What’s in store for Australia? Major musicals update

Annie (tour)

Annie is currently playing at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre (until August 12) and will transfer to Burswood Theatre Perth from 24 August for 5 weeks only.

Anthony Warlow finishes his contract with the show on August 7, after which he will join the Broadway revival cast for rehearsals ahead of previews in October. Bert Newton and Michael Cormick will join the Australian cast shortly, replacing Warlow and Allan Jones.

A Chorus Line (tour)

This extremely successful revival of Michael Bennett’s 1975 Broadway smash will open at the Capitol Theatre Sydney on July 21. The production will tour to Perth (20 October) and Brisbane (16 November).

Moonshadow

This world premiere musical is currently playing at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne. Reviews have been mixed, and while it has been rumoured that the show may transfer to Sydney after the 12 week season nothing has been confirmed at this stage.

An Officer and a Gentleman

Another world premiere musical playing at the Lyric Theatre Sydney. The opening week of this brand new work attracted a great deal of media attention, with a particular focus on the review and subsequent rebuttal in The Australian. The very short season (much shorter than anticipated) will end on July 1 2012.

Side By Side By Sondheim (tour)

The new touring cast of this classic Sondheim revue includes Michael Falzon (pictured) and Geraldine Turner, (replacing Enda Markey and Margi de Ferranti). Rachel Beck and Jessica Rowe will continue with the tour.

South Pacific

Starring Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Lisa McCune, Eddie Perfect and Kate Ceberano, this production is set to commence rehearsals next month ahead of an 11 August Opening Night at the Sydney Opera House. The show will play 4 weeks only at ‘The House’ before transferring to the Princess Theatre Melbourne on September 13.

Next To Normal

Directed by Tyran Parke and starring Ian Stenlake and Michelle Doake, the NSW premiere of Next To Normal will play at the Capitol Theatre Sydney from September 13 – 7 October.

Updated Monday 25 June:
Next To Normal Sydney season has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond the Producer’s control. Read more 

Jersey Boys

The smash hit musical Jersey Boys returns to Australia to play Adelaide and Brisbane this year. Brisbane season kicks off at the Lyric Theatre QPAC from 13 July (official opening on 15 July). Adelaide will welcome the Jersey Boys from October 26 at the Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre.

Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde is one of the most highly anticipated productions of 2012, and it is expected to be a huge success for GFO and Howard Panter. Starring Lucy Durack, Rob Mills, Cameron Daddo and David Harris, the production will open on 4 October 2012 at the Lyric Theatre, Sydney.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

This family friendly musical will be the final production for the year at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, commencing its run on 16 November 2012. Produced by Tim Lawson of TML Enterprises, the cast for this show is yet to be announced.

The Addams Family

Produced by Newtheatricals, this adaptation of the popular TV series will open at the Capitol Theatre Sydney in March 2013. An official cast announcement is expected imminently.

King Kong

Although King Kong is still 12 months away from opening at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre, the producers (Global Creatures) have begun posting interviews with creatives and team members to generate interest. Opening June 2013 with an international seasons to follow. Due to the scale of the production, no Australian tour will be possible.

Strictly Ballroom

Also presented by Global Creatures, this world premiere musical was announced in May last year for Sydney. The show is set to open at the Lyric Theatre, The Star in September 2013. No cast have been confirmed at this stage.

Ghost

Set to open in Melbourne at Her Majesty’s Theatre in August 2013, this West End and Broadway sensation will feature an all Australian cast. Casting is yet to commence.

The Lion King

Disney’s Mary Poppins may have flown out of Australia (seasons in New Zealand and Singapore are confirmed), but the media giant are bringing their well loved family spectacular The Lion King back to the Capitol Theatre Sydney in December 2013 for an anticipated 8 month season. No tour was ‘announced’ but it is anticipated that the show will likely complete some of the Australian tour circuit in 2014.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Presented by James Anthony Productions, the professional Sydney premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has been confirmed by AussieTheatre to be opening at the Theatre Royal in 2013.

The Producers/Chess/Promises, Promises

The Production Company’s 2012 season is about to commence, with The Producers cast commencing rehearsals next week in Melbourne and opening July 10–15. Chess plays from August 21–26 and Promises, Promises from October 3–7.