New and upcoming musicals in Melbourne

Operation Mincemeat is a double Olivier Award® and Tony Award® winning hit musical – and it's officially making its Australian debut in Melbourne in September 2027. It follows a team of British intelligence officers in 1943 cooking up one of the most scandalous deceptions in military history. The Allied Forces are in a pickle, but have a trick up their sleeve... and by sleeve, we mean inside the pocket of a stolen corpse. This farce thriller based off a true story is comedic, full of suspense and a real good time. Dates are yet to be confirmed, but the waitlist for tickets is already open.

After making its Australian debuting in Brisbane to rave reviews, Little Shop of Horrors is finally coming to Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre in May 2027. The horror-comedy rock musical follows a nerdy florist Seymour Krelborn who stumbles on a new species of plant... which happens to have a very foul mouth and sings R&B. Tickets come out in early November, and in the meantime, you can sign up to the waitlist to be notified when they're released.

Matilda the Musical – based on the beloved children's book by Roald Dahl – is coming to Melbourne after more than a decade. The award-winning show, written by Dennis Kelly and with music and lyrics by Australia's own Tim Minchin, will open at the Princess Theatre in October 2027. If you're not familiar with the story of Matilda (which was also adapted into a film version in 1996 directed by Danny DeVito), it tells the tale of an extraordinary young girl with an incredible imagination and some newly discovered telekinetic powers who stands up to injustice. Loaded with heart, humour and featuring themes of bravery, courage and kindness, it's a timeless narrative that the whole family can enjoy.

After playing to delighted audiences in Sydney since April, and following the announcement it was heading to Brisbane this November, the world's number one musical will return to Melbourne in March 2027. The iconic stage production – which has been seen by more than 124 million people worldwide – had its Melbourne premiere in 2005, and was last in town in 2015. Now that's a long time between Hakuna Matatas. This time around, it will take up residency at the Regent Theatre from March 25, 2027, with tickets set to go on sale on October 15.

Hold onto your saucepan lids, dearies – the musical adaptation of Mrs Doubtfire is coming to Melbourne after spreading joy to audiences overseas. Based on the 1993 cinematic masterpiece starring Robin Williams and Sally Field, this warm, hilarious and high energy live show is directed by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks. Opening at the Princess Theatre on November 25, Mrs Doubtfire is an epic, family-friendly musical that's rooted in the movie we all know and love, but with a few extra surprises that are tailor-made for the live stage (think catchy songs, dazzling dance sequences and plenty of goofy gags).

Written by Anthony McCarten, directed by Michael Mayer and created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise opens on a dour therapy session between an older Diamond (played with commanding gravitas by Terence Crawford) and his doctor (Monica Sayers). It’s an unflinchingly sharp first introduction to the musical legend – all the more surprising given the heavy involvement of Diamond and his wife Katie – who is being particularly stubborn about revealing anything about the “clouds” that darken his demeanour.

Enter the doc whipping out a book of all his lyrics, and suddenly, in true musical theatre fashion, the songs are quite literally spilling onto the stage in the form of the ensemble singing a teasing medley of hits to come. 

Is Elf starring Will Ferrell your go-to Christmas movie? Then here's some news to put a smile on your dial. Elf the Musical is heading to Melbourne for the very first time, bringing plenty of holiday cheer to the brand-new Crown Live Theatre from November 27. The Broadway production arrives in Melbourne with oversized candy canes, toe-tapping tunes and laugh-out-loud moments. The story follows Buddy, a human who was raised by Santa's elves at the North Pole. When he discovers the truth about where he came from, Buddy travels to New York to find his father, spreading the Christmas spirit wherever he goes.

It's time to don your sharpest business suit once again, because American Psycho – The Musical is back. After a sell-out 2025 season, this blood-spattered cult hit returns to Chapel Off Chapel from October 29, inviting audiences into the twisted mind of Patrick Bateman – the Wall Street golden boy who's as obsessed with status as he is with murder.

We could have danced all night when we heard the news that one of the most beloved musicals of all time is heading back to Melbourne. That's right, a new production of My Fair Lady opens at the Arts Centre Melbourne’s Ian Potter State Theatre this November, celebrating 70 years since its Broadway debut. The upcoming production is based on the lavish 2016 revival, directed by the one and only Julie Andrews, who famously took on the role of Eliza Doolittle at just 20. The cast includes industry heavyweights such as Reg Livermore, Robyn Nevin and Tony Llewllyn–Jones, alongside a full ensemble and a debut from Freddy Hellier. The lead roles of Eliza and Henry are still under wraps, but we'll keep you posted as we know more.