Calamity Jane

  • Musical Theatre
  • Comedy
  • Theatre
  • Studio
  • Run time - 155 minutes, 1 interval

Legendary frontierswoman; notorious daredevil; profane storyteller; unwomanly radical

Virginia Gay returns as the legendary frontierswoman in this stripped-back, rough-and-ready reimagining of the classic musical. Grab a drink and prepare to be immersed in the world of the Golden Garter Saloon.

Welcome to the rough-and-tumble town of Deadwood, where swaggering sharpshooter Calamity Jane is both mocked and admired. Deadly with a whip or a quip, her bluster masks a longing for something deeper.

Calamity Jane is one of the most iconic figures of the American West. From the Doris Day musical to HBO’s Deadwood, her courageous individuality has captivated audiences for decades. Defying gender norms and cultural expectations well ahead of her time, now’s the perfect moment to revisit this remarkable woman.

This stripped-back, rough-and-ready reimagining ditches the buckskin and brings grit and edge to the classic musical. Directed by Richard Carroll, the production stars Virginia Gay (Channel 7’s All Saints and Winners & Losers) reprising her role as the magnetic, masculine heroine exclusively for the Sydney Opera House season of this award-winning production. After clinching the Sydney Theatre Award for ‘Best Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical’ in 2018 for this exact role, she’s back by popular demand.  

From the moment they step into the theatre, audiences are transported to the unruly Golden Garter Saloon - teeming with gamblers, showgirls and a rowdy sense of volatility. You may even find yourself part of the action!

Featuring beloved standards like Secret Love, Just Blew In from the Windy City, The Deadwood Stage and Black Hills of Dakota, this production injects a wild, spontaneous energy into the world of musical theatre.

Calamity Jane is adapted by Ronald Hanmer and Phil Park, from the stage play by Charles K. Freeman after the Warner Bros. film written by James O’Hanlon. Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. Music by Sammy Fain. Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Australasia) Pty Ltd.

See it first and save, with Tuesday - Friday performances in opening week from $69.90 + booking fee

Presented by Sydney Opera House and One Eyed Man Productions

Event details

A central performance as fine as any seen on our musical stage since, I don’t know, forever.

The Australian

Sublime... Gay’s portrayal is the stuff award-winning performances are made of.

Theatre People

Gay is sensational... She just about blows the roof off the theatre.

Sunday Telegraph

Creatives and credits

Director
Richard Carroll

Musical Director
Nigel Ubrihien

Choreographer
Cameron Mitchell

Designer
Lauren Peters

Lighting Designer
Trent Suidgeest

Associate Lighting Designer
Ryan McDonald

Produced by One Eyed Man Productions in association with Neglected Musicals and Hayes Theatre Co

Producer
Richard Carroll

Associate Producer
Michelle Guthrie

Assistant Producer
Virginia Gay

Director of Production
Jack Daniel Woods

Set Build
Iceworks

Assistant Director
Dash Kruck

Promotional Photography
Harvey House Photography

Original Production Photography
John McRae and Jeff Busby

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Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Studio

The Studio is located in the north-western corner of Sydney Opera House, best accessed through the Western Foyers.

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