Time-stepping back to the Adelaide Fringe for 2026 is the hit show Broadway Off-Broadway, following a stellar sold-out debut season last year! Assembling a superb cast of Adelaide talent, producer (and performer!) Emma Kavanagh has levelled up last year’s show to be even more Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!  

Adelaide-born and bred, Emma Kavanagh has performed both nationally and internationally. She is a triple threat performer (quadruple if you also count directing this amazing show), best known for her soaring vocals.

Joining Emma in the cast are Jayden Prelc and Madison Green, both fresh off their recent contracts with Wicked. Alongside them are Jason Bensen, Maddie Apacible and (at the performance reviewed) Lachlan Nash. Each with individual performance credits, what truly makes this whole show special is that all this talent is homegrown in South Australia. 

For their return season, Broadway Off-Broadway is tighter than ever. The show has elevated in production and performance quality, with tweaks to their setlist to delight musical theatre fans of all ages. With songs from Frozen, Singin’ in the Rain, Jekyll & Hyde, and Dear Evan Hansen, Emma Kavanagh has collated the most impressive ballads and hit show tunes to share. 

For Sunday’s opening show, understudy Lachlan Nash (who stepped into the role as a lead vocalist) performed an adoringly entertaining duet of In Summer from Frozen with Jayden Prelc, who tapped alongside. 

Early on in the show, Emma Kavanagh and Jason Bensen perform a stunning vocal duet of All I Ask Of You from The Phantom of the Opera. Both impressively nail the operatic high notes of this iconic number. Maddie Apacible and Jayden Prelc also execute a graceful lyrical performance alongside the singers. 

Stitched together with personal anecdotes or cutesy little transition scenes into the next songs, the show rolls through its repertoire of showtunes.

Another standout is the cast’s Mary Poppins medley, which includes Step In Time and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious , which sees the cast first tap dancing and then spelling out the word, complete with the iconic arm actions. This is a highly entertaining sequence that showcases vocals, acting, and dancing abilities. It left us all beaming!

Maddie and Jayden’s choreography shines in many moments throughout the show. I thoroughly enjoyed the addition of their duet Good Morning from Singin’ in the Rain. Clearly having the time of their lives, they sing and tap dance their hearts out in an uplifting display of their crafts. 

It wouldn’t be a musical theatre variety show without a song from Wicked, which we are certainly treated to. Emma and Madison Green perform a punchy cover of Loathing with cheeky nods to Glinda and Elphaba’s personalities. 

Bringing the show’s music to life is the live, three-piece band. David Goodwin, Steve Staben and Declan Horan are a tight-knit trio. It was great to hear some songs stripped back and tempos adjusted for some creative flair and variations. 

To conclude the show, an extended vocal ensemble emerges to perform two tightly harmonised numbers: You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hanson and One Day More from Les Mis. This moment is a love letter to Adelaide’s educators who foster these talents and it is Emma Kavanagh’s way of continuing the cycle. 

You Will Be Found actually brought me to tears. Many members had individual chances to be featured, with the youngest being just 9 years old! Who needs to travel to New York City when we have these amazing voices right here in our state?!

Broadway Off-Broadway is a vibrant parade of Broadway favourites and an epic display of local talent. One not to be missed for the musical theatre fans!