October 2025: In case you hadn't heard the raucous applause echoing out of Her Majesty's Theatre, 'MJ the Musical' has officially begun its three-month run – and we can confirm it's a dazzling affair with some of the best dance choreography we've seen in a long time. Over at the Princess Theatre, 'Annie' continues to charm audiences. If you ask us, it's the perfect outing with kids while the school holidays are on. And fresh from its world premiere in Sydney, 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' opens at Arts Centre Melbourne – it's set to be a brand-new take on the so-bad-he’s-wicked-good anti-hero.
From the toe-tapping to the cathartic, consider this your ultimate guide to all the best Melbourne theatre shows happening this month.
When stuck for things to do between shows, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 100 things to do in Melbourne before you die.
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It's been seen by more than a million people on Broadway and many more on the West End, and now the Tony Award-winning MJ the Musical is heading to Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne. Centred around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, MJ the Musical features more than 25 of Michael Jackon’s biggest pop hits set to show-stopping dance numbers, including ‘Beat It’, ‘Smooth Criminal’, ‘Man In The Mirror’ and ‘Thriller’. It's show at Her Majesty's Theatre until December 14.
Celebrated Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith re-teams with director Sarah Goodes on a brand-new take of author Patricia Highsmith’s so-bad-he’s-wicked-good anti-hero. Produced by Sydney Theatre Company, The Talented Mr. Ripley will transform the Playhouse into a Positano-like escape from October 28 to November 23, direct from the world premiere in Sydney. Heartbreak High star Will McDonald will tackle the duplicitous title role, while our imperiously snooty Dickie will be unveiled soon. Andrew McFarlane plays Dickie’s unimpressed father, Claude Scott-Mitchell is snoopy Marge, Faisal Hamza is prickly Freddie, and the cast rounds out with Johnny Nasser as tenacious Inspector Rolverini.
Looking for something to warm your heart? We've got just the answer: beloved musical Annie is returning to Melbourne after a smash-hit run in Sydney. With a knock-out cast that includes Anthony Warlow as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, Debora Krizak as Miss Hannigan and Greg Page (aka the OG Yellow Wiggle) as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, this tale of hope, family and friendship is one you won't want to miss. Annie is showing at the Princess Theatre until November 8. Now, who's ready to belt out 'It’s the Hard-Knock Life'?
Not all seats are created equal. Sure, there are some shows so spectacular and unmissable you’d happily sit anywhere, but most experiences in the theatre can be augmented by the best seats in the house. And occasionally ruined by the worst. So, without further ado, we give them to you.
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