Pup stars and superstars

The year has passed its halfway point and already a number of musicals have been announced for 2025.

Tickets are on sale for Annie the Musical, which starts in March at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre. Directed by Karen Johnson Mortimer, at this early stage we only know who will be playing Annie’s canine companion. Sharing in the role will be groodles Bodhi, who has featured in Neighbours, and Sandy.

“After rigorous paw-ditions across the country, we unanimously agreed that Bodhi and Sandy were the perfect dogs to play our Sandy,” says producer John Frost.

John Frost and his colleagues at Crossroads Live are also behind the new tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary ’70s rock musical, Jesus Christ Superstar. Starring Michael Paynter as Jesus, Javon King as Judas, and powerhouse soul and blues vocalist Mahalia Barnes as Mary, the production's choreographer is Drew McOnie, one of Britain’s most sought-after choreographers who happily spans all theatre from ballet and opera to drama and musicals.

JCS opens in Sydney at the Capitol on November 6 before moving to Perth in February and Melbourne on March 16.

Opera Australia’s 2025 edition of its annual, spectacular Handa Opera on the Harbour will be the classic Broadway musical Guys and Dolls. It will be directed by the OA’s artistic director, Jo Davies, with a set design by Brian Thomson, all on a stage that is two-and-a-half times bigger than any other in Australia. The season will run from March 21 to April 20.

Tickets will be available to the general public from August 13.