A glittering line-up of stars from stage, screen and the music industry will feature in pre-match performances prior to most evening sessions at Rod Laver Arena as the Australian Open ramps up the entertainment and adds even more value for fans.
Fan favourite Casey Donovan, currently starring in Sister Act the Musical, kicked off the main draw line-up with a rousing performance prior to Opening Night on Sunday 12 January.
In a coup for the AO, six-time Grammy award winning superstar Dionne Warwick will perform her hit song ‘Do you know the way to San Jose’ tomorrow night prior to the evening session.
Other highlights of the AO pre-match entertainment lineup include:
- Much loved Australian performer Eddie Perfect previews the new musical Beetlejuice
- Ruva Ngwenya and the cast of Tina the Musical set the scene for the women’s final with soul classic ‘River Deep - Mountain High’, along with a rendition of the national anthem performed by the musical’s 10-year-old star Zoe Desmier
- Annie Jones returns to Rod Laver Arena to sing the iconic ballad ‘Love is a Battlefield’ before the women’s semifinals
- In a global first, the cast of Disney’s new production Beauty and the Beast, currently playing in Melbourne, will perform ‘Be Our Guest’ on men’s final night, marking the first time this reimagined song has been performed outside a theatre anywhere in the world
- Beau Woodbridge, the sensational lead in the hit musical Dear Evan Hansen currently playing at the Arts Centre in Melbourne, will perform the national anthem prior to the men’s final, reprising his 2013 performance on Rod Laver Arena when he was just 10 years old
- Hollywood based Australian Hugh Sheridan will have the stadium rocking with his version of the Neil Diamond classic ‘Sweet Caroline’.
"This year’s line-up of pre-match performances at Rod Laver Arena is our biggest ever and will bring even more excitement, atmosphere and entertainment to the AO,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.
“Along with the stunning sound and light show and the innovative use of LED, this fantastic line up of performers will ensure we create event more memorable moments for our fans, while also building anticipation and excitement for the tennis and our inspirational athletes.”
Fans holding tickets to the night sessions at Rod Laver Arena are encouraged to take their seats early so as not to miss a minute of the entertainment and the action.
Rod Laver Arena pre-match performance line-up
Sunday 12 January
Casey Donovan from Sister Act the Musical
Wednesday 15 January (Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day)
Loren Ryan performing ‘Flame Trees’
Friday 17 January
Dionne Warwick singing ‘Do you know the way to San Jose’
Saturday 18 January
Hugh Sheridan singing ‘Sweet Caroline’
Sunday 19 January
Eddie Perfect from Beetlejuice
Thursday 23 January
Annie Jones singing ‘Love is a Battlefield’
Friday 24 January
Mitch Tambo singing ‘My Island Home’
Saturday 25 January
Ruva Ngwenya and the cast of Tina the Musical singing ‘River Deep – Mountain High’ and the national anthem performed by Zoe Desmair
Sunday 26 January
Beauty and the Beast cast singing ‘Be Our Guest’, and the national anthem performed by Beau Woodbridge
AO LIVE Presents line-up
23 January: Benson Boone
24 January: Kaytranada
25 January: Kesha and Armand Van Helden
