Sydney scores musical trifecta

NSW has once again demonstrated it is the home of musical theatre, with the ultimate trifecta of blockbuster productions secured to open in Sydney.

14 June 2018

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall and Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said Chicago, Saturday Night Fever and the Australian premiere of Waitress was secured exclusively for Sydney by the NSW Government.

“More than 60,400 visitors are expected to travel to Sydney to see the productions in 2019 and 2020, and deliver $28.8 million in visitor expenditure for NSW,” Mr Marshall said.

Mr Harwin said the NSW Government is bringing a world-class showcase of musical theatre to Australia’s premier events State.

“What a vote of confidence in the Sydney theatre landscape admired internationally and going from strength to strength,” Mr Harwin said.

“As we look forward to an exciting new theatre development at Ultimo this news is music to the ears of this vibrant cultural sector.”

“Waitress, which premiered in the USA and made its Broadway debut in 2016, has played to packed theatres, and we are delighted to have secured the Australian rights for this production,” Mr Harwin said.

“Chicago is one of the most successful shows in theatre history so it’s fitting that Sydney will host the return season of this acclaimed production.”

“Saturday Night Fever has toured extensively around the world but this new production has never been staged in Australia.”

Waitress, inspired by the film, tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage.

Set in prohibition-era, Chicago is based on a 1926 play of the same name by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins and is a satire of corruption in the administration of criminal justice.

Saturday Night Fever, with music and lyrics by the Bee Gees, focuses on Tony Manero, a Brooklyn youth whose weekends are spent at the local discotheque.

Chicago will open at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in mid 2019; Saturday Night Fever will open at the Capitol Theatre around August 2019 and the Australian premiere of Waitress hit the stage at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in mid 2020.

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