musical

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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Film Review: In The Heights is a feel-good reminder of the joy of the big screen musical

Any film that has an air of positivity about it can all too easily be framed as “the movie we need right now” coming off the global lockdown stage of the pandemic.  Sure, a film that makes you laugh, smile, or cry (in the good way) is going to be enough of an escape after…

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Photo Gallery: Celebrities and VIPs walk the red carpet at opening night of Come from Away

Check out our gallery from opening night of Come from Away at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre. The hit musical is based on real life events, when 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 people from over 100 countries were redirected to Newfoundland, in the wake of 9/11. Set in Gander, a remote Canadian town that saw it’s population…

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The Wedding Singer

Theatre Review: The Wedding Singer lights up Melbourne with a burst of energetic 80s nostalgia

An 80s-lover’s neon-filled fantasy, come to life! After selling out performances across Broadway and the UK, The Wedding Singer brings its neon lights, flashy perms and dazzling choreography to Melbourne – filling the Athenaeum Theatre with a sense of resounding joy and classic 80s nostalgia. Based on the beloved Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore romantic comedy, The…

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Latinx culture and community are celebrated in new In The Heights trailer

As 2021 slowly finds its footing in navigating the pandemic, there appears to be no better time than now for a celebration of unity.  Dropping a beautifully colourful trailer in the lead-up to its June release, In The Heights, from director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians), promises an honouring of all Latinx culture in…

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Film Review: Trolls World Tour‘s sunny disposition is just what families need during these uncertain times

Prior to COVID-19 taking a hold of the industry in a capacity the world was unprepared for, Trolls World Tour was primed for a first quarter release – hell, Sydney was even planning a premiere with director Walt Dohrn and star Anna Kendrick in attendance – ready to capitalise on the somewhat-unexpected success of the…

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Film Review: Judy is as heartbreaking as it is joyous

There’s at least one Oscar-grab movie released every year designed with the intent on pushing its lead performer to the front of the nominee queue.  Judy appears to be that movie for 2019.  And that’s certainly not a criticism against the film as it’s a fine biopic in its own right, but Renee Zellweger‘s dedicated…

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Photo Gallery: West Side Story Opening Night – Sydney Opera House (20.08.19)

VIP guests walk the red carpet for the opening night of West Side Story. The original Broadway classic is playing now until October 6th at the Joan Sutherland Theatre Sydney Opera House You can find more information and tickets HERE

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Theatre Review: Come From Away arrives in Melbourne for a night of endless fun and laughs

This Canadian musical kicked off in Ontario back in 2013 before finally making its way to Broadway in 2017. Now, in 2019, the town of Gander has landed in Melbourne for its Australian premiere at the Comedy Theatre. Come From Away takes place in the week following the 9/11 attacks, where 38 planes and almost…

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Theatre Review: Todd McKenney is the greatest showman in Barnum: The Circus Musical (Melbourne)

After thirty seven years, Barnum: The Circus Musical – which debuted on Broadway in 1980 – has returned to Australia for a strictly limited season. This astounding blend of musical theatre and circus acts lights up Melbourne’s iconic Comedy Theatre and fills it with laughs, awe, and magic for a night of pure fun. Set…

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Theatre Review: Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour’s West Side Story proves that thunder & rainbows only happen when it’s raining

It was Wet Side Story at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour on Friday night. Leonard Bernstein’s Broadway classic was an emotionally-charged and important affair. It may have been over 60 years since this musical first premiered in the States, but its themes and feel remain as fresh and resonant as ever. This production is the…

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Theatre Review: Jersey Boys is an exuberant musical featuring timeless songs (Melbourne)

I couldn’t take my eyes off it. Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons has returned to Melbourne for 8 weeks and you don’t want to miss out on this breathtaking musical. It follows the journey of four blue-collar boys as they rose through the ranks to become one of the…

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Film Review: Anna and the Apocalypse (UK, 2017) is funny, romantic, appropriately gory and deliriously catchy

When you think of zombie comedies, it’s difficult to look beyond the witty brilliance that is Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead (2004).  Whilst we’ve had our share of interesting takes on the walking dead in the years since, the arrival of Anna and the Apocalypse stands as the choreographed high-kick the genre needed.  Not…

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Billy Elliot: The Musical is returning to the Australian stage in 2019

Billy Elliot the Musical will return to the Aussie stage in 2019 for its 10th Anniversary Tour. It has been revealed that performances will be expanding its locations, having originally performed exclusively in Melbourne and Sydney in 2007, will now be hitting up stages in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide. A gritty yet heart-warming story, Billy…

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the musical is coming to Sydney in 2019

Roald Dahl’s iconic story, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been transformed into a musical and will be hitting an Aussie stage for the first time at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in January 2019. It’s the magical story of a young boy, Charlie, who wins the tickets of all tickets – the golden ticket, that allows…

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10 years on and Priscilla Queen of the Desert stills stands as one of Australia’s best musical productions

A decade doesn’t seem like very long ago, especially when reminiscing of the very first time I saw this magical production make its debut. Priscilla Queen of the Desert transitioned from screen to stage when the concept of a movie-musical was still quite new, but cut to 2018, and it is almost the norm for the…

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Film Review: The Greatest Showman (USA, 2017) is cheery lunacy that revels in its attempt to call back on the positive musicals of the past

Going for broke and wearing its heart on its sleeve for all to appreciate, The Greatest Showman is a corny yet engaging musical that embraces its overt positivity with stride. An enthusiastically romanticised telling of how legendary American showman P.T. Barnum (portrayed by a wholly committed Hugh Jackman) worked his way from rags to riches…

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Review: The Book of Mormon is worthy of all the hype (Now playing at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne)

The Book of Mormon has been one of the most talked about musicals to ever make its way down under, and this weekend the Australian premiere was held in Melbourne to officially commence its long awaited run on our shores – some six years after it made box office history in New York City. The comedic…

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Arts Review: Singin’ in the Rain – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne (Performances until June 5th)

For many who aspire to be on the stage, Singin’ in the Rain is one of those shows that ignites the fire within and allows us to dream the dream and hope to one day turn it into a reality. On Saturday night, the Australian premiere of this iconic show fulfilled every heart’s desire as Adam Garcia,…

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Arts Review: Jerry’s Girls – the Production Company – Arts Centre Melbourne (Performances To December 6)

What a breath of fresh air for Australian musical theatre. In recent years, we’ve tried to create our own original work but it hasn’t always translated. Well, let me tell you; this one translates. Starring 11 of the industry’s most dazzling ladies comes a show dedicated to celebrating the works of American composer and lyricist…

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