The Michael Cassel Group, the powerhouse behind Hamilton and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, is wrapping 2025 with a burst of theatrical brilliance and heart. The company will present its second annual A (Very) Musical Christmas, continue its Australian run of MJ The Musical, prepare for the return of Beetlejuice The Musical and bring Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical to the stage for the first time.
A (Very) Musical Christmas – A Night of Joy for a Cause
Filmed live at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre on 11 November, A (Very) Musical Christmas will once again light up ABC screens this December, uniting a who’s who of Australian musical theatre in support of Beyond Blue.
Hosted from the same stage currently home to MJ The Musical, the 2025 edition will feature Rob Mills, Casey Donovan, Karis Oka, Caroline O’Connor, Elise McCann and Erin Clare, with more artists to be announced. Stars from MJ The Musical and Beetlejuice will join the line-up, celebrating music, community and the spirit of giving.
The concert, now in its second year, has quickly become a festive tradition – not only showcasing Australia’s stage talent but also drawing attention to Beyond Blue’s 24/7 mental health services, reminding Australians that support is always available during what can be a difficult season for many.
https://michaelcassel.com/shows/a-very-musical-christmas-2025/
MJ The Musical – The King of Pop on Stage
Currently playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne, MJ The Musical brings Michael Jackson’s creative process to life, centring on the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. The production explores Jackson’s perfectionism, innovation and artistry, moving beyond his famous dance moves to reveal the mind of a cultural phenomenon.
Directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon, with a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize recipient Lynn Nottage, MJ has received international acclaim for its insight and spectacle. Following its Australian premiere at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, the show continues its run in Melbourne before heading north to Brisbane’s QPAC in March 2026 and across to Perth’s Crown Theatre in June 2026.
For Jackson fans, MJ offers more than nostalgia. It’s a technical and emotional masterclass that captures the ambition behind the music that defined an era – from Billie Jean to Man in the Mirror.
https://michaelcassel.com/shows/australia/mj-the-musical/
Beetlejuice The Musical – He’s Back From the Dead (Again)
The cult hit Beetlejuice The Musical will also return to Australian stages in 2026. Based on Tim Burton’s 1988 film, the production follows Lydia Deetz, a death-obsessed teenager who finds herself in the middle of spectral chaos after meeting a crude but charming demon “with a thing for stripes”.
Packed with sharp wit, wild set pieces and an unforgettable score, Beetlejuice has earned a devoted following since its 2019 Broadway debut. The show scored eight Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, and wowed Australian audiences during its 2025 tour.
Fans can look forward to its Brisbane revival at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre from 7 June 2026, with more cities expected to follow.
https://michaelcassel.com/shows/beetlejuice-the-musical-3/
Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical – The Voice Returns
In a major new Australian production, Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical will celebrate one of the country’s most remarkable comeback stories.
In 1986, John Farnham – a former teen idol turned struggling family man – teamed up with manager Glenn Wheatley to record Whispering Jack in a suburban Melbourne garage. The album, anchored by You’re The Voice, not only resurrected Farnham’s career but became Australia’s highest-selling album of all time.
Now, to mark the 40th anniversary of Whispering Jack, Sydney Theatre Company’s Mitchell Butel will direct this stage tribute in partnership with Michael Cassel Group, TalentWorks and writer Jack Yabsley (Gold Diggers).
Opening at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in November 2026, Whispering Jack will chronicle Farnham’s transformation from pop hopeful to national icon, featuring hits including Pressure Down, Two Strong Hearts, Age of Reason and That’s Freedom.
It’s a story of friendship, family and perseverance, reminding audiences that Australia’s “Voice” was, indeed, a long time coming.
https://michaelcassel.com/shows/whispering-jack-the-john-farnham-musical/
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