An exceptional Australian cast led by talented triple threat, Ethan Churchill, will bring the 1970s cult classic characters from Saturday Night Fever to life in this reimagined production at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre in January 2026.
With just under a month until opening night, the cast is well underway with their preparations to bring this iconic disco phenomenon to the stage. This award-winning show by Drew Anthony Creative saw its Perth production debut in 2024, as a major success – winning BroadwayWorld Australia awards for Best Direction, Best Scenic Design and Best Performer.
This gritty, reimagined production pays tribute to the original 1977 film, which featured the iconic Bee Gees soundtrack, a four-time Grammy winner, that has sold over 45 million copies worldwide, making it one the biggest selling soundtracks in history.
Breakthrough Perth performer, Ethan Churchill is returning to the role of enigmatic Tony Manero, after picking up the Best Performer award for the Perth season last year. Joining Ethan is a talented community of stellar performers that includes rising star, Regan Barber as Stephanie Mangano; and talented APAN graduate Izzi Green as Annette.
Australian musical theatre royalty, Chelsea Plumley, takes on the role of Flo Manero, opposite Australian comedy legend, George Kapiniaris, in the role of Frank Manero; Matthew Casamento will round out the Manero family playing Frank Jnr; with young child stars Amileya Moro and Charis Morabito, playing the role of young Linda Manero.
The rest of this talented cast includes Sam Hamilton as Bobby C; Dimitri Raptis as Double J; Ewan Herdman as Joey; with Clara Harrison, Bianca Baykara and Thalia Oseguda-Santos dazzling as the Nightclub Singers; and Joshua Kobeck, Julian Seguna, Anthony Garcia, Ayril Borce, Ruby Voss, Sophia Katos, Lily Baulderstone, Hannah Cañon, and Katrina Bickerton in the multi talented ensemble.
This spectacular stage show is a fresh take on the revolutionary 1977 cult film, of Saturday Night Fever that defined the 1970s via its huge influence on music, fashion, and cinema, famously starring an Academy Award-nominated John Travolta.
The stage show brilliantly captures all of the explosive energy, sensational dancing, and vocal performances of the original, promising to immerse audiences in the hedonistic disco scene that was in 1970s Brooklyn.
Set against a backdrop of rising social tensions, the story follows nineteen-year-old Brooklyn Italian paint clerk Tony Manero, who finds escape as the undisputed king of the dance floor at a local disco on weekends.
When he teams up with the mesmerizing dancer, Stephanie for a competition, their partnership evolves into a profound friendship, forcing them both to re-evaluate their life priorities.
Director Drew Anthony’s new production promises all the breathtaking choreography and costumes that the film is synonymous with,, alongside a stunning digital set, featuring high-definition digital scenery that incorporates all the recognisable scenes from the film.
The story cleverly examines the underlying themes of escapism, social aspiration, and working-class identity, exploring the complexities of human connection as Tony uses the allure of the dance floor to escape his dead-end life.
Directed by Drew Anthony, with choreography by Jamie & Suzi Rolton, musical direction by Daniel Puckey, and costume design by Dani Paxton, this new production of Saturday Night Fever thrusts this cult classic to dazzling new heights bringing the amazing disco soundtrack to life!
“Saturday Night Fever is a fun night out that takes the audience back to an era when discothèques were a part of the fabric of the 70’s lifestyle.” – Australian Arts Review
Saturday Night Fever
Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne
Season: 8 – 25 January 2026
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more information, visit: www.drewanthonycreative.com.au for details.
Image: Ethan Churchill as Tony Manero and the Cast of Saturday Night Fever (Perth, 2024) – courtesy of Drew Anthony Creative