Community Theatre Seasons 2021

After COVID-19 decimated 2020 Community Theatre seasons, many companies are now cautiously announcing their plans for 2021 – in some cases it’s a whole season, in others just a first production.

Many companies are re-scheduling postponed shows, while others are offering new programming, or a mix of both.

Following the lifting of lockdowns, Queensland and Western Australian companies were first back on the boards, but productions are now being mounted or planned everywhere, with precautions in place including socially distanced audiences and performances.

Stage Whispers correspondents have researched the seasons which have already been announced across Australia and New Zealand, as of early December 2020.

We will continue to update seasons, as details come to hand. Please let us know about other community theatre productions here as they are announced.

Image: Jekyll & Hyde The Musical at Lane Cove Theatre Company in February is one of the first community theatre productions to be presented in NSW in 2021.

 

ACT

Free-Rain Theatre Company: Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Jul).

Queanbeyan Players: The Sound of Music (Mar), Kiss Me, Kate (Jun).

Canberra Rep: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Feb), Cosi (Apr), Rope (May/Jun), The Governor’s Family (Jul), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Aug), Hotel Sorrento (Sep), Sense and Sensibility (Nov/Dec).

Canberra Philharmonic Society (Philo): Jersey Boys (Mar).

 

New South Wales

Miranda Musical Society: Streaming – In Pieces – a virtual cabaret 

Willoughby Theatre Company: Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical (May), Mamma Mia! (Oct).

Packemin Productions:  We Will Rock You (Feb), Wicked (Jul/Aug).

Engadine Musical Society: Wicked (May), Freaky Friday.

Bankstown Theatre Company: The King and I, You Can’t Take it with You, In The Heights.

Noteable Theatre Company: Les Misérables (Mar), Miss Saigon (Jul).

North Shore Theatre Company: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Apr), Heathers The Musical (Sep).

Blue Mountains Musical Society: Jersey Boys (May/Jun).

Holroyd Musical and Dramatic Society: The Wizard of Oz (Apr).

Rockdale Musical Society: Annie (Mar).

Whimsical Theatre Productons: The Theory of Relativity (Mar).

Hills Musical Theatre Company: The Sound of Music (Nov).

Dural Musical Society Inc: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves - pantomime

Sydney Youth Musical Theatre: The Addams Family (Jul), Kinky Boots (Nov).

Campbelltown Theatre Group: Chicago (Mar), Macbeth (Apr/May), The Addams Family (Oct).

Castle Hill Players: Things I Know to be True (Feb), Always a Bridesmaid (Apr), The Cripple of Inishmaan (Jun), Entertaining Angels (Jul/Aug), Roald Dahl’s The Witches (Sep/Oct), Unnecessary Farce (Nov/Dec).

Blackout Theatre Co: Beautiful The Carole King Musical (May)

The Theatre On Chester (Epping): In Duty Bound (Apr/May), Blithe Spirit (Jul/Aug), Things I Know to be True (Nov).

Pymble Players: Pack of Lies (Feb/Mar).

Guild Theatre, Rockdale: Crown Matrimonial (Feb), Our Town, Beyond Reasonable Doubt, Calendar Girls (Oct), An O. Henry Christmas (Nov/Dec).

Hunters Hill Theatre (Now performing at Hunters Hill Town Hall): Australia Day (Apr/May), 84 Charing Cross Road (Jul/Aug).

Genesian Theatre: William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (Abridged) (Jan / Feb), The Secret of Chimneys (Mar/Apr), A Passage to India, Lady Windermere’s Fan.

Arts Theatre Cronulla: Travelling North (Feb/Mar), The Game’s Afoot (May/Jun), Life Without Me (Jul-Sep), The Book of Everything (Oct/Nov).

Penrith Musical Comedy Company: Grease (Oct), Annie (2022).

Lane Cove Theatre Company: Jekyll & Hyde The Musical (Feb), Steel Magnolias (May), A Streetcar Named Desire (Aug), Hercules – panto (Nov).

Glenbrook Players Inc: Orson’s Shadow (May).

Blackheath Theatre Company: More Than a Little Black Dress (May), Out of the Blue – Short Play Season (Jul/Aug), The Peach Season (Oct).

Richmond Players: Allo, Allo! (Mar).

Cumberland Gang Show (Scouts and Guides): Rise Up (Jul).

Newcastle and Hunter Region

Bearfoot Theatre: Do Your Parents Know You're Straight? (Feb).

Bling Productions: Grease (Jan).

Knock&Run Theatre: The Unseen (Mar), 2.0 – Two Point Oh (Apr), Trevor (Nov).

Maitland Repertory Theatre: Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap (Feb), Waiting for Lefty (Reamus Youth Theatre – May), The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (Oct), Escape from Ragnorok Mountain (Sep/Oct), The Importance of Being Earnest (Nov).

Metropolitan Players: The Woman in Black (Mar), Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Aug).

Newcastle Theatre Company: Murder on the Nile (Jan/Feb), Glorious (Apr), The House of Bernarda Alba (Jun), Steel Magnolias (Jul/Aug), Barefoot in the Park (Oct), A Hit and Miss Christmas (Nov/Dec).

The Very Popular Theatre Company: Chess The Musical (Feb).

Young People's Theatre: The Addams Family: Young @ Part (Apr), Naked Bunyip Dancing (Jun/Jul), The Wizard of Oz: Young Performers Edition (Sep/Oct), Beware of the Jabberwock (Nov/Dec).

 

NSW Central Coast

Wyong Musical Theatre: The Addams Family, A Cabaret Show, Songs For A New World.

Gosford Musical Society: Mamma Mia! (Jul/Aug).

Woy Woy Little Theatre: Love Letters (Feb).

Wyong Drama Group: An Anzac Tribute (Mar), The Full Monty (May), Central Coast Theatrefest (Jun).

The Attic Theatrical: The Wedding Singer (Feb).

 

NSW North Coast

Ballina Players: Girls’ Weekend (Mar).

Lismore Theatre Company: Educating Rita (Feb)

Coffs Harbour Musical Comedy Company: Into the Woods (May), The Wizard of Oz (Sep), Mamma Mia! (Nov).

Murwillumbah Theatre Company: Keeping Up Appearances (Mar), The Old People are Revolting (Jun), James & the Giant Peach (Oct/Nov).

Players Theatre, Port Macquarie: We Will Rock You (May/Jun), Oliver! Sep/Oct).

CHATS Productions Inc (Coffs Harbour): Steel Magnolias (Mar) In Bed with the Bishops (Jul).

Taree Arts Council: Mamma Mia! (Oct/Nov).

 

NSW South Coast and Southern Highlands

Nowra Players: Letters to Lindy (Mar).

So Popera (Wollongong): Grease (Jan), Jersey Boys (May).

Roo Theatre Co (Shellharbour):  Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Jan), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Apr).

Arcadians Theatre Group (Corrimal, Wollongong): Sweeney Todd (Mar), Ladies in Black (Jun).

Spectrum Theatre Group (Merimbula): The Little Mermaid Jr (May), Australia Day (Jun).

Highlands Theatre Group, Mittagong: Nunsense (Mar), 12 Angry Jurors (Jun), Margaret Fulton The Musical (Aug), Jesus Christ Superstar (Sep).

Wollongong Workshop Theatre: Boeing Boeing (Feb/Mar), Black Adder The Third (May), The Clean House (Jul), Angels in America (Oct), The Mousetrap (Nov).

Albatross Musical Theatre, Nowra: The Last Five Years (Jan), Alice in Wonderland, Jesus Christ Superstar.

 

Regional NSW

Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society: Turning Tables (Aug).

Orange Theatre Company: Beauty and the Beast (May), Mamma Mia! (Oct).

Tamworth Musical Society: Mamma Mia! (Mar), Sweeney Todd (Oct).

Tamworth Dramatic Society: Steel Magnolias (May).

Armidale Drama and Musical Society: Favourite Shorts 2021, Mamma Mia! (Jun), Little Gem (Oct), Forever vs No Tomorrow (Nov).

Albury Wodonga Theatre Company: Thumbelina (Feb).

Griffith and Regional Association of the Performing Arts: Shakespeare Under the Stars (Nov).

Norfolk Amateur Theatrical Society (NATS): Theatre Festival (Sep).

 

Queensland

Savoyards:  Hot Shoe Shuffle (Jun/Jul), The Drowsy Chaperone (Sep/Oct).

Sunnybank Theatre Group: Xanadu (Feb), The Sum of Us (Apr), First Things First (Jun), Sunflowers (Jul/Aug), Eventide (Sep/Oct), Red Riding Hood to the Rescue (Nov).

Brisbane Arts Theatre: Main Stage: The 39 Steps (Jan-Mar) Children’s Theatre: Roald Dahl’s Goldie! The Untold Story of Goldilocks (Jan-Mar).

Centenary Theatre Group: Radium Girls (Mar), Unnecessary Farce (May), Go Back for Murder (July).

Queensland Musical Theatre: Beauty and the Beast (Jun), Charlie and the Chocoate Factory (Nov).

Mousetrap Theatre Company: The Great British Bump Off (Feb).

Coolum Players: Xanadu (Apr).

Tugun Theatre Company: The Butler Did It (Feb), The Kidnap Game (May).

Gold Coast Little Theatre: Bye, Bye Birdie (Jan/Feb), No Sex Please, We’re British (Apr – May), Metamorphoses (Jun/Jul), Green Day’s American Idiot (Sep/Oct), One O’Clock from the House (Nov/Dec).

Javeenbah Theatre: Some of my Best Friends are Women (Jan/Feb), One Act Wonders (Mar), Two Weeks with the Queen (May), Playhouse Creatures (Jul), Ordinary Days (Sep/Oct), The Importance of Being Earnest (Nov/Dec).

St Luke's Theatre Society: The Importance of Being Earnest (Mar), Natural Causes (Jun), President Wilson in Paris (Aug/Sep), Living Together (Nov).

Phoenix Ensemble: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Feb), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (May), Cinderella (Jul/Aug), Jasper in Deadland (Oct/Nov)

Spotlight Theatrical Company, Benowa: Hansel and Gretel (Jan), Jersey Boys (Feb/Mar), Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (Apr/May), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Jul/Aug), Puffs (Sep), Singin’ in the Rain (Oct/Nov).

Tweed Heads Theatre Company: The Snow Queen (Mar), A Red Plaid Shirt (June), The Fabulous 40s and 50s (Sep/Oct), Youth Variety Showcase (Nov).

Burdekin Singers and Theatre Company: Mary Poppins (Feb).

Villanova Players: An Ideal Husband (Mar), Ninety (Apr), Quartet (Jun/Jul), Chekhov Double Bill - The Proposal and The Bear (Jul), Vivien Leigh’s School for Scandal (Aug/Sep), Snapshots from Home (Oct), Summer Rain (Nov).

Ipswich Little Theatre: Back on the Boards (Mar), The Savannah Spring Society (Apr/May), Ladies Day (Sep/Oct), The 39 Steps (Nov/Dec).

Cairns Little Theatre / Rondo Theatre: Life Without Me (Mar), Brassed Off (Apr/May).

Noosa Arts Theatre: A Turkey’s Tale (Jan), Mamma Mia! (Mar/Apr), One Act Play Festival, Up For Grabs, Shorts on Stage, Pygmalion. 

Toowoomba Choral Society: Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Sep).

North Queensland Opera & Music Theatre: Jersey Boys (Mar), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Oct).

South Australia

Adelaide Repertory Theatre: Crimes of the Heart (Apr), We’ll Always Have Paris (Jun), Good People (Aug/Sep), Humble Boy (Nov).

Adelaide Youth Theatre: Aladdin Kids (Jan), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Apr).

Blue Sky Theatre: One Man, Two Guvnors (Jan).

Davine Productions: Summer of ‘69 (Feb).

Deadset Theatre Company: Dark Wind Blowing (Mar).

Galleon Theatre Company: Escher’s Hands (Apr/May), Emily (Oct).

Ipskip Productions: Love Letters (Jan), Romeo and Juliet (May), Same Time Next Year (Oct/Nov).

Hills Youth Theatre: The Addams Family (Jan), The Girl Who Was A Hundred Girls.

Noarlunga Theatre Company: Inspector Cluedo and the Curse of the Darjeeling Diamond (May/Jun).

Northern Light Theatre Company: Mamma Mia! (Apr/ May).

St Jude’s Players: Game Plan (Apr), The Ghost Train (Jul), The Pig Iron People (Nov).

Therry Dramatic Society: Twentieth Century (Feb), The Hello Girls (Jun), Of Mice and Men (Aug), The Audience (Nov).

The Stirling Players: Cosi (Mar), The Hypochondriac (Sep).

Venture Theatre Company: Dead Air! (Apr).

Zest Theatre Group: Shrek (Jan/Feb).

 

Tasmania

Hobart Repertory Theatre Society: Charlotte’s Web (Apr).

Devonport Choral Society Inc: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (May).

Burnie Musical Society: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Apr/May).

Launceston Players: The Bridesmaid Must Die (Apr), Marjorie Unravelled – The Musical (Sep).

Encore Theatre Company: Mamma Mia! (Oct)

The Old Nick Company: Heathers The Musical -High School Edition (Feb).

Three River Theatre: Gloria (May).

 

Victoria

CLOC: Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical, Jersey Boys.

Babirra Music Theatre: Mamma Mia! (Jun), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Oct), Mamma Mia! (Jun 2022), 4A Chorus Line (Oct 2022).

Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria: The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring (Mar), The Gondoliers (Jun), The Yeomen of the Guard (Sep), Thespis (Nov).

Williamstown Musical Theatre Company: Mamma Mia!

Fab Nobs Theatre: Mary Contrary and the Nursery Rhyme Mystery (Jan), Big Fish (Mar).

Latrobe Theatre Company: We Will Rock You.

OCPAC: In The Heights (Sep).

PLOS Musical Productions: Hello, Dolly! (Aug)

That's Classic Entertainment: Two Gents, a Commedia Dell’Arte adaptation of Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona (Mar).

Diamond Valley Singers: The Addams Family (Jul).

Windmill Theatre Company: Bring It On (Feb).

Cardinia Performing Arts Co:  Priscilla Queen of The Desert.

The Mount Players: Too Many Crooks (May/Jun), Love Song (Aug/Sep), The Vortex (Oct/Nov).

Brighton Theatre Company: Flipside (Apr), The Architect (Jun/Jul), Torch Song (Sep), Chancers (Nov).

Mordialloc Theatre Company Inc: Love, Loss and What I Wore (Feb), Things I Know to be True (Apr).

Frankston Theatre Group: The History Boys (Mar), Bloody Murder (Jul/Aug), Are You Being Served (Nov/Dec).

Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Fool For Love (Feb), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (May).

Malvern Theatre Company Inc: Any Given Monday (Feb).

Peridot Theatre Inc: One Act Plays (Jul), Curtain Up (Aug), Hypnosis (Nov).

Encore Theatre Company Inc: George’s Mavellous Medicine (Jan), Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime (Mar), Vigil (Jul), cul-de-sac (Oct).

The 1812 Theatre: War of the Worlds (Feb/Mar).

Beaumaris Theatre Inc: Anne & Gilbert The Musical.

Eltham Little Theatre: The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke (Feb / Mar), I’ll Be Back Before Midnight (Apr/May), Peter Pan Jr, The Long Road, Cinderfella.

Powderkeg Players: Popcorn (Apr), The Pillowman (Aug), Charlotte’s Web (Nov).

 

Regional Victoria

Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: Love Letters (Feb), Looped (Apr/May), Tuesdays with Morrie (Jun/Jul), Forget Me Not (Sep), Summer of the Aliens (Nov).

Ballarat Lyric Theatre: We Will Rock You (Jul).

Footlight Productions (Geelong): Jersey Boys (Oct).

Off The Leash Productions: Rabbit Hole (Feb), Dress Code (Jun/Jul), Green Day’s American Idiot (Oct).

BLOC Music Theatre (Ballarat): Mamma Mia! (TBA)

CenterStage Geelong: Priscilla Queen of the Desert (2022).

Wonthaggi Theatrical Group: Vivaldi, Cecilia and the Carnevale (Jan).

Benalla Theatre Company: Ma Baker’s Tonic (May).

Echuca Moama Theatre Company: Little Shop of Horrors (May).

Leongatha Lyric Theatre: The Wind in the Willows (Jan).

Ararat Musical Comedy Society: Snow White “Steampunk’d” (Jun).

Warrandyte Theatre Company: Providence of Neighbouring Bodies (Aug), A 2020 Vision (Nov).

 

Western Australia

Image: The cast of Stirling Players' Dinner.

Stirling Players: Dinner (Feb), To Kill A Mockingbird (Apr/May), Into The Woods (Jul), The Addams Family Young@Part (Sep), Summer of the 17th Doll (Nov/Dec).

KADS: Treasure Island (Jan), My Friend Miss Flint (Mar), The Last Resort (May), 6 Dance Lessons in 6 Weeks (Jul/Aug), One Act Season (Sep), The Naked Truth (Nov/Dec).

Alexandra Theatre: The Producers (Apr).

Wanneroo Repertory: Heathers The Musical (Jan/Feb), One For the Road (Apr), Gasp (Sep/Oct), Pantomime (Nov/Dec).

Garrick Theatre: Managing Carmen (Feb/Mar), Clue (Apr/May), Trap (Jul), Our Gang (Sep/Oct), Treasure Island the Pantomime (Nov/Dec).

Melville Theatre: Summer Shorts (Feb), Incognito (May), The Dresser (Jul), Clue: On Stage (Sep) William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) (Nov/Dec).

Murray Music and Drama: Drinking Habits (Mar), Back to the Eighties (May), Sleepy Hollow (Jul/Aug), Happy Days (Nov).

Stray Cats Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (May), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Jul/Aug), Strictly Ballroom (Oct).

Bunbury Repertory Theatre: At Any Cost (Mar), Dinner (Jun).

Roleystone Theatre: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Mar), Cosi and Closer (Jul), One Act Season (Aug), Shakespeare in the Park (Sep), Disney Kids Production (Oct), Gala Concert (Dec).

Southwest Opera Company:  Les Misérables (Sep).

Primadonna Productions: Oliver! Jr (Feb), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Apr).

Harbour Theatre: Ladies’ Foursome (Mar), Arcadia (May/Jun).

Koorliny Arts Centre: Mamma Mia! (Mar).

Fremantle Performing Artists: Dracula (Feb), Wait Until Dark, On Golden Pond.

Laughing Horse: Steel Magnolias (Mar), The Vicar of Dibley (May), Jungle Book (Jul), The Wizard of Oz (Sep).

AIM - Art in Motion: Edges (Jan), James and the Giant Peach (Apr), Footloose (Jun), Rent (Nov).

GRADS - Graduate Dramatic Society: A Comedy of Errors (Mar).

Bridgetown Repertory Club: The Latest Flame (Mar).

Old Mill Theatre: Last of the Red Hot Lovers (Mar), The Odd Couple (Jun), Hay Fever (Sep), Little Women (Dec).

Darlington Theatre Players: Robin Hood (Feb/Mar), The Unspeakable Triumph of Supreme Brilliance (Apr/May).

 

New Zealand

Taieri Musical (Dunedin): Disney Moana Jr (Jul), Mamma Mia! (Oct).

Act Three Productions: Chicago (Apr), We Will Rock You (Aug).

Showbiz Christchurch: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story.

Manukau Performing Arts: The Addams Family (Apr).

Rotorua Musical Theatre: Keep The Home Fires Burning (Apr), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Jul), The Lion King Jr (Sep).

Centrestage Theatre Company, Orewa: Urinetown (Feb), Evita (Mar), Les Misérables.

New Plymouth Operatic Society: Wicked (Jun).

North Shore Music Theatre: Wicked (Sep/Oct).

Variety Theatre Ashburton: It’s only rock’n’roll baby (May)

North Canterbury Musicals: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Musical Theatre Dunedin: Les Misérables (May).

Whangarei Theatre Company: The Murder of My Aunt (Mar/Apr), West Side Story (Jul), The Murder of my Aunt (Sep), Hot Stuff (Nov).

Harlequin Musical Theatre: Grease (Mar), Into the Woods (Jun/Jul).

Tauranga Musical Theatre Inc: 13: The Musical (Jan), West Side Story (Apr/May), Les Misérables (Sep).

Hamilton Operatic Society: Alice in Wonderland Jr (Jan).

Napier Operatic: Sister Act (Mar).

Blenheim Musical Theatre: Aotearoa – A New Zealand Rock Musical (Jun).

Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe: The Winter’s Tale (Feb).

Detour Theatre, Tauranga: My Inlaws are Outlaws (Mar), How to Train Your Husband (Jun/Jul), Christmas Can Be Murder (Nov/Dec).

Waipawa Musical & Dramatic Club: Priscilla Queen of the Desert (2022).

Dolphin Theatre (Auckland): Death and Taxe$ (Feb/Mar).

Ellerslie Theatrical Society: Sham (Mar), Our Man in Havana (Aug).

Elmwood Players: Snow White & Rose Red (Jan), Daughters of Heaven (Apr), Hudson & Halls Live (Jun), Array 21 (Aug), Bugsy Malone (/Oct).

Hawera Repertory Society: Bugsy Malone (Feb).

Howick Little Theatre: The House (Feb/Mar), The Girl on the Train (May), The Viewing Room (Jun), My Cousin Rachel (Sep), Hilda’s Yard (Nov/Dec).

Papakura Theatre Company: Mamma Mia! (May/Jun), Steel Magnolias (Aug), Anne of Green Gables (Nov/Dec).

Stagecraft Theatre (Wellington): That Bloody Woman (Feb/Mar), She Kills Monsters (Jun/Jul).

Company Theatre (Auckland): Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (May).

Titirangi Theatre: The Plague (Mar).

Shoreside Theatre (Auckland): Much Ado About Nothing / Hamlet (Jan/Feb).

Oamaru Repertory Society: Carol & Nev / The Lover (Mar)