Australia - Melbourne Theatre + Broadway News

Queensland Performing Arts Centre Announces Mother's Day Tea

(4/24/2013) - The great line up of entertainment at Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC's) Mother's Day High Tea is sure to make Mum's day this Mothers Day.

Bangarra Dance Theatre's BLAK Reaches Out to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Audiences, May 2

(4/23/2013) - Bangarra Dance Theatre will return to Melbourne next month with the Australian premiere season of Blak, an exciting new, physically dynamic work by Artistic Director Stephen Page and choreographer/dancer Daniel Riley McKinley.

Daniel Koek's Adelaide Cabaret Festival Appearance Cancelled

(4/23/2013) - The Adelaide Cabaret Festival wishes to advise that Dan Koek's Adelaide Cabaret Festival show A Decade Down The Road that was scheduled to take place 21 - 22 June at Dunstan Playhouse has had to be cancelled.

Betty Amsden Donates Another $1 Million to Arts Centre Melbourne

(4/22/2013) - Arts Centre Melbourne Arts Angel, Miss Betty Amsden OAM, today became its "Six Million Dollar Woman" with another visionary gift of $1 million to further support and develop Arts Centre Melbourne programs for children, young people, families and the broader community.

Lineup Announced for The Heart of St Kilda Concert, May 14

(4/22/2013) - Final acts have now been announced for the 2013 Heart of St Kilda Concert. In addition to the already stellar line-up, performing at this annual fundraiser, The Sacred Heart Mission have announced the following performers to complete a sensational line up for 2013.

Arts Centre Melbourne Will Be Open All Day on ANZAC Day, April 25

(4/21/2013) - Arts Centre Melbourne will be open all day this ANZAC Day public holiday Thursday 25 April. With tours and shows, including the Aperitivo Toursof our venues and the Aussie Rules epic Barassi The Stage Show, there will be plenty to keep visitors entertained in the city after the iconic ANZAC Day celebrations conclude.

5th Annual Record Store Day Australia Set for Today

(4/20/2013) - Following the overwhelming success of last year's Record Store Day Australia, for the fifth year running, Australia is set to pull the crowds into stores across the nation for this day dedicated to the local Record Store.

Impro Melbourne Presents CELEBRITY THEATRESPORTS Tonight

(4/20/2013) - Celebrating its 25th year at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Impro Melbourne presents the standout festival favourite, Celebrity TheatresportsTM. Putting Australia's favourite celebrities on the spot is the name of the game, as Impro Melbourne's top players join them for a family show with a difference. This show is on for one night only.

Idina Menzel Performs With the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, 29 June

(4/19/2013) - Idina Menzel will grace the Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC's) Concert Hall stage for one night only on Saturday 29 June, performing live with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO).

Arts Centre Melbourne Acquires Opera Australia Archives

(4/16/2013) - Arts Centre Melbourne and Opera Australia have announced plans to ensure the preservation of Opera Australia's substantial archive of production, performance and company material - including costumes from the Dame Joan Sutherland Archive - through a new ongoing donation agreement with Arts Centre Melbourne's Performing Arts Collection. The new agreement will ensure that the history, repertoire and stage magic of Australia's pre-eminent opera company will be preserved in perpetuity.

FLOWERCHILDREN Returns to Comedy Theatre, May 18

(4/15/2013) - Magnormos brings back their award-winning original musical flowerchildren, for a limited season at the Comedy Theatre in May 2013.

Adelaide Festival Centre Hosts SPIRIT OF THE '70s Exhibitions, Now thru June 2

(4/14/2013) - Adelaide Festival Centre will present two exhibitions as part of the Festival Theatre's 40th anniversary celebrations.

Kat Stewart and Maude Davey Join New Play Readings at Arts Centre Melbourne's Famous Spiegeltent Today

(4/13/2013) - Following the sold-out presentation of musical development Ava (At The End of The World) by Eric McCusker, stars of Australia's stage and screen will help shine the spotlight on two new Australian plays being workshopped in The Famous Spiegeltent this month. Maude Davey takes on Kit Lazaroo's surreal Bright, Shiny at 2pm today 13 April, and Kat Stewart will play the lead in Kylie Trouson's Merman at 2pm Saturday 20 April.

Arts Centre Melbourne Will Be Open All Day for ANZAC Day

(4/12/2013) - Arts Centre Melbourne will be open all day this ANZAC Day public holiday Thursday 25 April. With tours and shows, including the Aperitivo Tours of our venues and the Aussie Rules epic Barassi The Stage Show, there will be plenty to keep visitors entertained in the city after the iconic ANZAC Day celebrations conclude.

Kristin Chenoweth Chats Australian Tour, Her Multifaceted Career and More

(4/12/2013) - Kristin Chenoweth comes south for her Australian debut in June at the 2013 Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Presented by Arts Centre Melbourne in association with Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Kristin Chenoweth will take to the stage at Arts Centre Melbourne's Hamer Hall at 8pm Wednesday 12 June as part of a national tour to Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. Kristin Chenoweth will enchant audiences at this once-in-a-lifetime concert traversing pop, opera and the Broadway classics that have made her a star.

Sydney Dance Company's 2 ONE ANOTHER to Return to Her Majesty's Theatre in Adelaide, May 8-11

(4/11/2013) - Internationally renowned Sydney Dance Company is set to return to Adelaide in May, presenting five performances of their critically acclaimed work, 2 One Another, at Her Majesty's Theatre, 8 - 11 May.

Nerds Rule in Windmill Theatre's SCHOOL DANCE at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Now thru April 20

(4/10/2013) - Nerds rule in School Dance, the new comedy by Australia's Windmill Theatre. At Arts Centre Melbourne's Playhouse from today 10 - Saturday 20 April as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, School Dance tells the story of three awkward teenage boys and their quest for social acceptance at high school. With a killer '80s soundtrack and smorgasbord of '80s pop culture references from The Smurfs to My Little Pony, School Dance is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for young and old.

THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES Puppet Show Set for Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Now thru April 14

(4/10/2013) - Direct from Scotland, The Man Who Planted Trees is a hilarious and heart-warming tale about the difference one man and his dog can make. Returning to Arts Centre Melbourne as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from today, 10 - Sunday 14 April, The Man Who Planted Trees is a puppet show with side-splitting Punch and Judy-style characters and a strong environmental message from Scotland's Puppet State Theatre Company.

Impro Melbourne Presents THE FAIRYTALE COOKBOOK, Now thru April 14

(4/9/2013) - From the company who brought you Theatresports and Celebrity Theatresports, Impro Melbourne now presents The Fairytale Cookbook-a Choose Your Own Adventure-style performance full of energy and imagination. A favourite in schools across Victoria, The Fairytale Cookbook is a show for the entire family.

Julie Andrews' First Australian Tour Releases New Block of Tickets for May 2013

(4/8/2013) - Producers John Frost and Phil Bathols today released final tickets for each performance of An Evening with Julie Andrews. Julie Andrews, one of the most beloved stage and screen performers of all time, will visit Australia in May this year for the first time, to appear on stage in Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne.

Impro Melbourne Presents Celebrity Theatresports, April 20

(4/8/2013) - Celebrating its 25th year at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Impro Melbourne proudly presents the standout festival favourite, Celebrity Theatresports. Putting Australia's favourite celebrities on the spot is the name of the game, as Impro Melbourne's top players join them for a family show with a difference. This show is on for one night only on April 20th.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG to Celebrate 150th Performance April 7 in Melbourne

(4/6/2013) - The Australian Production of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will celebrate it's 150th performance on Sunday April 7 and both Sydney and Melbourne seasons have gone off with a Bang..bang.

BWW Interviews: MISS DAISY Arrives in Melbourne, Icons in Tow

(4/6/2013) - These are the kind of actors who earn spontaneous applause the moment they appear on stage. Though they could tell you a thousand stories about the heyday of Hollywood, and are gracious with fans of their screen work, the three stars of DRIVING MISS DAISY are unequivocal about their first love - the theatre.

STAGE TUBE: Kristin Chenoweth to Make Australian Stage Debut in 2013 Adelaide Cabaret Festival!

(4/6/2013) - Set to cast a spell over Australia, Glinda the Good Witch of the North, Kristin Chenoweth, comes south for her Australian debut in June at the 2013 Adelaide Cabaret Festival. She made the announcement today - watch it below!

GREASE Goes On Sale Monday at QPAC

(4/5/2013) - Tickets go on sale at 9.00am this Monday 8 April for the new multi-million dollar production of GREASE, opening as an Australian premiere at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) on 27 August 2013.

Marina Prior Returns to Adelaide, 23 to 25 May

(4/5/2013) - One of Australia's best loved ladies of musical theatre, Marina Prior, will perform her new one-woman show Leading Lady at The Regal Theatre 275 Kensington Road, Kensington, Adelaide from 23 to 25 May at 8.00pm with a 2.00pm matinee on Saturday 25 May.

Kat Stewart and Maude Davey Join New Play Readings at Arts Centre Melbourne's Famous Spiegeltent, April 2013

(4/4/2013) - Following the sold-out presentation of musical development Ava (At The End of The World) by Eric McCusker, stars of Australia's stage and screen will help shine the spotlight on two new Australian plays being workshopped in The Famous Spiegeltent this month. Maude Davey takes on Kit Lazaroo's surreal Bright, Shiny at 2pm Saturday 13 April, and Kat Stewart will play the lead in Kylie Trouson's Merman at 2pm Saturday 20 April.

National Institute of Circus Arts Presents LEAP OF FAITH, Now thru April 13

(4/4/2013) - Opening today, April 4 2013, Leap of Faith is 70 minutes of pure contemporary circus. The show is directed by former Cirque du Soleil Artistic Director, Matthew Jessner, who distils the circus artform into an entertaining, heart-pounding and refreshing performance of high level skill.

DRIVING MISS DAISY, With Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones, Opens in Melbourne This Week

(4/2/2013) - Miss Daisy has now motored in Melbourne after enjoying travelling around Brisbane and Sydney, with the acclaimed production of Driving Miss Daisy previewing at the Comedy Theatre on Friday, April 5, ahead of the official opening night on Saturday April 6 at 8pm.

Jager Productions Presents BARASSI, Beginning 25 April

(4/1/2013) - BARASSI THE STAGE SHOW is returning for a strictly limited season from 23 April to 5 May at the Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre, Melbourne following the success, rave reviews and recommendation from the man himself, Ron Barrasi, of the inaugural season in 2012.

BARASSI THE STAGE SHOW Returns to Fairfax Studio, 4/23-5/5

(4/1/2013) - BARASSI THE STAGE SHOW is returning for a strictly limited season from 23 April to 5 May at the Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre, Melbourne following the success, rave reviews and recommendation from the man himself, Ron Barrasi, of the inaugural season in 2012.

Darebin Arts' Speakeasy and Black Honey Present MC PLATYPUS & QUEEN KOALA'S HIP HOP JAMBOREE, Now thru April 14

(4/1/2013) - MC Platypus and Queen Koala's Hip Hop Jamboree sees multi-talented 'Candy B' Bowers return to the stage with her sister Kim 'Busty Beatz' Bowers in an interactive musical comedy for kids aged 5-12 as part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2013.

Bangarra Dance Theatre Presents BLAK- National Tour to Begin in May, 5/3-11

(3/28/2013) - Bangarra Dance Theatre breaks the silence with its emotionally powerful, physically dynamic production Blak. The brand new work explodes with stories about a contemporary clan and the collision of two worlds.

Impro Melbourne Presents LATE NIGHT THEATRESPORTS, Now thru April 13

(3/28/2013) - For more than 500 years, Late Night Impro has served up a fresh format each and every year of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, delivering the best impro comedy Melbourne has to offer. This year the team at Impro Melbourne present the ultimate in audience-driven improvisation, with Late Night Theatresports.

Barry Morgan Brings ORGAN IS NOT A DIRTY WORD to Trades Hall, Now thru April 21

(3/28/2013) - Strut & Fret and Liblab Music present BARRY MORGAN, ORGAN IS NOT A DIRTY WORD at Trades Hall, New Ballroom, tonight, 28 March - 21 April (not Mondays).

Arts Centre Melbourne's 2013 Winter Season Announced

(3/27/2013) - Arts Centre Melbourne's new Winter season offers an electrifying range of experiences to charge the senses in the middle of the year. From 26 July to 18 August, art, science and technology are celebrated in a spectacular fashion with several Art Centre Melbourne Australian exclusives.

BWW Reviews: AND ALL THING RETURN TO NATURE TOMORROW - But Some are Left Behind

(3/27/2013) - Can a production where the performers spend half of their time naked on stage have no climax, no peak? The answer, it turns out is a definitive yes.

STAGE TUBE: Inside THE LION KING's Journey to Australia!

(3/26/2013) - More than 65 million people around the world have discovered the thrill, the majesty, the truly one-of-a-kind musical that is THE LION KING. Julie Taymor's reimagining of Disney's beloved animated film is a theatrical event you will never forget. In the videos below, go behind the scenes of the upcoming production's journey to the Australian stage. THE LION KING will open in Sydney in December 2013.

Photo Coverage: Forster And Mel C With The Australian Tour Cast Of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR!

(3/26/2013) - Ben Forster and Mel C meet up with their new co-stars Andrew O'Keeffe (Herod) and Jon Stevens (Pilate) prior to the Australian tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.

SCHOOL DANCE Will Offer '80s-Inspired Show 'Warm Up' Nightly

(3/26/2013) - Warm up for School Dance with lycra and legwarmers each night from Wednesday 10 - Saturday 20 April. From 5:45pm School Dance's The Warm Up will see a host of '80s-inspired dance routines and music fill the Playhouse Stalls Foyer before the show, including dance troupe The Real Hot Bitches and DJ set by Andrew McClelland's Finishing School. After the show School Dance's Happy Snaps will introduce the Facebook generation to a host of retro paraphernalia, including Polaroid photography.