February
It is confirmed that Lisa McCune has been forced to pull out of Sydney Theatre Company's highly anticipated production of Summer Rain, scheduled to open in August. "Lisa is very disappointed she won't be able to perform in Summer Rain," a Sydney Theatre Company spokesperson said.

Mainstay musical theatre performer Amanda Harrison announces she will leave We Will Rock You at the conclusion of its Sydney season and will not take part in a planned International tour by the Australian cast. Harrison's departure follows confirmation that Kate Hoolihan, who played the lead role of Scaramouche in the Australian production, would also be leaving the show.

Rumours suggesting that the smash hit Broadway musical Wicked would be part of the Sydney Theatre Company's 2006 Subscription Season begin circulating, but are quickly denied by the company.

Rumours begin circulating suggesting Hugh Jackman will play the role of Peter Allen in a new Australian production of The Boy From Oz in 2006.

The theatre world is saddened to hear of the loss of playwright Arthur Miller at the age of 89. Miller, who rose to fame as writer of the famous Death of a Salesman, started writing professional plays in the mid 1940's and his writing became just as a famous as his political views. Miller wrote several plays for Broadway and was awarded Lifetime Achievement gongs by numerous organisations, including the Tony Awards and the Drama Desk Awards.

Tickets go on sale for the Melbourne season of Dirty Dancing.

Shows of note:
The Spook @ Glen Street Theatre: "Despite the fact that the play puts emphasis on comedy and the ultimate stupidity of Martin’s mission, I still left the theatre feeling slightly uneasy. Perhaps one reason why The Spook strikes a chord with audiences is that there are some faint, uncomfortable echoes of contemporary debates surrounding national security. As Armfield notes in the program, ‘…it all feels very familiar’." (Review excerpt from AussieTheatre.com)

March 2005
AussieTheatre.com reveals first that Nancye Hayes and Rachael Beck have all but agreed to star in Sydney Theatre Company's production of the musical Summer Rain, which is scheduled to open in August. Earlier in March, the website exclusively reveals that Beck had been offered the role vacated by a pregnant Lisa McCune.

It is announced that Tim Draxl will return to cabaret for the first time in four years to present Back for Seconds over a limited three week season at The El Rocco Room in Sydney.

AussieTheatre.com breaks one of the biggest news stories of the year as The Sydney Cabaret Convention is permanently dumped by the City of Sydney, a controversial move that saw the theatre industry rally behind its reinstatement. One letter on the issue from a mainstay performer and writer to AussieTheatre.com said: "The official so-called reasons given for not continuing the Convention are insultingly hollow. It is not true that cabaret venues are flourishing now, obviating the need for the City of Sydney to support the art form. They are not."

It is announced that the musical Leader of the Pack will have another crack at making it in Australia - with a season to be produced in Melbourne in July.

The Lion King extends its season in Sydney until June 26 due to overwhelming demand.

The Producers opens in Brisbane on March 13 after an eight month run in Melbourne, while an encore season of the hit musical Mamma Mia opens in Melbourne.

It is announced that Natalie Bassingthwaighte, last seen on stage as Ariel in Footloose, will reprise her role of Sandy in Grease when an arena version of the show starts later in the year. She'll be joined by Craig McLachlan as Danny, Tamsin Carroll as Rizzo, Magda Szubanski as Miss Lynch, Richard Wilkins as Vince Fontaine, Toby Allen as Kenickie and Australia's music legend John Farnham as Teen Angel.

Shows of note:
Children of Eden @ Cumberland State Forest: "The most memorable performance, appropriately, belongs to Adam Scicluna (Father). Scicluna is an accomplished baritone and he lends a certain gravity to proceedings. Other vocal standouts include Samantha Bartholomeusz (Mamma Noah), who leads a rousing gospel number towards the end of the production, and Danny Beiruti gives a relaxed, natural charm to the character of Noah. The many young performers in the chorus throw themselves into the roles of the various animals with gusto, each enthusiastically taking on the characteristics and mannerisms of various birds and beasties." (Review excerpt from AussieTheatre.com)

Influence @ Sydney Opera House: "Sydney Theatre Company is back producing quality plays – and David Williamson is back writing them. Influence is without doubt Williamson’s best play in years and one of STC’s more appetising productions in recent memory. While it could be said the play’s focus is on many things – the power of the media, race, family or money, the bottom line is it’s about all of those things and cuts to the bone on some of society’s most untouched and controversial issues. While the typical Williamson elements are still around in Influence – greed, power and the almighty dollar – this play isn’t tied up in a nice little package and certainly won’t appeal to everyone’s tastes. It’s without doubt controversial, but so true in its representation of mainstream society that its scary." (Review excerpt from AussieTheatre.com)

April 2005
Tim Draxl's return to cabaret is an incredible success, with his solo show in Sydney extended due to popular demand.

It is announced that a production of the hit Andrew Lippa musical The Wild Party will play at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June, with Lippa himself to be on hand for the event.

Reports begin circulating that Dirty Dancing could be bound for New York and the West End.

The theatre community is stunned to learn that one of Sydney's most popular entertainment venues, The Side On Cafe, will close its doors on April 30. The jazz institution was a keen supporter of cabaret.

Mainstay theatre goer and often critic, Sophia Hendel, dies at her Sydney home. Hendel had attended the opening night of Sydney Theatre Company's Democracy just hours before her death.

AussieTheatre.com reveals that a new production of the classic musical Fiddler On The Roof is to be staged in Sydney later in 2005, with the Capitol Theatre the most likely venue to house the show.

It is announced that the long-awaited Sydney premiere of the musical Urinetown will come in October thanks to Bump In Productions, a new independent theatre company.

Rumours begin circulating that the hugely successful musical The Phantom of the Opera is set for a return season in Australia fifteen years after it first opened at Melbourne's Princess Theatre.

AussieTheatre.com reveals that Tamsin Carroll will star in a new Australian musical based on the life of Dusty Springfield.

CLK Musical Theatre, based in Melbourne, declare their planned August/September production of Seussical will not go ahead due to casting difficulties.


Shows of note:
Two Brothers @ Melbourne Arts Centre: "Two Brothers touches on the remarkable journey that refugees go through to escape, and the sheer betrayal they feel when the find out that there are people in this country who would rather they drown than let them step foot into Australia. The play challenges how multiculturalism is carried out in society, and questions whether marginalised people really are included. The amount of people in the audience who laughed at the joke about Japanese people not having peripheral vision only emphasised this point. However Two Brothers is disappointing in its inability to portray Eggs as anything more than a selfish bastard. It is too obvious where the audience sympathy should lie and as such, the play doesn’t change the people who need to be changed. No doubt Two Brothers will be written off as a lefty rant by conservative people who agree with the Howard government’s stance against refugees. As hard as it is to believe at times, politicians are not purely evil even though their policies may be. Eggs’ and his assistant Jamie’s lack of compassion, regret or humanity in Two Brothers only furthers the political divide between the extreme left and right, rather than exploring the people caught in between. Many of the characters do not change, but become more pathetic as the play goes on, with nothing redeeming about the decisions they make. Nevertheless, Two Brothers is more a social commentary on the refugee debate in Australia rather than a realistic look at the personal experiences of the characters. It will make you question the kind of Australian you are. (Review excerpt from AussieTheatre.com)

May 2005
It is announced that musical theatre stars Sharon Millerchip and Geraldine Turner are to appear in the new Australian musical Somewhere, which will open at Penrith's Q Theatre in October.

Deone Zanotto joins the cast of Saturday Night Fever for the final months of its Australian tour.

The hit Australian musical The Boy From Oz is to play a season in Japan from June, it is announced. It's the next step for the record breaking Australian show, which premiered on Broadway in 2003 several years after its successful Australian tour. Meanwhile, rumours continue to suggest the show will be back in Australia in 2006 with Hugh Jackman in the lead role.

The Sydney Theatre Company announces the cast for their eagerly awaited musical Summer Rain. The show stars Rachael Beck, Blazey Best, Mitchell Butel, Gerry Connolly, Jodie Gillies, Nancye Hayes, Genevieve Lemon, Christopher Parker, Tim Richards, Emily Russell, Terry Serio, Darren Weller and Belinda Wollaston.

Statement, a new cabaret venue, opens in Sydney.

The smash hit stage production Dirty Dancing ends its seven month run at Sydney's Theatre Royal.

The Sydney Theatre Company announce that its production of David Williamson's Influence has broken the box office record for the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre, selling over 31,000 tickets and taking over $1.5 million at the box office.

Shows of note:
Grease Australian Tour: "There’s a very good reason as to why Grease needed to be produced in Australia again so soon after it was last staged here professionally: the public love it. It’s a timeless show that in its time was groundbreaking, and now is a classic of the rock ‘n’ roll era that so many remember and cherish. There’s two moments in this new production of Grease that make it superb. The first is Toby Allen’s sensational rendition of Greased Lightnin’ early in the first act and the second is Tamsin Carroll’s show stopping performance of "There are worst things I could do" towards the end of the show. Despite excellent performances by Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Sandy, John Farnham as Teen Angel and Craig McLachlan as Danny, it’s Allen and Carroll who surprisingly steal the show." (Review excerpt from AussieTheatre.com)

The Last Five Years @ Q Theatre: "The Last Five Years explores through song (which is perhaps the most expressive method of appealing to the senses) the most heart wrenching of human emotions: love and loss. Harkin is consistent throughout the show and although performing alone for the majority of the musical manages to reveal personality traits of the characters he plays to such as Cathy and the younger lover he takes in the wake of their relationship breakdown. Although Andrew seems to show slightly forced anguish and overstated emotions, she is passionate in her interpretation of Cathy and her exuberant expressiveness is very exciting to watch. This production will never fail to be a delight because Jason Robert Brown’s score is so powerful and the songs explore real human emotions through a theme that many of us have intimate knowledge and understanding of, falling in and out of love. This is an absolute must see." (Review excerpt from AussieTheatre.com)

The Producers @ Lyric Theatre: "The great thing about this production of The Producers is that it has the look, feel and buzz of a true Broadway musical. You could be forgiven for thinking the show has been transferred directly off the New York stage for its Australian season, and with one of the best theatrical casts we've seen in years, Australia is finally doing a quality American musical justice. The secret behind the success of The Producers is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. In fact, if anything, the show has countless shots at the very industry it finds its home in (extremely funny shots, at that). This show is what a musical should be, nothing more and nothing less. It's got a believable storyline, a few unbelievable twists and turns, a score with some superb show-stopping numbers and plenty of laughs. There's no attempt at being overly serious here - this show is camp as can be and it works sensationally well." (Review excerpt from AussieTheatre.com)

June 2005
The fifth Adelaide Cabaret Festival is heralded a huge success, with ticket sales exceeding $910,000 and 61 performances being completely sold out. Audiences voted with their feet over the sixteen days during June, delighting in the Festival’s diverse program that showcased the finest exponents of cabaret from Australia and around the world.

It is announced that theatre mainstay John O'May, most recently seen in the hit musical Mamma Mia, is to appear in The Production Company's new production of Kiss Me Kate.

AussieTheatre.com reveals that Helpmann Award winning actress Amanda Harrison is expected to star as Ado Annie in The Production Company's new production of the classic musical Oklahoma!.

It is announced that a series of special performances labelled The Q Story will help close Penrith's Q Theatre, which is to relocate from its current premisis to a new venue inside the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.

One of the most successful Australian touring productions in years, Mamma Mia, ends its love affair with the country, with the curtain finally coming down on the long-running show.

Shows of note:
Todd McKenney Live @ Star City Showroom: "Todd Mckenney’s cabaret show can only be described as an indulgence in all things camp and over done. Although his singing cannot be faulted, he makes constant sly quips and arrogant remarks throughout the show, not only regarding celebrities that are not featured in his show, but even those he commissioned to take part do not escape his often callous jokes and side comments. His back up dancers, strangely winners of the ABC’s first season of Strictly Dancing (McKenney featured as a judge on rival network 7’s Dancing With the Stars) make an incredibly sophisticated and sleek pair and execute exuberant and entertaining dancing skills, while McKenney belts out many fabulous show tunes from the likes of Cabaret and of course The Boy From Oz, the show that made him famous. His back up singers are also well received, both sassy and sexy, they add another level to McKenney’s show giving it a little bit of class." (Review excerpt from AussieTheatre.com)

July 2005
It is announced that award winning star of film and theatre Cate Blanchett is to present the coveted Best Musical award at the 2005 Helpmann Awards in Sydney on Monday, August 8.

AussieTheatre.com reveals that Deni Hines is to star in Dusty The Musical, with the show to also star Kaye Tuckerman, Mitchell Butel, Trisha Noble and Glen Butcher.

It is announced that British musical theatre star Elaine Page is to tour Australia.

The smash hit Australian production of the Broadway musical The Producers and Melbourne Theatre Company's critically acclaimed Urinetown lead the way as nominations for the 2005 Helpmann Awards are announced at Star City in Sydney.

It is declared that Geraldine Turner, Angela Toohey and Rodney Dobson will head a quality cast for the premiere production of Rosie The Musical at the Independent Theatre in Sydney, with the show scheduled to open in August.

Shows of note:
Leader of the Pack @ The Palms at Crown: "With a sultry and energetic ensemble and a lead that would have to be our best female theatrical talent, Leader of the Pack is an enjoyable night out and is indeed tighter, smoother and far superior to the production staged in Sydney a few years ago. Taking the role of Ellie Greenwich, Amanda Harrison is superb, delivering a standout performance that gives this show the knockout punch it so desperately craved in Sydney. But despite her sensational performance, which culminates in a stunning ballad near the show’s end, Harrison is almost out-done by a support cast that is simply stunning. Natalie Alexopoulos as Shelley is brilliant, while Alinta Chidzey nearly steals the show with her belting rendition of River Deep, Mountain High in the second act. Eve Prideaux is impossible to miss, while Nathan Wright is as energetic as they come. But back to Harrison. Leader of the Pack isn’t he best musical in the world – there’s no doubt about that – but Harrison gives the show a sense of expectation, and a new dimension we didn’t see in Sydney. She’s a wonderful talent, and carries this show from start to finish with an excellent performance both vocally and visually." (Review excerpt from AussieTheatre.com)

August 2005
Penrith's Q Theatre closes its doors after three decades of producing quality productions in Sydney's west. With the venue scheduled to be demolished and the resident theatre company moving elsewhere, an emotional final night is highlighted by a number of respected theatre stars who return to the Q to celebrate the theatre's efforts, including Bud Tingwell, Phil Scott, Jonathan Biggins, Jeanne Little and Bill Conn.

It is announced that the smash hit musical The Producers is to close in Sydney in October following a six-month run at the Lyric Theatre.

The Riverside Theatres in Parramatta announce their 2005-2006 season, with their first production in October to be President Wilson In Paris, a play set during the politically and socially significant peace conference in 1919 in which the revolutionary statesman Woodrow Wilson introduced his idea for the League of Nations.

Melbourne Theatre Company's The Sapphires wins Best Play at the 2005 Helpmann Awards, pipping Sydney Theatre Company's acclaimed Hedda Gabler. The Producers takes out the Best Musical gong at the gittering ceremony.

Shows of note:
Sunset Boulevard @ The Arts Centre: "As the narrator and one of the four main characters David Campbell has a lot to do as Joe Gillis, appearing in nearly every scene. He is compelling to watch, delivering soaring ballads and dialogue skillfully. Chelsea Plumley, as Betty Schaefer and Roger Howell, as Max Von Mayerling make up the strong quartet of major characters, supported by a solid cast. Sunset Boulevard is a dark story, not shy of dealing with the more ugly aspects of human nature. Its plot twists and strong dialogue mean that it is engages the audience, even when presented in this minimal form. Lloyd Webber’s score gives each character a personal theme. With every reprise becoming more dramatic, an atmosphere of tension builds as the story unfolds. Wayne Harrison makes his debut directing The Production Company’s first Lloyd Webber musical and, judging by the standing ovation given on the opening night, Sunset Boulevard, is another success for the Melbourne based company." (Review excerpt from AussieTheatre.com)

Summer Rain @ Sydney Theatre: "The interesting thing about Summer Rain is that it doesn't really make any mistakes. There's no clichés to be used here - because for what it is, the team behind this show gets full marks. It's a professional product from the top down, but it's the writing that makes it so strong. Nick Enright's lyrics are often like poetry, and are at times so meaningful that you can feel the memories of the audience being flashed back to poignant times in their lives. The show isn't too simple, but it isn't overly complex either, in fact the balance is perfect from start to finish. Not too long, not too short. Not too forthright, but it doesn't hold back. I could go on - the bottom line is that this is an extremely polished production from a brilliant creative team and a cast that gives their all." (Review excerpt from AussieTheatre.com)