Roman Banks as 'MJ' and the cast of the MJ First National Tour
Photograph: Supplied/Matthew Murphy | Roman Banks as 'MJ' and the cast of the MJ First National Tour
Photograph: Supplied/Matthew Murphy | Roman Banks as 'MJ' and the cast of the MJ First National Tour

The best of Melbourne theatre and musicals this month

Get your culture fix via all the world-class productions happening in Melbourne this September

Leah Glynn
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September 2025: Attention all 'Beetlejuice the Musical' the fans – it's officially your last chance to see the morbidly outrageous production before it leaves Melbourne for good on September 11. Lucky there's another splashy show rolling into town, with 'MJ the Musical' opening at Her Majesty's Theatre for a three-month run. You can expect all the hits, including ‘Beat It’, ‘Smooth Criminal’ and ‘Thriller’. 'Annie' continues to charm at the Princess Theatre, while 'American Psycho the Musical' is bringing bucketloads of blood and '80s bangers to Chapel Off Chapel. See, Melbourne's stages really do have it all.  

From the toe-tapping to the cathartic, consider this your ultimate guide to all the best Melbourne theatre shows happening this month.

When stuck for things to do between shows, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 100 things to do in Melbourne before you die

Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

Want something else to do this month? Check out our guide to the city's best exhibitions.

Melbourne's best theatre shows this month

  • Musicals
  • Melbourne
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

It's been seen by more than a million people on Broadway and many more on the West End, and now the Tony Award-winning MJ the Musical is heading to Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne. Centred around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, MJ the Musical features more than 25 of Michael Jackon’s biggest pop hits set to show-stopping dance numbers, including ‘Beat It’, ‘Smooth Criminal’, ‘Man In The Mirror’ and ‘Thriller’. It's show at Her Majesty's Theatre until December 14.

  • Musicals
  • Prahran

A blood-soaked satire on toxic masculinity, greed and Wall Street excess, American Psycho was an instant cult classic when the novel was released in 1991, and hit cinemas in 2000. Now, 25 years on, you can experience Patrick Bateman’s story like never before – live on stage, with more blood, and against a soundtrack of classic '80s hits. From September 4-12, Chapel Off Chapel is hosting American Psycho – The Musical – where you’ll never look at Bateman’s skincare routine, workout regimen, or obsession with designer suits the same way again.

Saffron Swire
Saffron Swire
Former Arts & Culture Editor
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  • Musicals
  • Melbourne
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Looking for something to warm your heart? We've got just the answer: beloved musical Annie is returning to Melbourne after a smash-hit run in Sydney. With a knock-out cast that includes Anthony Warlow as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, Debora Krizak as Miss Hannigan and Greg Page (aka the OG Yellow Wiggle) as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, this tale of hope, family and friendship is one you won't want to miss. Annie is showing at the Princess Theatre until November 8. Now, who's ready to belt out 'It’s the Hard-Knock Life'?

Jasmine Joyan
Jasmine Joyan
Contributor

Before you book...

Not all seats are created equal. Sure, there are some shows so spectacular and unmissable you’d happily sit anywhere, but most experiences in the theatre can be augmented by the best seats in the house. And occasionally ruined by the worst. So, without further ado, we give them to you.

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