“NSW is the nation’s home of first-run musical productions and Muriel’s Wedding The Musical will no doubt be a major success, already expected to generate more than $3 million in visitor expenditure for NSW,” Mr Ayres said.

“With a book by the original writer-director PJ Hogan, new music from homegrown singer-songwriters Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall and chart-topping hits from ABBA, Muriel’s Wedding The Musical will delight and entertain audiences.”

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sandra Chipchase said Sydney is the perfect home for the production, which is largely set in the harbour city.

“This is a major coup for Sydney to host the world premiere of this new Australian production. It has global appeal and joins a stellar line-up of musicals premiering in NSW over the coming 18 months,” Ms Chipchase said.

The musical will be produced by Sydney Theatre Company and Global Creatures (Strictly Ballroom The Musical and Walking With Dinosaurs), directed by Simon Phillips (Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Ladies in Black) and script by PJ Hogan.

Global Creatures CEO Carmen Pavlovic said “We are thrilled to be partnering with Destination NSW to premiere this new musical in Sydney. Muriel’s Wedding is an exciting fit as so much of the story takes place in this wonderful city. Muriel’s dreams of freedom, inclusion and self expression go to the heart of what Sydney has to offer.”

Muriel’s Wedding The Musical tells the story of the socially awkward Muriel Heslop, who leaves her hometown, the fictional Porpoise Spit, to move to Sydney and further her ambitions of having a glamorous wedding.

Muriel’s Wedding The Musical was secured through NSW’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW and premieres as part of the Sydney Theatre Company’s 2017 season. The production will be staged at the Roslyn Packer Theatre from 6 November to 30 December 2017.

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