Bloom (musical)
{{Short description|Australian musical}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2025}}
{{italic title}}
Bloom is an Australian musical with book and lyrics by Tom Gleisner, music by Katie Weston and directed by Dean Bryant. Set in an aged care facility, the musical comedy is a story of intergenerational connection and the power of music.{{Cite web |date=3 August 2023 |title=Bloom extends acclaimed season at Arts Centre Melbourne |url=https://www.aussietheatre.com.au/news/bloom-extends-acclaimed-season-at-arts-centre-melbourne |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=AussieTheatre.com}}
It was originally produced by the Melbourne Theatre Company at the Arts Centre Melbourne Playhouse, from 18 July to 26 August 2023. The cast included Anne Edmonds, Frankie J. Holden, Evelyn Krape, Vidya Makan, Maria Mercedes, Eddie Muliaumaseali’i, John O’May, Christina O’Neill, Jackie Rees and Slone Sudiro.
A Sydney season at the Roslyn Packer Theatre for the Sydney Theatre Company is scheduled for March to May 2025.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Travis |date=12 September 2024 |title=Sydney Theatre Company unveils a bumper season for 2025 |url=https://www.timeout.com/sydney/news/sydney-theatre-company-unveils-a-bumper-season-for-2025-091224 |website=Time Out}} The Sydney production features new actors Christie Whelan Browne and John Waters with all other Melbourne cast members returning.{{cite web |access-date=26 February 2025 |archive-date=26 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226101940/https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/whats-on/productions/2025/bloom |url-status=live |title=Bloom |website=Sydney Theatre Company |url=https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/whats-on/productions/2025/bloom}}
The musical was generally well received.{{Cite news |last=Byrne |first=Tim |date=2023-07-23 |title=Bloom review – Tom Gleisner's aged care musical is cheerily good-hearted |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/jul/24/bloom-review-tom-gleisners-aged-care-musical-is-cheerily-good-hearted |access-date=2023-10-01 |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=Horan |first=Patrick |date=2023-07-24 |title=Review: Bloom at Arts Centre Melbourne ★★★★☆ |url=https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/theatre/bloom |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Time Out Melbourne |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |last=On |first=Thuy |date=2023-07-23 |title=Musical review: Bloom, Arts Centre Melbourne |url=https://www.artshub.com.au/news/reviews/musical-review-bloom-arts-centre-melbourne-2650777/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=www.artshub.com.au |language=en-AU}} It received a 2024 Green Room Award for New Australian Music Theatre Writing.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-09 |title=2024 Green Room Award Winners Announced - Australian Stage Online |url=https://australianstage.com.au/2024/04/09/news/industry-news/2024-green-room-award-winners-announced.html |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=australianstage.com.au |language=en-GB}}