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.

Must-see musicals

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical

Showing at: Theatre Royal Sydney
Dates: 4 May 2023 to 31 December 2023

TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is now playing to standing ovations at Theatre Royal Sydney. Experience the inspiring life story of Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock n’ Roll, who didn’t just break the rules – she rewrote them. With critics calling it "a rock music spectacular" (Limelight) and "breathtakingly exciting" (ArtsHub), this heart-pumping production is bringing audiences to their feet night after night. Featuring more than 20 of her iconic songs, including 'Simply the Best', 'What’s Love Got to Do with It' and 'Proud Mary', this smash-hit musical is not to be missed.

Close up of Ruva Ngwenya in TINA The Musical - Credit: Daniel Boud

Close up of Ruva Ngwenya in TINA - The Tina Turner Musical - Credit: Daniel Boud

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Showing at: Capitol Theatre
Dates: 14 June to 24 December 2023

Disney's remarkable reimagination of Beauty and the Beast the Musical is now enchanting audiences at the Capitol Theatre. Experience this timeless tale come to life on stage like never before, leaving audiences spellbound. Direct from the West End, the exciting stage production features all the classic songs of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice including ‘Belle’, ‘Gaston’, ‘Human Again’ and ‘Be Our Guest’. Starring Australian performers Shubshri Kandiah and Brendan Xavier as Belle and the Beast.

Shubshri Kandiah and Brendan Xavier in Beauty and the Beast

Shubshri Kandiah and Brendan Xavier in Disney's Beauty and the Beast - The Musical - Credit: Disney

Elvis: A Musical Revolution

Showing at: The State Theatre
Dates: 2 August 2023 to 16 September 2023

Experience the incredible life story of Elvis through a new musical spectacular. Featuring over 40 of his hit songs including ‘Jailhouse Rock’ ‘Hound Dog’ ‘That’s All Right’ ‘Suspicious Minds’ ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ and ‘A Little Less Conversation’. The Australian premiere of Elvis: A Musical Revolution hits the State Theatre with an all-star Australian cast and dazzling choreography in August.

Elvis: A Musical Revolution, State Theatre

Murder for Two

Showing at: Hayes Theatre
Dates: 4 August 2023 to 3 September 2023

In this hilarious 90-minute show, two of the country’s most exciting up-and-coming musical comedy performers play 13 roles between them – not to mention the piano – in a witty parody of classic murder mysteries. Officer Marcus Moscowicz is a small-town policeman with dreams of making it to detective. One fateful night, shots ring out at the surprise birthday party of Great American Novelist Arthur Whitney, and the writer is killed…fatally. With the nearest detective an hour away, Marcus jumps at the chance to prove his sleuthing skills, with the help of his silent partner, Lou. But whodunit?

Actors on stage at Murder for Two, Elizabeth Bay

Murder for Two, Elizabeth Bay - Credit: Murder for Two

Miss Saigon

Showing at: Sydney Opera House
Dates: 17 August 2023 to 13 October 2023

The West End and Broadway hit musical Miss Saigon is heading to the Sydney Opera House. The Cameron Mackintosh and Opera Australia production features a cast of 42 talented artists including Abigail Adriano as Kim, Seann Miley Moore as the Engineer and Nigel Huckle as Chris. The epic love story features Boublil and Schönberg's hit songs ‘The Heat is On in Saigon’ ‘The Movie in My Mind’ ‘Last Night of the World’ and ‘The American Dream’.

Miss Saigon, Sydney Opera House

WICKED the Musical

Showing at: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Dates: 25 August to 10 December 2023

Discover the untold true story of the Witches of Oz at Sydney Lyric, and see the Broadway sensation WICKED. The musical goes back in time, before Dorothy arrives and tells the story of two witches. Elphaba - with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent and Glinda - a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular. Rivalry turns to friendship, before the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.” The musical turns 20 at the end of 2023, at which point it will become the 4th longest-running show in Broadway history.

WICKED the Musical at Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont

The Dismissal

Showing at: Sydney’s Seymour Centre
Dates: 26 August to 1 October 2023

Check out the original Australian musical The Dismissal, making its world premiere from August 2023 at Sydney’s Seymour Centre. The musical tells the epic story of the sacking of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by the Governer-General Sir John Kerr in 1975, told through the eyes of iconic larrikin Norman Gunston. Conceived and directed by Jay James-Moody and with music and lyrics by Laura Murphy.