The Most Exciting Musicals in Sydney in 2024

Show us something more feel-good than a musical, and we'll show you a liar. Musicals are the ultimate show-stopping way to experience theatre in our book, bursting with music, moves, and incredible energy. 

Sydney will be playing host to some of the world's biggest musicals in 2024, so we've rounded up our picks of the bunch—all of them promising to transport you to a different world, full of spectacle, jaw-dropping performances, and a whole lot of sparkle. Here are the best musicals in Sydney in 2024.

The Most Exciting Musicals in Sydney in 2024

1. The Rocky Horror Show

Get ready for a theatrical celebration like no other with The Rocky Horror Show, a musical that has captured hearts around the world and proudly marks 50 years on the stage as the only contemporary rock musical of its kind.

Prepare for a frothy, fun-filled experience – the boldest bash of them all! Dust off those stilettos and gear up for the rockiest ride of your life. Join the adventure of squeaky-clean sweethearts Brad and Janet, where every moment is unforgettable. With timeless classics like the Time Warp, it's guaranteed to be one of the most popular musicals in Sydney this year.

Where:   Theatre Royal Sydney, 108 King St, Newtown
When:    31 March - 28 April 2024
Cost:      From $69.90 per person

2. & Juliet

Be prepared to shake up your Shakespeare with & Juliet – the dazzling, audacious twist on the classic sob-fest that is Romeo and Juliet. Forget everything you thought you knew about Verona's doomed lovers and hit the refresh button with this pop-powered, heart-stopping spin on the world's most famous romantic tragedy.

& Juliet is not just a musical; it's a rebel yell, a hilarious, heart-tugging rollercoaster that throws the rulebook out the window and dares to ask "What if?" Imagine Juliet's story with a different ending and a soundtrack that'll have you bouncing in your seat from start to finish.

Thanks to the pop genius of Max Martin and a team of musical magicians, this show is packed with anthems that have defined generations. We're talking the powerhouse hits of Britney Spears, the catchy choruses of the Backstreet Boys, the killer hooks of Katy Perry, the soulful melodies of The Weeknd, and the belt-out ballads of Kelly Clarkson – and that's just scratching the surface.

So, if you're in the mood for a night of uproarious laughter, jaw-dropping drama, and tunes that'll stick in your head long after the curtain falls, & Juliet is your ticket to entertainment. It's a musical joyride that promises to flip the script on love, life, and destiny. Come for the tragedy, stay for the party – this is one Shakespearean remix that's totally worth the hype.

Where:   Sydney Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont
When:    27 February - 2 June 2024
Cost:      From $79.90 per person

3. GREASE The Musical

Grease is the word, folks, and it's sliding back into the Aussie spotlight in all its jiving, high-school-dreaming glory. That's right, the OG of high school musicals – Grease – is revving its engines for a glossy, multi-million dollar victory lap around Australian stages. Get ready to get all caught up in the nostalgia feels with those timeless bangers like 'Summer Nights' and 'Greased Lightnin''.

Wave hello to summer with a dose of Grease as it kicks off at the Capitol Theatre in March, where it's shaping up to be the one of the most exciting musicals in Sydney in 2024. 

Casting the roles of the ultimate high school sweethearts, Sandy and Danny, we've got Annelise Hall and Joseph Spanti sliding into those iconic leather jackets. And, oh, the lineup doesn't stop there – we've got Aussie entertainment royalty hitting the stage with Patti Newton playing Miss Lynch, Marcia Hines as the divine Teen Angel, and Jay Laga'aia as Vince Fontaine.

And in a heartwarming twist, the show's shining a spotlight on the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre as its Official Charity Partner. With Annelise Hall stepping up as the ambassador for Olivia's Walk for Wellness, it's a beautiful nod to the legacy of Australia's darling, Olivia Newton-John.

So, slick back that hair, throw on some leather, and let's get hopelessly devoted all over again!

Where:   Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket
When:    24 March - 26 May 2024
Cost:      From $79.90 per person

4. Zombie! The Musical

The undead have shimmied their way onto the musical stage, courtesy of Laura Murphy, the creative brain behind hits like The Lovers and the so-called 'Australia’s Hamilton', The Dismissal. Her latest production, Zombie! The Musical is a toe-tapping, flesh-ripping extravaganza that's part satire, part horror fest, and all campy musical theatre goodness.

But don't let the gory glitz fool you; Zombie! The Musical digs its claws into some pretty meaty issues, pun totally intended. Murphy is out here smashing the mold with leading zombie ladies who are starving for more substantial roles in musical theatre – it's all about that girl power, folks. The show promises a feast of meta-theatrical nods, cheeky references, and songs so catchy they'll infect your brain like a… well, you know.

While the show delves into the undead, it also tackles the living issue of sexism on the Broadway stage, demanding more three-dimensional roles for women. Sure, we'd love the social commentary to be as fleshed out as the musical numbers, but Zombie! The Musical is shaping up to be a killer night out. It's offering a whole new take on the classic zombie trope, all while spinning tunes that could very well be the cure for those mundane musical blues – or, at the very least, make them a whole lot more enjoyable. 

Where:   Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point
When:    8 March - 6 April 2024
Cost:      From $69 per person

5. West Side Story

The timeless musical masterpiece, West Side Story, burst onto Broadway in 1957, creating a sensational storm of exuberant dance and wistful romance.

Fast forward to 2024, and this iconic musical is making a triumphant return to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, promising an electrifying, larger-than-life staging. Get ready to immerse yourself in the greatest score ever written for musical theatre, witness dynamic dance numbers that soar through the open air, and be captivated by a love story that transcends the ages. 

Where:   Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney
When:    22 March - 21 April 2024
Cost:      From $79.90 per person

6. Parade

Get ready for a compelling journey into a true story that shook a nation. Jason Robert Brown's Tony Award-winning musical, Parade, is set to hit Sydney in May 2024. Parade delves into one of the darkest episodes in America's history. Amid religious intolerance, political injustice, and racial tension, the stirring  Parade explores the endurance of love and hope against all the odds. A must-see musical in Sydney in our book!

Where:    Seymour Centre, Cnr City Road &, Cleveland St, Chippendale
When:     9 - 25 May 2024
Cost:      From $99 per person

7. Chicago

It's time to slick your hair back and slap on some jazz hands because the ultimate showstopper, Chicago, is shimmying its way to our very own Capitol Theatre come June 2024.

Fresh from its tour de force in Perth, Brisbane, and Melbourne, this musical extravaganza is about to razzle dazzle the Harbour City with more pizzazz than a Mardi Gras parade.

Stepping back into the spotlight as the sultry and scheming Velma Kelly is none other than Zoë Ventoura. After gracing the musical theatre stage early in her career, Ventoura became a household name on the Aussie screen as Mel Rafter in Packed To The Rafters and Dr. Alex Neilson in Home and Away. And now she's returning to her roots, ready to slay the stage once more.

But wait, there's more jazz to this story: strutting alongside Zoë as the cunning and ambitious Roxie Hart is Lucy Maunder, straight from her stellar stint as Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins. It's set to be a double act of dazzling proportions.

So, strap in and prepare for a night of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery – all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts. 

Where:    Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket
When:     9 June - 7 July 2024
Cost:      From $89.90 per person

8. Hamilton

Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre to become a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.

This ultra-popular musical is educational and spell-binding with incredible music, lyrics, and script to wow the audience. 

Where:   Sydney Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont
When:    30 July - 31 October 2024
Cost:      From $75 per person

9. Sister Act The Musical

Get ready to swap your flat whites for holy water because Whoopi Goldberg's iconic laugh-fest, Sister Act is ditching the screen for the stage and bringing a whole lotta soul down under! That's right, the divine comedy that had us cracking up back in '92 is now a full-blown, heavenly musical masterpiece, and it's about to sprinkle its blessed vibes all over our turf.

After scooping up a heavenly host of accolades and a choir of Tony nominations on Broadway, Sister Act The Musical is gearing up to raise the roof in London's West End this May, before gracing us with its presence at Sydney's Capitol Theatre in August and then taking its choir of quirky nuns to Melbourne's Regent Theatre in November.

Dive into the divine comedy of Deloris, the sassy disco queen who, after witnessing a crime, finds herself hiding out in the last place anyone would look for a diva – a convent. As she swaps her sequins for a habit, she takes on the monumental task of lifting the spirits and voices of the convent's choir, proving there's nothing a little song and dance can't fix.

Expect a spiritual awakening of Motown, soul, and disco tunes that'll have you dancing in the pews. And yes, Sydney, this is the first time the heavenly harmonies of Sister Act will be echoing around our shores. Blessed be our eardrums!

Where:   Sydney Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont
When:    August - exact dates TBC
Cost:      From $75 per person

10. SIX The Musical

After thrilling audiences with sensational sell-out seasons nationwide, the pop musical sensation SIX the Musical is making a triumphant return to Australia. This globally celebrated musical has earned an impressive 35 major international awards, including two prestigious Tony Awards and a Grammy nomination.

Get ready for a high-octane 75-minute musical experience where the feisty Tudor queens fearlessly rewrite five hundred years of history.

Where:   Theatre Royal Sydney, 108 King St, Newtown
When:    From October 2024
Cost:      Tickets on sale in March 2024. Join the waitlist! 

11. Sunset Boulevard

Embark on a musical journey with the international recording sensation and musical theatre star, Sarah Brightman, as she takes the lead in a lavish new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece, Sunset Boulevard.

This captivating musical weaves a magnificent tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition. Follow the legendary silent movie star, Norma Desmond, who yearns for a return to the big screen after being discarded by Hollywood with the arrival of “talkies.” When she crosses paths with struggling Hollywood screenwriter Joe Gillis in a dramatic twist of fate, their passionate and volatile relationship unfolds, leading to an unforeseen and tragic conclusion. 

Where:   Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
When:    28 August - 2 November 2024
Cost:      Tickets from $49 - $299

And in 2025...

12. MJ The Musical

Get ready for an extraordinary experience as one of the greatest entertainers of all time, Michael Jackson, brings his unique and unparalleled artistry to Australia in the multiple Tony Award-winning musical, MJ.

Focused on the creation of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, MJ goes beyond showcasing the singular moves and signature sound of the star. It offers a rare glimpse into the creative mind and collaborative spirit that elevated Jackson to legendary status. Don't miss the chance to witness the magic and brilliance of Michael Jackson's legacy in this captivating musical journey!

Where:   Sydney Lyric, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont
When:    February 2025
Cost:      Keep an eye on the website for tickets

13. Peter and the Starcatcher

Peter and the Starcatcher, the sensational Broadway hit that clinched five Tony Awards, will be taking the musicals in Sydney scene by storm in Feburary 2025.

Reimagined by the innovative Dead Puppet Society, known for its visually stunning creations, this eagerly anticipated rendition of Peter and the Starcatcher blurs the boundaries between reality and fantasy. It takes you on a journey across oceans with mystical mermaids and lands filled with curious creatures—the ultimate untold story of Neverland.

Where:   Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket
When:    February 2025
Cost:      Keep an eye on the website for tickets

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