Five blockbuster musicals you need to see

Ebony Bowden
Jul 02, 2014, updated Jul 03, 2014

The current producion of The Lion King in Sydney has received critical acclaim. Photo: AAP

After first appearing in Australia 25 years ago, the world’s longest running production, Les Miserables, this week returns to the Melbourne stage.

Producer Cameron Macintosh, who also worked on the award winning screen version with Hugh Jackman, says that the production is a “new version of Les Mis with the spirit of the original”.

Here, we take a look at five of the top stage productions touring in Australia this year.

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Les Miserables

Les Miserables opens in Melbourne this week. Photo: AAP

The production, which has not been in Australia for 17 years, opens in Melbourne on Wednesday with a limited season until October.

Originally written by 19th century novelist Victor Hugo, Les Miserables follows a group of characters during the French Revolution.

This 25th anniversary production has received rave reviews when it opened on Broadway earlier this year, with the Boston Globe saying that it was “nothing less than stunning.”

“The turntable that was the defining design element of the original Les Miserables is gone. Yet this first revival to hit Broadway since Tom Hooper‘s bludgeoning screen version extended the brand often seems like a record being played at high speed. Alain Boublil and Claude-MichelSchonberg‘s all-singing mega-musical adaptation of Victor Hugo‘s epic 19th century novel hurtles along in a breathless marathon for almost three hours.” David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter.

Purchase tickets here.

New production is absolutely incredible. Songs hit me in a whole new way. Everything about it left me speechless. #LesMisOz @Conno25

— Grace Frick (@Frickwit) June 27, 2014

The King and I

The King and I is currently showing in Melbourne. Photo: AAP

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I is currently showing in Melbourne and will open in Sydney for a season at the Opera House from September.

The story follows the relationship between an English schoolteacher and the King of Siam when she is employed by him to serve as governess to his children.

The Australian described the production as “unforgettable magic” and called Lisa McCune, who plays schoolteacher Anna, as “a joy to behold”.

Purchase tickets here.

@KingAndIAu Just amazing! Costumes, set, actors, and the band were all phenomenal!

— Mahalia Stamford (@MahaliaStamford) June 11, 2014

Wicked

Wicked will have have seasons in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Photo: AAP

Now playing at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, Wicked has been entertaining Australians since it first opened in Melbourne in 2008.

The current season is showing in Melbourne until August, before moving to Sydney and then Brisbane in 2015.

Wicked is partially based on the film The Wizard of Oz, and tells the story of the friendship between Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.

The New York Times called Wicked the “defining musical of the decade”.

“Wicked has lost nothing on its return. Brilliant staging, absorbing storytelling, charming songs and roof-lifting vocals, vibrant choreography and costumes – it still possesses all the ingredients that have made it the musical theatre phenomenon of the last decade.” Cameron Woodhead, Sydney Morning Herald.

Purchase tickets here.

#Wicked was unreal tonight! Unbelievable talent! Can u imagine getting a standing ovation every night? #changedforgood — Rachel Peters (@iamrachelpeters) July 2, 2014

The Lion King

The current producion of The Lion King in Sydney has received critical acclaim. Photo: AAP

This Disney musical, based on the hit 1994 film, is as popular today as when it first hit Broadway in 1997.

The mass appeal – it has been seen by 70 million people worldwide – is the exquisite puppetry which brings the African savannah to life.

The Lion King finishes its run in Sydney at the end of August and then moves to Brisbane in September. The production will premiere in Melbourne in 2015. Tickets for all three cities are available now.

“The first five minutes of The Lion King are an experience of utter joy. The familiar opening call, in Zulu, breaks out into the theatre and from there we are transported into the pure magic of Julie Taymor’s stagecraft. Sophisticated puppetry, mask and costume design bring an entire pride land to life at the Capitol and it’s as exciting for those who saw it ten years ago at its Sydney premiere, I’d wager, as it was for those who were new to the show at its opening night last week.” Cassie Tongue, AussieTheatre

Just saw @TheLionKing in Sydney! Absolutely amazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing!! #ohwow pic.twitter.com/c2xppcQKSD

— Hayley Pearson (@Hayley_Pearson) June 29, 2014

Once

Based on the feature film, Once will open in Melbourne in September. Photo: AAP

Award winning Broadway musical Once will have its Australian premiere in late September at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne.

An original story of two strangers brought together by music, this production is based on the film of the same name and produced by the Melbourne Theatre Company.

The entire narrative takes place in the confines of a small Irish pub that comes to life in this remarkable production, which won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.

“It’s the staging that for me makes the evening work beautifully. Songs erupt naturally from the action, helped by the fact that the cast all play a variety of instruments including fiddle, guitar, drums, accordion and mandolin. The actor-musicians also effortlessly become characters in the story with striking contributions from Michael O’Connor as Guy’s ruminative dad, Jez Unwin as a musical bank-manager and Flora Spencer-Longhurst as a bouncing Czech.” Michael Billington, The Guardian.

Purchase tickets here.