Musicals & opera in Sydney

Hairspray

Showing at: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Dates: 24 January to 28 March 2023

See the eight Tony Award winning musical Hairspray at Sydney Lyric Theatre. The romantic comedy tells the story of teenage Tracy Turnblad, whose dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, and what happens when her dream becomes a reality. Featuring the irrepressible feel-good songs 'Good Morning, Baltimore' 'Big, Blonde and Beautiful' and 'You Can't Stop the Beat', Hairspray is a fabulous, funny and fantastic musical sensation.

Cast of Hairspray at Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont - Credit: Hairspray

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Showing at: Capitol Theatre
Dates: 24 February to 16 April 2023

In the summer of 1968, Andrew Lloyd Webber was asked by Alan Doggett, head of the music department at London’s Colet Court School, to create a “pop cantata” for the school choir to sing at their end of term concert. Andrew approached his friend Tim Rice to write lyrics for the project. Hence, the first incarnation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was born – running for just 15 minutes and accompanied by a school orchestra. In the decades since, it is estimated that more than 20,000 schools and amateur theatre groups have staged their own productions. Now, all ages can enjoy the jubilant musical in Sydney. Starring Paulini as The Narrator, Euan Fistrovic Doidge as Joseph and Trevor Ashley as Pharaoh, the performance is running for a strictly limited season – so book your tickets now!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Capitol Theatre - Credit: Daniel Boud

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Showing at: Hayes Theatre
Dates: 28 February – 26 March 2023

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes tells the raucous and subversive story of Lorelei Lee and Dorothy Shaw – two smart, young, single women with a burning desire for experiences that aren’t supposed to be available to them within the laws and conventions of the 1920s. Armed with only their vitality, ambition, quick wits and, above all, their unshakeable friendship – these ahead-of-their-time women play the men at their own game and live life to the full. Champagne? Check. Diamonds? Check. Sex? Check, check, check. And as for the consequences? They’ll worry about those when the ship docks. Featuring songs like ‘Bye Bye Baby’ and ‘Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend’, the famous tale that made stars of Carol Channing onstage and Marilyn Monroe on film is now showing at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre.

Gentleman Prefer Blondes at Hayes Theatre, Potts Point

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - Madama Butterfly 

Showing at: Sydney Harbour 
Dates: 24 March to 23 April 2023 

One of the world’s most-loved operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly returns to Sydney in March 2023. With an incredible setting under the stars, and with a backdrop of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Handa Opera stage is an unbeatable location for this critically acclaimed opera. Set in Nagasaki, Japan, Madama Butterfly tells the tale of Cio-Cio-San, a former geisha who falls in love and marries an American naval officer, Pinkerton. Only to be abandoned by him when he returns to America.  

Madama Butterfly on Sydney Harbour, Mrs Macquaries Point

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical 

Showing at: Theatre Royal Sydney 
Dates: 4 May to 3 September 2023  

The multi-award winning TINA – The Tina Turner Musical arrives in Sydney in May 2023. Inspired by the incredible life story of the Queen of Rock n’ Roll, the musical features some of the Grammy Award-winning artist's greatest hits, including ‘Simply The Best’, ‘What's Love Got To Do With It’, and ‘Proud Mary’. Coming direct from Broadway, the smash hit musical brings joy, passion and heart-pumping tunes to the Theatre Royal Sydney. 

Tina Turner Musical, Theatre Royal Sydney - Credit: Tina Turner Musical

MAMMA MIA! The Musical 

Showing at: Sydney Lyric Theatre 
Dates: 24 May to 18 June 2023  

MAMMA MIA! The Musical returns to Sydney in May 2023 at Sydney Lyric Theatre. Featuring 22 of ABBA’s greatest hits, including ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Voulez Vous’, ‘S.O.S’, ‘Take a Chance On Me’, ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’ and ‘The Winner Takes It All’, the show is a celebration of love, laughter and friendship. Join the 65 million people worldwide who have experienced this uplifting musical. 

Mamma Mia! The Musical at Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont

Beauty and the Beast 

Showing at: Capitol Theatre 
Dates: 14 June to 17 September 2023 

See the Australian premiere of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Sydney's Capitol Theatre. 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.  

Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the Capitol Theatre, Haymarket

WICKED the Musical

Showing at: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Dates: 25 August to 24 September 2023

Discover the untold 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