Following their sold-out inaugural season of Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, Heirlume Productions in association with Forest Collective presents the iconic Fosse musical Sweet Charity at Chapel Off Chapel this June.
Directed by Madison Lee, with musical direction by Evan J Lawson and Max Kielly and choreography by Jesse Matthews, Sweet Charity will star Erica Wild (A Beautiful Noise, The Rocky Horror Show, Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as Charity Hope Valentine.
“I really admire Charity’s resilience and her relentless ability to see the best in the world despite what she’s been through. She always chooses hope. I think her positivity is something we should aspire to, and I’m excited to step into her shoes,” said Erica Wild.
Wild will be joined by Clancy Enchelmaier (The Producers, Waltzing the Wilarra) as Vittorio/Oscar, Madeline Pratt (Annie) as Nickie, Hannah Gutierrez Cañon (Saturday Night Fever) as Helene, and Sarah-Louise Younger (Midnight, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) as Herman/Daddy.
The cast is rounded out by Lisa-Marie Coad (Neighbours), Bridie Erwin-Keirl (PSA Graduate), Eden Holmes (SIX, Norwegian Cruise Lines), Alessandra Negro (Mamma Mia!), and Tyler Rose Shattock (Legally Blonde).
Celebrating 60 years this year, this new production of Sweet Charity follows the adventures of the ever-endearing Charity Hope Valentine, across 1960’s New York City… but not quite how you remember it.
Capturing a world suspended between The Lavender Scare and the Stonewall Riots, this Sweet Charity reimagines this classic through a new lens; infusing its beloved characters and legendary score (Big Spender, The Rhythm of Life, If My Friends Could See Me Now) with a queer love story and a tale of self-discovery and acceptance.
“I’m really excited for audiences to experience a version of Sweet Charity that feels raw, gritty and a little more confronting than they might expect,” said director Madison Lee.
“We’re not leaning into a glossy, polished version of the world, we’re letting it feel lived-in, a bit rough around the edges, and emotionally honest. There’s humour and joy in it, but it sits alongside something sharper underneath.”
Sweet Charity
Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Season: 19 – 28 June 2026 (preview: 18 June)
Information and Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
Image: Heirlume Productions and Forest Collective presents Sweet Charity (supplied)