Mj The Michael Jackson Musical Opens In Perth

Feature-MJ THE MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL

MJ THE MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL has opened in Perth at Crown Theatre, with the official Opening Night tomorrow evening, Wednesday 10 June. After an incredible national tour thrilling more than 750,000 Australians in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Perth is the final stop and the last opportunity to see the show in Australia! The stellar Australian principal cast is led by Broadway Star Ilario Grant as MJ and Australian performer Liam Damons as Michael in his teenage years. Rounding out the principal cast is Albany born and raised Tim Wright as Dave; original Broadway company member Oyoyo Joi as Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson/Kate; Conlon Bonner as the dual roles of Tito Jackson and Quincy Jones; J. Daughtry as Michael’s father, Joseph, and his tour director, Rob; and Yashith Fernando as Alejandro. Joining the Perth cast are Kyle Lamar Mitchell as Berry Gordy and Nick, and Sarah Morrison as MTV journalist Rachel.

FACTS AND FIGURES
More than 7 million people worldwide have seen MJ.
Winner of four Tony Awards® for Best Choreography for the show’s Director and Choreographer, Christopher Wheeldon; Best Actor in a Musical for the show’s original Broadway star, Myles Frost; Best Lighting Design of a Musical; and Best Sound Design of a Musical.
Since its Broadway debut in February 2022, MJ has become a global sensation, with acclaimed productions staged in London, Germany and across the U.S.

Set in 1992, the musical offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Michael Jackson’s iconic Dangerous World Tour. The production goes far beyond the signature moves and global hits, inviting audiences to share in the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. Set over 3 days in the rehearsal room, the smash hit show is brought to life through the lens of an MTV journalist granted rare rehearsal-room access. The production features more than 25 of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits – including Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Man in The Mirror and Thriller.

Brought to Australia by leading producer Michael Cassel, alongside original Broadway producers Lia Vollack, John Branca, and John McClain, the Australian production of MJ premiered at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre on Saturday 8 March 2025 to roaring acclaim.

The internationally renowned creative team includes Tony Award winning choreography by Christopher Wheeldon OBE, Scenic Design by Tony Award and two-time Emmy Award winner Derek McLane, Lighting Design by six-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz, Costume Design by Tony, Emmy, and Academy Award winner Paul Tazewell, Sound Design by Tony Award and Olivier Award winning Gareth Owen (Come From Away), Projection Design by two-time Tony Award nominee Peter Nigrini (Dear Evan Hansen), Hair & Wig Design by two-time Emmy Award nominee Charles LaPointe (The Color Purple) and Make-up Design by Joe Dulude II. Musical Supervision is by Tony Award nominee David Holcenberg (Matilda), and the Orchestrations and Arrangements are by David Holcenberg and Tony Award winner Jason Michael Webb (The Color Purple).

All Perth performances are on sale now until 19 July 2026 and selling quickly! So book your tickets now as you won’t want to miss the final chance in Australia to see MJ THE MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL.

Tickets available from Ticketmaster and mjthemusical.com.au.

 

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

First Look At The Australian Cast Of Tootsie In Costume

Feature-Tootsie

Rehearsals are well underway as the supremely talented cast of Tootsie, the smash-hit Broadway musical, prepare for the Australian Premiere at Teatro at the Italian Forum later this month. Wigs and sequins have been donned in preparation to bring this nostalgic classic to the stage at Sydney’s newest exciting venue. Tootsie opens on 26 May, with tickets on sale now at www.teatroitalianforum.com.au. Based on the beloved Oscar-winning hit film starring Dustin Hoffman, the Tony Award® winner for Best Book of a Musical promises’ laughs, heart, and a generous dose of nostalgia.

Leading the cast in the dual role of Michael Dorsey and his alter ego Dorothy Michaels, made famous on screen by two-time Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman, is Andrew Bevis (The Lord of the Rings, The Rocky Horror Show). The role of Julie Nichols will be played by Sydney Theatre Award winner Elenoa Rokobaro (Hadestown), while Alana Tranter (Beauty and the Beast) plays Sandy Lester. Brendan Irving (The Rocky Horror Show) plays Max Von Horn, Tyran Stig (Titanique) plays Jeff Slater, Donna Lee (Hairspray) is Rita Marshall, Chris Huntley-Turner (Friends: The Parody Musical) is Stan Fields, and Lachlan O’Brien (The Phantom of the Opera) plays Ron Carlisle.

The ensemble features Sam Austin, Lisa Callingham, Katie Green, Arthur Lees (swing), Maximillian Macdonald, Jessica Parris, Jamie Reisin, Julian Seguna, and Nicole Vella.

Described by The New York Post as “Broadway’s funniest new musical” and praised by Rolling Stone as “musical comedy heaven”, Tootsie is the laugh-out-loud story of a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one bold, show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime.

Tootsie received 11 Tony Award nominations for its Broadway production, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. With music and lyrics by Tony Award and Grammy Award winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn (13 The Musical, Shucked), Tootsie has had audiences rolling in the aisles.

This all-new production of Tootsie is directed and choreographed by award-winning director and choreographer Cameron Mitchell (Putting It Together, Sweet Charity) with co- musical direction by Kevin Wang and Nicholas Till (Putting it Together) and costume design by Angela White.

Fast-paced and outrageously funny, Tootsie explores identity, ambition, and ego, all while keeping the laughs coming.

TOOTSIE
Season: From 26 May
Venue: Teatro at the Italian Forum, Norton Street, Leichhardt
Performance Times: Wed–Thurs 7pm, Fri–Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm
Prices: $75 for previews (26–28 May); from $85 for remaining dates (a handling fee of $6.95 per transaction applies)
Bookings: www.teatroitalianforum.com.au

 

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Due To Overwhelming Demand, The 8-time Tony Award Winning Musical Once Extends Run Before Opening This Week!

Feature-Once

The smash hit Irish musical Once, opening in Melbourne this week at Chapel Off Chapel, has announced an extension to its strictly limited season until June 6th, following phenomenal demand at the box office. This highly anticipated production is helmed by the critically acclaimed new Melbourne theatre company, AG Theatre, and renowned Melbourne director Pip Mushin. AG Theatre has quickly established itself in the Melbourne theatre scene, enjoying a stellar 18 months of sell-out successes, including Avenue Q 2025 and Mamma Mia 2026. Dedicated to nurturing and promoting new Melbourne talent both on and off stage, AG Theatre is known for its innovative approach to classic and contemporary works, promising to captivate audiences again with a fresh, intimate, deeply moving, and cleverly reimagined take on this eight-time Tony Award-winning musical.

The show evolved from Irish filmmaker John Carney’s low budget indie film in 2007, into a critically acclaimed global stage production that has captivated theatregoers worldwide – solidifying its distinguished position within the history of Western musical theatre. Its popularity is deeply rooted in its refreshingly grounded approach, focusing on two ordinary people – a busker and an immigrant who connect through music in the grimy streets of Northside Dublin.

The production also showcases the spell-binding score composed by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, which notably features the Oscar-winning song, “Falling Slowly.” Once possesses the unique distinction of being the sole Broadway production whose musical composition has garnered the Academy Award, Grammy Award, Olivier Award, and Tony Award.

The production boasts a stellar cast, featuring Green Room Award-nominated creative Mark Taylor in the lead role of Guy. Sharing the stage with him in the role of Girl is the phenomenally talented Sian Fuller, a semi finalist from the 2021 season of The Voice. Playing alongside Mark and Sian is the highly respected performer, Donald Bridges as Da. The production also stars Frazer Shephardson as Billy; Rose Chambers as Reza; James Frampton as Andrej; John Yanko as Svec; William Lopez as the Bank Manager; Misha Gordon as Ex-Girlfriend; Bridget a’Beckett as Baruska; Felix Star as Eamon; Lila Colombi, Imogen Young and Emersyn Orchard as Ivonka. The rest of this cast includes Kaiyeesha Kim Tambakau (Kye Tamm) as Emcee; and Jackson Cross and Belinda Jenkin as swings.

WHEN:
Previews Thursday May 8
Official red carpet opening May 13
Extension to June 6th
Chapel Off Chapel – The Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St, Prahran, 3181
Once The Musical will play at Chapel Off Chapel from Wednesday to Sunday from May 8th, 2026 until May 30th, 2026.
Tickets are available for purchase now at https://booktickets.com.au/

 

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Subscribe to What's The Show

Reviews, show news and what is on, straight to your inbox.