Summer Stages (and Winter Warmers) - BWW's Top Picks for Melbourne!

As our Northern Hemisphere neighbours watch the mercury rise, the plummeting temperatures down under present a perfect excuse to rug up in your winter finest and head to the theatre. 

Here are 5 suggestions to keep you entertained and out of the Melbourne cold in the long winter months ahead:

ANNIE
Regent Theatre, May 24 - August 12

It’s got cute little orphans. It stars Australian theatre legend Anthony Warlow as everyone’s favourite shiny-headed ‘zillionaire’. And it reminds us that the sun will indeed come out tomorrow.

Clear away the cobwebs and the sorrow as winter approaches with this 14th major production of ANNIE featuring a stellar supporting cast including Nancye Hayes and Todd McKenney.

For ANNIE tickets and information click here. 

MELBOURNE CABARET FESTIVAL
Various venues, July 12 – July 21

In this city of festivals, THE MELBOURNE CABARET FESTIVAL is a new kid on the artistic block. Now in its 3rd year, the 2012 festival will run for 10 nights across 9 venues including the iconic Butterfly Club in South Melbourne.

Presenting a program that includes comedy cabaret, musical theatre and burlesque, and featuring both local and international acts, THE MELBOURNE CABARET FESTIVAL is a welcome winter addition to our creative city.

For tickets and more information on the 2012 MELBOURNE CABARET FESTIVAL click here.

THE PRODUCERS, CHESS and PROMISES, PROMISES – The Production Company
Arts Centre Melbourne, Season from July - October

The Production Company 2012 season kicks off with THE PRODUCERS in July, followed by CHESS in August and the PROMISES, PROMISES in October, showcasing the wonderful works of Mel Brooks, ABBA (well Benny and Bjorn) and Burt Bacharach.

Let a stellar line-up of Australian theatre stars including Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino and Christie Whelan keep you company over the cooler Melbourne months with these three classic Broadway shows.

For more information and performance dates visit The Production Company website here.

TINA ARENA with Orchestra
Arts Centre Melbourne – Hamer Hall, July 28 & 29 and August 5

Everybody’s favourite talent-timer returns to Melbourne to headline the opening of the refurbished Hamer Hall. Accompanied by a 54 piece orchestra, Arena will perform a selection of pop and musical theatre songs from her diverse career as one of Melbourne’s most successful international exports.

As we welcome home a Melbourne icon we also celebrate the return of the beloved Hamer Hall, a world-class concert venue right in the heart of our city.

To purchase TINA ARENA tickets click here.

‘8’ THE PLAY
Her Majesty’s Theatre, June 8

Join Australian personalities including Lisa McCune, Shane Jacobson and Daniel MacPherson as they present a one night only performance of ‘8’ THE PLAY – an account of the US Federal Court trial which stripped gay and lesbians of the fundamental freedom to marry in California.

Following the critically acclaimed New York and LA readings of the play, this one-night-only event will also present a special forum at the conclusion of the performance. All profits from this staged reading will support Australian Marriage Equality and their fight to end marriage discrimination in Australia.

Tickets for this special event can be purchased here: 

So there you have it Southern Hemisphere theatre lovers – from orphans to constitutional rights there is something to warm (or fire up) every heart this Melbourne winter. Enjoy!

Jacqueline "Rock" Bublitz is a Melbourne-based writer who saw a local production of Annie aged 5, and was never quite the same. Since that first transformative experience she has been lucky enough to experience musical theatre all over the world. Many of her favourite productions have played right on her doorstep here in Melbourne, and she loves this about her creative home town. In addition to a day job in media, Rock is currently working on her first novel, 'body, remember', where she shamelessly mines the world of musical theatre for inspiration.

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