Flop to smash hit:Sumptuous,talent-packed Bernstein musical goes the whole ham

Flop to smash hit:Sumptuous,talent-packed Bernstein musical goes the whole ham

This wrap of shows around Melbourne includes four five-star shows within one week – including one that hasn’t been seen on our stages since the ’80s.

  • byBridget Davies,Jessica Nicholas,Cameron Woodhead,Tony Way andAndrew Fuhrmann

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We’d need to see Groundhog Day over and over to write the perfect review

We’d need to see Groundhog Day over and over to write the perfect review

For us,there’s always tomorrow,and this lively black rom-com does make you appreciate the beauty and the curse of living one day after another.

  • byCameron Woodhead
Nothing is sacred in this bonkers,unexpected two-hander
★★★★
Sydney Festival

Nothing is sacred in this bonkers,unexpected two-hander

In this latest round-up of Sydney festival performances our critics give their verdict on Masterclass;Tiddas;It’s a Sin;Orpheus and Eurydice;Anoushka Shankar;and Big Name,No Blankets.

  • byJohn Shand,Peter McCallum,Harriet Cunningham andKate Prendergast
It’s got groove,it’s got meaning:Yes,Grease is (still) the word

It’s got groove,it’s got meaning:Yes,Grease is (still) the word

This wrap of shows includes Grease,Fantastic Mr Fox,Harold Lopez-Nussa,Circus 1903,The Choir of Man,and the Peninsula Summer Music Festival.

  • byCameron Woodhead,Jessica Nicholas,Andrew Fuhrmann,Sonia Nair andTony Way
Fosse fantastic:A stunning production of Chicago reminds us of the choreographer’s genius
★★★★★
City life

Fosse fantastic:A stunning production of Chicago reminds us of the choreographer’s genius

Perth’s Zoe Ventoura and WAAPA graduate Lucy Maunder are a dazzling double act in this outing for Bob Fosse’s murderous masterpiece.

  • byMark Naglazas
Chaka Khan and Nile Rodgers at the Bowl – like an open-air Studio 54

Chaka Khan and Nile Rodgers at the Bowl – like an open-air Studio 54

This wrap of shows around Melbourne includes Chaka Khan,Nile Rodgers and Chic,Red Stitch’s Flake,Hour of the Wolf,The Visitors,The Chicks,Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh,jazz saxophonist Troy Roberts,Elvis:A Musical Revolution,and Mamma Mia! The Musical.

  • byVyshnavee Wijekumar,Tony Way,Cameron Woodhead,Kate Herbert,Kate Lahey,Bridget Davies,Tyson Wray andJessica Nicholas
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Elvis is king in this rock-n-roll fever dream of a jukebox musical

Elvis is king in this rock-n-roll fever dream of a jukebox musical

This wrap of shows around Melbourne includes Dilijit Dosanjh,Elvis:A Musical Revolution,Mamma Mia! The Musical,Mozart and Beethoven concertos,a five-star performance by Weezer,Bell Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night,and more.

  • byKate Herbert,Kate Jones,Cameron Woodhead,Tony Way andMahmood Fazal
Mary Poppins at Crown Perth is a mesmerising and magical spectacle

Mary Poppins at Crown Perth is a mesmerising and magical spectacle

Clever set design,flawless performances,captivating music and an ending everyone wanted but never thought they’d get – Mary Poppins taking off above the audience with her umbrella and bag full of magic.

  • byRebecca Peppiatt
Still simply the best:NRL grand final will pay tribute to Tina Turner

Still simply the best:NRL grand final will pay tribute to Tina Turner

In 1993,Tina Turner blew the crowd away with a set that included rugby league’s signature tune,The Best. Now,the cast of Tina:The Musical will perform.

  • byKarl Quinn
Ingenious and beautiful:Wicked dazzles with its smoke and mirrors
★★★★
Arts

Ingenious and beautiful:Wicked dazzles with its smoke and mirrors

The hit musical telling the backstory to The Wizard of Oz is a feast for the eyes and ears.

  • byHarriet Cunningham
An unforgettable gig by an artist on the rise

An unforgettable gig by an artist on the rise

This wrap of shows around Melbourne includes Forest Claudette at the Night Cat,G Flip at the Forum,the glamorous Moulin Rouge! The Musical,Julius Caesar and more.

  • byKate Jones,Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen,Andrew Fuhrmann,Kate Herbert,Tony Way,Vyshnavee Wijekumar andJessica Nicholas