Bringing theatrical experiences from Australia to the world
Michael Cassel AM is an internationally recognised producer and the founder of the Michael Cassel Group, established in 2012. His company has become a global force in theatrical entertainment, producing world-class productions for stages across Australia, Broadway, the West End and Asia.
In Australia, he is currently the producer of the Australian premieres of MJ the Musical and the Beetlejuice the Musical. Looking ahead to 2026, Cassel will present a bold new West End production of Dracula, starring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Cynthia Erivo and directed by visionary Tony Award nominee Kip Williams.
Cassel was the lead producer of the Broadway premiere of Sydney Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of The Picture of Dorian Gray, starring Succession’s Sarah Snook. Following a record-breaking, sold-out West End season and Snook’s Olivier Award-winning performance, the Broadway production earned six Tony Award nominations. Sarah Snook was awarded Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her extraordinary solo performance at the 78th annual awards, and Marg Horwell was recognised with Best Costume Design of a Play.
Also on Broadway, Cassel is a co-producer of the global hit MJ the Musical. In September 2025, he co-produced a brand-new production of The Hello Girls at Syracuse Stage in New York.
Other recent Australian credits include Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – the longest running play in Australian history, Dear Evan Hansen, Beetlejuice the Musical and Titanique.
Following its success in Australia, Cassel produced the first ever international tour of Hamilton in partnership with original producer Jeffrey Seller, launching in Auckland in 2023 and touring throughout Asia and the Middle East. He also produced the first international tour of Disney’s The Lion King, which toured for nearly five years, playing cities including Manila, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul and Bangkok - becoming the first musical ever staged in Abu Dhabi. Additional international credits include the first Asian tour of & Juliet, and the upcoming Abu Dhabi and Singapore seasons of Beetlejuice the Musical.
His earlier productions include the Australian and international tour of Les Misérables, & Juliet, Mary Poppins, The Phantom of the Opera, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Priscilla Queen of the Desert (10th Anniversary Tour), the Australian premiere of Cyndi Lauper’s Kinky Boots, Singin’ in the Rain and the Melbourne transfer of Sydney Theatre Company’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Cassel’s Broadway and West End credits include Almost Famous, Into The Woods (including US Tour), Redwood, Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, The Prince of Egypt, Pretty Woman: The Musical and The Cher Show.
His concert and live event credits include Patti LuPone: A Life In Notes, Celeste Barber, Lea Salonga, Tina Arena, Rita Wilson, Darren Criss and Not Now, Not Ever with Julia Gillard. For television, Cassel produced A (Very) Musical Christmas, broadcast nationally on the ABC and accompanied by a live cast recording; The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium; and the opening celebration of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, seen by a global audience of 1.6 billion.
Cassel is committed to developing and investing in new content, overseeing a slate of original IP and productions for Broadway, West End and global markets. In 2021, he launched a commercial ‘First Look Agreement’ with Sydney Theatre Company, offering the opportunity for new works to be remounted and toured commercially across Australia and internationally.
Beyond theatre, Michael Cassel Group also represents prominent figures including former Australian Prime Minister, The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, journalist and broadcaster Liz Hayes, best-selling author Sarah di Lorenzo and media personality Sami Lukis. In 2025, he expanded the Group further with the launch of Michael Cassel Music.
Prior to founding Michael Cassel Group, Cassel worked for renowned Australian producer and celebrity manager Harry M. Miller and spent a decade with Disney Theatrical Group in Australia and New York.
Cassel was appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division) for significant service to theatre production, holds honorary doctorates from the University of Wollongong (Doctor of Letters) and Griffith University (Doctor of the University), and serves on the Board of the NIDA Foundation Trust, an independent body that raises funds for the National Institute of Dramatic Arts.
Talking Points
If you can dream it, you can do it: five lessons on success in the entertainment industry
From his first live Carols by Candlelight concert on NSW's South Coast, Michael Cassel has worked around the world in musical theatre production and founded his own successful production company. Mentored by industry luminaries including Cameron Mackintosh, Harry M. Miller and others along the way, Cassel shares what he has learned about building a company, operating in a competitive industry and whether it's ever possible to plan for the future.
If you can dream it, you can do it: five lessons on success in the entertainment industry
Capturing the discretionary dollar: Connecting with the consumer?
Musical theatre ticket sales continue to climb though Michael Cassel has operated in environments when the consumer wasn't always willing to spend. Cassel discusses how his production company and his competitors use multiple channels to promote and sell their shows; considers disruptive technologies and how best to adapt to them; explains how his team weighs up best use of the group's marketing spend and ways of connecting to the consumer in a fracturing media environment.
Capturing the discretionary dollar: Connecting with the consumer?
Delivering consistent returns in the entertainment industry: is it ever possible?
Michael Cassel has one piece of advice for would-be backers of his musicals don't invest unless you can afford to lose it. But those that have invested in Cassel's musical productions have seen good returns. Cassel will discuss how he identifies his next production, how capital is put to work and the different approach that is taken with Australian musicals and audiences compared to offshore. He'll also discuss why the local industry has struggled to deliver home-grown productions and whether this is the next big challenge.
Delivering consistent returns in the entertainment industry: is it ever possible?
Keeping the show on the road: building a sustainable business culture
In an environment where boards are increasingly focused on culture, it's hard to imagine a more challenging environment than one filled with divas, leading actors, accountants and producers. Michael Cassel will discuss building a business culture from the ground-up, one that has allowed the group to put the integrity of the production first, but maintain a strong focus on investment returns. He'll also discuss dealing with a unionised workforce, international performers and more.
Keeping the show on the road: building a sustainable business culture
Balancing creative flair and business needs
Michael Cassel will explore how he has built a global business in which there is room for creative flair, and a strong focus on investment returns and budgets. He will discuss what he learned working for global production houses like Disney and how he was able to apply some of that when founding his own business, and what he has had to do differently.
Balancing creative flair and business needs
Video
Front Row with Michael Cassel Episode 1
Michael Cassel is one of Australia's most respected and sought after producers of musicals and large-scale musical entertainment. He is also Australia's youngest producer. At 36 he has been named a visionary and a producer with global cred changing the face of the stage by The Weekend Australian and already achieved a successful international career working for some of the world's most prestigious entertainment companies including Disney Theatrical and Sir Cameron Mackintosh.A brilliant show, a brilliant cast, full houses, all pulled together by you (Michael Cassel) brilliantly the first of many. ... keep reading Sir Cameron Mackintosh
Michael Cassel is an extraordinary Australian who is rapidly building a major international reputation as a producer and creative director of theatrical productions and live entertainment events.
I have had the opportunity to work with the most extraordinary people in our industry and Michael Cassel is certainly one of them.
