Gina Riley’s daughter makes her debut as Muriel Heslop in the new musical based on the iconic Australian film.

Maggie McKenna was in Los Angeles doing an acting course when friends of hers told her that they had auditioned for the new Australian stage show Muriel’s Wedding The Musical. She immediately phoned her Australian agent to see if she could submit a video audition for the role of Muriel Heslop – played in the film by Toni Collette.

Maggie McKenna. Photograph © James Green

After returning to Australia for a recall, and taking part in a two-week workshop, co-producers Sydney Theatre Company and Global Creatures announced today that McKenna has landed the title role in the new Australian musical based on the iconic 1994 Australian film, written and directed by PJ Hogan.

McKenna is the daughter of actor/comedian Gina Riley – best known as Kim in the television comedy series Kath & Kim – and television producer Rick McKenna. Riley has, in fact, also performed in a musical for STC – Falsettos in 1994.

Twenty-year old McKenna recently returned from LA where she trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Muriel’s...