Congratulations, Get Rich! is a supernatural musical comedy set in a karaoke bar, where body possession, superstitions and long-buried family secrets collide.

A co-production between Sydney Theatre Company (STC), La Boîte Theatre (Brisbane), and Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT), the show centres on Mandy (Merlynn Tong), who is celebrating the Opening Night of her venture Money Money Money Karaoke bar. It also happens to be her thirty-eighth birthday—an age she fears, as both her mother and grandmother died at 38. And on this auspicious seventh night of Chinese New Year, known as Human Day (the universal birthday for all humanity), the women in her family decide to cross over.

Written by Tong and directed by Courtney Stewart, Congratulations, Get Rich delivers a quirky ghost story with a twist. These ghosts aren’t frightening—they are alcoholic hungry spirits craving a drink, moving with strange robotic ticks and clicking sounds. Seong Hui Xuan’s Mum enters with theatrical flourish, calling to Mandy as though summoning a pet, while Kimie Tsukakoshi dynamic Gma (grandma), sniffs the air and declares she can taste Mandy’s heart, energy and desperation.

Mandy’s yearning, for business success and her mother’s love, drives the emotional core of the play. However, instead of familial affection we see tough love from Asian Tiger mums dropping truth bombs. Squatting by the side of the stage Gma plots how they’ll stay, with no hesitation in manipulating Mandy to suit their needs.

Tong’s Mandy captivates with expressive detail. While her vocals don’t quite match the powerhouse voices of her mother or grandmother, it’s a reminder that karaoke is about joy, not perfection. Balancing Mandy’s vulnerability is her partner (in life and business), Xavier; here, Zac Boulton brings levity to the production with a steady stream of Dad jokes and a wacky fight scene choreographed by NJ Price.

There are wiggle dance moves, glitter-microphone ballads, jazz hands and gleefully absurd moments. Alex Van den Broek’s song choices are consistently hilarious from outrageous lyrics to an ode to “the perfect Chinese Princess (Diana)”. Even durians get their own passionate musical tribute.

Drama and comedy merge with flashes of horror, especially as poltergeist activity plunges the theatre into darkness amid thunderclaps. A ghostly flicker on the TV appears with perfect timing, heightened by Guy Webster’s sound design. Gabriel Chan utilises the lighting, creating ghostly moments amongst the neon lights. And James Lew’s set evokes a karaoke bar with ruby red seats and ever-waving lucky Chinese cats. Lew dresses each woman to match her personality: Mandy in Doc Marten boots and a long silk dress, Gma sashays in tight black pants and leopard print, and Mum in head-to-toe pink dress with heels.

Mandy’s offhand, “Of course I want to be rich, I’m Chinese”, draws laughter from the crowd. The cultural humour and more abstract moments may resonate most strongly with Singaporean audiences but also serve to open the deeper generational trauma stories being unpacked.

Eccentric and heartfelt, Congratulations, Get Rich! is a bold blend of family drama and supernatural mischief.

3.5 stars. 

Congratulations, Get Rich! is playing now at Sydney Theatre Company until 14 December 2025.

90 minutes (no interval)

A co-production between Sydney Theatre Company (STC), La Boîte Theatre (Brisbane), and Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT).

For tickets visit: Sydney Theatre Company