A new era of musicals is about to hit Sydney’s biggest and best theatres. Here are the shows we think you should book.
2025 saw a huge roster of blockbuster musicals dazzle audiences across the city. We laughed until our stomachs ached at The Book of Mormon, wiped away tears at the Sydney Opera House during Rent, and were hit with intense nostalgia at Les Misérables: Arena Spectacular when the original cast flooded the stage to perform a rendition of One Day More.
February marked a dry spell for blockbuster Sydney musicals, after The Book of Mormon finished its long stint at the Capitol Theatre and Back to the Future: The Musical had a disappointing tour cancellation and average reviews.
The good news? April is ushering in a blockbuster month of internationally acclaimed musicals, with more to come as 2026 continues, and we’re here to help you decide which ones are worth booking.
Which musicals are coming to Sydney?
Phantom of the Opera: March 27-May 3
Handa Opera is celebrating two anniversaries this year. 2026 marks Opera Australia’s 70th season, and to celebrate, they’ll be putting on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global phenomenon The Phantom of the Opera, 40 years after it debuted on the West End.
Taking place at Fleet Steps at Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Handa Opera is one of the most anticipated theatre events in Sydney’s calendar, thanks to its stunning backdrop, one-of-a-kind customisable floating stage, and a spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Harbour that lights up the night sky during each performance.
Leading star Jake Lyle, who plays the titular Phantom, has been wowing audiences since opening night. He’s just 22 years old, but has received rave reviews for his commanding yet human take on the fearful Phantom. His incredible chemistry with the production’s Christine, played by Amy Mansford, has also been widely praised.
For more on the 2026 Handa Opera extravaganza, click here.
The Prom: March 24-April 19
Broadway smash hit production The Prom has made its way to Leichhardt’s Teatro, a 300-seat, up-and-coming arts hub located in the Italian Forum.
The Prom follows a group of four eccentric Broadway stars who are on the hunt for a new stage. When they hear of trouble brewing around a small-town prom, they decide to put a spotlight on the issue (as well as themselves) as they champion a student who wants to take her girlfriend to prom. When they clash with conservative parents, their mission evolves into a heartfelt effort that ultimately unites the community through love and acceptance.
You can read our review of the Australian premiere of The Prom here.
Anastasia: April 7-June 7
Anastasia has played to sold-out audiences on Broadway since its premiere in 2017, and has appeared across Europe, Latin America, Japan and North America. More than 15 major international awards later, it’s finally coming to Down Under, set to transform the Lyric Theatre from April 7.
The story follows Anya, a resilient young woman on a journey to uncover the mystery of her past as she is pursued by an army officer determined to silence her. Centred on themes of romance, family and home, the production is based on the wildly popular animated film, which was released in 1997.
Rising star Georgina Hopson will lead the cast as Anya, alongside international stage sensation Robert Tripolino as Dmitry. Showbiz legend Rhonda Burchmore will take to the stage as Countess Lily, with Australian theatre royalty Nancye Hayes AM as the Dowager Empress.
Between the palace in Russia and the 1920s Parisian streets, the musical is laden with opulence, from the set design to dazzling costumes. The score is impressive and catchy, too, thanks to epic songs like Journey to the Past and Once Upon a December.
The Lion King: April 18-August 30
At the top of most Sydney musical lovers’ wish-list is the stunning The Lion King, which comes roaring back to Sydney this April 18, running for a strictly limited season until August 9. Haymarket’s Capitol Theatre will host the legendary stage show.
This will be the third local tour for the highly acclaimed production, which over its previous two seasons has played to almost four million Australian audience members. Now set for a new staging, thirteen years after the musical’s most recent Australian run, Disney hopes The Lion King will capture new audiences and add to its impressive total of 120 million tickets sold.
The full cast list was recently announced and features Australian actor Daniel Frederiksen, who has worked in television, film, and live theatre, as the famous villain, Scar, South African actor Aphiwe Nyezi as Simba and Nick Afoa as Mufasa (who played the role of Simba in the 2013 production).
Buyi Zama will reprise the role of Rafiki for the third time, having performed the part in both the 2003 and 2013 Sydney productions.
Tootsie: May 26-June 21
Another Broadway musical to make its highly anticipated Australian premiere at Teatro at the Italian Forum is the feel-good Tootsie, described by The New York Post as “Broadway’s funniest new musical”.
Based on the 1982 film, Tootsie tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a brilliant but notoriously difficult actor whose bad reputation is preventing him from finding work in New York City. In an effort to fund his own play, he dresses in drag and adopts a female persona, Dorothy Michaels, to audition for a role in a Broadway musical.
The story then centres on the challenges of maintaining this charade while he falls in love with his co-star, Julie Nichols.
Fiddler on the Roof: July 31-October 3
The beloved 1964 musical will have its inaugural Australian Premiere at Theatre Royal this July, running until October 3. This follows the musical’s sold-out season in London, breaking the record for the best-selling musical of all time at the Barbican Theatre, and winning three Olivier Awards, including Best Musical Revival.
The story is set in the tiny village of Anatevka in 1905, where milkman Tevye lives his life by their proud traditions. For his five daughters, this means a visit from the matchmaker. As each daughter challenges his beliefs, against the backdrop of a changing world, Tevye struggles to embrace the unfamiliar as anti-semitic pressures increase in the region.
The musical has already been extended “due to phenomenal demand” However, the full cast is yet to be released, and not much else is known about the upcoming production.
Waitress: August 1-October 4
Broadway’s smash-hit musical WAITRESS will make its long-awaited Australian debut at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in Auguts 2026.
Centred on themes of resilience, friendship and hope, WAITRESS has garnered international acclaim, including four Tony Award nominations and two Olivier Award nominations. It also won the 2017 Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album thanks to an original, uplifting score by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles, who stated, “It’s been a dream of mine to see WAITRESS (finally) find its way to Australia.”
The heartwarming musical follows the life of Jenna Hunterson, a waitress and expert pie maker stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. When a local pie-baking contest gives her a glimmer of hope, Jenna realises her dream of a better life might finally be within reach.
Jenna will be played by singer and actress Nathalie Bassingthwaighte, who’s known for her roles in Chicago and Shirley Valentine, as well as her television stints on Neighbours and So You Think You Can Dance Australia.
What should you book?
If you love spectacular stagecraft and stunning visuals, see The Lion King
I’ll never forget the moment I was sitting in an aisle seat in London’s Lyceum Theatre when a huge hyena snarled at me and nearly made me fall out of my chair. Not only does The Lion King have a stunning (and very recognisable) score, from The Circle of Life to I Just Can’t Wait to Be King, it also has some of the most remarkable sets and costumes you’ll ever see.
The epic musical is a must-see for families and kids, but honestly, audiences of all ages are sure to be captivated. This show has unbeatable high production value, and is at the top of my list out of all the upcoming 2026 Sydney musicals. That being said, it is also the priciest option out of all the upcoming musicals, so if you’re not willing to spend upwards of $150, you might have to miss out.
You can book your tickets here, from $165.
If you love quirky romance and strong female leads, see Waitress
A night out seeing Waitress is the perfect girls’ night out if you love a strong female lead (enter Nathalie Bassingthwaighte), contemporary romance and heartfelt stories. Although it deals with heavy subject matters, including an unhappy and abusive marriage, the romantic comedy includes plenty of uplifting and empowering moments.
The musical features a modern pop soundtrack, with catchy hits like “Opening Up” and the deeply moving ballad “She Used to Be Mine.” For theatre lovers who enjoy contemporary pop and energetic, current tracks, Waitress is a great choice.
You can book your tickets here, from $69.90.
If you love fairytale-style adventure and romance, see Anastasia
Any romantics who love magical, grand musicals with sweeping numbers should book to see Anastasia. With plenty of fairytale moments, this musical is great for teens and adults, but young kids might struggle to keep up with some of the more political elements of the storyline. Let’s just say, it’s not a Disney show, and there are themes of historical tragedy scattered through the musical.
Those who grew up with the animated movie will enjoy the stage show; however, they should note that it’s not a completely loyal movie adaptation, with some musical numbers and fantasy elements removed.
You can book your tickets here, from $69.90.
If you love classic musicals and historical but timeless stories, see Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof isn’t for everyone, and I’d argue that older audiences who love classic Broadway storytelling and memorable scores will enjoy this production. The combination of heartbreak and hilarity reigns supreme in this musical, so if you’re ready to be moved (but also confronted by more serious and moving scenes), Fiddler on the Roof is a great choice.
Culture enthusiasts won’t want to miss this Australian premiere, which explores the rich traditions of the Jewish immigrant experience and life in 19th-century Russia. With many themes still resonating today, it will be fascinating to see how the Sydney production interprets the story: whether staying true to the original or offering fresh takes on its settings and narrative.
You can book your tickets here, from $69.
If you love unforgettable scores and dark romance, see The Phantom of the Opera
With its beautiful score by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring classics like “Music of the Night”, The Phantom of the Opera is perfect for anyone who appreciates powerful vocals and bold orchestration.
It’s also the perfect musical for those who enjoy sweeping love stories with a darker edge, thanks to the triangle between Christine, Raoul and the Phantom, which delivers plenty of emotion and intensity.
You can book your tickets here, from $79.
If you love comedic musicals and upbeat numbers, see The Prom
If you enjoy upbeat numbers, big ensemble moments and plenty of laughs, The Prom delivers in spades, with a story that balances humour and heart.
It does have some serious themes; however, overall, it’s a musical about acceptance, tolerance and love, which ultimately prevails.
You can book your tickets here, from $85 (plus booking fee).
If you love witty dialogue and satire, see Tootsie
If you’re into witty dialogue, satire and big comedic performances, Tootsie delivers. It pokes fun at the entertainment industry while keeping things light and entertaining. Fans of the original Tootsie film starring Dustin Hoffman will also enjoy seeing how the story has been reimagined for the stage.
While fun and accessible, its humour and themes around gender and identity land best with a slightly more mature audience.
You can book your tickets here, from $85 (plus booking fee).
