Kala Gare and fellow cast members in Melbourne Theatre Company’s 2024 production of My Brilliant Career. Photo © Pia Johnson

Musicals with a proven track record – traditionally the realm of commercial producers – used to be a sure-fire hit; a way to attract a broad, general audience to the theatre, which is why opera companies and state theatre companies have taken to programming them. Some subscribers have railed against the inclusion of musical theatre in Opera Australia’s seasons, but the argument has been that the resulting boost in box office helps subsidise more challenging operatic fare.

However, things are not what they once were. Musicals are expensive to stage, so tickets aren’t cheap. The rising cost of living has seen audiences weighing up how much they can afford to spend on entertainment. As a result, ticket revenue is a...