Amélie the Musical
Following the success of its critically-acclaimed 2019–2022 UK production, which earned a GRAMMY ® nomination and three Olivier Award nominations, Amélie the Musical now makes its Aotearoa New Zealand premiere at the Hannah Playhouse this November 14 – 29, 2025, starring Rachel McSweeney as Amélie Poulain.
Inspiring, whimsical, and brimming with heart, Amélie the Musical brings Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s five-time Oscar-nominated film to the stage with wit and charm. The show follows Amélie, an extraordinary but shy young woman who lives vividly inside her own imagination, as she secretly improvises small acts of mischief and kindness for those around her. When an unexpected chance at love comes her way, Amélie realises she’ll need to move beyond the lonely isolation of her youth and allow herself to be truly seen.
Featuring an original score by Daniel Messé and Nathan Tysen, and a book by two-time TONY Award® nominee Craig Lucas (The Light in the Piazza, An American in Paris), Amélie the Musical transports audiences into Amélie’s fantastical world as she discovers her voice, uncovers the power of human connection, and finds new possibilities around every corner.
★★★★★ “Illustrates the profound imaginative power of theatre” – The Times
★★★★ “A magical and emotional triumph.” – The Guardian
Presented by WITCH Music Theatre
Directors Maya Handa Naff and Nick Lerew
Music Director and Supervisor Hayden Taylor
Choreographer Leigh Evans
This performance contains flashing lights, smoke effects and mature themes including sexual references and suicide. Recommended for Ages 10+
14 – 29 November
Hannah Playhouse
Preview Performance 14 Nov
Opening Night 15 Nov
Tuesdays - Saturdays: 7.30 pm
Saturday Matinee: 2 pm
Sunday: 4 pm
Run time: 2 hours 30 minutes
(including a 20-minute interval)
Book by Craig Lucas
Music By Daniel Messé
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen and Daniel Messé
Based on the motion picture Amélie, written by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant
Orchestrations and Arrangements by Barnaby Race
World Premiere produced in September 2015 by Berkeley Repertory Theatre Tony Taccone, Artistic Director Susan Medak, Managing Director Presented in December 2016 by Center Theatre Group Michael Ritchie, Artistic Director, Stephen D. Rountree, Managing Director, Douglas C. Baker, Producing Director” The Broadway producer credits are as follows: Aaron Harnick, David Broser, Triptyk Studios, Spencer B. Ross, Harbor Entertainment, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Center Theatre Group, Simone Genatt Haft, Marc Routh, Saltaire Investment Group, The John Gore Organization, David Mirvish, Terry Schnuck and Jujamcyn Theaters.
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Amélie is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatrical Corp and represented by Broadway Global Licensing LLC and Broadway Asia Company
LLC, 630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 612, New York, NY 10036, www.broadwayasia.com
Directors
Maya Handa Naff and Nick Lerew
Music Supervisor and Director
Hayden Taylor (Ngai Tahu)
Choreographer
Leigh Evans
Creative Producer
Ben Tucker-Emerson
Technical Producer
Joshua Tucker-Emerson
Lighting Designer
Alex Fisher
Sound Designer
Oliver Devlin
Assistant Music Director
Madelaine Telford
Production Manager /
Rehearsal Stage Manager
Vanessa Woodward
Costume and Wardrobe
Polly Crone
Dottie Olson
Rhys Tunley
Ben Tucker-Emerson
Box Office Manager
Aislinn Sederel
Amélie Poulain
Rachel McSweeney
Nino Quincampoix
Henry Ashby
Raphael Poulain / Collingnon's Dad
(u.s. Bretodeau)
Craig Beardsworth
Amandine Poulain / Philomène / Sylvie / Madam / Prompter (u.s. Georgette, Woman)
Gemma Hoskins
Julien Dufayel / Stranger (u.s. Suzanne)
Frances Leota
Fluffy / Tourist / Elton John
(u.s. Raphael, Good Looking Lug, and others)
William Duignan
Lucien / Beggar / Good Looking Lug
(u.s. Garden Gnome)
Jared Pallesen
Gina (u.s. Collingnon's Mum and others)
Adriana Calabrese
Suzanne (u.s. Amandine)
Jody McCartney
Bretodeau / Collingnon
(u.s. Fluffy, Elton John, Priest, Collingnon's Dad)
Glenn Horsfall
Georgette / Collingnon's Mum
(u.s. Amélie, Madam, and others)
Bethany Graff
Hipolito / Priest (u.s. Collingnon)
Monēt Faifai-Collins (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kuia. Manunu, Lufilufi and Savaia, Lefaga.)
Joseph / Garden Gnome
(u.s. Beggar, Mysterious Man)
Medhi Angot
Mysterious Man / Additional Vocals
(u.s. Julien Dufayel, Tourist, Hipoltio, Joseph, Stranger)
Kevin Orlando
Nino Quincampoix Cover / Additional Vocals
Alistair Davies
Swing / Additional Vocals
(Gina, Philomène, Lucien, Prompter)
Rachel Te Tau
More info
WITCH Music Theatre
WITCH Music Theatre is an alternative production house for musical theatre work in Pōneke, Wellington, creating high-quality musical experiences from concerts, cabarets to full-scale musicals. Championing LGBTQIA+ art, progressive programming, and fostering spaces of excellence for local artists to create engaging and entertaining work; WITCH Music Theatre prides itself as being on the cutting edge of musical theatre in Wellington and Aotearoa, New Zealand.
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch please contact us on info@witchmusictheatre.co.nz.