John O’Hara is one of Australia’s most versatile and in demand performers. He currently plays Annas in the Australian anniversary production of Jesus Christ Superstar, alongside his work on radio as a regular presenter for ABC.

Hailing from Perth and a graduate of WAAPA, John earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Dr Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. Most recently he played Phil Spector/Terry Britten in the original Australian company of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical. Other engagements include playing Ned Schneebly in the original Australasian production of School of Rock, Bernadette in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Rodney in Dusty, Rum Tum Tugger in Cats, Roscoe Dexter in Singin’ In The Rain, Peter in the South African production of Jesus Christ Superstar, The Father in Wicked and Henry Etches in Titanic opposite Anthony Warlow.

Other credits include Hair, Shout!, Eureka, Leader Of The Pack, High Society, Oklahoma!, The Boy From Oz, Rock of Ages, Company, Grease, Elegies, Songs For A New World, Songs From An Unmade Bed, Cinderella, Peter Pan and as a soloist in The Who’s Tommy for Victorian Opera. John is a featured vocalist for internationally esteemed Queen tribute act Rock Rhapsody.

John is an established and sought after cabaret artist receiving critical acclaim for his self penned solo works. #VAL – A Campfire Kiki With Mother consistently earns 5 star reviews and continues to play sellout seasons and festivals nationwide. Artistic Director, Alan Cumming selected #VAL for his 2021 Adelaide Cabaret Festival and an invitation subsequently followed to perform at Club Cumming. John was a guest artist for Bob Downe and Anne ‘Willsy’ Wills at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2021 for In Adelaide Tonight. Other solo works include Dedications, commissioned by Adelaide Cabaret Festival (2015) and A Very Merry Christmas Cabaret for Perth Theatre Trust (2016). 2021 saw John premier That’s Not Your Light, John! for the inaugural Perth International Cabaret Festival and he was a guest soloist for the launch event for The West Australian Jazz Project’s A Very Jazzy Christmas at Perth Concert Hall.

John creatively directed the 2020 Crown Christmas Spectacular at Crown Theatre Perth which subsequently led to his main-stage musical theatre directing debut,  Legally Blonde at Crown Theatre Perth in 2021. John was recently engaged as the 2022 Festival of Voices Ambassador in Tasmania and was appointed to creatively conceptualise and direct Come Play Cabaret for Wrest Point Casino (Hobart) as a part of their 50th anniversary celebrations in 2023.

On radio, John is a regular presenter for ABC Radio Hobart and Northern Tasmania on both Afternoons and Evenings. Also at ABC, he provides regular content as a producer for Nightlife. John is a regular traffic and weather announcer in Victoria and Tasmania for the Australian Traffic Network, being heard on stations including KIIS, Triple M, Nova, Smooth, and Gold. He provides the male voice for popular singing warmup app Warm Me Up.