WANDA AND MEL Opens This Friday!

Before Mel was born, Wanda was on track to stardom. All that changed when the realities of single parenthood caused her budding career to flat - line. Now, 17 years later, she's reinvented herself and brought Mel with her, returning to the stage as half (3 / 4) of a sassy, quirky ( but low - key reluctant ) mother - daughter cabaret duo. If you loved the movie Ladybird, you'll love Wanda and Mel !

A courageous musical reverie that propels audience members through the joy of ' 80s power ballads, spontaneous rap and the low - key Millennial angst of modern pop, Wanda and Mel is a cathartic journey that navigates the turbulent waters of diversity, sacrifice and motherhood while being funny AF. Srsly fam, this show is frickidy - fresh - and guaranteed to appeal to mothers and daughters of any age.

After a debut season at Melbourne Fringe 2017, Wanda and Mel is back for this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival ! Performed by veteran Australian actress, improviser and comedian, Amanda Buckley ; and 18 - year - old VCE student and South Africa's Got Talent Semi - Finalist, Kali Shanthi, as Mel - the youngest performer to step foot on stage at The Butterfly Club last year.

Directed and written by Candice D'Arcy ( Kaliya's mother ) - winner of the Fleur du Cap Award ( South Africa ) for Best Performance in a Cabaret or Review, 2009 - and featuring musical arrangements by Jamie Burgess, of Butch Masters : Man of Destiny fame.

Dates : 30 March to 22 April Time : 4pm ( 55 mins ) Cost : $ 15 - $ 20 Venue : The Imperial Hotel, 2 Bourke Street, Melbourne Tickets : comedyfestival.com.au or call 03 9245 3788.

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best New Musical - Top 3

1. The Lost Boys

36.4% of votes

2. Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

24.3% of votes

3. Schmigadoon!

22.9% of votes

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