Theatre and musicals in Melbourne this week

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’. MJ the Musical is showing at Her Majesty's Theatre from September 9 until December 14. For more information and to book tickets, head to the website. *** Time Out Sydney reviewed MJ the Musical when it played at Sydney's Lyric Theatre in March. Read on for that three-star review:   If you’re of a certain age, you have history (HIStory, perhaps?) with Michael Jackson. I remember getting ‘Thriller’ on cassette as a kid. Dangerous was one of the first CDs I ever owned. I remember seeing the extended music video for ‘Thriller’ on VHS, which came packaged with a behind-the-scenes documentary. One woman, cornered for a quick vox pop at one of the filming locations, asserted that she loved Jackson because he was “down to earth”, which is darkly hilarious in hindsight.  Down to earth? The press called him “wacko Jacko” – we all did. He slept in a hyperbaric chamber. He owned the Elephant Man’s skeleton. His skin kept getting paler, his nose thinner. What a weird guy! Was any of it true? Hard to say. Even today, when a careless tweet is like a drop of blood...

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. The plot dives into Bateman’s twisted double life: wealthy investment banker by day, brutal serial killer by night. Set against money-obsessed Manhattan in the late '80s, this production pulls no punches in skewering capitalism, consumerism and toxic masculinity, with Donald Trump (Bateman’s idol) and The Art of the Deal getting their mentions, too. Leading the charge is Conor Beaumont as Bateman, joined by a killer cast of local talent including Sam Ward (Miss Saigon), Montana Sharp (Parade), Jordan Malone (Wicked), Jake Ameduri (Sister Act) and Ellie Nunan (Mary Poppins). Directed by Mark Taylor (Next to Normal), the show blends a razor-sharp book by Riverdale’s Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa with an atmospheric score by Grammy and Tony winner Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening). Expect moody originals mashed with '80s anthems from Phil Collins, Tears for Fears, New Order and Huey Lewis and the News – all soundtracking Bateman’s bloody...

Looking for something to warm your heart this winter? 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'? *** Time Out Sydney reviewed Annie when it played at the Capitol Theatre in April. Read on for that four-star review:   Just over a decade since it was last seen in Australia, Annie is back – bursting onto the Capitol Theatre stage filled with optimism, joy, and hope. Director Karen Mortimer revives this quintessential piece of musical theatre with a sentimental production that preserves the charm and flair found in Thomas Meehan’s book. For those living under a rock (mainly me), this Tony Award-winning musical follows the story of 11-year-old Annie, who is growing up in an orphanage in 1930s New York, under the cruel eye of Miss Hannigan. In the midst of the Great Depression, pessimism is all around, but chipper young Annie has the antidote: hope. Encouraging others to believe that “the sun will come out tomorrow”, Annie’s enduringly positive spirit seems to finally pay off, when billionaire Oliver Warbucks chooses to take her in for two...