Melbourne set for a big year in live entertainment

New Year’s resolutions rarely last until February, so now is the perfect time to make plans for the next 12 months. Particularly if your New Year’s resolution is to see more shows.

We’ve barely begun 2017, but Melbourne’s cultural calendar is already heaving with a staggering array of the biggest and best shows from home and abroad.

MUSICALS

Opening proceedings is The Book of Mormon (Princess Theatre, from January 18), a Broadway musical that has had theatre fans buzzing with anticipation since its Australian premiere was announced.

Written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, this cheeky comedy is about two missionaries who sink quickly out of their depth in war-torn Uganda.

Arriving in August after seasons in Sydney and Brisbane will be another import – The Bodyguard (Regent Theatre), based on the hit 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. Australian Idol star Paulini slips into the Whitney role, performing a handsome stash of her best-known hits.

Also inspired by a ’90s cinema classic is the much-lauded Aladdin (Her Majesty’s, from April), produced by the team behind fellow Disney stage adaptations The Lion King and Mary Poppins.

Harking back a few decades more, the 50th-anniversary production of My Fair Lady (Regent Theatre, from May 17), directed by Julie Andrews herself, comes to town after a smash season at the Sydney Opera House.

From closer to home, Tim Finn’s Helpmann Award-winning Ladies In Black (Regent Theatre, from February 25) enjoys a return season ahead of the eagerly awaited premiere of Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical (Sydney Theatre Company, from December) –  although it looks like you might have to visit Sydney for that one.

CLASSICAL

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra continues to toe the line between pop culture and classical with a special performance of John Williams’ score for Jurassic Park (Hamer Hall, March 3 and 4), alongside a screening of the 1993 film.

Harry Potter sessions follow later in the year. There’s a similar sense of crossover to the Australian Ballet’s production of Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, which mixes traditional dance with Broadway stylings and puppetry. Colourful, magical and beautifully costumed, it looks guaranteed to be the company’s standout work for 2017.

No less colourful, Australian Opera’s new production of Bizet’s Carmen (Arts Centre, opens May 4) promises alluring spectacle with an undercurrent of ugliness. Shakespearean director John Bell is at the helm, keeping his eye on the politicking, corruption and crazed love at the heart of the drama.

Last, but nowhere near least, it’s almost impossible to choose a single show from Victorian Opera’s forthcoming Fables season with its linking theme of fairytales and legends. If pushed, we’d put money on The Black Rider (Malthouse, opens September 15) by Tom Waits and William S. Burroughs, but it’s very much a photo finish.

THEATRE

If you prefer your theatre without all that singing, you’ll want to check out Lord of the Flies (Arts Centre, from April). This Australian premiere is adapted by legendary British choreographer and director Sir Matthew Bourne, who has recruited 24 young dancers from across Victoria. Another British hit, 1984 (Comedy Theatre, June) returns for an encore season, following a triumphant run at last year’s Melbourne Festival.

On the local front, Melbourne Theatre Company’s 2017 program offers rich pickings, but the standouts are two new Aussie works from Lally Katz and Eddie Perfect. Lally’s Minnie & Liraz (Arts Centre, May) is a comedy about the fierce world of competitive bridge, while Eddie’s Vivid White (MTC, November) turns the sharp satire of The Beast on the property boom.

Over at Malthouse, the team behind Picnic at Hanging Rock reunite for bold new work The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man (from August 4), while Red Stitch imports British hit comedy Rules For Living (March) which combines a fraught family Christmas with psychological theory; and American drama The Realistic Joneses (April) which toys with issues around neighbourly rivalry. Before all that, Cirque du Soleil return with their new spectacular Kooza (Flemington Racecourse, from January 20).

MUSIC

When it comes to drama, British torch singer Adele (Etihad Stadium, March 18 and 19) knows a thing or two. Her most recent albums have worked a deep seam of heartbreak to immense international success. It’s no surprise her first Australian tour is selling fast.

In the world of rock, Bruce Springsteen (AAMI Park, February 2 and 4) is still boss. His new tour is a greatest hits affair, inspired by his recent, excellent memoir.

Meanwhile, Cyndi Lauper and Blondie (Rod Laver, April 6) will team up for a joint reunion tour guaranteed to delight children of the 1980s. Fans of 21st-century pop will likely be more excited by the return of British group Little Mix (Margaret Court Arena, July 22).