Calamity Jane Returns to Sydney

Image: Virginia Gay as Calamity Jane (2025). Photo Credit: Harvey House

Take a rollicking ride through the Wild West as the musical Calamity Jane returns Sydney, playing at the Sydney Opera House in an exclusive season from 14 October – 16 November.  

Virginia Gay is Calamity Jane, the role which earned her the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Actress for her turn as the iconic frontierswoman. Truly ahead of her time, the real-life antics of daredevil Calamity Jane have become legendary, and her defiance of cultural limitations and gender expectations resonate more strongly than ever in today’s tumultuous climate.

This stage musical is adapted from the film starring Doris Day, immersing audiences in the Golden Garter Saloon for a raucous yet intimate production directed by Richard Carroll. Packed with spontaneity, joy and revelry, this witty show has sold out multiple seasons in Sydney, Melbourne and on tour.

Gay is thrilled to be breaking out her cowboy boots for the first time since 2019, saying “Performing as Calamity Jane has been one of my all-time favourite experiences on stage – the mischief and irreverence that we bring to the Wild West and the tenderness under all those buckskins make it a real treat for audiences too. I know my heart is ready to don Calam’s leather chaps one more time at the Sydney Opera House: Calamity Jane - Back In The Saddle.”

Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance, Ebony Bott, says: “Calamity Jane is one of those unforgettable shows that envelops audiences, making sure everyone walks away uplifted and thoroughly entertained. It’s a laugh-out-loud musical that delivers fun in its purest form, with Calamity brought to life by one of Australia’s most genuine talents. It’ll be a riot.”

WHAT: Calamity Jane
WHEN: 14 October – 16 November 2025
WHERE: Studio, Sydney Opera House
PRICES: From $89 + booking fee. 
PRE SALES: Insiders - 9am, Tuesday 13 May; What's On - 9am, Wednesday 14 May
GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE: 9am, Friday 16 May 

Show credits 
Calamity Jane is adapted by Ronald Hanmer and Phil Park, from the stage play by Charles K. Freeman after the Warner Bros. film written by James O’Hanlon.
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. Music by Sammy Fain.
Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Australasia) Pty Ltd.

Director: Richard Carroll
Musical Director: Nigel Ubrihien
Choreographer: Cameron Mitchell
Designer: Lauren Peters
Lighting Designer: Trent Suidgeest

Produced by One Eyed Man Productions in association with Neglected Musicals and Hayes Theatre Co
Producer: Richard Carroll
Associate Producer: Michelle Guthrie
Assistant Producer: Virginia Gay
Director of Production: Jack Daniel Woods
Assistant Director: Dash Kruck