The 2015 Helpmann Awards is set to sizzle with the star-studded announcement of this year’s ceremony host and performances.

Live Performance Australia (LPA) has today announced previous Helpmann Awards winner and Australian favourite, Todd McKenney, as the host of the 2015 Helpmann Awards.

The 2015 Helpmann Awards will be held at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on Monday 27 July on the set of Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Misérables and broadcast live on Foxtel Arts.

LPA Chief Executive, Evelyn Richardson said McKenney is no stranger to the Helpmann Awards stage and LPA is very excited to be working with him this year.

“The Helpmann Awards celebrate Australia’s finest live performances and performers, and who better to host our annual event than one of Australia’s most well-loved, dynamic and versatile live performers, Todd McKenney,” said Ms Richardson.

“McKenney’s charisma and aptitude in the many disciplines of performance make him an audience favourite and we are thrilled to have him as our host this year.”

Todd McKenney said of the announcement, “It is an honour to host the 2015 Helpmann Awards and celebrate the immense talent within our live performance industry. I am excited to be able share this night on stage with my peers acknowledging what an amazing industry we have here in Australia.”

Opening the 2015 Helpmann Awards is the full cast of Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Les Misérables, undisputedly one of the most popular musicals of all time.

The entertainment packed evening will also feature performances from:

• The cast of the Tony Award winning musical, Once, for a one-off performance exclusively for the 2015 Helpmann Awards 
• The Australia Piano Quartet, one of the few ensembles worldwide committed to the piano quartet genre
• Previous Helpmann Awards nominee and Australia’s foremost illusionist, Cosentino – The Grand Illusionist.

Helpmann Awards Executive Producer, Jon Nicholls said, “I am thrilled that we have been able to gather together such a stellar group of artists to help celebrate excellence in live performance.”

The 2015 Helpmann Awards will be written by Jonathan Biggins and Phil Scott and directed by Jonathan Biggins.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government was proud to be supporting the Helpmann Awards for 2015 through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

“The Helpmann Awards are the pinnacle of the live performance industry, and I am pleased they will once again be hosted in Sydney. Todd McKenney is sure to be a fantastic host, and with the world class line-up of performances on show, the 2015 Helpmann Awards promises to be a great evening of entertainment.”

A total of 42 awards will be presented at the 2015 Helpmann Awards, in addition to lifetime achievement awards, JC Williamson Award and Sue Nattrass Award.

Tickets for the 15th annual Helpmann Awards are available now directly from Ticketmaster.

The full program for the 15th annual Helpmann Awards, including award category nominees, will be announced on 22 June.

The Helpmann Awards are proudly supported by the New South Wales Government, through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.