Australian Musical Theatre Festival 2026

Artistic teams, new shows and new stars announced for Australian Musical Theatre Festival, Launceston, Tasmania.

Artistic Director Tyran Parke has announced the artistic teams behind two major musical works to be presented at the Australian Musical Theatre Festival to be held in Launceston, Tasmania from 20 to 24 May 2026, revealing a program that brings together Australia’s most celebrated performers with outstanding local and emerging talent.

Opening the Festival will be Well Behaved Women, directed by Ylaria Rogers. This Australian song cycle traces the stories of influential women through history — from Eve to Julia Gillard — celebrating courage, leadership, and legacy.

International composer and lyricist Carmel Dean will travel from Broadway to Launceston to attend opening night. The performance will feature a cast including Nadine Garner (Cabaret), Delia Hannah (Cats), alongside a strong Tasmanian ensemble: Nicole Farrow, Maria Lurighi, Samantha Hammersley, Alana Lane, Shanice Osita Chuku, and Brooke Target.

“I am thrilled that the Australian Musical Theatre Festival is presenting Well Behaved Women as their opening performance in 2026. I have watched the festival grow and thrive over the past six years, and I am so excited for this creative team to present this song cycle which honours so many bad-ass women — including several Aussies — throughout history. Book your ticket to Tassie now, support new Australian work, and be thoroughly entertained in the process.” — Carmel Dean

https://www.amtf.org.au/performances/well-behaved-women-wednesday

While in Launceston, Dean will also host the Festival’s New Work Evening, presented at The Diva Den (the Festival Bar) on Thursday 21 May. This special event will showcase new musical theatre work from across Australia, selected through an open submission process. Submissions will open shortly, with the winning song to be performed live by one of the festival’s leading artists at The Diva Den.

Also announced is the Tasmania premiere of The Frogs, by Burt Shevelove, Nathan Lane, and Stephen Sondheim. Featuring a cast led by John Xintavelonis (Guys and Dolls), John O’Hara (Jesus Christ Superstar), Abu Kebe (TINA), Rob Mallet (Elvis), and Jack Lark (Working), this musical comedy will be staged as a travelling performance across two venues. https://www.amtf.org.au/performances/the-frogs

Additionally, joining the festival line up is Jarrod Draper who is about to star as Raoul in Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour. Jarrod will perform in Broadway Showstoppers with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, lead the Diversity and Inclusion panel and appear at The Diva Den. https://www.amtf.org.au/performances/broadway-showstoppers-2026

Together, Well Behaved Women and The Frogs will anchor a five-day festival, featuring more than 40 events. 

Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, Jane Howlett, said the festival will place two outstanding major works centre stage.  “These productions highlight the ambition and calibre of this year’s program,” Minister Howlett said.

“Launceston’s Australian Musical Theatre Festival celebrates everything that's great about musical theatre, attracting visitors from across the state and country.  It reinforces Launceston’s reputation as a thriving cultural hub, showcasing some of Australia’s most celebrated performers alongside our extraordinary homegrown talent.”

Bookings and enquiries https://www.amtf.org.au/festival/performances