Anthony Warlow returns as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, the role he has played twice before in Australia to great acclaim and in which he made his Broadway debut. One of Australian theatre’s greatest leading men, Anthony recently played the cunning and charismatic lawyer Billy Flynn in the national tour of Chicago. His extraordinary musical theatre roles include in The Phantom of the Opera (as The Phantom), The Wizard of Oz (The Wizard), The Secret Garden (Archibald Craven), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson), Les Misérables (Enjolras), My Fair Lady (Henry Higgins), Man of La Mancha (Don Quixote), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd) and A Little Night Music (Frederik Egerman).

With a career spanning two decades, Debora Krizak takes on the delicious role of Miss Hannigan. One of Australia’s most critically acclaimed leading ladies of musical theatre, Debora has starred in shows such as Mel Brooks’ The Producers, A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity, Cabaret, Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You and Billy Elliot. She has also played feature roles in John Frost and Opera Australia’s productions of Anything Goes and Cinderella.

Rising star Mackenzie Dunn will play Lily St. Regis. Most recently starring as Rizzo in Grease, Mackenzie has also played Penny Pingleton in Hairspray, Squeaky Fromme in Assassins, Francine in Jersey Boys, Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime, Bubba in Summer of the Seventeenth Doll and understudied and performed the role of Princess Fiona in the Australian tour of Shrek.

Keanu Gonzalez will step into the role of “Rooster” Hannigan after also recently playing Kenicke in Grease. At the age of 16, Keanu was cast in his first musical, understudying the lead role of Scott Hastings in Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom the Musical. This was followed by Bernardo in West Side Story, Charles Lee in Hamilton and understudying the lead role of Alexander Hamilton, Greg in A Chorus Line, Alonzo/Rumpus Cat and Rum Tum Tugger understudy in Cats and as Kassim understudy in Disney’s Aladdin.

Most recently seen in Australia in Jekyll and Hyde, Broadway actor Amanda Lea LaVergne will play the role of Grace Farrell. Amanda’s credits include Annie, The People in the Picture, Grease and Radio City Christmas in New York, plus Bring It On, Guys and Dolls, 9 to 5, Crazy for You, An American in Paris, Anything Goes, Chicago and Gypsy.

In his first musical theatre role, Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle in the globally beloved children’s entertainment group The Wiggles, will be playing President Roosevelt. A trained musician and accomplished vocalist, Page’s passion for performing began early, and he quickly became a household name as part of The Wiggles. During his time with the group, Greg co- created numerous hit songs, television series, and live tours, helping to cement their place as icons of children’s entertainment.

“I’m so excited that Anthony has agreed to return to play Daddy Warbucks, the role that took him to Broadway during the last Australian tour of Annie. What a joy to welcome Deb Krizak, Mackenzie Dunn and Keanu Gonzalez back for another Crossroads Live show, and to cast Amanda Lea LaVergne in her first Australian tour and Greg Page in his first musical,” said John Frost. “I’m so looking forward to finding the talented young Queensland actors who will play Annie and the orphans during the Brisbane season. Annie is one of the most delightful and inspiring musicals of all time, and I know Brisbane will enjoy seeing the sun come up on it again.”

One of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time, with its iconic score featuring classics like It’s the Hard-Knock Life, Tomorrow, Easy Street and N.Y.C, Annie is truly a timeless masterpiece, with a book and score written by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin.

Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” which debuted in 1924 and ran for over 80 years, the musical Annie burst into popularity in 1977 when it opened on Broadway. The musical won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin), the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, and the Grammy® for Best Cast Show Album. After the Broadway run of almost six years, it has played in more than 22 countries worldwide including the UK, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Australia. Annie became a smash-hit movie musical in 1982 starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Carol Burnett that is adored worldwide and a fixture of popular culture references.

A celebration of hope, family and friendship. This small but mighty young girl has returned to stick out her chin and grin once more!

Annie the Musical
Lyric Theatre, QPAC
From December 2025
Tickets on sale from 6 May. Waitlist now at anniemusical.com.au

Adding to the sense of occasion was a first night out together since a fur baby came into our lifes. Many adult beverages were consumed and the rowdy feeling off-stage was perfectly matched by all the action on-stage. The original play came out in the twenties and was based on two real-world court cases. The musical version came out in 1975.

The seventies in retrospect were a time for the expansion of many forms of popular culture and the representation of that era gives this musical its timelessness. The cheeky demeanour of its main participants provides enduring humour and the tightly choreographed nature of the dance moves suits the smallish set. The entire band is given full view at the back of the stage.

Most people know the story of Roxie Hart (Lucy Maunder) and Velma Kelly (Zoë Ventoura) from the film, which is fine but those who have forgotten how invigorating a live performance can be should check this one out. It’s also a feast for the ears with a red-hot live band playing accessible songs that feature more than a dash of attitude.

The musical also features Anthony Warlow as Billy Flynn, Peter Rowsthorn as Amos Hart and Asabi Goodman as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton.

Chicago
Now Playing until 4 February 2024
Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
www.qpac.com.au

“The sharpest, slickest show on the block” (The Times UK) will play at Crown Theatre, Perth from November, the Lyric Theatre QPAC from January 2024, and at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne from March 2024. It was also announced that CHICAGO will play at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney from June 2024 – waitlist now at www.chicagomusical.com.au to be first to buy tickets.

Returning to the stage to play the powerful and glamorous Velma Kelly is one of Australia’s favourite actors, Zoë Ventoura. After starting her career on the musical theatre stage, Zoë spent many years working on television and in film, and is best known for her roles as Mel Rafter in the original cast of Packed To The Rafters and as Dr Alex Nielson in Home and Away. Joining her as the irreverent and determined Roxie Hart is musical theatre star Lucy Maunder, who is currently playing the role of Mrs Banks in Mary Poppins. Lucy has shone in many musical productions including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fun Home, Matilda: The Musical, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Grease and Pippin.

One of Australian theatre’s greatest leading men, Anthony Warlow, will step into the shoes of the cunning and charismatic lawyer Billy Flynn. A beloved and prolific star on Broadway and across Australia, Anthony’s notable musical theatre roles include lead roles in The Phantom of the Opera (The Phantom), The Wizard of Oz (The Wizard), Annie (Daddy Warbucks), The Secret Garden (Archibald Craven), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson), My Fair Lady (Henry Higgins), Man of La Mancha (as Don Quixote), A Little Night Music (Frederik Egerman), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd) and Les Misérables (Enjolras).

As Roxie’s gullible and hapless husband, Amos, will be much-loved comedy icon and character actor Peter Rowsthorn. Recognized as long-suffering husband and pants-man Brett Craig on the hugely successful television series Kath & Kim, Peter has performed in many Australian television comedy series and on stage across the country. Following her star turn as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Asabi Goodman joins the cast as the tough and sassy prison warden Matron ‘Mama’ Morton. Asabi has starred in the Australian premieres of Once On This Island, The Revolutionists and Disenchanted.

S. Valeri will feature as the soft-hearted crime reporter Mary Sunshine, while the talented group of ensemble and swings comprises Hayden Baum, Devon Braithwaite, Olivia Carniato, Angelique Cassimatis, Todd Dewberry, Louis Fontaine, Sarah Heath, Scout Hook, Matthew Jenson, Ethan Jones, Savannah Lind, Kristina McNamara, Tom New, Nathan Pinnell, Rania Potaka-Osborne, Priscilla Stavrou and Romina Villafranca.

“What an extraordinary cast we have assembled for CHICAGO,” said producer John Frost. “I’m delighted to bring Anthony Warlow back to the stage after his huge success in New York, in what is surely a perfect role for his talents. How could Velma and Roxie resist this clever and conniving Billy Flynn? I’m very excited to welcome Zoë Ventoura to a Crossroads Live production, in what is sure to be a career highlight as Velma, and to welcome back Lucy Maunder as Roxie after working with her on Dr Zhivago, Grease and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Peter Rowsthorn will be a sensational Mr Cellophane, and Asabi Goodman astounded us in Hairspray so I know will blow the roof off as Matron Mama Morton.

“CHICAGO has everything that people love about a Broadway musical – a story of fame, fortune and all that jazz, one show-stopping number after another and the most amazing dancing you’ve ever seen. We are thrilled to bring the razzle dazzle of this New York institution back to Australia.”

The longest-running show now playing on Broadway, this scorching hot masterpiece includes a glittering score that includes All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango and Razzle Dazzle. Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, it’s no wonder CHICAGO has been honoured with six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, and a Grammy®.

Set amidst the decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer Billy Flynn to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

CHICAGO, which is based on the 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO is choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse and is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie. CHICAGO features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer.

Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery, treachery … and All That Jazz. What else could you desire in a musical? The original and the best, CHICAGO is back. It would be a crime to miss it!

Chicago Australian Tour
Perth – Crown Theatre, From 21 November
Brisbane – Lyric Theatre, QPAC, From 2 January 2024
Melbourne – Her Majesty’s Theatre, From 23 March 2024
Sydney – Capitol Theatre, From 9 June 2024
www.chicagomusical.com.au