Wednesday, March 31

Casting for Sondheim’s Into the Woods

Hannah Waddingham and Jenna Russell will be appearing at the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park  this summer as part of the celebrations for Stephen Sondheim’s 80th birthday.

Both actresses are no stranger to Sondheim musicals with Waddingham appearing in last year’s Menier Chocolate Factory production of A Little Night Music, and Russell won an Olivier for Sunday in the Park with George in the West End and then transferred with the show to Broadway.

Hannah Waddingham  will play the Witch and Jenna Russell will play the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods which runs from 11th August to 11th September (previews from 5th August).

Other company members  confirmed so far include: Marc Antolin, Valda Aviks, Billy Boyle, Gaye Brown, Sophie Caton, Alice Fearn, Mark Goldthorp, Amy Griffiths, Mark Hadfield, Amy Ellen Richardson, Ben Stott and Gemma Wardle.

Billy Elliot Celebrates its 5th Birthday

Tonight is the fifth birthday of Billy Elliott the Musical and 19 Billy Elliots (from the past, present and future) will appear together on stage in celebration.

The three men responsible for Billy Elliott,  Stephen Daldry (director), Lee Hall (writer) and Elton John (composer) will join current and former cast members and their families for what promises to be an emotional night at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

Since the musical opened five years ago 22 boys have played the part of Billy on the London stage. A Sydney version of the show followed in 2007 and the hugely successful Broadway version (which won 10 Tonys) in 2008. Next is Chicago, from where Daldry has just returned for tonight’s very special show.

The show has become a global success and is still due to open in South Korea (August), Japan (2011), Germany and Holland. Part of the challenge for future productions will be finding the dialect equivalent of Geordie in countries like Japan.

Stephen Daldry said: “We're getting back as many as we can of the kids who performed in London. I suppose you'd call the finale we're planning a Billy megamix.” A lot of these boys have now grown up, with the oldest being 20 and appearing in Dirty Dancing.

Tuesday, March 30

Broadway Star June Havoc Dies

The actress June Havoc has passed away at the age of 96. Her childhood of archetypal stage daughter pushed to stardom by her overbearing mother was the inspiration for Baby June in the Broadway musical Gypsy which was based on the life of her older sister the stripper Gypsy Rose Lee.

Born in Vancouver, Havoc began treading the boards as a two year old Vaudeville performer known as "Dainty June, the Darling of Vaudeville".

She appeared in over 20 films and 22 Broadway plays including Cole Porter’s Mexican Hayride and Pal Joey, in which she appeared with Gene Kelly and Van Johnson. Her last Broadway appearance came in the early 1980s when she took on the role of Miss Hannigan in Annie.

This all led to her becoming a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and receiving a double honouree on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the star of several silent films.

Miss Havoc wrote four plays, one of which - 1963's Marathon '33 - won her a Tony nomination as best director, and two widely read autobiographies, including Early Havoc and More Havoc.

Wicked! New Cast

Wicked! said goodbye to Alexia Khadime and Dianne Pilkington on Saturday night, with a record-breaking final performance at the box office at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

They are replaced by Rachel Tucker and Louise Dearman as Elphaba and Glinda amongst a new company that also includes Lewis Bradley as Fiyero (before Lee Mead joins on May 10th), Julie Legrand as Madame Morrible, Clive Carter as The Wizard, Cassandra Compton as Nessarose, Julian Forsyth as Doctor Dillamond and George Ure as Boq.

Rachel Tucker has previously played Meat in We Will Rock You at the West End's Dominion Theatre, in which she also understudied the role of Scaramouche, which she played on many occasions.

Louise Dearman recently played the title role in Cinderella opposite Mickey Rooney at Milton Keynes Theatre. She has played Eva Peron in the recent UK national tour of Evita and in the West End has appeared in Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Lee Mead is currently touring in Oscar Wilde's Lord Arthur Savile's Crime until 24th April.  He was last seen in the West End playing the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Casting for Evita Tour

As previously blogged, Abigail Jaye is playing the lead role (to rave reviews) in Bill Kenwright’s UK and European tour of Evita. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical is running at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley until 10th April before it embarks on a European tour.

The charismatic Mark Powell is playing Ché Guevara and in make-up and costume, he looks very much like the legendary revolutionary. His fabulous voice and the chemistry between him and Abigail create some real electricity.

Mark Heenehan gives an assured performance as Juan Perón.  The very dodgy politics that bring him to power are cleverly represented by a deadly game of musical chairs during the song The Art of the Possible.  During this number Perón disposes of his rivals and takes control of Argentina.

Monday, March 29

Paul Nicholas to Play Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance Tour

Carla Rosa Opera and Orchestra are presenting a short tour of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance with Paul Nicholas taking the role of the Pirate King. His many West End theatre credits include Blondel, the original London production of Hair, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Grease

The tour starts at the Theatre Royal Brighton on 6th April and visits Bromley, Bath, Milton Keynes, Newcastle and Truro before finishing in Sheffield on 12th June.

For more details of the tour of the Pirates of Penzance click on the link

Marcus Brigstocke Cast as Spamalot’s Arthur

Comedian Marcus Brigstocke is due to make his musical theatre debut playing King Arthur in the UK tour of Spamalot which kicks off at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 29 May and currently ends at the Birmingham Alexandra on 1st January 2011.

Brigstocke will appear as Arthur until 14th August with his final show at the Liverpool Empire.   As previously blogged Jodie Prenger will play the Lady of the Lake in Wimbledon, Bromley, Brighton and Manchester. Further casting and tour dates are still to be announced.

Marcus Brigstocke is one of the top names on the comedy and touring circuit. He appeared in his latest stand-up show God Collar at the Vaudeville Theatre last month. He is also a regular BBC Radio 4 programmes in the The Now Show and Just a Minute. His television  credits include Argumental, The Late Edition, I’ve Never Seen Star Wars, QI, The 11 O’Clock Show and Have I Got News for You.

In The Spotlight - Songs From The Musicals

In the Spotlight TourFeaturing songs from musicals ranging from Hammerstein to Sondheim, In the Spotlight-Songs From the Musicals presents Oklahoma! Carousel and My Fair Lady sharing the stage with Wicked, Rent and Spring Awakening.

With a company of 16 performers featuring Faye Tozer (Steps, Tell Me On A Sunday UK Tour, Me & My Girl UK Tour) together with five singers, six dancers and a live band this is the best that musical theatre has to offer.

Find out more about the tour dates of In The Spotlight

Sunday, March 28

Maria Friedman Sings Sondheim Concert

Maria Friedman Sings Sondheim at the Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square on Thursday 5th August and Friday 6th August at 19:30.

Maria Friedman Sings Sondheim features songs from Follies, Into The Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Passion, A Little Night Music and Road Show.

She will be accompanied by Jason Carr on the piano and James Potter on the cello.

Saturday, March 27

Shirley Jones’ Concert to Close Early

The concert performances of Shirley Jones and her son Patrick Cassidy at the Arts Theatre were supposed to run until April 3rd but they will now end on March 27th.

The show opened to bad reviews, but according to the theatre's website they will finish one week early because  Miss Jones has not fully recovered from the serious vocal chords problems she had from her recent 17 night concert tour in the USA.  It was against specialists orders that she came straight to London and after 6 nights here there is no way she can carry on next week.

Miss Jones performances at the Arts Theatre were her first appearance in the UK.

Friday, March 26

Guest Narrators on Rocky Horror Show Tour

Because of Christopher Cazenove’s sad indisposition the guest narrators have now changed on the tour of the Rocky Horror Show with Nigel Planer and Maxwell Caulfield taking over at some of the theatres.

You can view the revised schedule of Rocky Horror Show Tour Guest Narrators by clicking on the link.

Further casting for Sondheim’s Passion at the Donmar

It has just been announced that Scarlett Strallen and David Thaxton will join Elena Roger in the Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine musical Passion which opens at the Donmar Warehouse on September 10th.

Scarlett  Strallen has appeared in the Music Man at Chichester, and played Mary Poppins in the West end opposite Gavin Creel who is about to play Claude in the new production of Hair that's due to preview at the Gielgud Theatre on 1st April.

David Thaxton (pictured) is currently playing Enjolras in Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre. Playing Giorgio in Passion will be his first major leading role.  Director Jamie Lloyd said Passion’s casting and musical directors told him to listen to Thaxton, who he thinks is exceptional and along with Scarlett fits the bill perfectly for the younger sexier cast which goes back to the movie Passione D'amore. 

Rehearsals start on 2nd August with Sondheim attending.  He has been collaborating with Lloyd and wants to distil some of the material to make the piece more “dangerous and sexy”.

Thursday, March 25

Go Over the Rainbow Tomorrow

Over the Rainbow is the latest next live talent show being launched by Andrew Lloyd Webber to find a West End leading lady to play Dorothy for his production of the Wizard of Oz. 

It starts tomorrow with the first two TV shows on Friday and Saturday showing highlights from the auditions when 9,000 hopefuls were scaled down to the final ten. Then starting on Saturday 3rd April for eight weeks a would-be Dorothy will be voted off by the viewers until the final show on May 22nd when the winner is named.

On BBC1 this Friday at 21:00 you can see thousands of girls being auditioned from all over the country until a final 50 were selected. The shortlist then had the dubious honour of attending Dorothy Farm where the panel of Charlotte Church, John Partridge and Sheila Hancock picked the final girls who so long to wear  the gingham dress and ruby slippers.

The second show on Saturday at 18:30 is when host Graham Norton transports the finalists to the magical kingdom of Oz to perform in a singing and dancing extravaganza which marks the final stage of the preliminary audition process.

The final Dorothys then have to convince Lord Lloyd Webber and his panel that they have the essential qualities required to continue along the yellow brick road to West End stardom.

Also on hand to share their expertise are West End leading ladies: Ruthie Henshall (Chicago), Mel C (Blood Brothers), Kerry Ellis (We Will Rock You) Tamzin Outhwaite (Sweet Charity) and Sheridan Smith (Legally Blonde).

Roald Dahl’s Matilda, a Musical

 

The Royal Shakespeare Company will be presenting the musical version of Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s novel Matilda as one of the final productions at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Courtyard Theatre from 9th  November 2010 to 30th  January 2011. Booking opens on 21st April.

Matilda is a dark tale about a  truly remarkable little girl who is mistreated and underappreciated at home.  She takes sanctuary in the local Library where she reads all the children’s books and then moves on to the adult ones, much to the amazement of the librarian, who helps her develop her growing passion for reading and learning

When Matilda realises she has special powers she embarks on a mission to get back at her parents.

Matilda eventually goes to school, where she meets her class teacher Miss Honey.  They get along wonderfully and Miss Honey allows Matilda to further develop her growing intellect and over the course of her first term at school they have a profound effect on each other’s lives.

Matilda, A Musical  is being directed by Matthew Warchus. The book is by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Australian comedian Tim Minchin.

Hair Complete Cast Details

Luther Creek, Phyre Hawkins, Kevin Kern and Crystal Joy will join most of the original Broadway revival cast of Hair when the Tony-winning production opens at the Gielgud Theatre in London. Previews start on April 1st and the show opens on April 14th.

Most of the original 2009 Broadway revival cast of Hair, including a few replacements from the New York run, will be performing in the London revival, which reunites Tony-nominated director Diane Paulus and the Broadway creative team.

Luther Creek will play Woof. He toured in the 1994 production of Hair and appeared as Bobby Strong in the Broadway production of Urinetown. Broadway revival cast member Bryce Ryness is not appearing in the London production. Other American actors making the trip are Kevin Kern (Wicked), Phyre Hawkins (The Color Purple) and Crystal Joy (Legally Blonde), who will join as tribe members.

Broadway cast members re-creating their work for the West End run are Tony nominees Gavin Creel as Claude and Will Swenson as Berger, as well as Sasha Allen as Dionne, Caissie Levy as Sheila, Allison Case as Crissy, Kacie Sheik as Jeanie, Darius Nichols as Hud, Megan Lawrence as Mother and Andrew Kober as Margaret Mead/Dad.

Tribe members also include Steel Burkhardt, Brianna Carlson, Matt De Angelis, Lauren Elder, Allison Guinn, Anthony Hollock, Kevin Kern John Moauro, Ato Blankson-Wood, Brandon Pearson, Hannah Shankman, Maya Sharpe, Kaitlin Kiyan, Megan Reinking and Michael James Scott.

Sinatra “Live” at the London Palladium

Stephen Triffit plays Frank Sinatra at the London Palladium on Sunday 30th May at 19:30.  Stephen is considered to be the world’s finest Frank Sinatra performer, playing him in ‘The Main Event,’ in Atlantic City and Las Vegas as well as in London in the West End run of ‘The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas”.

The Frank Sinatra Concert  is set in the lounge of the Copa Room at a time when Ol’ Blue Eyes was at his peak vocally. Stephen is backed by a 17 piece big band orchestra and presents some of Sinatra’s most loved numbers including “Under My Skin”, “Come Fly with Me” and “My Kind of Town”, together with some of the less often heard songs like “Get Me to the Church on Time”.  These are mixed with the famous ‘saloon’ ballads so that the show demonstrates all the different guises this master adopted.

Beyond the Barricade Concert Tour Dates

Beyond the Barricade is currently on a countrywide UK concert tour until the end of this year.

The show presents original West End hit songs performed by a cast of past principal performers from Les Miserables and other musicals.

Beyond the Barricade’s new 2010 production features songs from Miss Saigon, The Lion King, Phantom Of the Opera and many more major hits ending with a spectacular finale from Les Miserables.

Find out more about Beyond the Barricade Concert Tour dates here.

Wednesday, March 24

Priscilla Celebrates Her First Birthday

The company and creatives of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert has had good reason to celebrate this week as they got a costume design award at the Oliviers on Sunday and have also been in the West End for a year.  To celebrate their first birthday they  treated visitors to the Palace Theatre with specially designed Priscilla cupcakes.

Jason Donovan is proud to have been in the show for a year, but he will be hanging up his frocks and handing over his wigs on 29th  May, when he leaves the show to join the cast of  Jeff Wayne’s War Of The Worlds Arena tour.

Chess 2010 Tour Dates

A few tour dates have been announced for Craig Revell Horwood’s Tour of Chess the Musical which opens at Newcastle in August.

They are: Newcastle Theatre Royal-27th August-11th September:  Aberdeen His Majesty's Theatre October 5th-9th: Southampton Mayflower Theatre 16th-20th November and Nottingham Theatre Royal 22nd-27th November.

Casting still to be announced.
Chess in Concert

Tuesday, March 23

Duncan James to Leave Legally Blonde

Duncan James is currently playing Warner Huntingdon in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre but he will be lleaving the show in June.  

Although the producers  asked him to extend his contract until October, the former Blue heartthrob has lots of other things that he wants to pursue, but he did not rule out a return to the role in the future.

Casting news for 42nd Street at Chichester

As already mentioned, Kathryn Brock will be appearing in 42nd Street at the Chichester Festival Theatre from 21st June – 28th August.  She will be joined by Oliver Brenin (Billy Lawlor), Alan Burkitt (Andy Lee), Lisa Donmall (Ann Reilly), Steve Fortune (Abner Dillon), Jane Fowler (Diane), Steve Houghton (Pat Denning), Chris Howell (Bert Barry), Lucinda Lawrence (Gladys), Kate Nelson (Phyllis Dale), Louise Plowright (Maggie Jones), Pippa Raine (Lorraine Fleming) and Nancy Wei George as Ethel.

Dancers cast so far are: Karen Aspinall, Luke Fetherston, Matthew Malthouse, Jason Winter and Gary Wood as male swing.

Friday, March 19

Jodie Prenger Searching for Toto

As she prepares to leave the role of Nancy in Oliver! and start thinking about playing the Lady of the Lake in the tour of Spamalot which starts on 29th May,  Jodie Prenger is also preparing to find a Toto for Andrew Lloyd-Webber's latest show Over The Rainbow.

Jodie will lead the search for Toto in April at two open audition days. Viewers will be able to follow the progress of the dogs across the series, but they will have to be good to win over Andrew Lloyd Webber who is well known for preferring cats!

Arlene Phillips to Choreograph Flashdance

Arlene Phillips wants strong girls with high energy and strong thighs for Flashdance The Musical which she is choreographing to open in London’s West End this autumn.  The new dance routines will require some very powerful dancers so no fragile or size zero dancers should apply!  And anyone who has worked with Arlene will be aware that she is a perfectionist who knows just what she wants ….

Arlene worked on a touring production of Flashdance last year, but she is changing the dance routines completely for the West End. The touring production was put together in a hurry with four weeks from rehearsal to opening, but this time the creative team have the time to get it as they want it with the show opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 27th September and booking until 26th February 2011.

Brendan Cole - Live and Unjudged at Palace Theatre

Brendan Cole  (the bad boy of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing) is joined by special guests at Live and Unjudged the Palace Theatre on Sunday 30th May at 7.30pm.

Live and Unjudged is full-on high energy dance dynamite which is up close and personal as you might expect with Brendan. It offers some very glamorous costumes and championship dancers accompanied by a 14-piece band with Brendan doing some (surprisingly good) singing.

Joining Brendan are his brother Scott Cole and four former Strictly Come Dancing pros: Nicole Cutler, Izabela Hannah, Andrew Cuerden and Hanna Haraala.

The show offers every style of ballroom and Latin dance from Brendan and his dancers performing to music and songs from Robert Palmer, Michael Jackson, Prince, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan, Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Michael Buble, Kenny Rogers, Stevie Wonder and Robbie Williams.

Find out more  and book tickets here for Brendan Cole - Live and Unjudged

Michael Ball to Star in Shrek the Musical?

Apparently Michael Ball is discussing playing the title role in the musical Shrek which is expected in London’s West End next year. If  he and the producers can strike a deal (he will be asking for something in the range of £40,000 to £50,000 a week)  then they will have a major draw as Ball puts bums on seats as displayed with Hairspray. After he left that show ticket sales dropped dramatically.

Shrek the Musical has a short run on Broadway, but the producers have always believed it would do better here as the movies and DVDs are very popular in the UK. The NY production had some incredible illusions and fantastic costumes but not one memorable song.  The book has now been re-written with new music.

Michael Ball is meant to be appearing in Sweeney Todd with Imelda Staunton at Chichester next year so Shrek might not be possible for him.  But there are rumours that Sweeney might not happen anyway.

The Shrek producers, which include Sam Mendes for Neal Street Productions, have yet to find a venue.  They have already looked at the London Palladium but it won’t be available. They have also been to the Palace Theatre which might now be free next year as the musical version of the film Ghost rumoured to be going in there is having problems with the book and score.

Full Cast Announced for Tap Dogs

When the Australian dance show Tap Dogs opens at the Novello Theatre for a limited 12-week season from 5th June to 5th September, the fabulous Adam Garcia will lead the all-male cast. Matthew Papa, Richie Miller, Donovan Helma, Jesse Rasmussen and Jason Lewis.

Dressed in boots and jeans, the six muscular and sexy Tap Dogs tap, stomp, jump and splash their way through a show that offers precision, high energy, and raw and raunchy routines.

John Barrowman back in Tonight’s the Night

John Barrowman’s BBC1 Saturday night show Tonight's The Night has been renewed for a second series. The show will be tied to the National Lottery show and will include the live draws.

Tonight's The Night will be produced by BBC Scotland this summer where John has worked before in the Pacific Quay.   No doubt his enthusiasm for the show and for a return to Glasgow make him even more enthusiastic!

Thursday, March 18

Jessie Buckley in Concert in Highgate

Jessie Buckley, who was a finalist in the BBC1 programme I’d Do Anything and has since been seen at the Menier Chocolate Factory's production of Sondheim’s A Little night Music and in concert at Pizza on the Park is performing her interpretation of the Great American Songbook at Lauderdale House in Highgate on Sunday 21st March.

She is supported by John Jack who has appeared in Shout! (Arts Theatre), Gay School Musical (Above The Stag Theatre) and As You Like It (Royal Lyceum Theatre) and the BBC series Still Game.

To find out more visit: http://whatson.camden.gov.uk

John Barrowman teams up with Krankies for panto

John Barrowman is to appear in pantomime in Aladdin this year with the Krankies at the Clyde Auditorium from Friday 10th December 2010 to Sunday 9th January 2011

Barrowman will play Aladdin, while the cult '80s TV duo are appearing as Chinese policemen. It will be the first time that The Krankies (Janette and Ian Tough) have starred in pantomime in Glasgow since 2004 when they were appearing in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Pavilion Theatre and Janette was injured when she fell from a mechanical beanstalk and fractured her skull.

Wednesday, March 17

Shirley Jones & Patrick Cassidy in Concert

Broadway leading lady Shirley Jones will be making her concert debut in London’s West End from March 22nd-April 3rd at the Arts Theatre.

It has just been announced that she will be joined on stage by her son Patrick Cassidy who has appeared in a number of musical including 42nd Street, Elton john’s Aida, Annie Get your Gun, Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, the Music Man, Carousel, Little Shop of Horrors and Camelot. David Cassidy is Patrick’s half brother and he played Shirley Jones's eldest son, Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family from 1970 to 1974. (Jones is Cassidy's stepmother in real life).

Miss Jones' song list will include "Tonight," "If I Loved You," "A Wonderful Guy," "Send in the Clowns," "Memory," "76 Trombones", "What's the Use of Wonderin'," "When I Fall in Love," "He Touched Me," "He Loves Me," "As Time Goes By," "Can't Help Lovin' That Man," "You Made Me Love You," "Oklahoma!," "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," "People Will Say We're in Love," "Out of My Dreams" and "You'll Never Walk Alone."

For tickets visit: www.artstheatrewestend.com

Jersey Boys Celebrates it Second London Birthday with new cast members

Jersey Boys opened in London’s West End at the Prince Edward Theatre two years ago and will celebrate its second London birthday on March 18.  Joining the cast for the third year of its run will be Jon Boydon playing Tommy DeVito and Eugene McCoy playing Nick Massi.

Jon Boydon has appeared in We Will Rock You, Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show and What A Feeling and Eugene McCoy has played featured roles in Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales Theatre and Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly.

The London cast continues to be headed by Ryan Molloy as Frankie Valli,  Stephen Ashfield as Bob Gaudio with Scott Monello as the alternate Frankie Valli.  They are joined by Simon Adkins (Bob Crewe), Jade Westaby (Mary Delgado), Mark Carroll (Donnie/Knuckles), Jye Frasca (Joe Pesci), Charlie Bull (Lorraine), Michelle Francis (Francine), Tee Jaye (Barry), Stuart Milligan (Gyp Decarlo), Joseph Prouse (Norm Waxman) and James Winter as Hank. Also in the cast are Michael Conway, Ben Evans, Lucinda Gill, Mark Isherwood, Paul Iveson, Zara Warren and Ben Wheeler.  

Tuesday, March 16

Jodie Prenger Joins Tour of Spamalot

Jodie Prenger will leave Oliver! the musical  where she is playing Nancy on 27th March (Kerry Ellis takes over on the 29th) and turn herself into the Lady of Lake in the Monty Python musical comedy Spamalot, which starts its first UK tour at the New Wimbledon Theatre on  29th May.

After Wimbledon the Spamalot Tour will visit Nottingham, Glasgow, Brighton, Bromley, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton, Stoke, Liverpool, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Bristol, Woking, Sunderland, Edinburgh, Oxford, Torquay, York, Milton Keynes and Alexandra, where the current schedule finishes on 1 January 2011. Jodie Prenger will appear in Wimbledon, Bromley, Brighton and Manchester. Further casting and tour dates are still to be announced.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Goes Over the Rainbow on 26th March


Just days after premiering Love Never Dies which was his follow up to Phantom of the Opera, Andrew Lloyd-Webber has gone straight into his next big project: the reality TV competition to cast Dorothy and Toto in The Wizard of Oz

The search for Dorothy commences on Friday 26th March at 21:00 on BBC1. The initial pre-recorded programmes will cover the open auditions which were held in January in Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, Manchester and London. When the short list is in place next month, they will be followed with the live programmes and weekly public votes until the favourite Dorothy and Toto are found.

As with his previous series How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do and I’d Do Anything, Andrew Lloyd Webber is reunited with host Graham Norton.  But there is a new panel of expert judges for Over the Rainbow, comprising actors Sheila Hancock (who is appearing as Mother Superior in Sister Act at the London Palladium), John Partridge (Christian in Eastenders) and singer and chat show host  Charlotte Church.

The Wizard of Oz will be produced in the West End by Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group.  No dates or creative team details have yet been announced, but it is expected to be directed  by Jeremy Sams.

Stephen Sondheim's 80th Birthday Celebrations in the UK

Stephen Sondheim celebrates his 80th birthday next Monday, March 22nd and celebrations taking places in UK theatres and concert halls include:

Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurent’s Anyone Can Whistle is to be presented at the Jermyn Street Theatre  from 10th March to 17th April and will star Issy van Randwyck from Fascinating Aida, David Ricardo-Pearce and Rosalie Craig.

Finishing the Hat  concert at the King’s Head Theatre on Sondheim's actual birthday on  22nd March includes West End performers Aimie Atkinson (Zorro), Lucy May Barker (Spring Awakening), John Barr (Ragtime), Rebecca Caine (Phantom of the Opera), Tim Driesen (Never Forget), Adrian Hansel (Hairspray), Jenna Lee-James (We Will Rock You), Jodie Beth Meyer (High School Musical), Jason Pennycooke (La Cage Aux Folles), Nigel Richards (Les Miserables), Gerard McCarthy (Saturday Night Fever) and  Gabriel Vick (A Little Night Music).

Musical Theatre students attending the concert can bring sheet music of a Sondheim song of their choice which will be put into a hat and the winner drawn out will perform that evening.

Stephen Sondheim's 80th Birthday Gala at the Cadogan Hall in London on Saturday 3rd April at 7.30pm: The concert will feature 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 with vocalists Maria Friedman, Daniel Evans and Graham Bickley accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with David Firman as Musical Director.

A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim Side by Side at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Saturday 10th April: will feature classics from Send in the Clowns, A Little Night Music, West Side Story, Gypsy and Sweeney Todd accompanied by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Carl Davis with soloists Mary Carewe and Graham Bickley.

The Night of 1000 Voices will be held on Sunday 2nd May at the Royal Albert Hall.  In 2010 it will be a triple celebration: honouring the 80th birthday of Stephen Sondheim, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Leukaemia Research and marking the 10th year of this gala.

The Stephen Sondheim musical Passion examines the power of love in a haunting story of desire, sacrifice and redemption.  It runs at the Donmar Warehouse from 10th September - 27th November (Booking opens 12th April)

Into the Woods is based on stories of the Brothers Grimm which Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine have adapted to give a dark and humorous twist.  The famous tales of Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella and Rapunzel (who lets her hair down) are interwoven with the story of the Baker and his Wife who are trying to have children.  It opens at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park on 5th August and runs until 11th September 2010

Sondhem at the Donmar: Thursday 16th September Michael Grandage and Sam Mendes in conversation about staging Sondheim at the Donmar

Stephen Sondheim in Discussion: Monday 11th October - Stephen Sondheim in conversation about his life and work at the Donmar Warehouse

Company: Sunday 31st October  - concert performance at the Donmar Warehouse

Merrily We Roll Along :  Sunday 7th November - concert performance at the Donmar Warehouse

Billy Elliott Celebrates 5 Years In The West End

On 31st March Billy Elliot the Musical will celebrate its fifth birthday at the Victoria Palace Theatre having been seen by over 4.5 million people worldwide.

A special finale will be choreographed for Billy's fifth birthday performance to include 19 past, present and future Billy Elliots.

Since its world premiere 21 boys have played the title role in London, 10 have played Billy in Australia and 9 have played the title role on Broadway. A total of 36 boys, including Jamie Bell who played Billy Elliot in the award-winning film, have now performed the title role.

From 27th March the London cast includes: Rhys Yeomans, Dean-Charles Chapman, Oliver Gardner and Tom Holland who alternate the title role of Billy Elliott  alongside principal cast members Joanna Riding (Mrs Wilkinson), Joe Caffrey (Dad), Craig Gallivan (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), David Nellist (George), Sean Kingsley (Mr Braithwaite), Samantha Seager (Dead Mum) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy).

To celebrate five years in the West End the producers of Billy Elliot launched Billy Youth Theatre which is a new initiative providing schools and youth groups with the opportunity to perform their own productions of a specially adapted version of the show.

A number of the 115 participating groups will be invited to perform excerpts from their productions at regional showcases. Seven theatres will host the showcases throughout May and June: The Lowry (Quay Theatre), Salford, Gala Theatre, Durham, Wycombe Swan Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Brighton Dome (Concert Hall) and the Curve, Leicester. A smaller selection of groups will be offered the opportunity to perform at the Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala at the Victoria Palace Theatre in July 2010.

Rhydian to appear in tour of The War Of The Worlds

X Factor star Rhydian Roberts will appear in a new stadium tour of Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds starring Jason Donovan (who is currently appearing in Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and ex-Atomic Kitten Liz McLarnon

The tour kicks off in Amsterdam on 24th November and runs until 18th December when it finishes at Wembley Arena. Rhydian will appear as Parson Nathaniel which is a role previously played by Russell Watson and Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott.

Rhydian says” "I am a big fan of Jeff Wayne and I grew up listening to the classic album, so it's very special to be performing one of the main roles of Parson Nathaniel - even more so given that I will share the stage with an 11-foot floating 3D hologram of my fellow countryman, Richard Burton, 26 years after his death!"

Simon Burke in West End Premiere of Holding the Man

The West End premiere of the hit Australian play Holding the Man opens at London's Trafalgar Studios on April 23rd and is booking until 3rd July 2010.

Simon Burke, Jane Turner, Oliver Farnsworth, Anna Skellern, Guy Edmonds and Matt Zeremes are all  reprising the roles they originated in the original Australian production.

Simon Burke’s many stage credits include Marius in the original Australian cast of Les Miserables, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Raoul in Phantom of the Opera, Captain von Trapp in the Sound of Music, Carl-Magnus in A Little Night Music and most recently he appeared opposite John Barrowman as Georges in La Cage Aux Follies
Jane Turner is best known for writing, producing and starring as Kath in the hit TV comedy series "Kath and Kim”.

The play revolves around actor and activist Timothy Conigrave being young and gay in 70s Melbourne, where he falls in love with the captain of the football team at an all-male high school. The original book won the United Nations Human Rights Award for Non-Fiction in 1995. The term "Holding the Man" comes from Australian football and refers to a move that incurs a penalty.

The play is directed by David Berthold, director of the original Australian production, and designed by Brian Thomson, most recently known for his design of the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Michael Agosta designs costume and puppets, with lighting deigned by James Whiteside.

To book tickets, contact the box office at 0844 871 7632, or visit www.holdingtheman.co.uk for more details.

Monday, March 15

Billy Bragg makes theatrical debut with Pressure Drop

Billy Bragg and his band will appear in Pressure Drop at the Wellcome Collection from 19 April to 12 May.  The production is described as part play and part gig with original music and songs by Bragg. It is the museum’s first-ever major theatrical production and Bragg’s theatrical debut.

The drama was written by author and director Mick Gordon and is directed by Christopher Haydon. It tells the story of three generations of a white working-class family living in the outskirts of London and follows their attempts to define their individual and family identities.

There is a company of actors joining Billy Bragg and his band on stage including June Watson, Michael Gould, Justin Salinger, Pip Donaghy, David Kennedy, Susan Vidler and Shea Davis.

The Wellcome Collection is located at 183 Euston Road.  It is a venue which offers contemporary and historic exhibitions and collections, public events, the Wellcome Library, a café, a bookshop, conference facilities and a members’ club.

To book tickets visit :www.wellcomecollection.org

Les Miserables returning to Barbican for 25th Anniversary

The new touring production of Les Miserables will open at London's Barbican Theatre on 14th September and run until 22nd October. It is being staged as part of the celebration of the show's 25th anniversary. This is the first time that two productions of the same musical are playing in London.

Les Miserables premiered at the Barbican on October 8th 1985 and ran for only 22 performances after opening to scathing reviews.

The touring production of Les Miserables opened in Cardiff last December and has gone on to break box-office records in Manchester, Norwich and Birmingham. Future dates in Edinburgh, Paris, Bristol, Salford and Southampton are also almost sold-out. It stars John Owen-Jones as Jean Valjean (he previously played the role in the West End), Earl Carpenter as Javert and Gareth Gates as Marius. A live cast recording of this production is due for release after Easter.

To book tickets contact the box office at 020 7638 8891.

Sunday, March 14

Lewis Bradley to play Fiyero in Wicked for limited period

Lewis Bradley is to appear in the multi-award winning musical Wicked for a limited run at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London.

Lewis was a runner up in BBC’s Any Dream Will Do talent contest where Andrew Lloyd Webber searched for an actor to appear in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Following the series Lewis played the lead role in the touring production 'Chicago and Beyond', and then starred as Joseph in the West End for five weeks in 2008. He has performed at Andrew Lloyd Webber's 60th birthday celebration in Hyde Park and played the part of Jack in 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in Bath. In 2009 he returned to television to play the leading role of Narcissus in a modern day look at Greek mythology.

Ironically he is playing the role of Fiyero from March 29th to May 8th until Lee Mead (who won the contest) takes over on May 10th.

Saturday, March 13

Michael Ball to appear at Hampton Court Palace Festival

Hampton Court Palace Festival is an annual musical event which is now in its 18th year.  It is being held this year from 8th-19th June in Hampton Court Palace's Home Park.

Performers appearing at this year’s festival include Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, Joules Holland, Nicola Benedetti, Simply Red, Michael Bolton, Katherine Jenkins and Michael Ball.

Michael is currently co-producing the national tour of the musical “Hairspray” and will be recreating the role of Edna at several venues.  He will be performance at the Hampton Court Palace Festival on Saturday 19th June at 19:30.  The evening will conclude with a fantastic fireworks display in the East Front Gardens.

Find out more and book tickets at: www.hamptoncourtfestival.com

Friday, March 12

Abigail Jaye playing Eva Peron in Evita tour

Abigail Jaye is playing the role of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, in Bill Kenwright’s latest tour of Evita which kicks off at the Churchill Theatre Bromley on 23rd March. 

Evita was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.  The tour runs until the end of the year, but only has three UK dates as it travelling through Greece, Italy and Germany.

Abigail’s credits include the Churchill Theatre Production of Dr Dolittle as Emma Fairfax, playing opposite Tommy Steele in Scrooge at the London Palladium and the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New London Theatre, West End.

Tap Dogs and Adam Garcia back in the West End

Tap Dogs has been seen worldwide by over 11 million people and has won 11 major international awards including an Olivier for Best Choreography.  It is back in London’s West End this summer starring the fabulous Adam Garcia (star of Wicked, Saturday Night Fever and a judge on Sky TV’s dance show Got To Dance).

Tap Dogs is the ultimate visual tap dance spectacular with world-class dancers performing upside down or even on water. It combines the strength and power of workmen with the precision and talent of tap dancing.

It opens at the Novello Theatre on the Aldwych on Tuesday 15th June and is currently booking until 5th September.  Performances are Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, Friday 9:00 pm and matinees on Friday 6:00 pm, Saturday 5:00 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm

Dance Sensation Blaze To Open at Peacock Theatre

Blaze is a  new street dance production  which has its world premiere at the Peacock Theatre on 16th March before going on an international tour.

The show combines nightclub sounds with the raw impact of a music gig.  It is a very high-energy theatrical show of non-stop dance from some of the world’s hottest DJs, B-Boys and street dancers. It has 14 of the best street dancers and breakers in the world and choreography from some of the hottest names in popular dance, with set designs by Es Devlin (set designer for Kanye West, Mika, Take That, Pet Shop Boys and the current Lady Gaga tour).

Blaze is directed by Anthony Van Laast who currently has Mamma Mia! and Sister Act) in the West End.

Blaze has been previewing since 11th March.  It opens on 16th March and runs at the Peacock Theatre in Portugal Street, WC2 until 28th March. Performance times are Tuesday-Saturday at 19:30 with matinees on Saturday at 14:30 and Sunday at 16:00

To book tickets visit: www.sadlers-wells.com

Ray Charles bio-musical to open on Broadway

Stuart Benjamin is a music producer who worked with Ray Charles for several years and is set to bring a musical based on the entertainer’s life called "Unchain My Heart” to Broadway this autumn. .

The book is by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks and incorporates a number of Ray Charles’ tunes  including "Georgia on My Mind," "Hit the Road, Jack," and the title song.  It tells Charles' life story including his final recording session in 2004.

The idea for the stage show came about following the release of the film "Ray” which starred Jamie Foxx and earned two Oscars.

Unchain My Heart will have a company of about 20 actors with a 9 or 10 piece band. It will begin previews on October 8th and open November 7th at one of the theatres in the Shubert chain.

Thursday, March 11

Anna Nicole the Opera on its way to Royal Opera House

An opera about the late model/actress Anna Nicole Smith premieres at the Royal Opera House on February 17th 2011.

Written by Mark-Anthony Turnage and Richard Thomas (who was one of the creators of Jerry Springer The Opera),  Anna Nicole will star Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek in the title role. It is expected that the show will be directed by Richard Jones and conducted by Antonio Pappano, music director of Covent Garden.

Anna Nicole Smith was a Playboy centrefold  who died in 2007 at the age of 39 after an apparent accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

She was a striptease artist who found fame as a model and movie star,  subsequently marrying oil tycoon J Howard Marshall who was 89 years old and 63 years her senior  when they married..  He died shortly after their wedding and she became embroiled in a very public and long-running legal battle to claim a share of his estate.

Greenwich Children's Theatre Festival

The third Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival is on from Wednesday 31st March-Saturday 17th April this year.

It is spread right across the borough being presented in more venues and open spaces than ever before including the Eltham Centre, Greenwich Heritage Centre, West Greenwich Library, Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich Dance Agency,  Laban plus a full week of performances at The Tramshed in Woolwich. 

The festival will feature  well-known stories like Alice in Wonderland and brand new ones like The Dragon’s Daughter, adventures with the Jumping Mouse, suitcase theatre from Woodenfingers and some Shakespearean fairies in Moon Fool and Calico Pie’s

This year’s Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival offers a musical journey of poetry and nursery rhymes, a packed workshop programme of drama, musical theatre and puppetry.

Find out more about what’s on at: www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

Wednesday, March 10

Rock of Ages Heading for London?

A Broadway smash hit musical that has been dubbed “Mamma Mia! for dudes” is rumoured to be on its way to London.

Rock Of Ages features guitar hits of the Eighties and was nominated for five Tony Awards in its first year on Broadway.

Set in 1987 on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip, a small town girl meets a big city rocker in LA’s most famous rock club and they fall in love to the greatest songs of the 80s. The musical includes hits of glam metal bands including as Journey, Poison, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Whitesnake and REO Speedwagon.

During the show the performers frequently break the "fourth wall", directly addressing the audience and seemingly forgetting that they are actors in a play.

Watch this space for more details!

Zoe Tyler in Concert

For one night only Zoe Tyler is appearing in Concert back in her home town at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham at 20:00 on Sunday 27th June.

Zoe has a fantastic voice and started her singing career aged 20 when she joined the cast of Les Misérables, followed by a tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, then the award-winning City of Angels as part of the jazz singing quartet, the dance teacher in Fame and Grease: The School Musical.

Zoe Tyler is a recording artist and has sung with the likes of Michael Ball, Cliff Richard, Sir Elton John, Barry Manilow,  Donna Summer, Rod Stewart, Will Young, KD Lang and Bonnie Tyler. She is also a seasoned soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

She is a vocal coach to young pop singers, and has pupils in numerous West End shows. Since April 2009 she has been coaching young contestants on the Disney Channel UK talent show My Camp Rock.

Zoe’s television appearances include being a judge and vocal coach on BBC 1's How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?  and Any Dream Will Do and in June 2007 she joined Loose Women on ITV, but has cut down on her shows because of other projects.