Following a triumphant development showing at The Butterfly Club in March 2024, the new Australian musical Fresno is set to make its official debut at Melbourne’s Chapel Off Chapel.
This clever and heartfelt production, set in a traditional Irish American bar in Fresno, California, brings a distinctly Australian twist to the stage, blending humour, heart, and social commentary.
Fresno follows JJ, a young bartender navigating life alongside a colourful cast of friends, bar regulars, and found family. The musical tackles pressing issues faced by young people today, from the cost-of-living crisis to alcoholism and the effects of gentrification.
Written by Josh Connell, Jeremy Harland and James Greaves, the show combines classic musical theatre storytelling with a modern edge, offering a refreshing take on the genre.
Described as a “Cheers musical written in the style of Come from Away,” Fresno features original music that drives the narrative forward, avoiding the clunky interludes often found in traditional musicals. Its Aussie humour and underdog spirit cut through the idealised American dream, creating a relatable and engaging experience for audiences.
Fresno will run at Chapel Off Chapel at 12 Little Chapel Street Prahran from 26 February to 2 March. For more information and tickets visit t chapeloffchapel.com.au
