Musicals & opera in Sydney

If you love your stage show to come with plenty of musical and theatrical highs – you’re in luck. Sydney hosts an impressive number of musicals each year, from the latest Broadway and West End shows to timeless classics. The best bit? You get to enjoy your entertainment in establishments that are just as alluring as the drama unfolding before you. Here’s what you can look forward to for the rest of the year.

Must-see musicals

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical

Showing at: Theatre Royal Sydney
Dates: 4 May to 3 September 2023

The multi-award-winning TINA – The Tina Turner Musical arrives in Sydney in May 2023. Inspired by the incredible life story of the Queen of Rock n’ Roll, the musical features some of the Grammy Award-winning artist's greatest hits, including ‘Simply The Best’, ‘What's Love Got To Do With It’, and ‘Proud Mary’. Coming direct from Broadway, the smash hit musical brings joy, passion and heart-pumping tunes to the Theatre Royal Sydney .

Performer on stage in the Tina Turner Musical, Theatre Royal Sydney

Tina Turner Musical, Theatre Royal Sydney - Credit: Tina Turner Musical

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Showing at: Capitol Theatre
Dates: 14 June to 5 November 2023

See the Australian premiere of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Sydney's Capitol Theatre. Direct from the West End, the exciting stage production features all the classic songs of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice including ‘Belle’, ‘Gaston’, ‘Human Again’ and ‘Be Our Guest’. Starring Australian performers Shubshri Kandiah and Brendan Xavier as Belle and the Beast.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast the Musical at the Capitol Theatre, Haymarket

Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the Capitol Theatre, Haymarket

Mamma Mia! The Musical

Showing at: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Dates: 5 July 2023 to 30 July 2023

MAMMA MIA! The Musical returns to Sydney in May 2023 at Sydney Lyric Theatre. Featuring 22 of ABBA’s greatest hits, including ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Voulez Vous’, ‘S.O.S’, ‘Take a Chance On Me’, ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’ and ‘The Winner Takes It All’, the show is a celebration of love, laughter and friendship. Join the 65 million people worldwide who have experienced this uplifting musical.

Mamma Mia! The Musical at Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont

Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812

Showing at: The Darlinghurst Theatre
Dates: 5 July 2023 to 20 August 2023

Don’t miss the Australian premiere of the Tony Award® nominated Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 at The Darlinghurst Theatre. The electro-pop opera is based on a scandalous portion of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, from the celebrated and award-winning composer Dave Malloy. Set in 1812, the musical tells the story of Natasha, who falls in love with a married man, while waiting for her betrothed to return from the front line. Her close friend Pierre comes to the rescue, to help rescue her from ruin.

Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Darlinghurst Theatre Company

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Showing at: Sydney Opera House
Dates: 22 July 2023 to Sunday 27 August 2023

See Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award®-winning musical version of Sweeney Todd at Sydney Opera House. The dark tale tells the story of a barber whose customers get a little more than they asked for. Starring Ben Mingay (Hacksaw Ridge, Pirates of Penzance, Packed to the Rafters) and Antoinette Halloran (Mary and Max, Macbeth, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll) and directed by celebrated Australian opera and musical theatre director Stuart Maunder AM.

Performers in costume for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Sydney Opera House

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay

Elvis: A Musical Revolution

Showing at: The State Theatre
Dates: 2 August 2023 to 27 August 2023

Experience the incredible life story of Elvis through a new musical spectacular. Featuring over 40 of his hit songs including ‘Jailhouse Rock’ ‘Hound Dog’ ‘That’s All Right’ ‘Suspicious Minds’ ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ and ‘A Little Less Conversation’. The Australian premier of Elvis: A Musical Revolution hits the State Theatre with an all-star Australian cast and dazzling choreography in August.

Elvis: A Musical Revolution, State Theatre

Miss Saigon

Showing at: Sydney Opera House
Dates: 17 August 2023 to 13 October 2023

The West End and Broadway hit musical Miss Saigon is heading to the Sydney Opera House. The Cameron Mackintosh and Opera Australia production features a cast of 42 talented artists including Abigail Adriano as Kim, Seann Miley Moore as the Engineer and Nigel Huckle as Chris. The epic love story features Boublil and Schönberg's hit songs ‘The Heat is On in Saigon’ ‘The Movie in My Mind’ ‘Last Night of the World’ and ‘The American Dream’.

Performers on stage in Miss Saigon, Sydney Opera House

Miss Saigon, Sydney Opera House - Credit: Johan Persson

WICKED the Musical

Showing at: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Dates: 25 August to 24 September 2023

Discover the untold true story of the Witches of Oz at Sydney Lyric, and see the Broadway sensation WICKED. The musical goes back in time, before Dorothy arrives and tells the story of two witches. Elphaba - with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent and Glinda - a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular. Rivalry turns to friendship, before the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.” The musical turns 20 at the end of 2023, at which point it will become the 4th longest-running show in Broadway history.

WICKED the Musical at Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont

The Dismissal

Showing at: Sydney’s Seymour Centre
Dates: 26 August to 1 October 2023

Check out the original Australian musical The Dismissal, making its world premiere from August 2023 at Sydney’s Seymour Centre. The musical tells the epic story of the sacking of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by the Governer-General Sir John Kerr in 1975, told through the eyes of iconic larrikin Norman Gunston. Conceived and directed by Jay James-Moody and with music and lyrics by Laura Murphy.