Whoopee baby! Thoroughly Modern Millie returns in a splashy, starry staging that distils the very essence of musical comedy into an evening of unabashed joy.
FROM DOWN UNDER: Come from Away in Melbourne
Offering the pure joy of musical theatre at its unadulterated best, Come from Away is a breathless celebration of the finest qualities of humanity.
ON BROADWAY: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! is a ‘cynical practical joke on theatregoers’
An Off-Broadway show with the nerve to charge Broadway prices, the “Bard Summerscape Production of” Oklahoma! plays out like a cynical practical joke on theatregoers. The egregious experiment is a blight on 75-plus years of American musical theatre.
ON BROADWAY: Moulin Rouge is ‘a feast for the eyes & ears’
A truly spectacular spectacular, Moulin Rouge burns through the budget of a hundred musicals, all in the quest for extravagant entertainment.
FROM DOWN UNDER: The Production Company’s Lazarus
Lazarus is unlikely to appeal to lovers of traditional musical theatre, but for those seeking theatre with an edge the production more than lives up to its tantalising promise.
‘Kirby Burgess gives her most memorable musical theatre performance to date’: FROM DOWN UNDER – Barnum in Melbourne
An all too rare independent musical theatre production, the new Australian staging of Barnum sees Todd McKenney embrace the chance to play iconic huckster P. T. Barnum.
FROM DOWN UNDER: Opera Australia’s West Side Story in Melbourne
Opera Australia complements their dazzling new outdoor production of West Side Story in Sydney with the return of this traditional staging to Melbourne, differentiating the casting by showcasing a new generation of fresh young triple threats in this (indoor) Australian tour.
FROM DOWN UNDER: Muriel’s Wedding the Musical in Melbourne
Imaginatively conceived, ingeniously written and lavishly produced Muriel’s Wedding is surely the most impressive original musical ever created in Australia. Brimming with imagination, inspiration and joy, Muriel’s Wedding is compulsory viewing for all lovers of musical theatre.
FROM DOWN UNDER: West Side Story – Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
A brilliant choice for the first musical to be presented as the annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, West Side Story is given lavish, large scale treatment in what is essentially a highly respectful, traditional production.
FROM DOWN UNDER: Jersey Boys in Melbourne
Newcomers to Jersey Boys are sure to enjoy the memorable music and terrific stage talent. Those who have seen the show (possible more than once) may be harder to coax back, but the performance of Ryan Gonzalez is certainly a compelling attraction.
‘The alternative was unbearable’: Mark Marczyk on revolution, Balaklava Blues and Counting Sheep
“Revolution is action. Revolution is choice.” Discover how Mark and Marichka Marczyk took that spirit of revolution, and all that comes with it, and channeled it into creating VAULT Festival hits Counting Sheep and Balaklava Blues.
‘Inspiring story with a terrific catalogue of hit songs’: TINA THE MUSICAL – West End
Currently one of London’s hottest tickets, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical is a solid entry in the bio-musical genre, combining an inspiring story with a terrific catalogue of hit songs.
NEWS: Multimedia music experience Balaklava Blues plays alongside Counting Sheep at VAULT Festival
Balaklava Blues, a music and multimedia experience exploring post-traumatic stress and attempts to move forward, is playing alongside its immersive predecessor Counting Sheep at this year’s VAULT Festival. Both created by Mark and Marichka Marczyk, they run at Waterloo venue until 17 March 2019.
‘The intimacy adds layers of enjoyment & interest’: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – Menier Chocolate Factory
Boiled down to a boutique-scale presentation, Fiddler on the Roof brims with fresh life, gentle humour and impactful drama.
‘A fascinating mix of drama & fantasy’: CAROLINE, OR CHANGE – West End
The 2004 Broadway musical Caroline, or Change has returned to London’s West End in a slick, entertaining production anchored by a sensational lead performance by Sharon D. Clarke.
ON BROADWAY: The Cher Show is ‘full of feathers and factoids’
Full of feathers and factoids, hit songs and head dresses, The Cher Show is diverting, if not particularly enlightening, entertainment.
‘Brings the intricate score to life’: ASPECTS OF LOVE – Southwark Playhouse
Streamlined staging and a strong ensemble cast allow Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love to be seen in a favourable light.
ON BROADWAY: Fiasco Theater’s Merrily We Roll Along
Longterm fans of Merrily We Roll Along have every reason to see and enjoy this dynamic version. Newcomers will find the material clearer than may have been the case in previous incarnations.
ON BROADWAY: The Prom is ‘a lovingly crafted explosion of good will & hilarity’
A lovingly crafted explosion of good will and hilarity, The Prom holds it place alongside the great musical comedies of the new millennium.
BROADWAY: Clueless the Musical ‘needs a magic ingredient to make it fly’
On paper, the blue-chip title, solid production values and enthusiastic young cast should be enough to make Clueless the Musical a hit, yet the new Off-Broadway musical is missing the ever elusive magic ingredient needed to really make it fly.