The musical adaptation of Pedro Almodóvar’s 1988 film Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is set to make its Sydney debut at Hayes Theatre Co. Running for a limited season from 9 May to 8 June, the production aims to bring the vibrant and chaotic world of 1980s Madrid to the stage. Bookings can be made via either the Hayes Theatre Co website, or by calling their box office during business hours on (02) 8065 7337.
The story follows Pepa, a heartbroken actress whose life spirals into disorder when her lover suddenly disappears. As she searches for answers, she becomes entangled in a series of absurd and unpredictable events, alongside a cast of eccentric characters—including a vengeful ex-wife, a best friend caught up in an international crisis, a determined lawyer, and an overabundance of sedative-laced gazpacho.
Angela Scundi (Come from Away, Into The Woods) leads the cast as Pepa, with Andrew Cutcliffe (The Dismissal, Caroline or Change) as her missing lover, Ivan. The production also features Tisha Kelemen (Little Women, Nine) as Ivan’s ex-wife Lucia, Tomáš Kantor (Fangirls, West Side Story) as their son Carlos, and Grace Driscoll (Sunset Boulevard, Nice Work If You Can Get It) as Pepa’s best friend Candela. Other cast members include Fabian Andrés (Grease, Moulin Rouge the Musical), Aaron Robuck (Parade, Bring It On the Musical), Nina Carcione (The Gruffalo, Brigadoon), and Melissa Russo (The Producers, Fangirls).
The production is directed by Alexander Berlage, known for his work on Cry Baby and American Psycho. Speaking about the upcoming show, Berlage stated:
I couldn’t be more excited to bring Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown to life at the Hayes this May with this ridiculously talented and outrageously hilarious cast and creative team. Pedro Almodóvar’s film is a whirlwind of passion, wit and beautiful chaos, and this musical captures all of that and more. At its heart, it’s a story about the wild, unpredictable and sometimes completely ridiculous things love and heartbreak make us do—because let’s be honest, who hasn’t teetered on the edge of a meltdown while obsessively checking their phone or dramatically misreading a situation? Some things never change! There’s no better place than the iconic and intimate Hayes Theatre to completely immerse audiences in this vibrant, offbeat and wonderfully wild world with our bold new production. It’s going to be a thrilling, funny, and unforgettable ride—we can’t wait to share it with you!
Presented by Pinwheel Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is adapted by David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane, the creative duo behind Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
