Liza Minnelli to join panel of Strictly Come Dancing?

According to The Mirror the bosses of Strictly Come Dancing are considering  Liza Minnelli as a replacement for Alesha Dixon, who joined the programme for the last series but did not appeal to the "younger viewers she was brought in to attract" .

The attraction of Miss Minnelli is her international appeal. She has an excellent pedigree as a singer and dancer and is Hollywood through and through. Her experience in musical theatre is unquestionable.

Another rumour  is that  Miss Minnelli would act in an advisory role in the style of choreographer Brian Friedman on The X Factor.

Tony Sheldon leaving Priscilla Queen of the Desert

After more than 1,000 performances as Bernadette, Tony Sheldon is leaving the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.at the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.

The role will be taken over on 8th March by Don Gallagher who has previously appeared in the The Producers and Les Miserables in the West End. Jason Donovan and Oliver Thornton will continue in the roles of Tick and Adam.

Priscilla is also doing Sunday performances this summer from June 6th to September 5th.

Is Patti LuPone coming to the West End as Mama Rose in Gypsy?

It seems that the transfer of Arthur Laurents’ revival of Gypsy starring Patti LuPone could be in London’s West End by the end of this year.  This production played at the St James Theatre on Broadway, closing a year ago and winning three Tony Awards, including Best Actress in a Musical for Miss LuPone.

At one time the producer  David Ian  was trying to get hold of one of the West End’s bigger musical theatres for the large production with a cast of 30 and orchestra of 27.

Gypsy is all about the American burlesque stripper Gypsy Rose Lee and her ambitious stage mother Mama Rose (played by LuPone). This strong headed woman is determined that her two daughters will become stars and does everything she can to find them fame and fortune – no matter what the cost.

The 1959 Broadway musical has a book by Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Jerome Robbins originally directed and choreographed the musical, which includes the classics “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, “Rose’s Turn” and “Some People”.

New Cast Announced for Wicked

The latest cast change for the musical Wicked has just been announced with Lee Mead  returning to the West End musical stage to star as Fiyero. He is on tour with “Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime” at present and cannot join the new cast until 10th May. 

As all  the cast changes are taking place on 29th March his place will be filled between then and May by Lewis Bradley who was also part of  Any Dream Will Do and also went on to star in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  The new cast also features another BBC reality star with Rachel Tucker from I’d Do Anything as the new Elphaba playing opposite Louise Dearman as the new Glinda.

Other new cast members at the Apollo Victoria Theatre  from 29th  March are: Clive Carter (Wizard), Julie Legrand (Madam Morrible), Cassandra Compton (Nessarose), Julian Forsyth (Doctor Dillamond), George Ure (Boq) and Nikki Davis-Jones (Elphaba standby) with  Sarah Earnshaw continuing as Glinda standby.

The full cast from 29th March will also include: Alex Louize Bird, Gareth Chart, Joe Colasanti, Emma Green, Lauren James Ray, Shirley Jameson, Daniel Jones, Jasmine Kerr, Matt Krzan, Sophie Linder-Lee, Danny Mac, Lucy Newton, Sauri Oda, Sean Parkins, Soeli Parry, Michelle Pentecost, Paul Saunders, Niall Sheehy, Tommy Sherlock, Thomas Sutcliffe, Jennifer Tierney, Hannah Toy, Stevie Tate-Bauer, Jack Wilcox and Sam Wilmott.

Lee Mead to Join Wicked

After touring in “Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime” Lee Mead is to return to his roots in musical theatre playing Fiyero in Wicked.

Lee first appeared in the BBC1 show “Any Dream Will Do” which he won to land the part of Joseph in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: (he also married one of the judges).  He will join the cast of Wicked on 10th May, which is the month when his wife Denise Van Outen is due to give birth to their first child.
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Wicked is now in its fourth year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and gives the "untold story" of the Witches of Oz.

Hairspray To Finish West End Run on 28th March

The West End production of Hairspray has posted its closing notices for 28th March -  just two days before it launches its first UK regional tour.

Following a number of booking period extensions it had been booking at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 24th October, but it will now finish after a run of nearly two-and-a-half years.

The current London cast includes  Chloe Hart (as Tracy Turnblad), Phill Jupitus (Edna Turnblad), Belinda Carlisle (Velma Von Tussle), Verity Rushworth (Penny), Liam Tamne (Link Larkin), Sharon D Clarke (Motormouth Mabel) and from 2nd  February former Monkee Micky Dolenz  joins as Wilbur Turnblad.

The touring production of Hairspray kicks off at the  Cardiff Millennium Centre on 30th March with Michael Ball reprising his award winning role as Edna Turnblad, alternating at different venues with Brian Conley and Phill Jupitus

Flashdance is rumoured to be the next occupant at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

More Dates for Evita Tour

Two new dates have been announced for Bill Kenwright's tour of Evita : 22nd March-10th April, Churchill Theatre Bromley & 12th April-1st May. Gaiety Theatre Dublin

 Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita  features some of the biggest hit songs ever written, including “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, “On This Night Of A Thousand Stars”, “Another Suitcase In Another Hall”, “I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You”, “High Flying Adored”  and  “Oh What A Circus”

It tells the life story of the extraordinary Eva Peron (second wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron) following her acting career, rise to power, charity work, feminist involvement and eventual death. She gained enormous wealth and power during her ultimate rise to sainthood.

Abbaworld opens at Earls Court

Abbaworld is a new museum-cum-theme park which opens at London's Earls Court today for a limited season.

It offers more than enough music, gizmos and mementoes to satisfy even the most fervent Abba fans promising “a place for total interaction” with the band. The launch party last night was attended by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Anna-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad.

All of the band members support the project and have donated memorabilia and recorded interviews that are played on screens throughout the exhibition which is spread over 25 rooms with glass cases containing silk, satin and spandex spangled costumes. You can see replicas of the Polar Studios where the band recorded, as well as the seaside cabin near Stockholm where Bjorn and Benny composed their hits. Even the helicopter which was pictured on the cover of the 1976 album “Arrival” Is on display.

Abba has sold 400 million records since the 1970s as well as the mega-successful film and stage musical “Mamma Mia!” which is currently showing at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s West End.

Interactive elements at the exhibition mean that visitors can take part in quizzes, recreate the band’s sound at a mixing desk and dance and sing with an animated 3D holographic illusion of Abba.  At the gift shop expect to find Abba T-shirts, teddy bears, jigsaw puzzles, figurines and CDs.

You can find out more at  www.abbaworld.com

See Be My Baby at Union Theatre in February

Be My Baby is set in 1964 and tells the story of Mary Adams who is just 19 and seven months pregnant. She is sent to a mother and baby home and has to cope with the shame of her pregnancy and realisation that she must give up her baby for adoption. Mary and the other young mums to be find escapism in the girl-groups songs they love including Chapel of Love (Dixie Cups), I Don't Know What To Do With Myself (Dusty Springfield) and You Can't Hurry Love (The Supremes).

Amanda Whittington's Be My Baby was first produced by Soho Theatre in 1998: a year later it featured in the opening season of Soho's new Dean Street venue and then embarked on a national tour.  It is now being presented at the Union Theatre in Union Street, South East London from 9th-27th February.  For tickets telephone the box office on 0207 261 9876

Bid to scrap free evening parking in London’s West End

In yet another money making bid Westminster City Council is looking to scrap free evening parking from Monday to Saturday in central London. This would mean that theatregoers would be banned from leaving cars on single yellow lines and forced to pay at meters until midnight rather than 18:30.  Meter costs could also be as much as doubled in some zones.

The plan is being strongly opposed by a number of organisations with restaurants, theatres and shop owners predicting the increased costs would stop people coming into town and hit trade hard.

Westminster Council has a budget black hole of £22 million and while it is illegal for councils to increase parking charges primarily to raise revenue an official memo has asked council officials “to look more closely at parking and community safety to find reductions or additional income. Parking and community safety have been earmarked to contribute the majority of the £14 million of the money that needs to be found”

Westminster Council cabinet has approved the parking proposals for further consideration.

Flashdance the Musical Heading for the West End

Time to get your leg warmers and torn T shirts out again, as producers have been checking out the Shaftesbury Theatre as a possible destination for Flashdance the Musical.  The theatre is currently home to Hairspray which is booking to 24th October in the West End, with a touring production starting in March.

In 2008 Flashdance had its world premiere in Plymouth before doing a national tour. It was produced by David Ian, choreographed by Arlene Phillips and  billed as "the theatrical event of the year".

Flashdance the Musical is adapted from the 1980s film about an exotic dancer who is a welder by profession and dreams of getting a place at a dance school to become a ballet dancer. The film featured the songs “Maniac” and “Flashdance ... What a Feeling” which won an Academy Award.

Stomp Extends Booking Period

STOMP is a piece of musical theatre which takes the clutter and junk of everyday life and transforms it into a dance extravaganza.

It opened at the Vaudeville Theatre in 2002 and transferred to the Ambassadors Theatre in 2007 where it is still playing to packed houses. 

The production has recently added new routines, new choreography and new music and has now extended its booking period so that tickets are on sale until 19th December.

Brian May to Guest at Last Night of We Will Rock Tour

Rumour has it that Queen guitar legend Brian May will be making a guest appearance at the closing night of the tour of We Will Rock You  at Dublin’s O2 on Sunday, January 31st.

It has not yet been confirmed if he will perform, but I suspect he will find it difficult to resist the temptation - and he has got up with the cast and band in every city the show has played during the tour!

The Dublin O2 performance will be the final night of the We Will Rock You tour which has been playing throughout the UK and Ireland for the past year.

Thriller - Live revamped for its birthday

Thriller Live which is currently playing in London’s West end is adding six new songs, a new opening and additional choreography to celebrate its first birthday.

The new version of the concert show featuring music by Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 will premiere at the Lyric Theatre from 11th February.
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Thriller Live productions are planned for Australia, Asia, North and South America and Canada later this year.

Clare Burt in Cabaret at Pizza on the Park

West End diva Clare Burt is reprising her cabaret show at London's Pizza on the Park on 15th February for one night only.  This concert is prior to making her New York cabaret debut at Chelsea's Metropolitan Room from March 9th-13th.

Miss Burt was last seen at the National Theatre in Coram Boy and The Miracle. Her West End pedigree is excellent with musical roles including the original London productions of Howard Goodall's The Hired Man and Girlfriends, the UK premiere production of Sunday in the Park with George and Susan in Sam Mendes' revival of Company, Carla in Nine and the Witch in Into the Woods. She has also appeared as Grizabella in Cats and as Rose in Aspects of Love.

Her cabaret show will include songs by Stephen Sondheim, Michel Legrand, Harold Arlen, Jerry Herman, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Jules Styne, Scott Frankel and Michael Korie, Amanda McBroom, Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Kurt Weill and Adam Guettel.

To book London tickets visit www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk or  contact the box office on 0845 6027 017.

Spice Girls "Viva Forever" Musical Confirmed

The new Spice Girls musical “Viva Forever” now looks as if it is definitely going ahead with the manager and heavyweight music mogul Simon Fuller confirming that plans are in place with Mamma Mia! creator Judy Craymer on board to get things moving.

Fuller's TV shows include "American Idol," "Pop Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance." He is also an executive  producer on the new movie  "Bel Ami," starring Robert Pattinson and Uma Thurman.

The group last performed together in Toronto as part of their 'Return of The Spice Girls' world tour in February 2008. 

Meanwhile Mel C continues to perform to rave reviews in Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre.

Shirley Jones in Concert at Arts Theatre

Broadway diva Shirley Jones is due to make her debut in the UK and London’s West End when she performs her solo show Shirley Jones in Concert at the Arts Theatre from 22nd March to 3rd April 2010.

Miss Jones began her musical theatre career in 1955 when Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein cast her as Laurie in the movie version of Oklahoma!  This was followed by The Music Man and Carousel. Her Broadway credits include South Pacific, Maggie Flynn and 42nd Street.

Avenue Q to Transfer to Wyndham’s

Avenue Q, which is currently playing at the Gielgud Theatre, will move into its third West End home this spring.

It will finish its run at the Gielgud on 13th March (to make way for the opening of the Broadway production of Hair) and reopen at Wyndham’s Theatre on 19th March where it is booking until the end of September.

The musical, described as the West End version of Sesame Street, had its London premiere in June 2006 at the Noel Coward theatre and moved to the Gielgud in June 2009.

With the move there will also be some cast changes: Paul Spicer (Notes from New York, Taboo) takes over from Daniel Boys as Princeton/Rod, Jacqueline Tate takes over as Christmas Eve and Delroy Atkinson returns to the role of Gary.

Avenue Q combines a cast of humans and puppets covering topics including dating, racism, internet porn, being gay and finding your purpose in life.

Diana Vickers Adds Second London Concert Date

Diana Vickers, who is starring The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at the Vaudeville Theatre until the end of January, has confirmed a second London date on her first solo tour in March.  She has added the Borderline Soho to the London Water Rats venue. 

Tickets will be available via a pre-sale from Midday today before going on general release on January 26th.  The former X Factor contestant will release her debut single “Once” on 19th April.

You can find out her full tour dates at Diana Vickers Concerts.

World Premiere of Love Never Dies at South Bank Show Awards

Sierra Boggess, who plays Christine in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s  new show, Love Never Dies, will give the very first preview performance from the Phantom sequel at the last ever South Bank Awards.  She will be accompanied by Lord Lloyd Webber and Louise Hunt on two grand pianos in front of a star-studded audience.



Sierra is pictured here with Ramin Karimloo who plays the lead role of the Phantom of the Opera.

Awards host Melvyn Bragg said: "I could not be more pleased that Andrew has chosen to bring the world premiere of Love Never Dies to the South Bank Show Awards”.

The South Bank Show Awards will take place at London's Dorchester hotel on Tuesday January 26th and be broadcast on ITV1 on Sunday January 31st.

Love Never Dies opens at the Adelphi Theatre with its press night on Tuesday 9th March.  Previews are scheduled to start on Saturday 20th February. 

Neil Sedaka’s Laughter in the Rain hopes to come to London

Laughter in the Rain is a  new musical based on the songs of Neil Sedaka which starts touring at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on 1st March.  When the tour finishes at the beginning of July it is anticipated that it will  be moving into the West End.

Bill Kenwright is the producer in charge of the tour and describes  Laughter in the Rain as a "brand new show based on the rise, fall and rise again of pop music’s ultimate survivor... Neil Sedaka".  It features most of Sedaka’s most popular hits (of which there are plenty) including "Oh, Carol", "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen", "Solitaire", "Calendar Girl", "Amarillo" and "Laughter in the Rain".

New Musical by Abba’s Benny & Bjorn

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus from Abba have already written the hugely successful musicals Chess and Mamma Mia!, and are now presenting the UK premiere of the concert version of their new musical Kristina.

It can be seen at the Royal Albert Hall for one night only at 19:30 on Wednesday 14th April.  For the concert version the English lyrics have been written by Björn Ulvaeus and Herbert Kretzmer (who wrote the English lyrics for Les Misérables),

Kristina will feature a cast of over 30 performers accompanied by a 50-piece Symphony Orchestra and choir. .  The cast will be led by Helen Sjöholm who originally performed the part at Carnegie Hall, along with Russell Watson, Louise Pitre and Kevin Odekirk.

Kristina is about a Swedish woman and her family's struggle and their emigration to America to find a better life. Originally produced in Sweden, this show has won awards and is the most popular musical theatre piece in Swedish history.

Singalong With Mamma Mia!

This Sunday 24th January the O2 arena will host the biggest screening and singalong ever of Mamma Mia! A giant 100 ft screen has been specially built so that 12,000 fans of the movie and musical can watch it and singalong.

The audience are asked dressed to impress in their Mamma Mia! gear and as a special bonus the entire London cast of the hit stage show currently on at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s West End  will be there to give a unique performance before the screening.

Mamma Mia! will be shown twice at The O2 on Sunday at 24 January at 14:30 and 18:30.  To book tickets visit  Mamma Mia Singalong Tickets

Maria Friedman Signing New Album at Dress Circle on 10th April

Maria Friedman will be at Dress Circle in Monmouth Street  on Saturday, 10th April  at 13:00 to sign copies of her new album Maria Friedman - Celebrates The Great British Songbook.  This collection was first presented last February at London’s Shaw Theatre during Feinstein’s At The Shaw season.

You can also see Miss Friedman in concert later this year in  The Magical World of Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Barbican Hall on Sunday 14th March and at Stephen Sondheim's 80th Birthday Gala at the Cadogan Hall on Saturday 3rd April.

Musicals & Concerts with Sunday Performances

If you are kicking your heels in London on a Sunday and want to go and see a musical or concert, then check out Musical Theatre News which provides a list of all the Sunday performances either running or scheduled to open in the capital. 

You can also find out performance times, how to get to the theatre and book tickets online.

Sweet Charity to transfer to Wyndham's Theatre?

The Menier Chocolate Factory's revival of Sweet Charity with Tamzin Outhwaite playing Charity Hope Valentine is rumoured for a West End transfer into the Wyndham's Theatre in the Spring.

The timing fits as An Inspector Calls is currently playing at Wyndhams and due to close on 13th March with Sweet Charity finishing its run at the Chocolate Factory on 7th March.

We Will Rock You Tour at 02 Arena in Dublin

The tour of We Will Rock You which is currently playing at the Dominion Theatre on Tottenham Court Road in London, opens tonight at the 02 Arena in Dublin and runs until the end of the month.

The show has already been performed in Manchester, Sunderland, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh with a cast including Kevin Kennedy who plays Pop and is pictured left and unrecognisable as Curly Watts in Coronation Street , Brenda Edwards (X Factor semi finalist) as Killer Queen and Jonathan Wilkes as Khashoggi.

Bollywood Spectacular at Sadlers Wells

The Merchants Of Bollywood  is making a limited run at the Peacock Theatre at Sadlers Wells in Holborn from 19th May-5th June.

A theatrical dance spectacular, The Merchants of Bollywood is a dance spectacular charting  the history of the world’s largest and most prolific film industry and its huge dynasty of stars.

With a cast of 40 performers, this high-energy and uplifting show is a riot of swirling colours, fabulous music and sensational dance scenes choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant

To find out performance times and book tickets visit www.sadlerswells.com

Blaze is a New Street Dance Musical

Blaze is a brand new street dance sensation which will have its world premiere at the Peacock Theatre in Holborn before starting an international tour. It runs from 16th - 28th March.

Blaze is a mix of nightclub vibes, West End musical and a raw music gig. It offers a high-energy show of non-stop dance from some of the world's hottest DJs, B-Boys and street dancers.

The show is directed by Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia! and Sister Act) and features 14 of the best street dancers and breakers in the world and choreography from some of the hottest names in popular dance.  There are some stunning set designs by Es Devlin who worked with Kanye West, Mika, Take That, Pet Shop Boys and the forthcoming Lady Gaga tour.

For performance times and ticket prices visit www.sadlerswells.com

Hal Prince & Susan Stroman to direct “Paradise Found”

The musical "Paradise Found," which is being co-directed by Broadway legends Hal Prince and Susan Stroman, is due to preview at London's Menier Chocolate Factory in the spring before transferring to Broadway.

The Producers of the show ( John Cullum, Mandy Patinkin (pictured), Shuler Hensley, Judy Kaye and Emily Skinner)  are all expected to take lead roles.

Prince expects to go into rehearsal on April 12th for Paradise Found.   It is then planned to at the Chocolate Factory for just seven weeks.

"Paradise Found" is based on the novel, "The Tale of the 1002nd Night," which tells the story of an impotent Shah (Cullum) with 139 wives. The ruler's eunuch (Patinkin) convinces him to travel to Vienna, where the Shah falls in love with the empress of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Still no booking news on the Menier Chocolate Factory’s website so watch this space …

Keira Knightley not a Fair Lady after all

Keira Knightley, who is currently making her stage debut in The Misanthrope at the Comedy Theatre, will not play Eliza Doolittle in the new Cameron Mackintosh and Duncan Kenworthy movie version of My Fair Lady.

Miss Knightley has been discussing the possibility of recreating the role of the Covent Garden flower girl played originally (and so memorably) by Audrey Hepburn, over the past two years. During this time she had singing lessons and sang for Mackintosh but was never officially offered the part. It is now believed she feels the project is taking too long to get off the ground and has therefore withdrawn.

Despite rumours of an American actress such as Scarlett Johansson and Anne Hathaway being in the running to play Eliza, the film-makers are insistent the role will go to a British actress and now Carey Mulligan (pictured)  has been asked to meet director John Madden. Other actresses being considered include Gemma Arterton and Emily Blunt.

Filming on My Fair Lady is expected to begin on location in London later in the year

Stephanie J. Block London Concert

Stephanie J. Block in Concert will be playing at the New Players Theatre in London on Sunday 28th February 2010 at 18:00 and 20:30.

Miss Block is perhaps best known for her Helen Hayes Award winning performance as Elphaba in ‘Wicked’ on the US Tour. She has created a number of roles on Broadway in ‘The Boy from Oz’, ‘Pirate Queen’ and ‘9 to 5’.

Stephanie has performed in concerts all over America and recently was a special guest at Scott Alan’s sold out London Concerts. 

Her concert at the New Players will feature a selection of songs from her debut album ‘This Place I Know’ accompanied by a four-piece band and West End performers Annalene Beechey and Oliver Tompsett. 

Tickets are £30 and can be purchased by calling 020 7478 0135 or online at www.NewPlayersTheatre.com

Wicked! Witches Cast Change

Rachel Tucker is to take over the role of the green-skinned Elphaba in Wicked! at the Apollo Victoria Theatre on 29th March.  Her last West End appearance was in We Will Rock You and she was also one of the finalists in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s I’d Do Anything BBC show searching for a Nancy to play in Oliver!

Rachel will be opening with a new good witch Glinda being played by Louise Dearman, who she has already appeared with spoofing the same roles in the satirical sketch show, Jest End.

The current London Wicked! company is led by Alexia Khadime (Elphaba), Dianne Pilkington (Glinda), Harriet Thorpe (Madame Morrible), Oliver Thompsett (Fiyero) and Sam Kelly playing the Wizard.

Melanie C has to cover up for Blood Brothers

Ex Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm has received rave reviews for her performance as Mrs Johnson in Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers in London’s West End.

But she has one small problem …. the role and characterisation do not accommodate her famous body art, which includes a large Celtic cross and band on each arm. So Mel C has to arrive early at the Phoenix Theatre to give her time to disguise her 11 tattoos which she has to cover with camouflage cream.

Sondheim’s 80th Birthday Gala Celebration

If you want a real treat get yourself a ticket for this special show being presented at the Cadogan Hall in London on Saturday 3rd April at 7.30pm.

The concert will feature vocalists Maria Friedman, Daniel Evans and Graham Bickley accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with David Firman as Musical Director.

They will present a great evening featuring the very best of Stephen Sondheim from his award-winning shows including Sweeney Todd, Follies and  Into the Woods including the classic songs Send in the Clowns, Losing My Mind, Agony and Being Alive.  There is also a brand new UK première which has been specially written for Sondheim’s 80th birthday!

For more information visit Musical Theatre News Concerts

Jessie Buckley at Pizza on the Park

Jessie Buckley was one the finalists of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for Oliver!’s Nancy in I’d do Anything and has most recently appeared in the Menier Chocolate Factory’s acclaimed production of Sondheim’s “A Little night Music”.

She makes her Pizza on the Park debut with a week of romantic performances celebrating Valentine’s Week on February 9th, 10th, 11th and 13th at 8.30 pm. She will be backed by celebrated pianist Joe Thompson and bassist Rob Rickenberg.

Jersey Boys to perorm on Sundays

The award-winning Broadway musical Jersey Boys, which is playing in London's West End at the Prince Edward Theatre,  will perform Sunday matinees at 15:00 from 17th January.

The amended performance schedule at the Prince Edward Theatre is now Tuesdays to Saturdays at 19:30, with three matinee performances on Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday at 15:00

Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest pop music sensations of all time. They sold 175 million records worldwide before they were thirty with numbers including Sherry, Walk Like A Man, Big Girls Don't Cry and Can't Take My Eyes Off You

The London cast is currently headed by Ryan Molloy/Scott Monello  playing Frankie Valli with Stephen Ashfield, Glenn Carter and Philip Bulcock providing the remaining vocals for the Four Seasons.

Doris Day’s Sentimental Journey Musical

The  Hollywood legend Doris Day has provided the inspiration for the bio-musical, “Sentimental Journey” which tells her life story takes its title from her first number one chart hit.

The musical will run for four weeks from 11th March to 4th April,2010 (previews from 9th March) at Wilton’s Music Hall which is in East London near Tower Bridge and St. Katherine's Dock. It was originally performed last spring at the Mill at Sonning.

Doris Day’s story is a fascinating one: described as a vivacious blonde with a wholesome image many do not realise what a  tough time she had with a car accident when she was just 13 threatening to end her dancing career, and by the time she was 17 she was married to a psychopathic bully. When her third husband died she discovered he had left her with a debt of half a million dollars.

A Sentimental Journey tells her  story, featuring many of the most famous songs including “Move Over Darling”, “The Deadwood Stage”, “Secret Love”, “Little Girl Blue”  “Que Sera Sera”, “Young at Heart” and of course “Sentimental Journey”.

Sally Hughes stars at Doris Day with West End performers Glyn Kerslake, Ian McLarnon, Elizabeth Elvin and Mark Halliday also in the cast.

Now it’s Cannibal! The Musical

It seems that 2010 is the year of the bloodthirsty musical:  after just announcing Silence! The Musical (based on the Jodie Foster/Tony Hopkins films about Hannibal Lecter) you can now see Cannibal! The Musical at the Basement Studio in Leicester Square Theatre in London’s West End from 27th July-10th September.

Cannibal! The Musical is an adaptation of the 1996 cult film by Trey Parker (creator of South Park which he originally wrote as a three-minute sequence for his film class while he was a student at the University of Colorado). It is described as a “cannibalistic comedy cowboy musical” and the “most terrifying and hilarious musical since The Sound of Music”.  It was first seen Off-Broadway in 2001 and also appeared at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe.

It is set in Colorado during the 1800s and tells the true story of gold prospector Alfred Packer who was convicted of cannibalism after a group he was in set out in snow-covered Rocky Mountains searching for gold but lost their way and found starvation instead! 

Former Union Army solder Packer is said to have eaten his five companions to survive. Packer was convicted of manslaughter despite claiming that one of his companions, Shannon Wilson Bell, killed the other four and that he only killed Bell in self-defence.

Remains of The Day Musical

A musical adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Booker Prize-winning novel The Remains of the Day will premiere  from August 31st to September 25th at the Union Theatre in Southwark.

The novel has already been adapted for a  film starring Anthony Hopkins and a BBC radio play with Ian McDiarmid, but this production this will mark its stage debut.

The musical will have 9 in the cast with 4 musicians. It includes 17 musical numbers and  is being produced by Simon James Collier in association with Fallen Angel Theatre Company and Poppy Ben-David.

Auditions for New National Youth Theatre for Musicals

The Award-Winning New National Youth Theatre for Musicals is auditioning for a production of Guys and Dolls at the Lowry Theatre in August 2010.

If you are you between 13 and 23 years of age and can dance, sing and  act  you are welcome to attend auditions which will be held  in London on 17th January between 11:00-15:00 at The Factory Gym and Dance Studios 407 Hornsey Road, London, N19 4DX (210 or 91 bus. Archway or Finsbury Park tube station).

Liverpool on 23rd January between. 13:00-17:00 at Black-E 1 Great George Street, Liverpool L1 5EW (5 minutes from Liverpool centre)

Manchester on 24th January between 11:00-15:00 at Chethams School of Music Long Millgate, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 1SB (by Victoria Station)

Contact Lee for an audition form at  www.thecompanymusictheatre.org.uk

Silence! The Musical

Silence! is an unauthorised musical parody of the Anthony Hopkins/Jodie Foster film “Silence of the Lambs”.

It  tells the story of  FBI agent Clarice Starling using her relationship with Dr. Hannibal Lecter to hunt serial killer Buffalo Bill. Silence! uses the film's dialogue into a full-scale musical, with singing serial killers, songs with unprintable titles and a chorus of tap-dancing lambs. It contains strong language and is not suitable for under 15 year olds.

Silence! Is being presented  at  Above the Stag Theatre, 15 Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DD  (Victoria tube 100 metres away) from 19th January-28th February with performances Tuesday-Saturday at 19:30 and Sunday at 18:30.  To book tickets visit www.abovethestag.com

Cast for Hairspray Tour

As previously mentioned, Les Dennis will play Wilbur Turnblad opposite Michael Ball, Brian Conley and Phill Jupitus (who will all share the role of Edna Turnblad) in the touring production of Hairspray the Musical.  It kicks off with Michael Ball at the Millennium Centre Cardiff on 30th March.

Laurie Scarth will play their daughter Tracy, with Danny Bayne as Corny Collins, Sandra Marvin as Motormouth Maybelle and Liam Doyle as Link Larkin.

The tour of Hairspray is booking until January 2011 covering venues up and down the country.

The west end version of Hairspray the Musical is currently booking at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 21st December 2010.

Update on Love Never Dies

This  sequel to Phantom of the Opera has so far taken £8.5 million in advance ticket sales with plenty of time for that figure to almost double with  previews starting on 20th February and the opening night at the  Adelphi Theatre on 9th March.

Rehearsals are under way with the full company due to assemble next week at a rehearsal complex in South London.  In the centre of the largest rehearsal hall is a giant revolve resembling the one that is about to be installed at the Adelphi.

The principals (Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess and Summer Strallen) already know their roles well because they worked on the show's concept album.  There will be a CD released around the same time as the official first night of Love Never Dies.

The designer Bob Crowley is having the backdrops made in the paint room at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the incredible Coney Island roller-coaster and fairground is being built backstage at the Adelphi

New John Barrowman CD Released in February

John Barrowman finishes his pantomime run as Robin Hood at Cardiff on 24th January in time to promote the release of his third album on February 22nd. The CD is simply entitled John Barrowman and will be released by Arista.

The disc features a plethora of songs from the musicals including Peter Allen's "Don't Cry Out Loud" and "When I Get My Name in Lights" (The Boy From Oz), Jerry Herman's "I Won't Send Roses" (Mack and Mabel), Maury Yeston's "Unusual Way" (Nine) and "My Eyes Adored You" and "Oh What a Night" (Jersey Boys). He also duets with Jody Prenger (Nancy in Oliver!) on “So Close" from Enchanted.

John Barrowman’s previous solo recordings are Another Side and Music Music Music.

Dancing on Wheels ...!

Although it doesn’t fall under my remit of Musical Theatre, I have simply got to mention BBC3 who has commissioned a programme called “Dancing on Wheels” – yes really.

It will feature celebrities who are desperate to revive their flagging careers by partnering wheelchair users and learning the art of Wheelchair Dance Sport.  The pay off is that one couple will represent the UK at the Wheelchair Dance Sport European Championships. 

All very worthy I’m sure – but when are these “celebrity” self promotion TV shows ever going to stop …?

West End Musicals OfferingTicket Exchanges due to Bad Weather

With the snow continuing to fall in London, several West End musicals are offering theatregoers struggling to get into the capital the option to exchange their tickets for another performance. No shows have yet been cancelled due to the weather.

At the moment the following musicals are offering exchanges (subject to availability): The Dark Angel, A Christmas Carol, We Will Rock You (restricted to performances within two weeks), The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Thriller - Live, Priscilla, Sister Act, Grease, Hairspray, Little Voice, Mamma Mia!, Les Miserables and Avenue Q.

Legally Blonde which has only just opened at the Savoy Theatre  is offering exchanges to theatregoers who live outside of London.

In the rest of the country a number of regional venues have been heavily hit, with several shows affected last night. Ticket holders due to attend performances this evening are advised to contact the theatre for further information before travelling.

Toby Anstis Guest Stars as Teen Angel in Grease

Heart FM radio presenter Toby Anstis describes himself as probably one of the world’s biggest fans of Grease, and to prove this he is due to make his West End debut later this month playing the Teen Angel in the production currently playing at the Piccadilly Theatre.

He is appearing for a limited ten-week season with the rest of the show’s new cast members, including Siobhan Dillon who will be playing Sandy,  from 25th January 2010.

I cannot find any reference to Anstis’ singing prowess (the part in the film was originally played by the original “Teen Angel” Frankie Avalon) and the one number he has to sing does require him to have a singing voice … so I suspect he is having some fairly intense vocal coaching at the moment!

Events for Stephen Sondheim’s 80th Birthday

As many musical theatre afficionados are only too aware, 2010 is a very special year as Stephen Sondheim celebrates his 80th Birthday on March 22nd.

Below is some advance information on some of the events taking place in the London area to mark this special occasion:

17th February Olivier Theatre at the National – platform performance with Stephen Sondheim platform talking about a life spent meticulously “putting it together”. 

10th March-17th April – Anyone Can Whistle at the Jermyn Street Theatre.

21st March at 13:00 Elaine Paige presents a two hour show on Radio2 devoted to Sondheim

Sondheim 80th Birthday Concerts at 19.30 on Saturday April 3rd at the Cadogan Hall, London and Sunday April 4th at the Royal & Derngate Theatre Northampton.  Featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with soloists Maria Friedman and Graham Bickley.

Sunday 11th April – Sondheim 80th Birthday Gala at the London Palladium 

August 5th-11th September Open Air Theatre, Regents Park – Into the Woods directed by Timothy Sheader 

Dirty Dancing Valentine’s Charity Gala

After raising over £40,000 last year for disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people in London, the West End musical Dirty Dancing will present its fourth Valentine’s Day Charity Gala on Saturday 13th February at 19:30 (there is no performance on Sunday). 

Money is being raised in aid of radio station Magic 105.4’s Cash for Kids.  This is London’s “more music, less talk” station attracting over 2 million listeners every week. Cash for Kids is a charity which supports children under the age of 18 who are financially, socially, emotionally or physically disadvantaged within the Magic 105.4 region. The radio station’s breakfast presenter Neil Fox and drive time presenter Angie Greaves will be hosting the event at the Aldwych Theatre.

Money raised from this performance will enable Cash for Kids to launch a “Time of Your Life Dance Academy” for local schools and youth groups, highlighting the positive physical and emotional benefits of dance. 

On the night each audience member will receive an exclusive Dirty Dancing Gift bag and one member of the audience will win a holiday for two to the original Dirty Dancing movie location in North Carolina.