After acclaimed productions in 2014 and 2019 and international workshops, Drew Downing’s REBEL returns to Melbourne and The MC Showroom this March.
From fireside guitars to big city nightlife, David chases rock and roll to outrun his past. Along the way, he discovers love, loss, and the harsh realities of being queer in a world that refuses to see him.
When tragedy calls him back to Texas, he must confront the life he abandoned and find a way to build a future that honours both his heart and his family.
This new production is helmed by Director Clary Riven (In the Heights, Sydney Opera House, & Juliet, Michael Cassel Group) and Musical Director Alex Martello, who also provides new arrangements for the energetic country score.
REBEL features Maxwell Simon (Little Shop of Horrors, HAIR, The Pirates of Penzance) who will be accompanied by a sensational house band featuring Sally Ingram (drums), Alex Martello (bass), Ella Summers (fiddle), and Aaron Syrjanen (guitars & banjo) and David Youings (keys).
“This story feels alive, urgent and ready to be told in a new way. We are living in a time where queer stories need to be told louder,” says director Clary Riven.
“REBEL has always been a love letter to the queer community. Today, I feel it hits a little harder – a timely reminder of what has been earned and what remains at stake,” says writer Drew Downing.
REBEL brings an exciting new edge to Downing’s original story and score and a tribute to the family we choose and the communities we need.
REBEL: A New Musical
The MC Showroom, Level 1 – 50 Clifton Street, Prahran
Season continues to 15 March 2026
Information and Bookings: www.rebelmusical.com.au
Image: Maxwell Simon stars in REBEL: A New Musical (supplied)