musical

Theatre Review: Chicago is a seductive jailhouse romp with star-studded glam

Full of murder, greed and that oh so seductive razzle dazzle, Broadway’s longest-running musical has found its way back to Australia for a limited season. Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two strong individuals with big aspirations who find themselves locked up and on trial for murder. When they learn of…

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Theatre Review: Rent’s narrative lacks impact, but the iconic songs stand strong

The streets of New York’s East Village are bustling with love, art, culture and spirit. Despite oppressive powers threatening to break friendships and crush dreams, this resilient group of friends celebrate the power of the human spirit, bringing people together to stand up for what they love. This is Rent. Jonathan Larson’s hit musical has…

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Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo defy gravity in anticipated first-look trailer for Wicked

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season. Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young…

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Film Review: The Color Purple is a lively and important, yet unbalanced musical story

Though it’s an at-times lively and emotionally affecting tale, with a slew of stand-out performances across the board (Taraji P. Henson and the rightfully Oscar-nominated Danielle Brooks, for starters), the reimagined The Color Purple can’t help but catch itself between honouring its source material (Alice Walker‘s 1982 novel and the original 1985 film) and the…

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Film Review: Mean Girls; 2024 musical update honours the original as much as it forges its own fetch personality

Like many a millennial, the original Mean Girls from 2004 holds a special place in the depths of my queer, quote-filled heart.  It’s why there was sense of trepidation in coming into the new iteration of Tina Fey and Mark Waters’ high-school comedy.  Now, I was actually fully aware that this particular version was a…

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Theatre Review: Grease the Musical is a non-stop extravaganza of electrifying hits

Calling all gals and guys – welcome to Rydell High, where romances are flourishing, tensions are rising, and most importantly, grease is the word. Grease the Musical has grooved its way back to Australian shores, and this time it’s bigger, slicker and sexier than ever before. Sandy, Danny, the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies all…

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Theatre Review: Choir of Man celebrates the good vibes of the humble pub

You’ve never been to a pub quite like this. Where music, mates and good times collide, Choir of Man is more than a musical – it’s also a play, a concert and a celebration of the pub as a place to share a laugh, some banter and your feelings. From creatives Nic Doodson and Andrew…

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Win a double in-season pass to the new comedy MEAN GIRLS

Plastic is forever! To celebrate the release of MEAN GIRLS, with thanks to Paramount Pictures and Superdream, we are giving away 5 double in-season passes (Admit 2) to see the fetch new comedy from Tina Fey, based on the MEAN GIRLS stage musical, and starring Angourie Rice, Auli’i Cravalho, Reneé Rapp, Jaquel Spivey, Avantika, Bebe…

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Theatre Review: A Christmas Carol is the must-see festive event of the year

Journey to Victorian London and immerse yourself in the joys of Christmas with this stunning Old Vic revival of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. A truly unique theatre experience, this production encompasses the heart, soul and meaning of what makes the festive season so special. After travelling through London, Broadway and across the US, winning five…

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Theatre Review: Elvis: A Musical Revolution is a (mostly) rockin’ good time

Leather jacket? Check. Guitar? Check. Blue suede shoes? Uh-huh. Get ready to relive the life and music of Elvis Presley, the global phenomenon who would go on to birth a musical revolution. Going from his upbringing in Tupelo, Mississippi all the way to his iconic 1968 NBC Comeback Special, Elvis: A Musical Revolution tells the…

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Win a double in-season pass to see Carmen starring Melissa Barrera and Paul Mescal

Thanks to Madman we have 5 double in-season passes (Admit 2) to see the romantic and exhilarating Carmen, starring Melissa Barrera and Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal, in cinemas from July 13th, 2023. Carmen, a captivating and determined young woman, leaves her family and community behind to escape a brutal Mexican cartel. Grief stricken following…

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Elvis

Elvis: A Musical Revolution will be in the building (Sydney and Melbourne) from August

Lace up your blue suede shoes and get ready to relive the storied life of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley in the premiere of a brand new bio-musical – Elvis: A Musical Revolution. Following successful Australian runs of The Wedding Singer and Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical, David Venn Enterprises presents a…

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Review: Once is a touching story of love, life and music at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre

From the big screen to the stage, the story of Once has struck a chord with audiences all around the world since its inception in 2007, evoking tears of laughter, tears of joy and tears of sadness. Making its long-awaited return to Melbourne, this award-winning production from Darlinghurst Theatre Company is a truly enchanting musical…

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Film Review: Eldritch, USA is a weird and wonderful genre piece that wears its make-shift mentality with a gleefulness

Eldritch, USA wears its miniscule budget and make-shift mentality with a gleeful pride over the course of its 108 minutes.  Its limitations are obvious, but there’s a certain scrappy charm to it all that you can’t help but be a little taken by its ambition and camp B-movie mindset; there’s a certain Little Shop of…

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Theatre Review: Come From Away is a delightfully heartwarming story (Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide)

Come From Away is a hit musical based on the true story events of the September 11 WTC tragedy. It tells the incredible story of how 38 planes were diverted from North American airspace to a remote town in Newfoundland, Canada. The locals opened their hearts and homes to almost 7000 scared and confused passengers….

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Theatre Review: & Juliet is a complicated remix of a complicated relationship

You know the classic ‘boy meets girl’ tale – now witness the remix that flips the script on the conventional and gives Juliet the opportunity to be the leading lady of her own life’s story. What if Romeo & Juliet didn’t end with Juliet taking her own life? What if she embarked on a journey…

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Adelaide Fringe Review: The Marvellous Elephant Man: The Musical is an absolute riot

As the crowd filled the smokey Wonderland Spiegeltent in the Wonderland Festival Hub, the excitement in the air was palpable. And it was no surprise, considering that The Marvellous Elephant Man: The Musical had been described as The Book Of Mormon meets Beauty and the Beast. Just how on Earth were they going to pull…

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Mary Poppins

Theatre Review: Mary Poppins is a dazzling, practically perfect musical

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Mary Poppins descending on Melbourne’s own 17 Cherry Tree Lane for an unforgettable night of splendour. Adapted from the beloved writings of P.L. Travers, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh present this new and improved Mary Poppins production highlighting an all-Australian cast. The magical narrative follows Mr and Mrs Banks,…

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Christmas Caroll

Theatre Review: A Christmas Carol is a deeply moving and wonderfully immersive theatre experience

Journey to Victorian London and immerse yourself in the joys of Christmas with this stunning Old Vic revival of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. A truly unique theatre experience, this production encompasses the heart, soul and meaning of what makes the festive season so special. After travelling through London, Broadway and across the…

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Theatre Review: Come From Away is still as moving, uplifting and hilarious as ever (Melbourne)

Three years ago, Come From Away crash-landed on Australian shores to rave reviews praising everything from the performances to the music. Now, the Tony award-winning musical has returned to Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre to spread its infectious joy and poignant narrative to new and returning audiences. This is one of those shows where every individual element…

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Phantom of the Opera

Photo Gallery: Delta Goodrem and VIPs arrive for The Phantom of the Opera‘s debut at the Sydney Opera House

Delta Goodrem and guests walk the red carpet at The Phantom of the Opera opening night. Experience the phenomenon of one of the most successful musicals of all time, when Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary show makes its Sydney Opera House debut. Nathan captured the excitement and glamour of the red…

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Theatre Review: Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical is a sexy, energetic and nostalgia-fuelled blast from the past

Whip out your retro windbreaker, rock the double denim look and prepare to relive the good old ’90s in all their glory with the nostalgia-fuelled Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical. Following successful runs across the US and the UK, garnering rave reviews from original film stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and Reese Witherspoon, this throwback musical…

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Cruel Intentions

Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical brings the retro party to Melbourne this May

Prepare to be sent on a nostalgia-fuelled ride back to the good old ’90s as Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical premieres down-under in May. Presented by David Venn Enterprises (The Wedding Singer, Bring It On: The Musical), this beloved production will be shuffling its way onto Australian shores in 2022, premiering at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre…

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Theatre Review: An American in Paris is a magical fusion of ballet and musical theatre

The worlds of ballet and musical theatre collide in An American in Paris, creating an extraordinary blend of timeless music, breathtaking choreography and a captivating love story set against the romantic backdrop of Paris. Inspired by the 1951 Oscar-winning film of the same name, and incorporating music from George and Ira Gershwin, An American in…

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Theatre Review: The Wedding Singer keeps the party going with a dazzling encore season

An 80s-lover’s neon-filled fantasy, come to life! After selling out performances across Broadway and the UK, and lighting up the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne in 2021, The Wedding Singer brings its neon lights, flashy perms and dazzling choreography to The Arts Centre’s State Theatre – updating the already brilliant performance with spectacular new sets and…

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Seventeen dancers assmeble on stage to learn a routine.

Theatre Review: A Chorus Line is a glimpse into the world of dance like you’ve never seen

Forming part of the 2022 Sydney Festival, A Chorus Line at Riverside Theatres in Parramatta delivers a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a dancer trying to forge a career on Broadway. Set on the stage of a theatre during auditions for a chorus line, the musical centres on the lives of seventeen hopefuls and…

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Film Review: West Side Story is the most alive Steven Spielberg has felt as a director in over a decade

Even for a filmmaker of Steven Spielberg‘s stature, it’s safe to say that taking on a property such as West Side Story would still be a daunting task.  The 1961 cinematic adaptation of the 1957 Broadway production was awarded 10 Oscars, including Best Picture, and has remained something of a cultural criterion in the decades…

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Film Review: Dear Evan Hansen; Return to sender or a letter worth reading?

Despite the fact that it’s a narrative known to the many that witnessed its theatre run since 2015, when the synopsis was revealed for the filmic adaptation of Steven Levenson‘s Dear Evan Hansen there was considerable shock and near-instant backlash.  The notion of an emotionally disturbed teenager’s ultimate suicide being used as a plotting hook…

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Theatre Review: Moulin Rouge! is a wonderfully lavish musical experience like no other

Put on your finest dress, button up your best tux and step into an extravagant world of glitz, glamour and romance at the Moulin Rouge! Based on Baz Luhrmann’s iconic 2001 film, it tells the story of an aspiring composer, Christian (Des Flanagan), who falls in love with Satine (Alinta Chidzey), a prominent cabaret actress and…

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Interview: The cast and creators of In The Heights on bringing the film from stage to screen

As In The Heights prepares to dance its way on to the big screens here in Australia (you can read our review here), the cast and creators were on hand at a global press conference to discuss making the film, including director Jon M. Chu, creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and screenwriter Quiara Alegría Hudes. Our own…

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