From Australia to the theatres of New York’s Broadway, London’s West End and Lido 2 Paris, and with a 40-year career, Caroline O’Connor remains one of the most respected, admired and sought-after triple threats internationally.
A Noosa local since 2018 from where she continues to perform across the world, Caroline presents, My Musical Life, in a Queensland exclusive, at the 2025 Noosa Alive! festival sharing stories from her illustrious career and performing numbers from her many musicals.
Caroline began her professional career as a ballet dancer with the Australian Opera Company after studying at the esteemed Royal Ballet School in London before switching to musical theatre.
She went on to perform extensively throughout the UK and Europe, most notably making her West End leading lady debut in 1995 as Mabel Normand in Jerry Herman’s Mack and Mabel, earning her first Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.
In Australia, Caroline’s credits are firmly stamped in theatrical history.
In addition to the recognition she received for her roles as Velma Kelly in Chicago (Mo Award, Green Room Award, Australian Dance Award), Anita in West Side Story (Mo Award, Green Room Award) and Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Caroline also garnered accolades for her peerless interpretation of Edith Piaf in Piaf (Helpmann Award, Green Room Award), Judy Garland in the world premiere of End of the Rainbow (Helpmann Award, Sydney Stage Award) and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (Helpmann Award).
In 2001 she grabbed world attention as tango dancing ‘Nina Legs in the Air’ in Baz Luhrmann’s Academy Award winning film Moulin Rouge.
In 2020, she was awarded an AM (Order of Australia) for her extraordinary service to Theatre.
With a multitude of performances to her credit, Noosa Today asked Caroline how she had selected the stories and songs for My Musical Life and she admitted it had been “very difficult”.
“There are so many beautiful songs out there! And I’ve performed in some truly wonderful musical theatre productions,” she said.
“I always try to think of the audience when I’m putting my song list together for a show.
“What would they like to hear? And also, what do I really enjoy singing? So there’s definitely some showstoppers from famous musicals that I’ve starred in, like Chicago, Anything Goes, Funny Girl, Hello Dolly … and also beloved songs from some of the great artists like Judy Garland, Edith Piaf, Barbra Streisand, and more. Of course, every song brings back wonderful memories and stories to share.”
While Caroline’s first ambition was to be a classical ballet dancer looking back over her career she wouldn’t change anything, though is grateful for her ballet training at the Royal Ballet School in London which she attributes to giving her the technique and discipline responsible for her longevity as a dancer.
“I found my true calling in Musical Theatre,” she said. “Otherwise I would not have been able to enjoy all the other styles of dance like jazz and tap and even Irish dancing!” she said.
“Plus, I love to sing and to act, and to create characters. I’ve gotten to record solo albums, to perform in concerts with symphony orchestras, appearances on television and in feature films and have worked with some extraordinary people. There have been so many more opportunities and it’s taken me all over the world.”
Since moving to Noosa in 2018 Caroline has performed in New York, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Paris, so what brought her and husband, musician Barrie Shaw, to Noosa?
“When you work in the Theatre industry, you can reside anywhere, because you always have to tour and travel. Always packing and unpacking, but you get used to it,” she said. “So when my husband decided to retire (he was a professional musician) Noosa seemed to be the perfect destination. It really is an idyllic way of life and we have embraced it. We are very fortunate to live on the water. We have a boat – something we’ve never experienced before. My husband joined the Coast Guard. I love taking classes at the Noosa Leisure Centre. There are so many lovely places to take the dog for a walk. And of course, the wonderful social lifestyle and marvelous restaurants. What’s not to love?”
Caroline O’Connor’s My Musical Life will be performed at The J Theatre on Saturday 26 July at 7.30pm as part of Noosa Alive! festival.
From opera and world-class classical to powerhouse country and Broadway brilliance, Noosa Alive! (18 to 27 July) will deliver a diverse musical program that spans genres, emotions and unforgettable performances.
Explore the full program and buy tickets at www.noosaalive.com.au.
