Fall in love with timeless hits, sensational performances and the promise of “hopefully ever after” when Prospero Arts and QPAC present Sweet Charity in the Concert Hall from 11 to 14 December 2025.
A fitting finale to Prospero Arts’ 2025 Concert Series, Sweet Charity is presented as a semi-staged concert-style production with an all-Australian cast backed by a live 16-piece band.
Charming audiences in the titular role of Charity Hope Valentine is Loren Hunter, fresh from her critically acclaimed role as Jane Seymour in SIX the Musical.
Hunter said she was thrilled to step into the shoes of the eternally optimistic dance hall hostess, made famous on the silver screen by Shirley MacLaine.
“I’m excited to take on a role as iconic as Charity. It’s one of those great opportunities that challenges you as a performer while also filling you with joy, and to share this with the audience in my hometown is incredibly special,” said Hunter.
“Charity’s story of hope and resilience really resonates with me and I’m looking forward to discovering new layers of her character each time I step on stage. Everything I’ve learnt from my past roles, including Jane Seymour, will feed into this performance but I also know Charity will push me to grow in ways I haven’t before,” said Hunter.
Joining Loren is the incomparable Simon Burke AO as Vittorio, direct from the Australasian tour of WICKED, which was preceded by his award-winning rendition of Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and an overwhelming list of starring roles in major productions including Hairspray, Mary Poppins, Chicago, Les Miserables, The Sound of Music and The Phantom of the Opera.
This star-studded cast of musical theatre favourites also features Jake Speer (Home and Away, Catch Me If You Can), Sean Sinclair (Calamity Jane, Hamilton), Kristina McNamara (Chicago, West Side Story), Angelina Thomson (Home and Away, West Side Story) and Suzanne Steele (Annie, Beauty and The Beast).
They’re backed by a brilliant ensemble of national and Queensland-based talent: Anthony Garcia, Brandon Dowery, Ella Harding, Julian Seguna, Kye Hall, Leah Lim, Lisa Callingham, Mateja Sardelis and Sarah Bakker.
Under the musical direction of Michael Tyack, the on-stage big band will dazzle audiences with showstopping hits including Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now and Rhythm of Life.
Sweet Charity is directed and choreographed by the award-winning Cameron Mitchell, who captures the energy, humour and heart of the Tony Award-winning 1966 Broadway musical in a fresh new reimagining for Brisbane audiences.
Prospero Arts Founder and Managing Director Hayley Johnson said Sweet Charity was the sweetest note upon which to end the year. “Prospero Arts has partnered with QPAC to present concert-style performances of some of musical theatre’s biggest hits since 2022, starting with Singin’ in the Rain,” said Johnson.
“It is a perfect platform to spotlight the hopeful and heartbreaking story, the popular score and the incredible talent of our cast – all accompanied by a live, on-stage orchestra.”
Sweet Charity
Concert Hall – QPAC, Cultural Precinct, South Bank (Brisbane)
Season: 11 – 14 December 2025
Bookings: www.qpac.com.au
For more information, visit: www.prosperoarts.com.au for details.
Image: Loren Hunter (supplied)