Your Guide To Melbourne’s Biggest Theatre Shows, And Where To Cop Tickets
Eloise Luke
Contributor | Urban List
In Melbourne, if there's a stage, there'll be theatre, and fortunately, there are plenty of both in this city. From local to international titles, there are thespians a plenty duking it out under the spotlights, portraying fables of mystery, sci-fi, right across to classic productions.
These are Urban List's picks for the best theatre shows in Melbourne right now.
MJ: The Musical
Image credit: MJ The Musical | Supplied
You know the songs. You know the moves. And if you caught even a glimpse of the buzz around it, you’ll know MJ The Musical has well and truly landed at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
The Olivier and four-time Tony Award-winning Broadway smash has taken over Melbourne stages, thrilling audiences with an electrifying look into the life, music and creative genius of Michael Jackson. More than just a jukebox musical, this is a high-energy theatre event that feels part concert, part behind-the-scenes documentary—tracing his journey from the Jackson 5 era through to the solo hits that changed pop music forever.
And yes—the soundtrack absolutely hits. Expect more than 25 of Michael Jackson’s biggest songs performed live, including Billie Jean, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Man In The Mirror and Thriller, all delivered with razor-sharp choreography that channels MJ’s unmistakable style and swagger.
SIX: The Musical
Image credit: SIX the Musical | Instagram
After a triumphant reign on stages around the world, SIX The Musical is making its royal return to Melbourne, taking over the Comedy Theatre from July 2026.
This global smash-hit flips five hundred years of history on its crown, transforming Henry VIII’s six wives—from Tudor queens to full-blown pop princesses—in an 80-minute, high-voltage pop concert that hits harder than a history lesson ever could.
Catherine of Aragon. Anne Boleyn. Jane Seymour. Anna of Cleves. Katherine Howard. Catherine Parr. Each queen steps up to the mic to reclaim her story, remixing the past with powerhouse vocals, sharp wit and chart-ready anthems.
Crowned a worldwide phenomenon, SIX has collected 38 major international awards, including two Tony Awards® and a Grammy nomination, and has been seen by more than 3.5 million fans each year across 15+ countries.
The Book Of Mormon
Image credit: The Book Of Mormon | Instagram
Australia’s biggest-ever musical comedy is making its long-awaited return, taking over the Princess Theatre this February.
A nine-time Tony Award–winning phenomenon, The Book Of Mormon has become one of the most celebrated and talked-about musicals in the world—bold, outrageous and unapologetically funny from start to finish.
Created by the minds behind South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, alongside EGOT winner Robert Lopez, the show follows the misadventures of two mismatched missionaries sent on a mission far from anything they’re prepared for. What unfolds is a wildly irreverent satire packed with big musical numbers, fearless humour and scene steals that will have the entire theatre losing it.
CATS
Image credit: Cats The Musical | Instagram
The 40th Australian anniversary of CATS is set to take over Hamer Hall—bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical back to Melbourne for a limited season.
Adapted from T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this iconic production blends soaring music, expressive dance and poetic storytelling into a theatrical experience that has captivated audiences for decades.
The story unfolds on one magical night of the year, when the Jellicle cats gather at the Jellicle Ball. Led by their wise and watchful leader Old Deuteronomy, one cat will be chosen to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a new Jellicle life.
With spectacular staging, dazzling choreography and a score packed with timeless songs—including the unforgettable Memory—CATS remains one of musical theatre’s most beloved productions.
Heathers: The Musical
Image credit: Heathers The Musical | Instagram
Direct from smash-hit seasons in London and New York, Heathers the Musical is heading to Melbourne this April, bringing its wicked wit, razor-sharp satire and cult-classic chaos to the stage.
Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity rules and survival is a daily sport. Veronica Sawyer is desperate to escape the social sidelines—until she’s taken in by the three Heathers: beautiful, powerful and brutally cruel. Suddenly, life at the top feels within reach. That is, until she meets J.D., a brooding teen rebel with a dangerous philosophy about status, power and what it really costs to fit in.
Based on the iconic film, Heathers the Musical is deliciously dark, laugh-out-loud funny and fuelled by a killer soundtrack that turns high school drama into full-throttle theatre.
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Image credit: Pretty Woman The Musical | Instagram
Bursting with glamour, romance and all the iconic moments you know and love, Pretty Woman: The Musical is set to light up the Regent Theatre from July 2026—bringing a Hollywood favourite to the stage in dazzling style.
Led by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell on direction and choreography, the production pairs slick Broadway energy with an original, high-impact score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. Add a sharp, heart-led book from the film’s original creative minds, and you’ve got a musical that knows exactly how to sweep an audience off its feet.
At the centre of it all are Vivian and Edward—two unlikely soulmates whose chance encounter turns into a journey of self-discovery, vulnerability and finding your place in the world. It’s a modern fairy tale.
The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey
The world premiere of The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey is arriving at Her Majesty’s Theatre from 18 March to 5 April 2026.
This bold new production reimagines Fitzgerald’s timeless tale through full theatrical spectacle, transforming the story of Jay Gatsby into a genre-defying dance experience. Directed and choreographed by Joel Burke, with narration arranged by James Millar, the classic is brought to life in a way audiences have never seen before.
Set to a sweeping score that weaves together iconic works like Rhapsody in Blue, Summertime and The Charleston, alongside striking new compositions, the production fuses ballet, tap and jazz into a high-energy celebration of movement and music. On stage, world-class dancers deliver electrifying performances against a backdrop of lavish sets, glittering costumes and pure Jazz Age glamour.
Opera Australia's 2026 Season
Image credit: Opera Australia | Instagram
As Opera Australia celebrates its 70th year, the season invites audiences to reconnect with much-loved works while stepping confidently into new creative territory. It’s a year designed for both long-time opera lovers and those ready to experience it for the first time.
Classic stories return with fresh perspective, offering sweeping romance, intimate drama and unforgettable music. You’ll be drawn into the lives of artists chasing love and meaning, swept up by powerful voices and orchestral moments, and introduced to contemporary works that reflect Australia’s own stories and histories.
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
Image credit: A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical | Instagram
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is heading to Melbourne, bringing the extraordinary story and songbook of one of America’s most enduring artists to the stage.
Created with the involvement of Neil Diamond himself, the show traces his journey from a young songwriter growing up in Brooklyn to a global superstar whose music soundtracked generations. It’s a story of ambition, resilience and creativity—told through the hits that made him a household name.
Expect a soundtrack packed with crowd favourites, chart-toppers and anthems that defined an era, woven into a high-energy theatrical experience that celebrates both the man and the music. From intimate moments of self-reflection to arena-sized showmanship, the production captures the scale of Diamond’s career and the heart behind it.
Encore!
Encore! is a feel-good celebration packed with big moments—from toe-tapping favourites to songs that hit you right in the heart, this is a showcase made for anyone who loves the thrill of live musical theatre.
As Opera Australia marks 70 years on stage, the company turns the spotlight on its rich musical theatre legacy, revisiting iconic productions that have helped shape Australia’s love affair with the genre.
An all-star lineup of musical theatre performers is joined by the lush sound of Orchestra Victoria, creating a concert experience bound to remind you why you fell in love with the theatre.
Main image credit: MJ The Musical | Instagram
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.
Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
19 Of The Best Melbourne Airbnbs Made For A Top 2026 Escape
Melbourne Is Getting A Floating Tennis Court On The Yarra This Summer
