Written and originally performed by the production company ‘Starkid’, UoN Musos recreation did justice to the quirky and whacky storyline that puts the drama in melodrama, hitting the comedic beats despite, or because of, the chaos unfolding everywhere else.
When the cast and crew all enjoy the show as much as this one did, despite weeks of rehearsals and run-throughs, you know you are in for a treat. While putting on a fantastic show of lights, the techies were laughing along at the jokes, bopping to the sound track, and showing their passion in every movement they made, in tandem with the cast.
There were some minor tech issues that are common with the opening show – volume issues with lines being drowned out and microphones having a delay in being turned on – but in no way do I fault the crew as the Warners Bay Theatre is well-known to me as one with difficult tech to run.
As well, the cast were a phenomenon to witness, with all members bar two successfully performing multiple quick changes into a variety of characters, giving their all to each of the characters and their idiosyncrisies they played. Paired with a fabulous choreo, a show-stopping soundtrack, and singing voices as strong as the set design, this community show is one our local community can be proud of.
Performances until 23rd of November.
Warnings: Contains heavy use of strobe lights and fog machines, heavy swearing and sexual references. Contains death and gun sound effects.
Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live today announced that Broadway’s smash-hit musical WAITRESS will be baking its way to Melbourne in 2026. The inspiring musical from pop sensation Sara Bareilles will open at Her Majesty’s Theatre in May, prior to a season at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from August 2026. Waitlist now to be first in line to buy tickets for the Melbourne season at WaitresstheMusical.com.au.
Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, and brought to life by a trailblazing female-led creative team, including a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson, an original, uplifting score by Grammy® winner Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave) and direction by Tony® winner Diane Paulus, WAITRESS is the irresistible Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope that has captured hearts worldwide.
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.
“It’s been a dream of mine to see WAITRESS (finally) find its way to Australia,” said Sara Bareilles. “This story is about dreams, friendship and the courage needed to learn to love oneself, which feels so universal, and so timely. Over the years we have witnessed such an incredible embrace of this show, and I’m so proud to be a part of the team that is bringing you something so full of heart and soul. I’m so excited for Melbourne and Sydney audiences to experience WAITRESS.”
“I’m thrilled to be this original and inspiring production to Australia,” said producer John Frost for Crossroads Live. “WAITRESS became a massive hit on Broadway where it played for almost four years, receiving four Tony nominations and six Drama Desk nominations, as well as many other awards and nominations. It had a return season on Broadway, played the West End from 2019, toured the US three times, and was a huge hit in many countries across the world. WAITRESS has become a ‘must see’ musical, with its memorable music by Sara Bareilles and universal themes of hope and resilience.”
“Treat yourself to a slice of 5 Star musical pie” – The Times “Sweet, sassy, passionate & delightful!” – New York Magazine “Simply delightful! A glorious reminder that life is messy and wondrous!” – The Washington Post
WAITRESS made history on Broadway with the four top creative spots in a show being filled by women – Sara Bareilles (music and lyrics), Jessie Nelson (book), Lorin Latarro (choreography) and Diane Paulus (direction). It opened on Broadway in April 2016 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, where it ran until January 2020. WAITRESS was originally produced by Barry & Fran Weissler and Norton and Elayne Herrick.
Sweet, sassy and soul-stirring, WAITRESS is “a little slice of heaven” (Entertainment Weekly) and “made from the finest ingredients” (Time Out). It’s a feel-good celebration of second chances, and the magic of a well-made pie. If only life were as easy as pie…
MELBOURNE SEASON DETAILS Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre Season: From May 2026 TICKETS ON SALE 8 DECEMBER – WAITLIST NOW AT WaitresstheMusical.com.au
SYDNEY SEASON DETAILS Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre Season: From 1 August 2026 Performance Times: Tue-Thurs at 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm, 3pm or 6pm (performance times vary each week) Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply) Bookings: waitressthemusical.com.au
Final tickets have been released for the Brisbane season of the 40th Anniversary Australian tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical CATS which will play at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC for two weeks only from 6 to 22 February. Tickets have been released on pre-sale today with general public sales from Friday 21 November. Due to huge demand, one extra final performance has been added to the Brisbane season, on Tuesday 10 February at 7pm, and it is on sale now. The record-breaking, iconic production is currently playing in Perth after rapturous audience response and rave reviews in Sydney and Adelaide. ★★★★★ “Fun, energetic and nostalgic – CATS is the purrfect night at the theatre” – GlamAdelaide “Inexplicably magical” – First Class Magazine “Bursting with talent” – Stagenoise “This fresh production is a great way to celebrate 40 years” – AUReview “An immersive spectacle” – Sydney Morning Herald “Electrifying. A spectacle of transformation” – Theatre Thoughts
The coveted role of Grizabella, the former “glamour cat”, is played by Gabriyel Thomas (“Gabriyel Thomas’s rendition of Memory is so hauntingly beautiful it sends shivers down the spine” – Theatre Thoughts), while audience favourite Todd McKenney plays the dual roles of Bustopher Jones and Asparagus the Theatre Cat (“Todd McKenney has the audience in his paw thanks to his comic timing” – Adelaide Advertiser), and classical performer Mark Vincent returns to the musical theatre stage as Old Deuteronomy, the patriarch of the Jellicle tribe (“Mark Vincent brought sonorous gravitas” – Sydney Morning Herald). Recently seen as Roxie Hart in the sold-out national tour of Chicago, Lucy Maunder has taken on the role of Jellylorum, while the rebellious cat Rum Tum Tugger is Des Flanagan. WAPPA graduate Jarrod Draper plays Munkustrap, and returning to CATS after many years is Leigh Archer as the motherly character Jennyanydots, also known among the tribe as the “Gumbie Cat”.
The remainder of the company includes Sarah Bourke (playing Tantomile), Olivia Carniato (Demeter), Mia Dabkowski-Chandler (Bombalurina), Tom Davis (Skimbleshanks), Ella Fitzpatrick (Jemima), Charlie Follows (Bill Bailey), Joshua Gordon (Coricopat), Chaska Halliday (Cassandra), Dominique Hamilton (swing), Tim Haskayne (Mr Mistoffelees), Claudia Hastings (Victoria/ White Cat), Aimee Jones (swing), Savannah Lind (Rumpleteazer), Joe Miller (swing), Jake O’Brien (Mungojerrie), Xavier Pellin (swing), Guy Pik (Carbuckety), Rania Potaka-Osborne (Alonzo), Edward Smith (Admetus/ Macavity), Thalia Smith (swing) and Tod Strike (swing).
“I’m thrilled to bring this 40th Anniversary Australian tour of CATS to Brisbane with the most fabulous cast,” said producer John Frost for Crossroads Live. “CATS was revolutionary when it began 40 years ago and Australia has an enduring love for the show. Now it’s time to let the memory live again. Melbourne, queue up to grab your tickets before they sell out as it’s only in town for five weeks!”
Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS has been captivating audiences around the globe since it opened at the New London Theatre (now known as the Gillian Lynne) in 1981, where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances, winning both the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. Since then, CATS has been presented in over 50 countries, translated into 23 languages and has been seen by over 81 million people world-wide. On Broadway, CATS played for 18 years and won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.
The musical tells the story of the Jellicle cat tribe. On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to “The Heaviside Layer” and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
The timeless musical score includes the hit song Memory, which has been recorded by more than 150 artists including Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Nicole Scherzinger, Johnny Mathis, Liberace and Barry Manilow. With “timeless music, spectacular sets and a superb cast” (Daily Mirror), breathtaking choreography and of course the unforgettable Memory, CATS is a magical musical like no other.
Get your tickets now for this iconic musical at catsthemusical.com.au and let the memory live again.
BRISBANE SEASON Venue: Lyric Theatre, QPAC Season: 6 – 22 February Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm Bookings: catsthemusical.com.au
PERTH SEASON Venue: Crown Theatre Season: To 6 December Performance Times: Tues-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm (schedule varies weekly) Bookings: catsthemusical.com.au
MELBOURNE SEASON Venue: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Season: 21 December – 31 January Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm (schedule varies weekly) Bookings: catsthemusical.com.au
The Rep presents a masterfully executed traditional melodrama with Adrift In New York that requires the usual audience participation and is a thoroughly entertaining night at the Arts Theatre.
This style of melodrama emerged in France in the early nineteenth century and rapidly spread throughout the world becoming the favourite form of theatrical performances for the following century. A great number of plays were produced in this genre containing the staples of a love interest, moral conflicts, exaggerated acting in a fast-paced plot with music and happy conclusions. The audience is required to aah and ooh or boo and cheer and sing to the familiar songs if they want.
This story is set in the 1890’s and begins in the Weston family’s farmhouse where Aunt Sarah Weston (Jude Hines) and Martha Weston (Abigail Papps) are discussing the arrival of a letter for Nellie Weston (TJ Baker) from the villain Francis “Desperate” Desmond (Dylan Haar). Silas Weston (Russel Ford), Martha and Nellie’s father, announces that the wealthy Mr. Willoughby has been murdered and robbed. Nellie enters and it is discovered that Desmond has offered to take Nellie to New York to make her a great singer. The hero Jack Merriwell (LA Foale) arrives then Desmond and as the events unfold Desmond’s plot to steal the love of Nellie and to take over the farm which he believes has underground oil is revealed. The twists begin as the battle between good and bad engages.
The second act is set in a Bowery music hall then the conclusion in the third act is back at the farmhouse. The audience is superbly entertained at the start and end of each act with vaudeville sets by the wonderful chorus, including the hilarious balloon dance. There is also a segment where the audience can sing the classics, “Give My Regards to Broadway”, “A Bicycle Built for Two”, “Down by the Sea” and others.
Director Rose Vallen’s experience comes to the fore in this excellent production containing all the elements of a successful melodrama as the cast move seamlessly around the stage extracting the mandatory audience participation. The set design is minimal but effective. The music from the band, Sandi McMenamin and Rowan Dennis, is perfectly performed and holds the show together.
The cast is outstanding, Jude Hines expertise shines as she both masterfully handles the role of Aunt Sarah and guides the audience in eliciting the required responses to the hero and the villain. Newcomer Abigail Papps, in only her second production, has a first-rate grasp on the necessary exuberance required for a melodrama performance sparkling in the role of Martha. TJ Baker and LA Foale are similarly excellent, and Dylan Haar is terrifically dastardly as the villain. The rest of the cast and chorus are also marvellous, especially the scene stealing Penni Hamilton-Smith.
While a traditional melodrama may not be to everyone’s taste this production of Adrift in New York executes the genre expertly and is a great fun night for those who want to boo the villain and cheer the hero and sing to old favourites.
Reviewed by Rob McKinnon
Adrift in New York remaining sessions are: 15 November at 7.30 pm 16 November at 2.00 pm 19-21 November at 7.30 pm 22 November 2.00pm
