Musicals in 2026
Image: Robert Tripolino and Georgina-Hopson in Anastasia. Photographer: Jeff-Busby
International blockbusters, new Australian musicals and old favourites are in the mix for musical theatre lovers in 2026. David Spicer and other Stage Whispers reviewers preview the year ahead.
Premieres
Whispering Jack
Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical, co-produced by the Sydney Theatre Company and Michael Cassel, kicks off in November.
It has now been announced that Michael Paynter wil play the role of John Farnham.
Intriguingly the musical was originally to be penned by playwright Tommy Murphy, who won a competition to write it. Michael Cassel subsequently received a RISE Government grant to workshop it.
Originally the musical was going to be a retelling of the story of Australia’s 1808 Rum Rebellion, when Governor William Bligh was overthrown, featuring 22 of John’s songs.
A change of direction saw Murphy’s book replaced by a new biographical musical written by screenwriter Jack Yabsley, whose major projects have included the ABC series Gold Diggers and the movie The Virgin.
The musical now focuses on Farnham’s difficult five years leading up to the launch of his most famous album, Whispering Jack, with its premiere celebrating the 40th anniversary of the album’s release.
Under the direction of the STC’s Mitchell Butel, no doubt this musical will be blessed with sumptuous production standards to match the toe-tapping pop songs. Will it be a gripping piece of theatre given that so many of the key players are still around watching closely? Will it (both) make a noise and make it clear?
Waitress The Musical
Image: Rob Mills, Mackenzie Dunn, Natalie Bassinthwaighte, Gabriyel Thomas, John Waters (c) Peter Brew-Bevan
Pop star Delta Goodrem was all set to serve up the pie in the Australian premiere of the Broadway musical Waitress, planned for 2020, until a certain pandemic got in the way.
The Australian cast for the Australian premiere in May at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne, to be followed by the Sydney Lyric in August, has been announced. Jenna will be Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Chicago, Shirley Valentine), while Gabriyel Thomas (Cats, Sister Act) and Mackenzie Dunn (Grease, Annie) play Becky and Dawn, Jenna’s coworkers at the diner. Rob Mills (& Juliet, Wicked) will play Dr Pomatter, and John Waters (The Woman in Black, Play School) will be Joe, the owner of the diner.
I was lucky to see this sweet musical on Broadway where it ran for four years.
As the media release explains: It tells the story of Jenna, a small-town waitress and expert pie maker who longs to escape her rocky marriage and start again.
When a baking contest, an unexpected new romance and the support of her fellow waitresses offer her a taste of change.
Based on a low budget 2007 indie film, Waitress was the first musical in Broadway history to have a creative team led entirely by women, with Diane Paulus as director, Sara Bareilles as composer and lyricist, Jessie Nelson as book adaptor and Loren Latarro as choreographer.
Mrs Doubtfire
Image: Gabriel Vick in West End production of MRS DOUBTFIRE
Mrs. Doubtfire, the comedy musical based on the film will premiere in Australia at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from November 2026, directed by four-time Tony Award winning Jerry Zaks.
Out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate bid to stay in their lives. But as his character takes on a life of its own, Daniel discovers more than he bargained for about family, love and what it really means to be a father.
Anastasia
Photographer: Jeff Busby
Inspired by the mysterious tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov’s rumoured escape in the dawning days of the Russian Revolution, and the 20th Century Fox animated fairytale of the same name, the sumptuous production of Anastasia opens in December at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre ahead of seasons in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.
“The legend of Anastasia has intrigued the world for many years and I’ve been wanting to bring this musical to Australia since it premiered on Broadway in 2017. It’s a story full of mystery and romance with a magnificent score,” said Producer John Frost.
A stunning set and costumes which traverse the twilight years of the Russian empire and 1920s Paris, and earworms from Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens will please those yearning for a good old fashioned musical.
Alongside the leads Georgina Hopson and Joshua Robson, the cast includes audience favourites Nancye Hayes as the Dowager Empress and Rhonda Burchmore as Countess Lily.
Click here to read our review.
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical.
Image: Will Swenson
Neil Diamond fans will lap up this biographical juke-box musical which includes all his hits, a pre-intermission sing-along of “Sweet Caroline" and an impressive lead, Will Swenson, who originated the role on Broadway.
But is it an engaging piece of drama for those not smitten by the singer-songwriter? Variety described the musical as victorious but not without a few bumps along the way, much like the trajectory of Diamond’s life.
“It unfolds first as a hit parade within a dramatic retelling of Diamond’s 1960s beginnings in Act 1, followed by a second act set of sequined, post-1960s concerts spliced with portraits of a broken marriage and lonely childhood, and then a denouement of hardcore emotional resolve,” the magazine’s reviewer wrote.
A Beautiful Noise opens at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre in August.
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)
Photographer: Mihaela Bodlovicast
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the British public never tires of re-treading Jane Austen’s classic, from the TV remakes to wackier iterations featuring zombies or Bollywood song and dance numbers.
But a musical version in which the entire cast is played by five women posing as jaunty “below stairs” staff? And with hen-night karaoke hits added to the mix?
It looks, at first, like the comic concept behind the Reduced Shakespeare Company with Downton Abbey and St Trinians thrown in. The actors, posing as servants at Longbourn, do double-quick costume changes to enact all the characters in Austen’s caustic comedy of manners, from the Bennets and Bingleys to the priggish Fitzwilliam Darcy.
The tour kicks off in Melbourne in July, followed by Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Wollongong.
The Prom
Caroline O’Connor leads the cast of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical THE PROM. This Drama Desk Award™ Winner for Best Musical is arriving in Sydney for its Australian Premiere at the Teatro at the Italian Forum from March 2026.
Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So, when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow-but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny.
Click here to read more about the show and cast.
The Last Ship
Sting will perform in his musical, The Last Ship, at Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) newest venue, Glasshouse Theatre from 9 April to 3 May.
The Last Ship was first developed by Sting in 2011 and initially inspired by his 1991 album The Soul Cages. Rooted in his own childhood in the British shipbuilding town of Wallsend, The Last Ship tells the story of a community of shipbuilders in the northeast of England, faced with the closure of their shipyard – the heart of their existence.
Sting takes on the role of Jackie White, the shipyard’s foreman whose health is failing just as his leadership is needed most. In this very personal show, the artist immerses the audience in a hometown he was desperate to escape, a world where love, loss, and hope intertwine
Evil Dead The Musical.
A blood-soaked rock musical based on the cult ‘80s film franchise.
When five college students venture into an abandoned cabin in the woods, they accidentally unleash an evil force that turns them all into demons. For true horror fans seeking a fully immersive experience, audience members in the Splatter Zone should prepare to be absolutely drenched in fake blood
From February, Sydney’s Seymour Centre and Melbourne’s Chapel Off Chapel will be transformed into ramshackle,not-so-demon-proof cabins in the woods.
Click here to read David Spicer's review
Ongoing Tours
The Book of Mormon
Image: The Book of Mormon. 2025 Sydney Cast. Photographer: Daniel Boud.
With their elbows pointed sharply up, the crisp young new group of Mormons carved up the stage of the Capitol Theatre at the opening of the latest tour, making the musical feel fresh and just as shocking as we first remembered it.
The tuneful ding-dong sound of the doorbells of the opening song “Hello” is soothing, as the recruits innocently rehearse for their missionary positions (double entendre intended) with precision and camp sensibility.
The musical maintains that “I can’t believe they just said that” sensibility for audiences as only South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone can muster in their satire of all religions.
For me the show stopping scene of the night was the duet “Baptise Me” between Nabulungi (Paris Leveque) and Cunningham (Cox). It sizzled.
The Book of Mormon continues at the Capitol Theatre until January 25, before opening at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre in February, then playing QPAC in Brisbane from August.
Click here to read David Spicer's review
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Photographer: Daniel Boud.
Reviewing the Brisbane opening of the musical, based on the famous movie, Stage Whispers’ correspondent Kitty Goodall loved the romance, fantasy and glamour.
“Samantha Jade, making her musical theatre debut as Vivian Ward, looked every bit the fairytale heroine. Vocally, she glided through the score with ease, delivering warmth and power in equal measure. Dramatically, her performance was carefully polished.
“As Edward Lewis, Ben Hall brought an elegantly restrained stage presence and a pleasant, slightly country timbre to his singing. Together, Hall and Jade are like a well-oiled machine.
“They’re in sync, professional, and respectful, yet the chemistry between them never quite ignited into fiery passion.”
Pretty Woman is on stage at the Theatre Royal Sydney until February, before touring to Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne.
Click here to read our Brisbane review
Click here to read our Sydney review
Click here to read David Spicer's interview with Samanth Jade and Ben Hall
MJ the Musical
Photo of Sydney season of MJ the Musical. Photographer: Daniel Boud.
Set on the eve of Michael Jackson’s ‘Dangerous’ tour in the early 1990s, the King of Pop faces financial pressures and questions from a pesky TV journalist about his use of pain killers.
Will he triumph or lose Neverland? Whilst the drama is thin and sanitized, the musical is sublimely produced - one dazzling video clip standard performance after another. Superb choreography, lighting and singing. Highlights range from scrumptious Jackson 5 flashbacks to an electrifying ‘Thriller’.
MJ is on stage in Melbourne until March, followed by Brisbane and Perth seasons.
Beetlejuice the Musical
Photo by Michelle Grace Hunder
After the excitement of having Australia’s own song-writer and Melbourne local Eddie Perfect appear as the lead in the musical for which he scored a Tony nomination, the ghostly tale opens at QPAC in June, followed by a Perth season at the Crown Theatre in August.
Taking Eddie’s place in the title role is the Broadway star Andy Karl.
Fans of the movie, set in the house of strange teenager Lydia Deetz, haunted by a recently deceased couple and a degenerate demon, will have a great time.
The distinctively American story might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the design is brilliant, with strong appeal to younger audiences.
My Brilliant Career
Photographer: Pia Johnson
Miles Franklin's seminal novel about a young woman who rejects a life of domestic drudgery to pursue a career as a writer is given an electric cattle prod in this hit adaptation, first staged by the Melbourne Theatre Company.
As the Guardian wrote “Sybylla – described variously as fevered, wild, wicked, plain and simply mad – is a force of nature. (Writers) Frank and Bryant give her an introductory song straight out of pub rock, directly addressed to the audience with force and audacity.”
The ensemble are rollicking members of the band and the musical has a cracking pace, wit and catchy music.
Put this high on your bucket list if you need to pick and choose between musicals.
A return Melbourne season plays from January, followed by seasons in Canberra, Sydney and Wollongong.
Cats
The 40th anniversary revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s phenomenal musical hit concludes with a six week season at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall from December 21, 2025, and a two week run at QPAC, Brisbane in February 2026.
Revivals
SIX The Musical
Image: SIX 2024-25 Australasia Tour Cast. Potographer: James D Morgan - Getty Images
SIX the Musical will return to Australia in 2026, with seasons confirmed at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from July 2026, Theatre Royal Sydney from October 2026 and QPAC’s Playhouse Theatre in Brisbane from January 2027.
My Fair Lady
Producers John Frost (Crossroads) and Opera Australia will revive their 2017 production, directed by the original Eliza Doolittle - Dame Julie Andrews - at the Sydney Opera House from September.
Stage Whispers’ reviewer Neil Litchfield loved the theatrical time capsule with a ‘lavish 32 piece orchestra’ that “transported us to 1956, the height of Broadway’s Golden Age of Musical Theatre.
“The original sets and stunning costumes have been faithfully and painstakingly reproduced, making the evening a visual treat.
“The curtains closed while the orchestra played to mask set changes, by rippling scenic cloths. The event sparked nothing but nostalgic pleasure.”
Melbourne Season announced - Read More
The Sapphires
Queensland Theatre is bringing the musical, set in 1969, to the Bille Brown Theatre from April 28 to May 4 and Canberra Theatre Centre from May 30 to June 7.
Directed by Wesley Enoch, the musical set in the shadow of the Vietnam war, is about four sisters who catch the eye of a big-city talent scout with their Supremes cover act.
Based on the true story of writer Tony Briggs’ mother, The Sapphires chronicles how these fierce and fabulous Yorta Yorta women blazed a trail from their small town roots to the frontlines of Vietnam, belting out Motown hits for the American soldiers and breaking through barriers with every beat.
Heathers
At its Australian premiere, Stage Whispers’ reviewer Neil Litchfield wrote that “Heathers deliciously turns the whole genre of high school musicals on its head. Disney’s it ain’t, while Grease feels like a friendly playground romp by comparison.
“The musical’s murderous plot stays very true to the original. The Heathers reign as the school’s three viciously nasty cool girls, while Ram and Kurt are the equally nasty meat-head footy jocks.”
A touring company described as direct from London and New York is doing a quick national tour.
An April opening in Melbourne will be followed by Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Sydney and Perth.
Footloose
Footloose embarks on a national tour in 2026, following the success of its 2025 Melbourne season. Tour opens in Adelaide from April 11 - 19, Brisbane from April 25, with Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney to follow
Fiddler on the Roof
This production of Fiddler on the Roof broke the record for the best-selling musical of all time at London’s Barbican Theatre, receiving three Olivier Awards including Best Musical Revival.
Opens at Theatre Royal open on July 31,
Saturday Night Fever the Musical
Photographer: Ben Fon
Perth based producer Drew Anthony brought his production of the Bee Gees’ musical to the Athenaeum Theatre during January.
Expect dazzling choreography from the producer/director who won the Fred Astaire International Jazz and tap championship in the decade after John Travolta first strutted down that Brooklyn footpath with a can of paint.
This is the musical highlight of 2026 for my theatrical agency, as David Spicer Productions is on the program as the agent for the show. I might even need to get a picture on the red carpet.
Returns for a two week season in June.
Hair
Following its Melbourne season, the new production of HAIR will open at Theatre Royal Sydney from 6 June 2026. The Grammy and Tony Award‑winning American tribal love‑rock musical, which first played in Sydney in 1969, returns to the city with its story of peace, freedom and rebellion for a new generation of audiences.
Brisbane
Into The Woods
Opera Queensland and Queensland Theatre are joining forces to stage Stephen Sondheim’s hit, inside the brand spanking new Glasshouse Theatre, which is now part of the QPAC complex.
The exciting cast, backed by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra,will include Amy Lehpamer and First Nations soprano Nina Korbe.
Adelaide
Into The Woods.
State Opera South Australia wiil present Into The Woods from Aug 22 - 28 at Her Majesty's Theatre Adelaide
The cast includes Hugh Sheridn as The Baker and Johanna Allen as The Baker's Wife. Constantine Costi directs.
Sydney
The Lion King
The highest grossing musical of all time makes its third visit to Australia, opening at the Capitol Theatre from April.
Stage Whispers’ Peter Pinne wrote about its last outing “So many moments bring tears. The opening number, ‘The Circle of Life’, which has the animals entering down the aisles of the theatre, has to be one of the most memorable opening numbers in the history of musical theatre.
“It is spectacular entertainment, marvellously theatrical, and best of all, attracts loads of first-time theatregoers which is not only good for Disney, but good for theatre.
“This salad bowl of theatrical magic overwhelms with its vision and deserves every accolade it has ever received,” enthused Mr Pinne.
Handa’s Phantom of the Opera.
Just four years after the production last haunted Sydney Harbour, the biggest ever production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s blockbuster returns in March.
Stage Whispers’ reviewer Carol Wimmer marvelled at the spectacular way in which the stage was “lifted by two cranes onto pylons to make it appear to be ‘floating’, ” and the gold balustraded staircase sweeping across the wide stage to the towering pillar of the … Phantom’s special box.
Carol was awed by “a replica of the original chandelier at Paris Opera Garnier, strung with 80 light bulbs” and “the gondola - or gondolas – in which Christine is ferried into the Parisian sewers beneath the Opera House.”
Let’s hope it doesn’t rain so much this time.
Click here for complete casting details
Putting It Together
The cast of Putting It Together. Photographer: Daniel Boud
Stephen Sondheim celebration Putting It Together is coming to Sydney’s Foundry Theatre in January. Set at a glamorous cocktail party, the show blends wit, charm and razor-sharp insight as the cast navigate the complexities of love, ambition and desire.
In a revue of Sondheim’s most iconic songs, audiences are taken on a journey through one of musical theatre’s most influential composer / lyricists.
Producer Craig Donnell has assembled what he describes as some of Australia’s finest performers including Caroline O’Connor, anointed by Stephen Sondheim as the best Mrs Lovett he had ever seen, Bert LaBonte and Michael Cormick.
Click here to read David Spicer's review
Hayes Theatre
The year opens with the World Premiere of Barbra: The Greatest Star, a concert event honouring the trailblazing musical storyteller that is Barbra Streisand, which also tours to Parramatta.
February/March sees the Sydney premiere of the joyfully queer, high-camp musical comedy Head Over Heels, followed by Gutenberg! The Musical!, the 2006 off-Broadway musical which was revived on Broadway in 2023.
Beginning in May, the musical adaptation of the movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels returns to Sydney in a new production. In July, Julia Robertson will return to the Hayes after her success with The Producers, to direct The Addams Family.
Next on the program in August / September is How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, with direction and choreography by Hayes favourite Cameron Mitchell.
October sees the Sydney Premiere pop-rock thriller where cheer meets fear, We Are The Tigers.
The year concludes with the World Premiere of Silver Tongue, a musical reimagining of Treasure Island created by Australian talents Miranda Middleton, Jacob Parker and Alec Steedman.
Read more about the 2026 Hayes Theatre season.
NOW CLOSED
Annie
Photographer: Daniel Boud
The sun comes out all the time in Queensland (except when it rains), so hopefully the sun will indeed come out for the last stop of the latest tour of the orphan girl in the red dress, playing at QPAC from December 27 through to February.
Starring Anthony Warlow and Debora Krizak, this production has striking new video projection and dazzling choreography, at its best in the joyous rendition of “Easy Street”.
Little Shop of Horrors
Photographer: Joel Deveraux
The cult Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi musical is having a six-week season in QPAC’s intimate Cremorne Theatre in January and February.
Local producer Alex Woodward is promising a fresh take on deranged dentists, larger than life plants and musical mayhem.
Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.