Three musicals playing in September
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical This musical about the life and work of American singer-songwriter Carole King won two Tony Awards On Broadway and was a hit in London. Now it’s coming to Sydney with Esther Hannaford ( King Kong; Little Shop of Horrors) as Carole. The show follows the ups and downs of the composer-turned-vocalist who ended up providing the soundtrack to all your heartbreaks with songs like ‘I Feel the Earth Move’, ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’, ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, and ‘(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman’. In their four-star review of the Broadway premiere, Time Out New York said the show “shares several virtues with its titular singer-songwriter, among them humility, earnestness and dedication to craft”. àSydney Lyric, The Star, Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont 2009. 1300 795 267. www.sydneylyric.com.au. $70-$205. Sep 17-Dec 23.
Assassins
This bloody 1990 musical examines every assassination attempt on a US president. Is it stating the obvious to say this seems relevant in 2017? Written by Stephen Sondheim (the wordy and daring Broadway revolutionary behind West Side Story, Into the Woods and
Sweeney Todd) with John Weidman, it’s a funny and startling journey through American history from John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald. Boutique musical hotspot Hayes Theatre has pulled out the big guns (LOL) for the cast, including David Campbell, Laura Bunting, Kate Cole, Connor Crawford, Martin Crewes, Bobby Fox, and Hannah Fredericksen. àHayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point 2011. 02 8065 7337. www.hayestheatre.com.au. $59-$78. Sep 15-Oct 14.
My Fair Lady
Dame Julie Andrews’ 60th anniversary production of the Tony Award-winning musical, which recreates the original 1956 production in minute detail, winds up its encore season at the Capitol in October. ■ àCapitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket 2000. 02 9320 5000. www. myfairladymusical.com.au. $89.90-$289.90. Until Oct 8.