This January, Sean Donehue and Nick Waxman’s new queer Aussie musical, Bearded, comes to Theatre Works for a limited season.
Set amidst Australia’s 2017 marriage equality debate, Bearded tells the story of Bet, whose father is a conservative political candidate, and Ace, her best friend, as they navigate family expectations, societal scrutiny, and the courage to be themselves.
Bearded explores the intimate, private struggles of two young people caught in the middle, each grappling with their identities in a world that demands they choose between loyalty and self-expression.
With a fresh, electric score and vibrant energy, Bearded captures the resilience, humour, and heartbreak of Bet and Ace’s journey as they seek love and acceptance. Forced to keep their true selves hidden, they juggle family loyalty and self-discovery in a way that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant.
At once funny and poignant, Bearded celebrates the power of friendship, resilience, and the joy of living openly – even when the world seems set against it. This powerful new musical is a tribute to the bravery it takes to stand up, speak out, and love freely in a time of change and challenge.
Under the direction of Nick Waxman (who also plays Ace), Bearded features a stellar cast of emerging and established artists including Charlie Jaz Abbott Higgins, Anton Berezin, Teddy Burgess, Oliver Clisdell, Jacqui Dwyer, Michelle Fitzmaurice, Adeline Hunter, Liimei Lim, Michael Lindner, Lauchlan Mant, Nathan Mariniello (also dance captain), Thalia Osegueda-Santos, Belle Parkinson, J Ridler, Chad Rosete, Declan Ryan, Bek Schilling, Riley Street, Rachel Tunaley, Alexander Tye.
The creative team features Sean Donehue (musical director), Aadhya Wijegoonawardena (choreographer), Tom Vulcan (lighting & stage designer), Sophie Ness (costume designer), Alister Smith (dramatuge) and Will McKenna (assistant director). The creative team also features Emma Waxman (casting), Oscar McGovern (production electrician) and Jordan Smith (stage manager).
BEARDED
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Season: 9 – 18 January 2025 (preview: 8 January)
Information and Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
Image: Bearded – photo by Steven Mitchell Wright