Stage Briefs

We Will Rock You – Arena Spectacular

Two musical theatre stars return to Canberra, their hometown, to headline the cast in the upcoming production of We Will Rock You – The Arena Spectacular.

Toby Francis, who recently played the lead in the Kinky Boots has been cast as Galileo whilst Queenie van de Zandt, of King Kong, Funny Girl and Jan van de Stool fame, will play the role of the villain Killer Queen.

Seasons 2019

Click on the links below for detailed articles on theatre company seasons around Australia in 2019.

NSW

Ensemble Theatre

Sydney Theatre Company

Belvoir

Griffin

Starstruck Musical

The cult 1982 movie Star Struck is to be made into a musical by the production team behind Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

RENT Returns to Melbourne

The smash hit musical RENT is coming to Melbourne! To be staged at Chapel off Chapel from Nov 29 – Dec 8 for a strictly limited season. Join the waitlist to receive exclusive ticket discounts. www.rentmusical.com.au

With an inspirational message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity is still a relevant story for a modern audience.

West Side Story for Melbourne and Sydney

Opera Australia and GWB Entertainment have announced that the BB Group production of West Side Story will play limited seasons at Arts Centre Melbourne and Sydney Opera House in 2019.

Audition submissions are now open for this timeless classic, which features Jerome Robbins’ ground-breaking choreography.

Mandy Patinkin Returns

Before he was an Emmy®-winning TV and film actor, Mandy Patinkin was already a Tony®-winning Broadway star. Patinkin, star of the hit television series Homeland returns to Australia in November 2018 for the first time in five years to perform in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Tickets are on sale from Friday 3 August.

David Megarrity Wins the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2018-19

From over 90 entries for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2018-19 (QDPA), and the trio of finalists revealed earlier this year, Brisbane writer David Megarrity has won with his tender and lyrical family-oriented play, The Holidays.

West Side Story on Sydney Harbour

Opera Australia is bringing West Side Story, to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage in 2019, though this time it might be more appropriate to dub it Musical on Sydney Harbour.

Taking one of the most iconic works of the 20th century out of the theatre and onto Opera Australia’s outdoor stage will see years of planning finally come to fruition says OA’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini.

Cast Announced for Cry-Baby at The Hayes

Producer LPD in association with Hayes Theatre Co has announced several of the cast members for the upcoming Australian Premiere of the rockabilly musical, Cry-Baby. Playing at Hayes Theatre Co from 20 July, Cry-Baby is based on the 1990 cult-classic John Waters film of the same name, which starred Johnny Depp.