The New Year has arrived, and it’s time to take down those Christmas decorations and start looking at the year ahead. The Scoop has put together a mammoth 2026 Musical Theatre Show Guide to assist in planning (especially for those who are budgeting for interstate musical trips).
Our focus in this list is mostly on main stage musicals, but there are plenty of indie, community and student productions scheduled for 2026 around Australia as well that are worth checking out.
All our latest reviews are at our Musical Theatre Reviews page.
We’ll continue to update the list as the year rolls out. Click on the musical name below, which we have listed alphabetically, and it will take you to the information.
Everything is correct at the time of publishing in January, and we will do our best to update it throughout the year.
Without further ado, here is a list of main stage musicals scheduled for 2026, in alphabetical order by show name:
& Juliet
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
American Psycho
Anastasia
Annie
Back to the Future
Barbra: The Greatest Star
Beetlejuice
Cats
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Evil Dead The Musical
Fiddler on the Roof
Elf
Footloose
Gutenberg! The Musical!
Hair
Head Over Heels
Heathers
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
Into The Woods Adelaide
Into The Woods Brisbane
Little Shop of Horrors
Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia! Gold Coast
Menopause The Musical
MJ The Musical
Mrs. Doubtfire
My Brilliant Career
My Fair Lady
Ned Kelly
Once
Pretty Woman
Putting It Together
Saturday Night Fever
Shrek The Musical
Silver Tongue
SIX
Spamalot
Stella
The Addams Family
The Book of Mormon
The Great British Bake Off
The Last Ship
The Lion King
The Phantom of the Opera
The Pirates of Penzance Melbourne
The Pirates of Penzance Sydney
The Prom
The Sapphires
Tootsie
Waitress
We Are The Tigers
Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical
& Juliet
Toowoomba 13 – 22 March
Get tickets here.
The worldwide smash-hit musical & Juliet is heading to Toowoomba’s esteemed Empire Theatre in March, featuring an all-singing, all-dancing, all-star cast of more than two dozen young performers. In the title role is Kate Hudson-James, making her professional debut. The global phenomenon turns Shakespeare’s classic tragedy on its head, posing the question: “What if Juliet’s story didn’t end with Romeo?” & Juliet takes the action from fair Verona and transplants it firmly into the colourful, nostalgic 1990s and 2000s, serving up feel-good escapism and pop-fuelled theatre.
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
Melbourne 5 August – 11 October
Sydney from 14 November
Get tickets here.
The Australian premiere of A Beautiful Noise:The Neil Diamond Musical is coming to Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from 5 August and Sydney from 14 November. Presented by Paul Dainty, Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio, in association with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart busting, show-stopping American rock icon. Acclaimed Broadway star Will Swenson, who originated the role of Neil Diamond on Broadway, will lead the cast.
American Psycho
Melbourne from 29 October
Brisbane from 5 February 2027
Book tickets here.
Set in the money-obsessed Manhattan of the late 1980s, American Psycho – The Musical is a blood-soaked thrill ride through greed, privilege and moral decay, soundtracked by a slick score and iconic hits from Phil Collins, Tears for Fears, New Order and Huey Lewis and the News. Presented by See You Sunday, the musical returns to Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne in October. It’s then set for the Brisbane Powerhouse in 2027, and sees Conor Beaumont reprising his role as Patrick Bateman.
Anastasia
On in Melbourne to 20 February
Perth 3 – 28 March
Sydney 7 April – 18 July
Adelaide 2 – 30 August
Brisbane 16 September – 18 October
Get tickets here.
The hit Broadway musical, Anastasia, made its Australian premiere in Melbourne in December at the Regent Theatre starring Georgina Hopson. Presented by Opera Australia and John Frost for Crossroads Live, the romantic and adventure-filled hit, inspired by the beloved film, will tour the country in 2026. It heads to Crown Perth from 3 March, Sydney Lyric from 7 April, Festival Theatre Adelaide from August and the Lyric Theatre QPAC from September.
Annie
On in Brisbane until 31 January
Get tickets here.
After a premiere in Sydney followed by a Melbourne season, John Frost for Crossroads Live presents Annie the Musical, now playing in Brisbane. Featuring Greg the original Yellow Wiggle in his musical theatre debut alongside musical theatre greats Anthony Warlow and Debora Krizak, it closes at the end of January.
Back to the Future
On in Sydney until 25 January
Get tickets here.
Back to The Future: The Musical made its Australian premiere in October at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, presented by John Frost for Crossroads Live. It stars Tony Award-winner Roger Bart, who originated the role of Doc Brown on the West End and Broadway, and rising star Axel Duffy as Marty McFly. The musical won’t be extending its tour to any further cities as originally hoped, so don’t miss the chance to catch this time travelling musical before its gone.
Barbra: The Greatest Star
Sydney 21 January – 14 February
Get tickets here.
Kicking off the much-anticipated 2026 season at Hayes Theatre Co in Sydney is the dazzling concert event, Barbra: The Greatest Star, a heartfelt tribute to the incomparable Barbra Streisand. Director and performer Brittanie Shipway will both helm and star in the show, alongside Stellar Perry, Laura Murphy and Tana Laga’aia.
Beetlejuice
Brisbane from 6 June
Get tickets here.
Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, Beetlejuice The Musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. Presented by Michael Cassel Group, the show made its Australian premiere in Melbourne in 2025 starring Eddie Perfect and Karis Oka. After opening at the Lyric Theatre QPAC in Brisbane with Andy Karl in the title role, and confirming seasons in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney, the tour is set to close early on 5 July.
Cats
On in Melbourne until 31 January
Brisbane 6 – 22 February
Get tickets here.
Experience the 40th Australian Anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical Cats, touring Melbourne and Brisbane in 2026. Presented by John Frost for Crossroads Live, the show made a Sydney premiere last year, with stops in Adelaide and Perth. The show is on now at Hamer Hall Melbourne, and the tour ends with a two week season at the Lyric Theatre QPAC.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Sydney 21 May – 22 June
Get tickets here.
Presented by Redfern Lae Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co Sydney, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is based on the hit 1988 film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin. This Tony-nominated musical comedy follows two cunning conmen as they go head-to-head on the French Riviera in a winner-takes-all game of deception. Full cast have now been announced.
Elf The Musical
Melbourne 27 November – 13 December
Get tickets here.
Following its smash-hit Australian premiere season at the Sydney Opera House in 2024, Elf The Musical will premiere in Melbourne in the new theatre, CROWN LIVE. Produced by John Frost and Crown Resorts, the heart-warming musical brings holiday magic and Christmas cheer to audiences over the festive season, with Gareth Isaac reprising his role as Buddy. Further cast to be announced.
Evil Dead The Musical
Sydney 20 February – 21 March
Melbourne from 26 March – 12 April
Get tickets here.
Stoddart Entertainment Group presents Evil Dead The Musical: a hilariously gory, blood-soaked rock musical based on the iconic 80s Evil Dead cult film franchise. It runs at the Seymour Centre Sydney from 20 February and Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne from 26 March. Leading the charge as Ash is Harley Dasey, while Grace Alston steps into the dual roles of Annie and Shelley. Emma Wilby joins them as Cheryl, while Jake Ameduri plays Scott. Playing Linda (Ash’s loyal girlfriend) is Elaina Bianchi, while Oliver Clisdell will play Ed, and Harrison Riley will play Jake.
Fiddler on the Roof
Sydney from 31 July – 6 September
Brisbane from 9 October
Melbourne from 31 October
Perth from January 2027
Get tickets here.
The critically acclaimed Fiddler on the Roof will have its inaugural premiere season at Theatre Royal Sydney from July, before touring to Brisbane at the Glasshouse Theatre QPAC from 9 October and Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from 31 October. Date and venue for Perth is still to be announced. Starring Troy Sussman, Alexis Fishman, Sigrid Thornton in her first musical theatre role in a decade, and John Waters alongside a cast of rising talent and seasonal professionals.
Set in 1905 in the tiny village of Anatevka, Tevye the milkman clings to proud traditions as a matchmaker seeks husbands for his five daughters. As each daughter challenges his beliefs in a changing world, Tevye must decide whether to hold fast to his roots or learn to embrace the unfamiliar.
Footloose
Adelaide 11 – 19 April
Brisbane 24 April – 2 May
Other city dates to be announced.
Get tickets here.
After a successful Melbourne season in 2025, Footloose: The Musical is going on tour! The musical arrives at Her Majesty’s Theatre Adelaide from April, then the Royal ICC in Brisbane, with Perth, Sydney and a return Melbourne season to be announced. Keep an eye on the website for details. This brand-new remastered production will have you dancing in the aisles to the iconic hits you know and love. Join Ren, the city kid turned rebel with a cause, as he shakes up a small town where music and dancing are outlawed.
Gutenberg! The Musical!
Sydney 10 April – 10 May
Get tickets here.
The Broadway smash hit Gutenberg! The Musical!, coming to Hayes Theatre Co Sydney, is a love letter to the underdog, and to music theatre itself. Richard Carroll directs the first production of Gutenberg! in Australia since it broke Broadway records in 2023-24 – bringing together Sydney Theatre Award winners Stephen Anderson and Ryan Gonzalez in an irresistibly irreverent celebration of creativity, resilience, and the sheer joy of putting on a show – even when no one asked you to.
Hair
Sydney from 6 June
Get tickets here.
Following its acclaimed Melbourne season, Australian Shakespeare Company’s new production of HAIR will open at Theatre Royal Sydney from 6 June for a strictly limited season. 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.
Head Over Heels
Sydney 20 February – 22 March
Get tickets here.
Presented by Well Done Creative in association with Hayes Theatre Co Sydney, Head Over Heels is a joyfully queer, high-camp musical comedy that combines Shakespearean style romance with the iconic 80s pop anthems of The Go-Go’s. Set in a mythical kingdom obsessed with tradition, this riotous romp follows a royal family on a journey to save their world only to discover the true power of embracing change, authenticity, and love in all its glorious forms.
Starring Jenni Little, Shannen Alyce Quan, Gaz Dutlow, Ellie Chan, Nancy Denis, Adam Noviello, Ellen Ebbs, Minerva Khodabande, J Ridler and Thomas Campbell.
Heathers
Melbourne from 8 April
Adelaide 16 – 26 July
Gold Coast 30 July – 9 August
Canberra 14 – 23 August
Sydney 26 – 29 August, Coliseum Theatre
Sydney 1 – 19 September, Roslyn Packer Theatre
Perth 30 September – 11 October
Get tickets here.
Bill Kenwright Ltd, Paul Taylor-Mills, GMG Productions and Stoddart Entertainment presents Heathers The Musical, the high-octane, black comedy rock musical based on the cult 1989 film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The musical will play from April 2026 as part of a major Australia–New Zealand tour. The production features a stellar Australasian cast including some exciting up-and-coming talent, with the Class of 2026 announced here!
Heathers The Musical runs in Melbourne from 8 April at the Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, Adelaide 16 – 26 July at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Gold Coast 30 July – 9 August at HOTA, Home of the Arts, Canberra 14 – 23 August at Canberra Theatre Centre, Sydney 26 – 29 August at the Coliseum Theatre and 1 – 19 September at Roslyn Packer Theatre, and finally, Perth 30 September – 11 October at the Regal Theatre.
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
Sydney 28 August – 27 September
Get tickets here.
LPD Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co Sydney presents How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, a rollicking comic gem of satire and song and a joyful, knowing wink to the ambitious window washer lurking inside us all. Directed and choreographed by Cameron Mitchell, Jake Speer leads the cast, with the full announcement here.
Into The Woods
Adelaide 22 – 29 August
Get tickets here.
State Opera South Australia’s Golden Jubilee season includes Into The Woods, everyone’s favourite Sondheim fairytale musical, this August at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Starring former State Opera Children’s Chorus member, Hugh Sheridan, as The Baker and Johanna Allen as his wife alongside a great, all South Australian cast.
Into The Woods
Brisbane 11 – 21 November
Toowoomba 3 – 4 December
Get tickets here.
Queensland Theatre Company’s Season 2026 ends in a fitting crescendo, bringing together three of the state’s cultural powerhouses. Queensland Theatre Company, Opera Queensland and Queensland Symphony Orchestra will bring a new production of Into The Woods to QPAC’s sparkling Glasshouse Theatre, sharing the stage for the first time. Nina Korbe and Amy Lehpamer join a stellar cast of celebrated musical theatre and opera performers.
Little Shop of Horrors
On in Brisbane until 15 February
Look for tickets here, although the season has sold out.
Queensland Performing Arts Centre in association with Woodward Productions brings Little Shop of Horrors to Brisbane and it’s open now! The musical runs to 15 February at the Cremorne Theatre, QPAC and will be a one city exclusive season.
Maxwell Simon stars as Seymour, Kirby Burgess stars as Audrey, while Matthew McKenzie and Charles Ball bring the infamous Audrey II to life through voice work and puppetry.
Mamma Mia! The Musical
Melbourne 7 February – 8 March
Get tickets here.
AG Theatre brings Mamma Mia! The Musical to Melbourne this Summer for a special, five week engagement at the National Theatre. Featuring twenty-two of ABBA’s greatest hits, including Dancing Queen, Voulez Vous, S.O.S and Take a Chance On Me, the iconic songs are guaranteed to have audiences dancing in the aisles! Full cast has been announced here.
Mamma Mia! The Musical
Gold Coast 4 – 20 September
Get tickets here.
The Very Popular Theatre Company brings Mamma Mia! to The Star on the Gold Coast. Leading the cast is Erin Cornell as Donna Sheridan, with Emily Monsma as Sophie Sheridan. Mamma Mia! has captivated over 70 million people across the globe since its 1999 debut in London’s West End and remains a favourite, feel good musical.
Menopause The Musical
Geelong 21 – 23 August
Parramatta 27 – 30 August
Melbourne 2 – 6 September
Newcastle 11 – 13 September
Adelaide 16 – 27 September
Brisbane 30 September – 11 October
Canberra 15 – 18 October
Get tickets here.
Since its 2001 premiere, Menopause The Musical® has played to over 17 million women (and brave men) in more than 500 cities and nine languages. In Las Vegas, it’s the longest-running musical in the city’s history, thanks to a record-breaking 17-year run — and counting. The 2026 Australian tour kicks off in Geelong in August, starring Catherine Alcorn, Sally Bourne, Lena Cruz and Chelsea Gibb, with Hester van der Vyver as understudy.
MJ The Musical
On in Melbourne until 13 March
Brisbane from 27 March
Perth from 7 June
Get tickets here.
After an Australian premiere in Sydney in 2025, Michael Cassel Group presents MJ The Musical, now playing in Melbourne with Ilario Grant starring as the King of Pop. It will tour to Brisbane from 27 March at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC and complete its Australian tour in Perth from 7 June at Crown Theatre.
Mrs. Doubtfire
Melbourne from 25 November
Sydney from March 2027
Get tickets here.
Mrs. Doubtfire, the feel good comedy musical based on the beloved film, will make its Australian premiere at the Princess Theatre Melbourne from November 2026, starring Jake Speer. The musical will then run at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney from March 2027, presented by Jones Theatrical Group.
My Brilliant Career
Melbourne 23 January – 28 February
Canberra 7 – 15 March
Sydney 21 March – 3 May
Wollongong 8 – 17 May
Get tickets here.
Melbourne Theatre Company kicks off its 2026 Season with My Brilliant Career starring Kala Gare. The back by popular demand musical, based on the novel by Miles Franklin, runs in Melbourne from 23 January – 28 February at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner.
After winning five Green Room Awards in 2024 including Outstanding Production, My Brilliant Career will tour to the Canberra Theatre Centre from 7 March, Roslyn Packer Theatre Sydney from 21 March, and the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre Wollongong from 8 May.
My Fair Lady
Sydney 12 September – 30 October
Melbourne from 14 November
Get tickets here.
Celebrating 70 dazzling years since its debut, Lerner and Loewe’s iconic My Fair Lady returns to the Sydney Opera House from September, presented by John Frost For Crossroads Live and Opera Australia. It will be guided by musical theatre and Hollywood royalty Julie Andrews and co-directed by Karen Johnson Mortimer. Claire Lyon stars as Eliza Doolittle.
In keeping with the anniversary milestones, Opera Australia will also mark its platinum 70th anniversary in 2026, making it an extra special double celebration. The show will also tour to Melbourne from November, making it the first major musical to perform at Arts Centre Melbourne’s refurbished Ian Potter State Theatre.
Ned Kelly
Ballarat 28 March
Melbourne 24 – 25 July
Get tickets here.
Victorian Opera will revive an iconic work of Australian theatre with Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly: The Musical. The exclusive season runs for two performances only at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat. Following original seasons in Adelaide and Sydney in the late 1970s, this landmark musical returns to the stage for the first time in 48 years. It features a stellar cast of Australian musical-theatre greats including Ethan Jones in the title role. It heads to Melbourne in July.
Once
Melbourne 8 – 23 May
Get tickets here.
Melbourne’s independent theatre company AG Theatre will present Once for a limited season at Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel in May. Once follows a Dublin-born busker and vacuum-fixer as he meets a young Czech mother with a faulty vacuum cleaner who reinvigorates his passion for music. It combines the infectious rhythm of Irish céili, an incredibly talented cast of actor-musicians, an Academy Award-winning soundtrack and a heart-warming story. Cast is yet to be announced.
Pretty Woman
On in Sydney until 5 April
Perth from 18 April – 24 May
Adelaide 31 May – 28 June
Melbourne 14 July – 13 September
Get tickets here.
Head to Hollywood with the dazzling stage adaptation of one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time – Pretty Woman: The Musical. Presented by Jones Theatrical Group, Pretty Woman premiered in Brisbane in October before heading to Sydney, where it is currently playing at the Theatre Royal. Starring Samantha Jade and Ben Hall as Vivian and Edward, the musical will tour in 2026 to Crown Theatre Perth, Her Majesty’s Theatre Adelaide and the Regent Theatre Melbourne.
Putting It Together
On in Sydney until 15 February
Get tickets here.
A dazzling celebration of Stephen Sondheim’s greatest work, Impresario Productions presents Putting It Together, coming to the Foundry Theatre in Sydney.
Featuring a seamless revue of Sondheim’s most iconic songs, all wrapped within a clever and intimate story set at an all-night, black tie party. This once-in-a-lifetime event brings together some of Australia’s finest performers: Caroline O’Connor, Michael Cormick, Nigel Huckle, Bert LaBonté and Stefanie Caccamo, alongside Australia’s finest creative team.
Saturday Night Fever
On in Melbourne until 25 January
Get tickets here.
Drew Anthony Creative brings the smash hit musical Saturday Night Fever to Melbourne, direct from a highly successful Perth season. The show runs at the historic Athenaeum Theatre this January and stars Ethan Churchill as Tony Manero, Regan Barber as Stefanie, George Kapiniaris as Frank Manero alongside a talented cast of performers.
Shrek
On in Melbourne until 10 January
Frankston 12 – 14 January
Bendigo 16 – 17 January
Sydney 21 – 24 January
Get tickets here.
Bringing the beloved DreamWorks classic from screen to stage, Shrek The Musical transforms the world of Far Far Away into a vibrant theatrical adventure presented by Showcase Entertainment Group. The production boasts million-dollar sets, intricately crafted costumes, and immersive lighting design, bringing cinematic scale to the live stage.
Silver Tongue
Sydney 13 November – 12 December
Get tickets here.
Created by breakout Australian talents Miranda Middleton, Jacob Parker and Alec Steedman, and developed by Hayes Theatre Co Sydney over several years, Silver Tongue is a world premiere you won’t want to miss – a swashbuckling romp full of heart, swagger, and constant surprises. A bold, funny, wryly inventive, and gloriously offbeat re-imagining of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, the musical is brought to life by a cast of actor-musicians led by Hayes favourite Billie Palin in the title role. Get ready for a wet, wild and witty voyage packed with big ideas, whip-smart dialogue, and punchy, genre-blending songs.
SIX
Melbourne 24 July – 23 August
Sydney 9 October – 8 November
Brisbane from January 2027
Get tickets here.
From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr will turn up the mics in SIX: The Musical. Remixing five hundred years of history into an 80-minute electrifying pop-concert musical, it what has become a global cultural phenomenon.
Seasons are confirmed at the Comedy Theatre Melbourne from July, Theatre Royal Sydney from October and QPAC’s Playhouse Theatre in Brisbane from January 2027. Produced in Australia by Louise Withers, Michael Coppel and Linda Bewick. The cast of Queens are here.
Monty Python’s Spamalot
Melbourne 16 September – 11 October
Sydney 15 – 18 October and 22 – 25 October
Get tickets here.
After a spectacular season in Perth, Monty Python’s Spamalot will gallop into Melbourne and Sydney starring Steven Curry as King Arthur. Presented by Drew Anthony Creative, the show will run at the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne before transferring to Sydney, with two short seasons at the Event Centre at the Star Sydney and the Coliseum Theatre.
Stella: A New Australian Musical
Melbourne 12 – 20 June
Get tickets here.
The world premiere of STELLA tells the remarkable story of Miles Franklin. Seven years in the making, this new production draws on Franklin’s sharp, witty and distinctive voice, weaving her own words into the piece, balancing humour and heart. A genre-spanning score moves from Australian and Irish folk and bush ballads through to salsa, neo-classical, pop, punk rock and classic musical theatre, capturing the energy, resilience and adventurous spirit of one of Australia’s most iconic literary figures. It runs for a limited season.
The Addams Family
Sydney 11 July – 9 August
Get tickets here.
Joshua Robson Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co Sydney presents The Addams Family. Join Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, and the rest of the delightfully macabre clan as they navigate love, family, and chaos in their own peculiar way. By the team behind the 2025 Hayes Theatre season of The Producers, the kooky cast is yet to be announced.
The Book of Mormon
On in Sydney until 25 January
Melbourne from 6 February
Brisbane from 31 July
Perth from October
Adelaide from December
Get tickets here.
The Mormons are back! The Book of Mormon is spreading the good word in Sydney at the Capitol Theatre, with a cast led by Sean Johnston and Nick Cox. This outrageous musical comedy, presented by Jones Theatrical Group, Important Musicals and Anne Garefino, follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent on a mission to a place that’s about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get. In 2026, the musical is heading to Melbourne‘s Princess Theatre from February. It will be arriving at Brisbane‘s new Glasshouse Theatre from July, Crown Theatre Perth from October and Adelaide from December.
The Great British Bake Off
Melbourne dates TBA
Sydney dates TBA
Brisbane dates TBA
Waitlist here.
The Great British Bake Off Musical is based on the beloved global television phenomenon and it’s heading to Australia! Produced by See You Sunday who brought us American Psycho last year, the musical was first seen in 2023 on the West End. The Australian premiere is confirmed for Melbourne and will tour to Sydney and Brisbane. Dates, venues and cast details to come.
The Last Ship
Brisbane 9 April – 3 May
Get tickets here.
Grammy Award winning artist Sting will perform in his musical, The Last Ship, at QPAC’s newest venue, Glasshouse Theatre, a Karl Sydow production exclusive to Brisbane. The global icon will play a leading role in a renewed version of the acclaimed musical 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 moving story of a community of shipbuilders in the northeast of England, faced with the closure of their shipyard – the heart of their existence.
The Lion King
Sydney 18 April – 4 October
Brisbane from 15 November
Get tickets here.
The global phenomenon, The Lion King returns in April, opening at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, and then moves to the Lyric Theatre, QPAC in Brisbane in November. As the world’s #1 musical, it has been seen by more than 124 million worldwide. The Lion King will be the ninth production from Disney Theatrical Group to play in Sydney over the past thirty years. Returning to lead the cast as Rafiki will be Buyi Zama, who has played Rafiki in the 2003 and 2013 tours. New Zealander Nick Afoa made his theatre debut twelve years ago as Simba before performing the role on London’s West End. Afoa now returns to play Mufasa. Read more about the cast here.
The Phantom Of The Opera
Sydney 27 March – 3 May
Get tickets here.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The Opera returns to Sydney for a limited season at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour from 27 March.
Unmatched views of world-renowned Sydney Opera House, a live orchestra, nightly fireworks and pop-up restaurants and bars, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is one of the most unique theatrical experiences in the world. It’s the only place where you can see this magnificent, grand-scale production under the stars.
Newcomer Jake Lyle will playThe Phantom, making his musical theatre debut. Celebrated soprano Amy Manford is Christine Daaé, playing the role to critical acclaim in both the recent Australian in-theatre tour and the West End production. Rising star Jarrod Draper completes the trio as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. The full cast announcement is here.
The Pirates of Penzance
Melbourne 31 January – 6 February
Get tickets here.
Set sail for a swashbuckling summer as Gilbert & Sullivan’s uproariously silly operetta The Pirates of Penzance storms the stage of the Palais Theatre, presented by Victorian Opera. Bursting with much-loved music, the score will leave you grinning in a production directed by Stuart Maunder and conducted by James Pratt. Ben Mingay plays The Pirate King, Antoinette Halloran plays Ruth, with Nina Korbe as Mabel and Nicholas Jones as Frederic.
The Pirates of Penzance
Sydney 12 May – 7 June
Get tickets here.
For the first time ever, Hayes Theatre Co brings one of its landmark productions to the Foundry Theatre stage. After a sold-out extended season at Hayes in 2025, plus visits to Wyong, Wollongong and Canberra, Hayes Theatre Co-Artistic Directors Richard Carroll and Victoria Falconer will raise the Jolly Roger once again as they revive their acclaimed version of The Pirates of Penzance.
The Prom
Sydney from 24 March – 19 April
Get tickets here.
Teatro at the Italian Forum will present the Australian premiere of the Broadway smash hit The Prom. 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. On a mission to transform lives, Broadway’s brassiest join forces with a courageous girl and the town’s citizens and the result is love that brings them all together.
The full cast has been announced and includes Caroline O’Connor as Dee Dee Allen and Sophie Montague as Emma.
The Sapphires
Brisbane 28 April – 24 May
Canberra 30 May – 7 June
Get tickets here.
Immortalised on film, the real-life story of four Yorta Yorta women who sang for troops during the Vietnam War, The Sapphires returns to the Brisbane and Canberra stages in a knockout new production by Queensland Theatre Company and Canberra Theatre Centre. Former QTC Artistic Director Wesley Enoch returns to direct the stellar and soulful musical, featuring a talented cast of First Nations artists including Aurora Liddle-Christie, Taeg Twist, Ruby Henaway and Tehya Makani.
Tootsie
Sydney from 26 May
Get tickets here.
Co-Founders Nathan M Wright and Andrew Bevis are bringing the hit Broadway musical Tootsie to Teatro at the Italian Forum in May. Full cast announcements for the highly anticipated Australian premiere is here.
Waitress
Melbourne 1 May – 19 July
Get tickets here.
John Frost for Crossroads Live presents the long-awaited Australian premiere of Waitress, opening at Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne on 1 May. The inspiring musical from pop sensation Sara Bareilles stars Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Rob Mills. Principal cast were announced ahead of the full exciting line up.
This heartwarming and empowering musical 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, Jenna discovers that the secret ingredient to happiness might be closer than she ever imagined.
The previously announced Sydney season will no longer be going ahead, with producers citing challenging economic conditions as the reason for the early ending.
We Are The Tigers
Sydney 9 October – 8 November
Get tickets here.
Cheers Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co Sydney presents We Are The Tigers, directed and choreographed by Chiara Assetta. It’s the annual sleepover of the Giles Corey High Cheerleading Squad, and captain Riley is determined to lead her squad to redemption after last year’s spectacular flop. But what starts as a night of pizza and team bonding quickly spirals into chaos. There’s a killer on the loose and one of their own is dead. Will the squad rally together, or will the pyramid collapse for good?
Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical
Sydney previews 15 – 24 November, season 26 November – 27 December
Get info here. Single tickets on sale now!
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the highest-selling Australian album of all time, Whispering Jack, Sydney Theatre Company and Artistic Director Mitchell Butel join forces with Michael Cassel Group, Gaynor Wheatley, TalentWorks and acclaimed writer Jack Yabsley to bring Farnham’s life, mischief and musical genius to the stage.
The world premiere of Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical is a celebration, not just of hits like Pressure Down, Age of Reason, Two Strong Hearts and That’s Freedom, but also of friendship, family and a great Australian artist’s desire to shine a light on the world around us. Michael Paynter will play The Voice with the rest of cast is to be announced. The season runs at Roslyn Packer Theatre as part of STC’s 2026 season.
And that’s your Australian Musical Theatre Guide to 2026! If we’ve missed anything, drop us an email at editor@thescoop.au.
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Hero image: The Canadian company of Waitress. Photo by Marie-Andrée
