Artistic Director Tyran Parke has unveiled the Australian Musical Theatre Festival program to be held in Launceston, Tasmania from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 May 2025.
Parke revealed that for the first time in the festival’s five-year history the award-winning Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra will be the centrefold in what will include a star-studded line-up of Musical Theatre royalty including Caroline O’Connor, Alinta Chidzey and Mark Vincent.
“The addition of the TSO takes the festival to new levels and is a pinnacle event in a program that encompasses five days, many venues, a range of engagements with many of our greatest stars and emerging talent, all set alongside an international city of gastronomy that serves the best food and wine I know,” said Tyran Parke.
Minister for Sports and Events, Nick Duigan, said the Tasmanian Government was pleased to be able to provide $640,000 in funding to support the Australian Musical Theatre Festival in Launceston for three winter events.
“We aim to secure a wide offering of events, ensuring seasonal and regional balance, as well as a comprehensive range of event types,” said Minister Duigan. “We know events are crucial to boosting the economy in the winter months and we always make this a priority, which is why the Government is a strong supporter of this event.”
“Launceston’s Australian Musical Theatre Festival celebrates everything that’s great about musical theatre and attracts visitors to join with locals to embrace this much-loved segment of our performing arts sector.”
“It showcases Launceston as a cultural hub, building on the significant talent base that exists in the region to deliver a superb program featuring some of the city’s most beautiful venues,” said Minister Duigan.
Highlights of the 2025 Australian Music Theatre Festival include:
Working – A Musical
Earl Arts Centre – Wednesday 21 May
This new version of Working – A Musical has been updated exclusively for the festival to include interviews with local Tasmanians from all walks of life. Based on the best-selling book of interviews with workers, Working – A Musical, paints a vivid portrait of the workers that the world so often takes for granted and for the first time, Tasmanians take centre stage! Nominated for six Tony Awards on Broadway, this classic features songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), as well as Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), folk legend, James Taylor, and many more.
In Conversation with Caroline O’Connor and Alinta Chidzey
Hotel Grand Chancellor – Thursday 22 May + Friday 23 May
Take a front row seat, learn the tricks of the trade, and explore the journey of the biggest names in Australian musical theatre in our ‘In Conversation with’ series hosted by Tyran Parke.
From West End to Broadway
Princess Theatre – Thursday 23 May
Mark Vincent, one of Australia’s most successful tenors will perform an intimate version of his acclaimed show From West End to Broadway at the Princess Theatre featuring songs from some of the greatest musicals.
When I Get My Name in Lights
Princess Theatre – Friday 23 May
Since the very beginning, the Australian Musical Theatre Festival has discovered a host of talented performers who have gone on to national and international success. And now, with a night dedicated to connecting performers from around the country, this celebration of musical theatre offers the chance for emerging artists to share the Princess Theatre stage with the nation’s best.
Chasing Oscar
Royal Oak Hotel – Friday 23 May
Come hear the songs you didn’t know the musicals needed from well-known titles such as The Sound of Music, Matilda, Dear Evan Hanson, Les Misérables, Evita, Cats, Cabaret, Beauty and the Beast and more and you decide who wins the awards!
Come to the Cabaret
Earl Arts Centre – Friday 23 May
With an audience sharing the stage, Come To The Cabaret is a chance for you to dust off your sheet music and celebrate the best of the cabaret cannon. Whether you come to see the masses of talent on display or sing your heart out, this is always a highlight!
Some Enchanted Evening with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Princess Theatre – Saturday 24 May
Some Enchanted Evening brings together the greatest hits from Broadway and the West End, featuring the timeless melodies of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, and more performed by our incomparable stars under the baton of legendary conductor, Guy Noble.
Sunday in the Park
Entally Estate – Sunday 25 May
A Sunday Brunch soiree in the beautiful gardens of Entally Estate. (artists TBC)
Mystery Musical
Earl Arts Centre – Sunday 25th May
A new addition for 2025 Mystery Musical is a one-off staged reading (and singing) of a TOP SECRET musical theatre classic. You won’t know what the show is until the lights go down and the first notes are struck…
The Diva Den
Earl Arts Centre – each night during the festival
Each night, following the final performance, the Earl Arts Centre will be transformed into The Diva Den, our official Festival Bar, featuring an array of local beverages and snacks, and hosted by a different diva each night.
The Australian Musical Theatre Festival takes place in Launceston, Tasmania, from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 May 2025. For more information and full program, visit: www.amtf.org.au for details.
Image: Alinta Chidzey, Caroline O’Connor and Mark Vincent to star at the Australian Musical Theatre Festival (supplied)