The most exciting musicals in Australia worth travelling for in 2025

If you're a fan of musicals - also one of the best excuses to plan a capital-city getaway - there's suddenly a lot to sing about. This year's calendar is packed with Australian premieres and newish shows, as well as firm favourites returning for an encore.

Shows premiering Down Under include Hadestown, MJ The Musical and Back to the Future (all in Sydney), along with Kimberly Akimbo (congrats, Adelaide!). As for casting surprises? There's probably none bigger than pop singer turned swimmer Cody Simpson diving into another career by starring in Guys and Dolls on Sydney Harbour.

The huge variety of musicals heading our way shouldn't raise eyebrows, given how much we love them. In Australia, they now ring up more than half a billion dollars in annual revenue (Live Performance Australia's 2023 figures show we spent $542 million seeing musical theatre). Ticket prices, though, keep creeping up and now average $131.10. Better start saving those pennies.

With its focus on vocal purity this rock musical - on its 50th-anniversary tour - is a very grown-up affair. Wait for the goosebumps as Aussie rocker Michael Paynter (as Jesus in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) and Mahalia Barnes unleash the goods. Until January 26, Capitol Theatre, Sydney; February 13-March 8, Crown Theatre, Perth; March 16-June 8, Princess Theatre, Melbourne; June 29-July 27, Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane. jesuschristsuperstarmusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: In Sydney, catch Australia's first retrospective of Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte (until February 9). artgallery.nsw.gov.au.

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Sometimes all you want is a rollicking, uplifting theatre experience and, hallelujah, this show delivers. Casey Donovan, Genevieve Lemon and Rhonda Burchmore are all divine in this light-hearted, comic romp. Until January 26, Regent Theatre, Melbourne; February 8-March 15, Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane; March 22-April 19, Festival Theatre, Adelaide; April 26-May 25, Crown Theatre, Perth. sisteractthemusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Dive into the Queen's Wharf precinct to find the Brisbane iteration of Sokyo, which brings theatre to Japanese fine dining. star.com.au

LOTR fans can experience Tolkien's tales of Middle Earth differently with this story told from the hobbits' perspective. Until February 1, State Theatre, Sydney; March 19-April 4, Crown Theatre, Perth; April 26-May 30, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne; July 4-20, HOTA Theatre, Gold Coast. lotronstage.com

PRE/POST-SHOW: Joji, a Japanese-inspired rooftop bar above Sydney's flagship Cartier store, slings cocktails until 2am nightly. jojisydney.com

This Disney show, a charming look at how love is more than surface-deep, continues high-kicking its way around Australia. Until February 6, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne; May 8-June 8, Festival Theatre, Adelaide; July 24-October 12, Crown Theatre, Perth. beautyandthebeastmusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: The Sofitel Melbourne on Collins is offering a themed cocktail and high tea. sofitel-melbourne.com.au

This snappy 80-minute, no-interval pop musical - about the six wives of Henry VIII - is Tudor history compellingly transformed for our times. Until February 9, Playhouse Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane; April 10-May 4, Civic Theatre, Newcastle. sixthemusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: A hop and a skip from QPAC is buzzy Fish Lane, with bars, restaurants and even an art installation of tiny doors. explorefishlane.com.au

An unusual story about teen loneliness, crossed wires, social media, communal grief and family dysfunction is so compelling it spawned a 2021 film. While the tunes could be more memorable, the set's moving parts and tech-themed touches are highlights. Until February 16, Playhouse Theatre, Melbourne; February 27-March 9, Canberra Theatre; April 3-13, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide. dearevanhansenmusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Go dotty for the NGV's Yayoi Kusama blockbuster (until April 21). ngv.vic.gov.au

It's the little musical that's proving unsinkable. After opening in Sydney last September, gale-force word of mouth has kept this hilarious show - a slapstick take on the Titanic movie that pokes unrelenting fun at Celine Dion - marching on. Until March 30, the Grand Electric, Sydney. titaniquemusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Drop into Redfern's Moyas Juniper Lounge for a gin classic in first-class surrounds. moyasgin.com

This swashbuckling prequel to Peter Pan - starring Peter Helliar, Colin Lane, Alison Whyte and Paul Capsis - is full of wide-eyed wonder and energetic role-swapping. Don't even try to keep track of the 15 actors and musicians, 60 costumes, 90 puppets and 100 characters - just enjoy the ride. January 31-February 16, Capitol Theatre, Sydney; March 14-April 6, Playhouse, QPAC, Brisbane. peterandthestarcatcher.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Try the memorable pipis and chippies at Longshore, in Spice Alley near Sydney's Central Station. longshore.com.au

With cracking tunes, a journey to the underworld and the entwining of two mythic love stories, no wonder there's a hell of a buzz about this folk opera that grew from a 2010 concept album. In Australia, it will star Christine Anu as narrator. February 10-April 19, Theatre Royal, Sydney; May 8-June 29, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. hadestown.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: In Sydney, catch the Australian Museum's Machu Picchu blockbuster and virtually "fly" over the Incan citadel (until February 23). australian.museum

This jukebox musical focuses on Michael Jackson's life up until 1992, before murky allegations began to swirl. MJ opened on Broadway in 2022 to mixed reviews but scooped up four Tony Awards, including one for Christopher Wheeldon's choreography (at its best at the start of Act II). Moonwalk into its Australian premiere starring Roman Banks, who toured the US in the title role. February 26-May 25, Sydney Lyric Theatre. mjthemusical.com.au. mjthemusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Check out Darling Quarter, the hiding-in-plain-sight city oasis that's home to a dozen restaurants and cafes. darlingquarter.com

The first musical to grace a new space within Sydney's Lyric Theatre, this show charts the rollercoaster of new parenthood when long distance is part of the equation. The story and songs come from Kyle Falconer, frontman of Scottish band the View. March 13-April 13, Foundry Theatre, then touring nationally until August 31. nolovesongs.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Italian eatery Cucina Porto is mere steps from the Lyric's front door. star.com.au

Pop star turned swimmer Cody Simpson unveils another reinvention - he's starring in the Broadway classic about 1950s gangsters and showgirls in this year's Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Expect (literal) fireworks. March 21-April 20, Mrs Macquarie's Point. opera.org.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Keep soaking up those harbour views over a cocktail at the Intercontinental's rooftop Aster bar. sydney.intercontinental.com

Anthony Warlow will once again play "Daddy" Warbucks in the perennially popular tale about little orphan Annie; keep an eye out for the specially trained groodles who will take turns as Annie's faithful companion Sandy. March 25-June 1, Capitol Theatre, Sydney; July 10-August 3, Princess Theatre, Melbourne. anniemusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Family-friendly Asian restaurants pack the ground level of Sydney's World Square. worldsquare.com.au

After playing Melbourne last year, Bloom - an original Australian musical from comedy veteran Tom Gleisner and composer Katie Weston - heads to Sydney. It's an intergenerational story of a uni student who moves into a nursing home and learns life lessons from the residents. March 29-May 11, Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney. sydneytheatre.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Pier One Sydney Harbour's Pier Bar offers $2 oysters and $12 margs during "sunset hour" (5pm-6pm weekdays). pieronesydneyharbour.com.au

Eddie Perfect wrote the music and lyrics for this show based on Tim Burton's beloved 1988 gothic film. The musical had mixed reviews after premiering in the US in 2018 but let's see what happens when Perfect himself inhabits the title role of a mischievous demon for his home country's premiere. May 7-June 29, Regent Theatre, Melbourne. beetlejuicethemusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Ticket-holders to Marriner Group venues, which include the Regent, can enjoy a discounted "merchants supper" at speakeasy Mill Place Merchants. millplacemerchants.bar

M-e-m-o-r-y ... it's 40 years since Andrew Lloyd Webber's groundbreaking fusion of music, dance and verse (along with those fur-bulous cat costumes) had its Australian premiere at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, where its run lasted an astonishing 16 months. Make like it's 1985 all over again as this British mega-musical returns to its original Australian stage. June 17-July 13, Theatre Royal, Sydney. catsthemusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: The rooftop Library Bar, at the State Library of NSW, isn't only for bookworms. librarybar.sl.nsw.gov.au

Follow the adventures of two mismatched missionaries as they head to Uganda to spread the word. With South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone contributing to the lyrics, this show includes an explicit language warning. July 15-October 26, Capitol Theatre, Sydney. thebookofmormonmusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Sydney's Kimpton Margot hotel does dinner from a theatre-show-friendly 5pm at Luke Mangan's Luke's Kitchen. kimptonmargotsydney.com

When this show, about a teen who ages four times faster than normal, opened on Broadway in 2022, The New York Times called it "the season's most moving new musical". In Australia, it will star Marina Prior in the title role, alongside Casey Donovan and Christie Whelan Browne. July 8-19, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide; July 26-August 30, Playhouse, Arts Centre, Melbourne. statetheatrecompany.com.au; mtc.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: Snack on Coffin Bay oysters and Spencer Gulf prawns from 5.30pm at Penny Blue inside the Adelaide Marriott. pennybluerestaurant.com

PRE/POST-SHOW: Peep at those iconic sails from Canvas Restaurant, the Musuem of Contemporary Art's new rooftop eatery with seasonal chefs-in-residence. mca.com.au

If a film franchise racks up a billion dollars at the box office, the next logical step - apparently - is to take the concept to the stage. By all reports, the souped-up DeLorean is the star of this uneven show. From September, Lyric Theatre, Sydney. backtothefuturemusical.com.au

PRE/POST-SHOW: See what crazy flavours are on offer at Gelato Messina, right next door. star.com.au

OMG, say what? Book now or bide your time until these shows (perhaps) roll back around again.

HAMILTON

Do not throw away your ... shot! Admire the genius of Lin-Manuel Miranda in turning obscure American history into one of the world's most compelling musicals. Until January 25, Sydney Lyric Theatre. hamiltonmusical.com.au

GREASE THE MUSICAL

Wriggle into tight pants and comb the quiff before heading to Rydell High for a singalong with Marcia Hines and Patti Newton. Until February 1, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane. greasemusical.com.au

TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL

This warts-and-all retelling of the late Queen of Rock'n'Roll's rollercoaster life includes a finale that's simply the best. Until February 9, Princess Theatre, Melbourne. tinathemusical.com.au

So many options ... we've narrowed them down.

SYDNEY: A 12-minute stroll from the Capitol Theatre is the Park Regis City Centre, where rates can fall to as little as $123 a night. parkregiscitycentre.com.au

MELBOURNE: Laneways by Ovolo near the Princess Theatre offers 20 per cent off room rates, plus discounts at partner businesses for stays until February 28, for direct bookings at ovolohotels.com

BRISBANE: Stay two nights at Emporium Hotel South Bank, an 11-minute walk from QPAC, and receive a 20 per cent room discount, brekky for two and a $100 dining credit (on sale until February 12). emporiumhotels.com.au

PERTH: The Crown complex, home to Crown Theatre, offers a trio of hotels - splash out at Crown Towers or save on rates at Crown Promenade. crownhotels.com.au

ADELAIDE: New kid on the block the Adelaide Marriott occupies the historic General Post Office; save a few dollars on room rates by joining the free Marriott Bonvoy program. marriott.com

NEWCASTLE: To coincide with Six's season, luxury hotel Crystalbrook Kingsley will offer an accommodation package, regally purple cocktails and a pre-theatre menu. crystalbrookcollection.com