Miss Saigon, Into The Woods) as Sammy, and dynamite talent Hollie James (Shrek the Musical, Rocky Horror Show) as Angie.

The Tony nominated musical is directed by multi-Green Room Award nominated director Alister Smith, with a sparkling new soundtrack brought to life by Musical Director Daniel Puckey (Muriel’s Wedding The Musical, The Book of Mormon, The Wizard of Oz).

Following a Green Room Award for his work on Bring It On: The Musical, choreographer Michael Ralph (Georgy Girl, The Boy From Oz) has crafted explosive dance routines jam-packed with iconic ‘80s references.

David Venn Enterprises is known for its acclaimed Australian premiere production of Lin Manuel Miranda’s Bring It On: The Musical, as well as 50 Shades! The Musical Parody which continued touring Australia in 2021.

Following performances on Broadway and across the UK, The Wedding Singer features your favourite characters from the film, music by Matthew Sklar (Elf The Musical), lyrics by Chad Beguelin (Aladdin), and a book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. A long-time collaborator of Adam Sandler, Tim wrote the classic hit films Happy Gilmore and Billy Maddison, as well as several other Sandler-starring blockbusters in addition to The Wedding Singer.

COVID Safe measures will be in place for all performances, as per government regulations. More information is available via the websites for each venue.


David Venn Enterprises presents THE WEDDING SINGER

SYDNEY: State Theatre from January 5th.

MELBOURNE: State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne from Jan 27

Tickets on sale from October 28. Waitlist now at weddingsingermusical.com.au.

Gabi Bergman

Gabi Bergman (she/her) is a Melbourne-based performer and educator, and the current Deputy Editor-in-Chief of AussieTheatre.com. She holds a double degree in Theatre Studies and Film/Screen Studies, along with a Master of Teaching (Secondary Education). A passionate advocate for inclusion and diversity in the arts, Gabi brings her deep love of storytelling to the stage, the page, and the classroom. A lifelong lover of theatre, she spends more on tickets than she’d like to admit. Her most prized possession is her ever-growing collection of theatre programs.

Recent Posts

ROYO presents POLICE COPS THE MUSICAL Workshop Presentations at Battersea Arts Centre

Following a sell-out run at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe, two riotous hit-runs at Southwark Playhouse…

1 day ago

BURLESQUE THE MUSICAL Postpones West End Run to 2027 and Delays UK Tour Opening

The musical will now launch its national tour in Sunderland on 6 August, with its…

2 days ago

Uncle Fester’s earnest heart: Evan Lever on THE ADDAMS FAMILY

The Addams Family has endured for generations by holding two things in tension: it's a…

4 days ago

When Full Houses Are Not Enough, Broadway Has a Bigger Problem

The early closure of CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL is not evidence that audiences have abandoned…

4 days ago

Nicholas Bailey & Susan Penhaligon To Star In The 75th Anniversary UK Tour Of Agatha Christie’s THE MOUSETRAP

Producer, Brian Fenty, is delighted to announce that Nicholas Bailey and Susan Penhaligon will star…

4 days ago

‘Hadestown’ Welcomes Kelly Belarmino, KC Dela Cruz and Khori Michelle Petinaud as New Fates

Broadway’s Hadestown has introduced a new trio of Fates, with Kelly Belarmino, KC Dela Cruz…

4 days ago