Musicals & opera in Sydney

If you love your stage show to come with plenty of musical and theatrical highs – you’re in luck. Sydney hosts an impressive number of musicals each year, from the latest Broadway and West End shows to timeless classics. The best bit? You get to enjoy your entertainment in establishments that are just as alluring as the drama unfolding before you. Here’s what you can look forward to for the rest of the year.

& Juliet

Showing at: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Dates: 27 February to 12 May 2024

The Emmy®-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, David West Read, flips the script on Shakespeare in a hilarious and poignant story of self-discovery and second chances which proves there’s life after Romeo. After premiering on the West End and earning a staggering eight Olivier Awards nominations, & Juliet has also been one of the most unexpected theatrical triumphs on Broadway, with Forbes Magazine boldly saying: “This is easily the best musical of the year”. Coming to Sydney for a 2024 season, come and sing along to this pop extravaganza, with music from Katy Perry, Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys, Ariana Grande, Pink, Just Timberlake and more.

Performers on stage at & Juliet at the Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont

& Juliet at the Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont - Credit: Dan Boud

Grease

Showing at: Capitol Theatre
Dates: 24 March to 1 June 2024

Next year, the number one, party musical Grease is returning to the Australian stage in a new, multi-million-dollar live production. Starring Joseph Spanti as Danny, Annelise Hall as Sandy, Patti Newton as Miss Lynch, Jay Laga’aia as Vince Fontaine and Marcia Hines as Teen Angel - alongside all those unforgettable songs such as 'Summer Nights', 'You're the One That I Want' and 'Greased Lightnin' - get ready to dust off your leather jackets and pull up your bobbysocks as Danny and Sandy fall in love all over again.

Grease The Musical at the Capitol Theatre, Haymarket - Credit: Grease The Musical

West Side Story on Sydney Harbour

Showing at: Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
Dates: 22 March to 21 April 2024 (excluding Mondays and Good Friday)

Following an incredible 2023 season with Madama Butterfly, Opera Australia has announced that smash-hit musical West Side Story will return to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage in 2024. Experience the greatest score ever written for musical theatre, dynamic dance numbers and a love story for the ages at this larger-than-life production, which remains the most successful of all Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour productions. Arrive early to enjoy the sun setting over the city skyline as you raise a glass, then take your seat to enjoy the enthralling show, complete with live orchestra and fireworks.

West Side Story on Sydney Harbour, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour

The Rocky Horror Show

Showing at: Theatre Royal Sydney
Dates: 31 March to 28 April 2024

Due to popular demand, the iconic rock'n'roll musical The Rocky Horror Show will be doing the Time Warp again on Theatre Royal Sydney's stage for a return season in 2024, starring Australian superstar Jason Donovan as Frank N Furter. Seen by over 30 million people worldwide, performed in over 30 countries, on every continent and translated into more than 20 languages, one of the world's favourite musicals follows squeaky-clean sweethearts Brad and Janet on an adventure they’ll never forget. Time to sharpen those stilettos!

Performers on stage at the The Rocky Horror Show at the Theatre Royal, Sydney

The Rocky Horror Show at the Theatre Royal, Sydney - Credit: Daniel Boud

Parade

Showing at: Seymour Centre
Dates: 9 to 25 May 2024

Following the Broadway Revival in 2023 and a sell-out season in Melbourne, the Tony Award-winning musical Parade by Jason Robert Brown is coming to Sydney in 2024. With a book by acclaimed playwright Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy) and a rousing, colourful and haunting score by Jason Robert Brown (Songs for a New World, The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County), this is the true story of an unsolved murder that divided a nation.

Performers singing on stage during Parade, Chippendale

Parade at the Seymour Centre, Chippendale - Credit: Parade

Chicago the Musical

Showing at: Capitol Theatre
Dates: 9 June 2024 to 28 July 2025

Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery, treachery and all that jazz... so begins the international multi-award-winning musical, Chicago. The longest-running musical on Broadway, this masterpiece is coming to the Capitol Theatre in 2024. Starring Anthony Warlow as Billy Flynn, Zoë Ventoura as Velma Kelly, Lucy Maunder as Roxie Hart, Peter Rowsthorn as Amos Hart and Asabi Goodman as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton, expect a glittering score that includes 'All That Jazz' and 'Razzle Dazzle'.

Cast of Chicago The Musical at The Capital Theatre, Haymarket

Chicago The Musical at The Capital Theatre, Haymarket - Credit: Chicago

Sister Act

Showing at: Capitol Theatre
Dates: 6 August to 1 September 2024

Sydney, your prayers have been answered! Direct from London's West End, the Broadway hit Sister Act is coming Down Under this August. If you aren't familiar with the story made famous by the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, let's recap: disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder and is placed under protective custody, hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found - a convent - where she helps the struggling choir find their true voices while rediscovering her own.

West End smash-hit Sister Act is coming to Sydney's Capital Theatre - Credit: Mark Senior

SIX the Musical

Showing at: Theatre Royal Sydney
Dates: 1 October 2024 to 1 January 2025

Following sensational sell-out seasons across Australia, the pop musical phenomenon SIX the Musical is returning to Theatre Royal Sydney in October 2024! Having now won 35 major international awards, including two prestigious Tony Awards and a Grammy nomination, and with a global audience of 3.5 million people per year and a staggering 600 million soundtrack streams, this high-octane 80-minute musical experience has become a cultural sensation.

MJ the Musical

Showing at: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Dates: 1 to 28 February 2025

He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry is heading to Australia in the multiple Tony Award®-winning new musical MJ. Created by Tony Award®-winning director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, the story is centred around the making of MJ's 1992 Dangerous World Tour, going beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, and taking a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Jackson into legendary status.