The most exciting musicals in Australia worth travelling for in 2024

Snap your fingers. Tap your toes. Warble your scales. If you're a fan of musicals, start warming up now for a bumper year. For there's a drawcard musical opening in a city near you (or plan a trip interstate that revolves around enjoying a great show or two).

See a firm favourite (Chicago, Hamilton, Wicked, West Side Story) or try something newer such as & Juliet or Six the Musical. Others, such as Dear Evan Hansen and Groundhog Day the Musical, are making their Australian debuts. Here's our guide to the all-singing, all-dancing, shoulder-shimmying theatrical year ahead.

The warts-and-all retelling of the Queen of Rock'n'Roll's rollercoaster life - which opened in Sydney just before Turner's death this year - hits the road nationally. Worth it for the gasp-inducing finale alone (it's simply the best). Until January 28, Theatre Royal Sydney; February 27-April 6, Crown Theatre, Perth; April 24-May 26, Festival Theatre, Adelaide; July 2-August 11, QPAC's Lyric Theatre, Brisbane; September 24-November 3, Princess Theatre, Melbourne. tinathemusical.com.au

There are more layers to this Disney show than you might expect. Settle in for a charming, high-kicking look at how love is more than surface-deep. Until January 28, Capitol Theatre, Sydney; February 15-April 14, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane; June 27-October 6, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. beautyandthebeastmusical.com.au

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After premiering in London in 2016 and then heading to Broadway, this adaptation of the much-loved 1993 Bill Murray film heads down under. Tim Minchin (music and lyrics) is among the creatives who joined the film's co-writer, Danny Rubin, to put the time-loop tale on stage. January 24-April 7, Princess Theatre, Melbourne. groundhogday.com.au

This nuanced prequel to The Wizard of Oz conjures the back stories of the Good and Wicked Witches. Add a touch of emerald to your theatre-going outfit to join in the spirit of things. Until February 4, Sydney Lyric Theatre; March 6-April 28, Regent Theatre Melbourne. wickedthemusical.com.au

Find out why Chicago is Broadway's longest-running show. This sassy tale, set in the 1920s, follows the dramatic twists and turns of two murderesses competing for the services of a shady lawyer. Until February 4, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane; March 23-May 19, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne; June 9-July 7, Capitol Theatre, Sydney; August 4-18, Festival Theatre, Adelaide. chicagomusical.com.au

Hamilfans, rejoice! Lin-Manuel Miranda's hip-hop-infused global hit about the life and death of Alexander Hamilton - American revolutionary, statesman and founding father - is returning to Australia. July 30-October 31, Sydney Lyric Theatre. hamiltonmusical.com.au

Unlike most theatre experiences, audience participation - including dancing - is expected when the cast start doing the Time Warp. Pop along to see Jason Donovan step into Frank-N-Furter's fishnet stockings. January 12-February 4, Civic Theatre Newcastle; February 9-March 17, Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne; March 31-April 28, Theatre Royal Sydney. rockyhorror.com.au

With catchy numbers from Swedish hit-making machine Max Martin and some of his famous collaborators (Britney Spears, Pink), this newish pop musical remixes the Romeo and Juliet tragedy into something wholly uplifting. December 30-February 8, Crown Theatre, Perth; February 27-May 12, Sydney Lyric Theatre. andjuliet.com.au

Make like greased lightning and zoom along to this show, with all the hits we love from the 1978 movie. Melbourne show-goers will see Patti Newton play Rydell High's veteran English teacher Miss Lynch. From December 31-March 10, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne; March 24-May 26, Capitol Theatre, Sydney; June 30-July 14, Crown Theatre, Perth. greasemusical.com.au

Rent follows a bevy of impoverished New York artists as they struggle with life, love and AIDS. January 27-February 11, Playhouse, QPAC, Brisbane; February 17-March 7, State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne; March 15-17, Civic Theatre, Newcastle; May 11-19, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth; June 7-13, Canberra Theatre. rentmusical.au

According to Opera Australia, this tale of love that crosses enemy lines features the "greatest score ever written for musical theatre". Hard to disagree as you hum along with big numbers such as America, Tonight and I Feel Pretty, as part of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour's 2024 spectacle. March 22-April 21, Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney. opera.org.au

Delusional silent-movie star Norma Desmond is one of theatre's most tragically compelling characters. See Sarah Brightman tackle the challenge in a new production of ex-husband Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard. May 21-July 7, Princess Theatre, Melbourne; August 28-November 2, Sydney Opera House. sunsetmusical.com.au

Whoever thought Tudor history would make a compelling musical is, quite frankly, brilliant. This dynamo show, about Henry VIII's six wives, comes with killer (sorry!) pop tunes that you'll hum long afterwards. From August, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne; from October, Theatre Royal Sydney; from January 2025, Playhouse Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane. sixthemusical.com.au

This show - about a shy teenager who inadvertently inserts himself into a tragedy - took Broadway by storm, winning a Tony for Best Musical in 2017. Experience the dazzling song-writing at its Australian premiere. October 12-November 17, Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney. sydneytheatre.com.au