Upcoming Production: THE 39 STEPS TO TOUR AUSTRALIA

Mix Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller with a dash of Monty Python-style chaos, and you get THE 39 STEPS, a turbo-charged, Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy smash. After thrilling more than three million fans across 39 countries, from London’s West End to Broadway, this international sensation, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan, is reimagined and coming to Australia.

Directed by acclaimed theatre-maker Damien Ryan and starring four of Australia’s most beloved talents - Lisa McCune (Blue Heelers, Sea Patrol, The King and I), Ian Stenlake (Sea Patrol, Stingers) and The Umbilical Brothers (David Collins and Shane Dundas) - THE 39 STEPS is ready to make its way across Australia in an unmissable national tour this year.

THE 39 STEPS will open at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House from 8 August, then travel to Newcastle’s Civic Theatre from 2 September, Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from 10 September, and the Playhouse, QPAC in Brisbane from 7 October. Tickets are on presale now in Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane, with general public sales from Thursday. Tickets in Melbourne are on presale from 26 May, with general public sales from 28 May.

Join the suave but unsuspecting Richard Hannay as he finds himself framed for murder and tangled in a web of spies, secrets and seductive strangers. To clear his name, he must outrun the law, outwit international agents and survive a string of increasingly absurd adventures.

In just 100 minutes of non-stop action, four fearless actors play 130 roles in a dazzling display of quick changes, inventive stagecraft and high-energy hilarity.

“We have always loved the stage adaptation of THE 39 STEPS and feel like the time is right for Australia to have a new production of this inventive, laugh-out-loud tour de force for four actors. We are very excited to have assembled such an amazing cast to bring this show to life,” said producers Neil Gooding and Alex Woodward.

“THE 39 STEPS is funny, suspenseful, celebrates everything theatre can do, is a beautiful piece for actors and lovers of storytelling and after so many years, it still just explodes in the imagination,” said director Damien Ryan. “It’s one of the world's first and most exciting spy thrillers and I think it reaches us so powerfully because the spy is one of us. It’s not about a titanium-built ex-soldier coolly dismantling a global threat. It’s about a listless, restless everyman who gets framed into an adventure that sees him have to escape his humble London apartment and go on an iconic journey, both through the big bad world and within himself, finding love and courage and above all standing up against the surveillance state, political intrigue and a national betrayal. It’s a sharp and dangerous noir mystery, it’s a joyous comedy and it’s a deep romance. And it all happens simply because he went to the theatre one night!”

Book now for THE 39 STEPS, a gripping fast-paced comedy thriller that will leave you breathless with laughter.

www.the39steps.com.au

@the39stepsplay

THE 39 STEPS

Adapted by Patrick Barlow

From the novel by John Buchan

From the movie by Alfred Hitchcock

Licensed by ITV Global Entertainment Limited

And an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon

Director: Damien Ryan

Set and Costume Designer: James Browne

Lighting Designer: Matthew Marshall

SEASON DETAILS

SYDNEY

Venue              Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

Season             8 - 30 August

Times              Tues-Fri 7pm, Thurs-Sat 7:30pm, Wed 2pm, Sat 2:30pm, Sun 3pm (performance times vary each week)

Prices               From $69.00 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings          www.sydneyoperahouse.com or (02) 9250 7777

Groups 8 + call (02) 9250 7777

TICKETS NOW ON PRESALE, GP SALES FROM 22 MAY

NEWCASTLE

Venue              Civic Theatre

Season             2 - 6 September

Times              Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed & Sat 2pm

Prices              From $55.00 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings          civictheatrenewcastle.com.au or (02) 4929 1977

Groups 8 + call (02) 4929 1977

                        TICKETS NOW ON PRESALE, GP SALES FROM 22 MAY

MELBOURNE

Venue              Comedy Theatre

Season             10 - 28 September

Times              Tues-Thurs 7:00pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed & Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm

(performance times vary each week)

Prices              From $65.00 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings          ticketek.com.au or 1300 11 10 11

Groups 8 + call (03) 9299 9873 or email groups@marrinergroup.com.au

                        TICKETS ON PRESALE 26 MAY, GP SALES FROM 28 MAY

Waitlist now at www.the39steps.com.au

BRISBANE

Venue              Playhouse, QPAC

Season             7 - 19 October

Times               Tues-Thurs 7:00pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed, Thurs & Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm

                        (performance times vary each week)

Prices              From $55.00 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings          qpac.com.au or phone 136 246

Groups 8+ call (07) 3840 7466

                        TICKETS NOW ON PRESALE, GP SALES FROM 22 MAY

COMEDY THEATRE, MELBOURNE | FROM 1 AUGUST 2025 

In The Heights, the Tony Award®-winning musical sensation by Lin Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Moana) has announced the cast for its upcoming Melbourne season. 

Fresh from acclaimed sold-out runs at the Hayes Theatre and Sydney Opera House, the production is set to bring the heat, passion and heart of Washington Heights to Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre. 

Performances start from 1 August for a strictly limited season. Tickets are on sale now via intheheightsmusical.com 

The Melbourne season will be led by Ryan González (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) as Usnavi and Olivia Vásquez (West Side Story) as Vanessa, returning to their celebrated roles from the Sydney run. 

They’ll be joined by some fresh faces to the cast with Mariah Gonzalez as Nina Rosario, Ngali Shaw (The Twelve, Jacky, 37) as Benny, and Steve Costi (West Side Story) as Sonny. Joining them are Lena Cruz (Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Heartbreak High) taking the stage as Abuela Claudia, Vanessa Menjivar (Dreamgirls, The Colour Purple) as Daniela, Tamara Foglia Castañeda as Carla, Alexander Palacio as Kevin Rosario and Angela Rosero as Camila Rosario, Richard Valdez as Piragua Guy, and Dayton Tavares as Graffiti Pete. 

Completing the cast are Asmara Soekotjo, Jemma Gonzalez, Trevor Santos, Malena Searles, Mario Acosta-Cevallos, Jerome Javier and Selina Salgadoe. 

With its high-energy dance numbers, soulful storytelling, and unforgettable music, In The Heights is a must-see theatrical event. This vibrant celebration of community, culture, and the pursuit of dreams blends hip hop, salsa, and Latin rhythms into an infectious musical theatre score. Its original ground-breaking Broadway run won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Set in New York’s lively Washington Heights, In The Heights tells the story of a tight-knit community on the cusp of change. As dreams take flight and challenges arise, its residents must ask themselves: What does it truly mean to call a place ‘home’? 

Directed by Luke Joslin with choreography by Amy Campbell, both Helpmann Award nominees for this production, In The Heights delivers an unforgettable theatrical experience. 

“In the Heights is impossible to resist" - The Australian 

"Broadway behemoth’s scrappiest show is full of heart" - The Guardian 

“a salsa-infused, joyful musical ride" - Time Out 

Website: intheheightsmusical.com 

Instagram: @intheheightsaus 

Facebook: facebook.com/intheheightsaus 

BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN CAST INCLUDING 

BROADWAY STAR ROGER BART AS DOC PLUS NEW TICKETS ON SALE TODAY

Producers John Frost, Colin Ingram and the creators of the original film trilogy Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale are thrilled to announce that Tony Award winner Roger Bart will don the boiler suit and voice-activate the time travelling DeLorean for the Australian Premiere season of BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical, reprising the beloved role of Dr. Emmett Brown; a character made famous originally by Christopher Lloyd in the first Back to the Future movie. 

The smash-hit production, winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, will welcome audiences for the first time on Australian soil at the Sydney Lyric from Friday 26th September 2025. 

Australian producer John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia said, “We are thrilled to have the esteemed and brilliant Roger Bart join our incredible Australian cast for the Australian Premiere season in Sydney. Roger has enthralled West End and Broadway audiences, so we can’t wait for Aussies to have the pleasure of witnessing his interpretation of ‘Doc’ on our shores.”

One of musical theatre’s most enduring stars, Roger Bart is best known for originating the role of 'Carmen Ghia' in Mel Brooks' Broadway musical, The Producers, for which he received Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations; a part he also recreated in the film adaptation of the musical. He won the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for his performance as ‘Snoopy’ in the revival of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. 

In addition to originating the title role in the musical of Young Frankenstein, Roger’s other notable stage appearances include Disaster! (Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination), The Frogs, Triumph Of Love, King David and Big River. He created the role of ‘Hades’ in the NYSF/Public Theater production of Hercules, revisiting the piece that he first brought to life as the singing voice of ‘Young Hercules’ in the animated film's Academy Award-nominated song ‘Go the Distance.’

Roger’s body of work also extends to both the small and big screens, with television credits including Good Trouble, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Graves, Grace and Frankie, and Episodes. Other popular television appearances include Revenge, Desperate Housewivesand 30 Rock. His film credits include Office Romance, Man With The Bag, Ghost Light, Speech & Debate, and Jay Roach's adaptation of Trumbo, as well as Last Vegas, Law Abiding Citizen, Harold & Kumar 2, American Gangsterand The Stepford Wives.

In 2020 Roger originated the iconic role of ‘Doc Brown’ to much acclaim and rave reviews globally in BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical. After performances in Manchester and the West End, he reprised the role on Broadway, receiving a Tony Award nomination for his performance.

​​Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper added, “I’m thrilled Roger Bart has landed the iconic role of Dr Emmett Brown for the Australian Premiere season and can’t wait to watch him and the full cast bring this much-loved movie to the Sydney Lyric stage in September. By changing the rules around the hours after dark and investing in Australian premieres of world-class productions like Back to the Future: The Musical, the NSW Government is bringing vibrancy back to the future of our city, creating unforgettable experiences in Sydney along with the hundreds of jobs they support in the creative and visitor economies.”

Some of Australia’s most outstanding musical theatre performers and exciting fresh faces have been assembled to deliver a cast promising one point twenty-one gigawatts of electricity each and every performance. 

Tony Award winning director John Rando said, “I was blown away by the level of local talent that came through our audition room doors in Sydney. Back to the Future is a pop culture sensation, steeped in nostalgia and beloved by millions of fans worldwide, and I couldn’t be more confident that we have chosen a local Australian cast that will do the story justice, whilst inspiring a new generation of fans.” 

From New South Wales, Sydney-sider Ashleigh Rubenach will play Marty’s mum Lorraine Baines, whilst joining the ensemble is Emma Feliciano, who will also play the role of Marty’s girlfriend Jennifer, Jay Johns and Isabella Roberts. 

From Victoria, Troy Sussman has been cast as the Doc Brown standby, Thomas McGuane will play the pivotal role of Biff, New York-born Melbourne-based performer Javon Smithwill play the roles of Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry, and Anton Berezin will play Strickland. Joining the ensemble and swing cast from Victoria is Jacob Steen, Sienna Embrey, Alexandra Cashmere, Celine Cleveland, Jack Coyne and Kara Sims.

From Queensland, Ethan Jones will play the iconic role of Marty’s father, George McFly, whilst Taye Grant and Davy Harris join the ensemble and swing cast.

From South Australia, Joshua Spiniello, Emily Woodand Bronson Pfeiler join the ensemble. 

From Tasmania, Charlotte Page joins the swing cast. 

Fresh from the US tour of the production, Dwayne Mitchell will also join the swing cast.

The highly coveted role of Marty McFly will be announced in June 2025.

BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical will be produced in Australia by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia and Colin Ingram for Colin Ingram Ltd.

The Australian premiere of BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW. 

Website: backtothefuturemusical.com.au

Facebook: @bttfmusicalau

Instagram: @bttfmusicalau  

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett