Australian Premiere Of Tootsie Announced For Teatro At The Italian Forum

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Co-Founders Nathan M Wright and Andrew Bevis (The Addams Family, The Prom) today announced that the hit Broadway musical Tootsie will make its highly anticipated Australian premiere this May at Teatro at the Italian Forum in Sydney. The production further cements the company’s reputation for bringing acclaimed international premieres and blockbuster musicals to Australian audiences. Award-winning director and choreographer Cameron Mitchell (Putting It Together, Sweet Charity) will helm the production, as rehearsals begin this week for The Prom. Tickets for Tootsie are on sale now at www.teatroitalianforum.com.au. 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 show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime.

Director Cameron Mitchell said “Tootsie is the perfect feel-good musical for everyone. It has all the nostalgia of the 1982 Sydney Pollack film starring Dustin Hoffman with a hilarious new book and dazzling score. I am very excited to work with the team at Teatro and bring this brand-new show to Sydney audiences. Tootsie is laugh out loud funny, with a lot of heart and great song and dance numbers. Can’t wait!”

Based on the Oscar winning beloved hit film starring Dustin Hoffman, the Tony Award Winner for Best Book of a Musical, Tootsie also received 11 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. With music and lyrics by Tony Award & Grammy award-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and book by Tony Award-winner Robert Horn (13 the Musical, Shucked), Tootsie has had audiences rolling in the aisles.

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

Tootsie makes its Australian premiere in Sydney at TEATRO from 26 May. www.teatroitalianforum.com.au

TOOTSIE
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 Tue 24 – Thu 26 March (a handling fee of $6.95 per transaction applies) From $85 for remaining dates (a handling fee of $6.95 per transaction applies)
Bookings: www.teatroitalianforum.com.au

Teatro is Sydney’s newest creative hub for the performing arts, located in the heart of Leichhardt at the iconic Italian Forum. With a focus on community engagement, emerging talent, and world-class productions, Teatro aims to be a vibrant gathering place for artists and audiences alike. Under the leadership of Nathan Wright and Andrew Bevis, Teatro will continue to build on the venue’s rich history while ushering in a new era of creativity and cultural exchange. Recent productions include The Addams Family, Santa Claus with rehearsals of the Australian Premiere of The Prom currently underway.

 

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Cast Announced For Australian Premiere Of The Prom

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They’re invited! The cast of the upcoming Tony-nominated Broadway smash-hit production, THE PROM has today been announced. This Drama Desk Award Winner for Best Musical is arriving in Sydney for its Australian Premiere at the newly revitalised Teatro at the Italian Forum from March 2026. Tickets to this musical comedy are on sale now at www.teatroitalianforum.com.au

Broadway and West End star Caroline O’Connor leads this stellar cast as Tony Award Winner Dee Dee Allen. Currently performing in Putting it Together at The Foundry, Caroline has played lead roles on Broadway, the West End, France and across Australia, including Chicago, Anything Goes, 9to5 The Musical, West Side Story and Anastasia, among many others.

At the heart of this joyful musical are its young stars- Sophie Montague (Sister Act) plays Emma, High School Student Banned from The Prom and Paige Fallu (Hairspray) plays Alyssa Greene, Head of Student Council with a Secret. The role of Broadway Chorine, Angie is played by Renae Corser née Berry (Saturday Night Fever) while Brendan Monger (Urinetown) plays Drama Desk Award Winner Barry Glickman. Brad Green (Bootmen) plays Sheldon Saperstein, Broadway Press Agent with a Plan while Thern Reynolds (Evita) plays Esteemed Julliard Graduate/Cater Waiter, Trent. Mrs. Greene, President of the PTA, is played by Erin Bruce (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – The Musical) with the role of Mr Hawkins, High School Principal (and Theatre Fan) played by Scott Irwin (West Side Story).

Joining this incredible line up are Murray Cunynghame as Nick, Ewan Herdman as Kevin, Abbey McPherson as Shelby and Nina Hurley as Kayley. The ensemble comprises of Isabella Colusso, Rafael Gill, Sophie Gulloch, Kye Hall, Clementine Jenkins, Bella McSporran, Brock Rankmore, Jack Ryan, Sophie Sutton, Jasper Wind with Siena Bucknall and Justin Sacco as swings.

With direction by Teatro Co-Founder Andrew Bevis and co-direction and choreography by Teatro Co-Founder Nathan M. Wright and musical direction by Bev Kennedy, THE PROM features a book by Tony Award winner Bob Martin (Elf, The Drowsy Chaperone) and Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (Aladdin), music by Tony Award nominee Matthew Sklar (Elf the Musical) and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin.

Co-founders and co-drectors Nathan M Wright and Andrew Bevis said “Choosing The Prom as Teatro’s third musical felt both deliberate and deeply personal. From the outset, Teatro was created to champion work that is joyful, relevant, and unapologetically human, and The Prom embodies all of that. Its infectious energy and its message of love, acceptance, and belonging speak directly to the kind of theatre we believe in and the community we are building. This cast is truly exceptional. What excites us most is the combination of leading artists with emerging voices, performers who are fearless, collaborative, and deeply connected to the story they are telling. It’s a company that reflects the spirit of The Prom itself: bold, inclusive, and full of joy.”

“A smart, big-hearted musical!” New York Magazine

“It’s so full of happiness that you think your heart is about to burst.” Variety

Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So, when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow-but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny. On a mission to transform lives, Broadway’s brassiest join forces with a courageous girl and the town’s citizens and the result is love that brings them all together. Everyone deserves a chance to celebrate!

THE PROM made its world premiere at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia in August 2016 before it moved to Broadway and enjoyed a successful and critically acclaimed run. The musical was nominated for seven Tony Awards in 2019, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score. It won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical and received multiple Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations as well.

In addition to its Broadway success, a Netflix film adaptation of THE PROM, directed and produced by Ryan Murphy and starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, James Corden, Jo Ellen Pellman, and Ariana DeBose, was released in December 2020.

So, grab your tickets and your friends and join the most joyful night of the year at THE PROM.

THE PROM
Season: From 24 March
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 Tue 24 – Thu 26 March (a handling fee of $6.95 per transaction applies). From $85 for remaining dates (a handling fee of $6.95 per transaction applies)
Bookings: www.teatroitalianforum.com.au

 

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Afterglow To Receive Its Australian Premiere In 2026

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Ian Phipps

S. Asher Gelman’s international hit play AFTERGLOW is heading down under for its highly anticipated Australian premiere! AFTERGLOW will play at Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel from 30 January and at the Eternity Playhouse, Sydney from 26 February. The stellar cast of three comprises Julian Curtis (Gaslight, Cock, Dance Academy), gold medal winning Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham (Strangers in Between, Jock Night, The Pool) and Matthew Predny (Titanique, Avenue Q, Kinky Boots). When Josh and Alex, a married couple in an open relationship, invite Darius to share their bed for a night, a new and intimate connection is ignited. As all three men come to terms with their individual definitions of love, loyalty, and trust, relationships are challenged and futures are shaken. AFTERGLOW is a raw, funny and sensual exploration of polyamory, commitment, and modern love.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing AFTERGLOW to Australia!,” said writer/director S. Asher Gelman. “What began as an attempt to make sense of a painful chapter involving my own experience with loving more than one person has fundamentally altered the course of my life, and continues to do so. AFTERGLOW doesn’t provide any answers; instead it asks questions about both our individual and collective relationships to love, loyalty and trust, and I truly cannot wait for Aussie audiences to experience this labour of love, now nine years in the making.”

“Funny and sensual” ★★★★ – Queer Guru
“Achingly beautiful” ★★★★ – Everything Theatre
“Passionate and poignant” ★★★★ – Revstan
“Incredible… should not be missed!” ★★★★ – Theatre Reviews

After its critical success Off-Broadway and a season which ran for 18 months, and productions around the globe, AFTERGLOW now brings its modern, intimate exploration of desire, honesty and connection to Australian audiences!

AFTERGLOW
Playwright/Director/Choreographer S. Asher Gelman
Lighting Designer Jamie Roderick
Set Designer Ann Beyersdofter
Producer Midnight Theatricals

SEASON DETAILS

MELBOURNE
Venue: Chapel Off Chapel, Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Dates: 30 January – 21 February
Performance Times: Mon-Thurs 7:30pm, Fri-Sat: 6:30pm & 9:30pm, Sun 5pm
Tickets: $69 (Transaction fees may apply)
Bookings: chapeloffchapel.com.au

SYDNEY
Venue: Eternity Playhouse, Burton Street, Darlinghurst
Dates: 26 February – 22 March
Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7:30pm, Fri-Sat: 6:30pm & 9:30pm (or 2pm & 7pm 28 Feb only), Sun 5pm
Tickets: $69 (Transaction fees may apply)
Bookings: www.afterglowtheplay.com.au

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