Aged care homes aren’t commonly the inspiration for musicals. However, a new aged care musical is set to hit the stage in Sydney.
Bloom is based on comedian Tom Gleisner’s experiences with his dad and parents-in-law living in aged care. The musical debuted in Sydney this week, following a successful run in Melbourne.

The musical is set in the fictitious Pine Grove Aged Care facility. It follows the facility’s residents banding together with an initially reluctant university student who receives free board in exchange for care work to fight cuts enacted by the home’s greedy scheming owner, Mrs MacIntyre.

So what inspired the musical?

Inspired by lived experiences

Tom Gleisner is best known as the co-founder of Working Dog Productions and host of the hit TV show Have You Been Paying Attention?
However, over the past decade, he has spent a lot of time in aged care facilities. During this time, he was left deeply inspired by his many interactions with aged care residents.

“But you get chatting to the residents, and some of their stories are marvellous. Just because they’re not saying much, doesn’t mean they haven’t got much to say,” he told the Financial Review

A Positive spin on a challenging topic

Aged Care can be a challenging topic, dominated by heavy news. However, Gleisner said one of the aims of the musical is to celebrate the incredible contribution the aged care workforce makes.

“I wanted to celebrate the funny and uplifting moments, and so often they involved a great carer. They are the most underpaid, overworked and undervalued people in our society – yet the difference they can make to someone’s day, if they get that bit of extra time to do it, is extraordinary,” he said.

When writing the show, he was very careful not to reinforce stereotypes about older people.

“I made a promise to myself early on that I wasn’t going to let the old people become the punchlines to the jokes, that stereotype where they dodder in and ask after their reading glasses,” Gleisner says.

Writing a musical for the first time was, at times, a challenge for Gleisner, who had originally thought he was writing a play. He had to learn the subtle differences between theatre and film and television.

“I think the original cast of the show was about 32” he explained.

“I had to be tapped on the shoulder and told, ‘That’s not happening.’”

Nevertheless, the final product is one the entire cast is proud of.

Christie-Whelan Browne, who plays Mrs MacIntyre in the show, says the show offers audiences a unique perspective.

“He’s (Gleisner) wanting to give power to people who probably feel voiceless,” she told The Age.

She says while the show does feature some sad moments, it is designed to leave audiences feeling uplifted.

“Rather than the show being a sad memorial, it’s really a celebration of life” she said.

Bloom the Musical opened in Sydney on March 29. It will run at the Roslyn Packer Theatre until 11 May. Tickets can be located by clicking here.

Are you looking for a new career? Aged Care can offer a rewarding career, allowing you to make a difference in the lives of others.

If you are considering a career in aged care, aged Care Resumes can help. We are pleased to offer various services, including aged care resume writing and tailored interview skills coaching.

Article References

Ann-Low, L (20 March 2025) ‘Why the co-creator of Utopia made this unlikely musical’, The Age, accessed 1 April 2025.

Bailey, M (28 March 2025) ‘An aged care musical? Straight to the pool room, said Tom Gleisner’, Financial Review, accessed 1 April 2025.