Six Jesus Christ Superstar Finalists Revealed

Updated 14th July:  This list has changed slightly since the finalists were revealed in tonight's show.  Find the final 10 in the line up here.

Today’s Daily Mail has revealed six of the finalists who have got through to the live ITV shows searching for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo above is courtesy of the Mail.

As already revealed, the first Superstar broadcast goes out next Saturday at 7:25 pm showing the audition process and whittling down to the final 12 contestants.  There is a TV special audience preview show on Friday 13th, and then live shows every evening for a week from 16th July so that the public can watch the chosen few perform and vote for their favourite to join the arena tour which kicks off at London’s O2 Arena in September. 

The six finalists who have been revealed today are Seamus Cullen who came ninth in the 2007 BBC series Any Dream Will Do.  Andrew Lloyd Webber was then looking for someone to play the lead in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which Lee Mead subsequently won.  Cullen went on to star as Che Guevara in a touring production of Evita, but is now back doing ad sales.

Jeff Anderson from Belfast is studying vocal production at university.  He got a singing award for playing Jesus in an amateur production of the musical in Belfast last November.

Roger Wright is the most experience professional having played Simba in the West End production of The Lion King for  three years. He was a fashion model for 10 years before becoming a musical theatre performer.

Simon Gordon is a law student from Dundee. The part-time wedding singer has performed in musical theatre since he was five years old. 

David Hunter was part of Indie group Reemer who toured with McFly.  The band split and David moved from Warrington to London to try and break into the theatre scene. He is a trained actor and understudied for Oliver Chris in the National Theatre production of One Man, Two Guvnors.

Adam Weldon from Stourbridge won an episode of talent show New Faces in 1986 and has performed as a cruise singer for twenty years.

I suspect the other four finalists who have not been revealed will hold the real  surprises as I know a number of professional musical theatre performers who auditioned for this role and are sworn to secrecy over the outcome.

Bonnie Langford, Ben Richards and Natalie Casey cast in Dolly Parton's 9 to 5

Baz in today's Mail has announced the first bit of casting news for the Dolly Parton Musical 9 to 5 which begins a tour at the Manchester Opera House in October.

Bonnie Langford (Spamalot) will play the nosey executive assistant Roz (played in the movie by Elizabeth Smith), Jackie Clune (Mamma Mia! Billy Elliot) is Violet (Lily Tomlin part), Natalie Casey (Legally Blonde) is Judy (Jane Fonda ) and Amy Lennox (another Legally Blonde Margot) is  Doralee -  the part played by Dolly Parton in the picture. Ben Richards (The Bill, Priscilla) plays the boss.

Sheridan Smith in The Scapegoat

Updated 26th May:  The Scapegoat is being shown on ITV1 tonight at 9:30 pm (it also continues after the news).

Leading lady Sheridan Smith will be attending the Grand Gala Charity Premiere of The Scapegoat at the Medina Theatre in Newport on the Isle of Wight tomorrow - Friday June 29th.

She plays the part of Nina in this new film which has been produced and directed by Dominic Minghella and his partner Sarah Beardsall who were born on the Isle of Wight.

The Scapegoat is an adaptation of the 1957 novel by Daphne Du Maurier. The screening tomorrow is in aid of the Isle of Wight Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, of which Gloria Minghella is President.

There will be a pre-screening reception where members of the cast will attend a Q&A session. Tickets priced at £15 are on sale from the Medina Theatre box office on 01983 527020.and include a wine reception and a free Minghella ice-cream.

The cast includes Matthew Rhys , Eileen Atkins, Sheridan Smith, Jodhi May, Andrew Scott, Alice Orr-Ewing and Sylvie Testud

An Evening with John Owen-Jones

John Owen-Jones is currently playing the title role on the tour of The Phantom of the Opera.  He leaves the show on 29th September when Earl Carpenter takes over.

You can spend An Evening with John Owen-Jones at the Swan Grand Theatre on Saturday 17th November at 7.30pm

John will be joined by some special guest singers in a show that will feature songs from his new album "Unmasked" as well as classics from Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera accompanied by his professional orchestra under the musical direction of John Quirk.

Tickets from: http://purchase.tickets.com/

Louise Dearman in Workshop Presentation of New Peter Pan Musical

West End stars Louise Dearman (Wicked), Tim Driesen (Never Forget), Gerard Carey (Masterclass) and Lucy Sinclair (We Will Rock You) are currently involved in a workshop presentation of a new musical comedy version of J M Barrie's Peter Pan.

Dearman is Tinker Bell, Driesen is Peter Pan, Carey is Captain Hook and Sinclair is Wendy. The workshop takes place in front of a specially invited audience at the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue at 1.00pm on Thursday 28th Jun.

35 other characters are being played by a supporting cast of 7 including Allyson Ava-Brown, James Ballanger, Natasha J Barnes, Matt Corner, Anthony Lawrence, Sion Lloyd and Kit Orton.

The workshop is being directed by Christian Durham (Chicago, We Will Rock You), with movement by Lucie Pankhurst, musical direction by Dean Austin (Taboo, Zorro, Spamalot), casting by Anne Vosser and orchestrations by Tom Curran. Music, book and lyrics are by Jimmy Jewell, with additional book and lyrics by Nick Stimson.

For further information and to request an invitation for the workshop e-mail peterpanworkshop@gmail.com

Jesus Christ Superstar TV Coverage to Start on 7th July

Amanda Holden is introducing the ITV search for the lead in the tour Jesus Christ Superstar with judging panel members Lord Lloyd Webber, Jason Donovan and Dawn French.

The actual dates it is being screened on television have been kept under wraps but Amanda has just tweeted "Jesus Christ Superstar will soon be on Telly - 7th July and the tour starts in O2 September".

The first show on Saturday 7th is on at 7:25 pm. The programme will take the format of showing the audition process and selection which took the contestants down to the final 12 who will then perform live for the public to vote and select their favourite.

There is a TV audience preview show on  Friday 13th, and  then live shows every evening for a week from 16th July.

The winner will join the current cast of Tim Minchin as Judas, Chris Moyles and Herod and Spice Girl Mel C as Mary Magdalene.

Gina Beck, Louise Dearman, Daniel Boys and Leanne Jones in Afternoon Tea With the Stars

Strictly West End presents "Afternoon Tea With The Stars" at the Delfont Room in the Prince of Wales Theatre on Sunday 26th August at 3:30 pm.

It is a musical theatre cabaret where you can relax with a slice of cake cup of tea, whilst some of the West End’s finest performers entertain you with a selection of their favourite songs. Coronation Street’s Wendi Peters will host the event with all proceeds going to "The Petrsons Fund For Children".

Tickets include a glass of Prosecco on arrival and a selection of afternoon tea. There is also a pay bar available.

West End performers will include: GINA BECK (Wicked, Les Misérables), ZOE BIRKETT (Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Thriller), DANIEL BOYS (Avenue Q, BBC's Any Dream Will Do), LOUISE DEARMAN (Wicked, Evita), LIAM DOYLE (Mamma Mia, High School Musical), ADRIAN HANSEL (Hairspray, Starlight Express), CHLOE HART (Hairspray, Wicked), LEANNE JONES (Hairspray, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown), ALEXIA KHADIME (Les Misérables, Wicked), DEBBIE KURUP (Chicago, Sister Act), SARAH LARK (Oliver, BBC's I'd Do Anything), HANNAH LEVANE (We Will Rock You, Sister Act), SANDRA MARVIN (Hairspray, Ragtime), STUART MATTHEW PRICE (Parade, Shrek), KATIE ROWLEY JONES (Sister Act, Wicked), LIAM TAMNE (Les Misérables, Hairspray), CHRIS THATCHER (Avenue Q, Witches of Eastwick) and ZOE TYLER (Loose Women, Vocal Coach on Sky Tv & BBC)

Tickets for Afternoon Tea with the Stars

Scrooge starring Tommy Steele to play Palladium over Christmas

According to an ad in yesterday's Sunday Times the musical Scrooge starring Tommy Steele will be playing at the London Palladium from October 24th to 5th January.

Apparently the rumoured  Memphis  has pulled out and is seeking a smaller venue next Spring.

This will be the Christmas production acting as one of the fillers between the Wizard of Oz closing on 2nd September and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opening there next June.

Scrooge The Musical has a book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. It first opened in 192 at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham starring Stratford Johns. Steele has toured with the production a number of times  in Bill Kenwright’s  London Palladium production. His  long career includes over 20 hit singles and Hollywood movies including The Happiest Millionaire and Finian’s Rainbow and the award winning stage musicals Half a Sixpence, Hans Andersen and Singin’ in the Rain.

Spice Girls Attending Viva Forever Launch Tomorrow

Victoria Beckham left Los Angeles Airport yesterday to fly into London to reunite with her other Spice Girl band mates for the official launch of their new musical Viva Forever tomorrow at the St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel where they filmed their Wannabe video in 1996.

Booking is due to open at 1:00 pm on Tuesday 26th June.  Viva Forever starts previews on 27th November, opens on 11th December and is booking until 1st June 2013.

It will be the first time the girls have been seen together in public since their 2008 reunion tour.

Viva Forever is being produced by Mamma Mia’s! Judy Craymer with a book written by Jennifer Saunders. It features more than 16 Spice Girls numbers and is due to open at the Piccadilly Theatre in December.

Buy tickets for The Spice Girls Viva Forever

Ramin Karimloo joining Lee Mead and Stephen Rahman-Hughes & Kerry Ellis West End Men Concerts

UPDATE 7th AUGUST: also appearing at Glasgow Concert Hall on 14th November and the De Montford Hall in Leicester on 23^rd  November

UPDATE 27th June: Gateshead Sage on 20th November  added to The West End Men Tour starring Lee Mead and Kerry Ellis

Leading musical theatre stars Lee Mead (Joseph, Wicked, Legally Blonde), Matt Rawle (Zorro, Evita, Aspects of Love, Martin Guerre) and Stephen Rahman-Hughes (Bombay Dreams, West Side Story, Teatro)  have formed The West End Men. Because Matt Rawle has been cast in Cabaret with Will Young, Ramin Karimloo is performing with Lee and Stephen at the November shows.

They will give their first performance at GLive, Guildford, on Wednesday 18th  July with their special guest Kerry Ellis (We Will Rock You, Oliver, Wicked, Anthems) .

They will present a selection of signature numbers from some of their most famous roles together with a selection of some of the best known show tunes in the world directed by Mitch Sebastian (The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas).

Further UK dates will be announced very soon.

John Owen Jones, Kerry Ellis, Mark Evans and Connie Fisher in A Night at the Musicals

On 7th October the finale of the 2012 Cardiff Music Festival presents the star-studded A Night at the Musicals celebrating of musical theatre.  

Connie Fisher (The Sound of Music, Wonderful Town) presents the line-up of singers including John Owen-Jones (Phantom, Les Miserables), Kerry Ellis (Oliver, We Will Rock You, Wicked, Anthems), Mark Evans (Wicked, Ghost), Sophie Evans (Wizard of Oz), Lucie Jones (Les Miserables) and Lauren Samuels (Grease) plus soloists from the Only Men Aloud choir.  

They will be performing songs from musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Chess, The Wizard of Oz, Chicago, South Pacific and Sweet Charity

Tickets for A Night at the Musicals

Barnum Revival Planned for Chichester Next Summer

Chichester Festival Theatre has announced plans for a revival of the musical Barnum next summer, dependent on the theatre raising the money for its proposed £22 Renew project.

It is proposed that Barnum will be staged in a 1,400 seater tent in the grounds of Oaklands Park in Chichester while the theatre undergoes redevelopment.

If it goes ahead it is understood that CFT would be keen to bring the musical (complete with tent) into London following its Chichester run.

The musical  is based on the life of American showman P T Barnum.  The original production opened  on Broadway 1980 starring Jim Dale.  When it opened at the London Palladium in 1981 Michael Crawford took the lead famously performing all his own stunts including tightrope walking and riding a unicycle.

New cast for Tour of Dirty Dancing

When the tour of Dirty Dancing opens at the Birmingham Hippodrome on 4th July the cast will be Jill Winternitz /Frances 'Baby' Houseman: Paul-Michael Jones/Johnny Castle: Nicky Griffiths/Penny Johnson : Wayne Smith/Billy Kostecki: Colin Charles/Tito Suarez: James Coombes/Dr Jake Houseman : Stefan Menaul /Neil Kellerman: Tony Stansfield/Mr Schumacher : Julia Nagle /Marjorie Houseman and Michael Remick /Max Kellerman who will be joined by ensemble members Lizzie Stavrou, Tara Verloop, Kate-Emma Portlock, Rosa O’Reilly, Lewis Davies, Callum Nicol, Adam Philpott, Will Tyler and Jenny Wickham.

Broadway's Jesus Christ Superstar to Close on 1st July?

LATEST NEWS: now confirmed that Jesus Christ Superstar will close on Broadway on 1st July.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's  musical Jesus Christ Superstar opened on Broadway on March 22nd and received Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League Award nominations for Best Musical Revival, but it is due to close there on 1st July unless bookings pick up.

Hope it fares better in the UK with Lord Lloyd Webber's  search for someone to play Jesus due to start on ITV this summer and the Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour staring Tim Minchin, Chris Moyles and Mel C due to start on 21st September.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Confirmed for Palladium Next Summer

Producers of the new musical version of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have confirmed that the show will open at the London Palladium in June 2013.

As previously mentioned, it will be directed by Sam Mendes, with a book by David Greig and new songs from Hairspray’s Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Set and costume design will be by Mark Thompson with choreography by Peter Darling (Matilda, Billy Elliot. Other members of the creative team include: Doug Besterman (orchestrations); Nicholas Skilbeck (music director); Paul Pyant (lighting designer); Paul Arditti (sound designer) and Jon Driscoll (video and projection designer).

Tickets go on sale in October, with casting still to be announced.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz ends its run at the London Palladium on continues on 2nd September 2012. The next production has now yet been confirmed, but there are still rumours of the tour of South Pacific transferring later in the year.

Tracie Bennett’s End of the Rainbow extends on Broadway and then tours

Tony and Olivier  nominated End Of The Rainbow starring Tracie Bennett gives behind-the-scenes look at the final months in Judy Garland's life has extended its Broadway run to January 6th 2013.

The show played in London and went on a UK tour before transferring  Broadway in March with Bennett receiving rave reviews for her tour de force performance.   

And it looks as though it will be some time before we see her back in the UK as she is staying on in the US to also go on a national tour which starts on March 2013.

Ruthie Henshall & Graham Bickley The Sound of Musicals

Update 3rd July:  Date now added at Birmingham Symphony Hall on Sunday 4th November at 3:00 pm

On Sunday 21st October at 3.00pm Ruthie Henshall will be appearing at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester performing The Sound of Musicals.

She will be joined by Graham Bickley, Tim Howar and Deborah Myers singing songs from some of the best loved musicals accompanied by the London Concert Orchestra.

Songs performed come from musicals including My Fair Lady, Oliver!, West Side Story, Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables.

Book tickets for The Sound of Musicals

Will Young gets Cabaret advice from Liza Minnelli

Will Young is due to play the Emcee in the musical Cabaret later this year going on a four week tour from 3rd September prior to a run at the Savoy Theatre starting in October.

According to the Mail On Sunday he has been seeking advice from iconic actress Liza Minnelli who he was so desperate to meet that he waited back stage after she performed at the recent White Rose Ball in London until almost 2:00 am.

Apparently she regaled him of tales when she worked on Cabaret and told him to “just go for it”. Will has said : “Emcee is the role I’d been holding out for – I can’t wait.”

Sacha Baron Cohen Holds up LesMis Movie

Sacha Baron Cohen is playing Monsieur Thénardier in the film of Les Miserables starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.  It has almost finished filming in the UK with a release date scheduled for December.  Every song in the musical has to be sung live with director Tom Hooper making the actors do it again and again and only accepting perfect takes.

This has proved to be hard for some of the leads who do not have trained musical theatre voices. Hugh Jackman who does have this background appearing in Oklahoma! at the National Theatre and in his One Man Show and The Boy from Oz on Broadway has finished his scenes as Jean Valjean and is now back in New York

But Sacha Baron Cohen has strained his vocal chords and has been told to rest up. meaning some scenes are being held up until he has recovered. Today’s Sun newspaper reported: “Sacha is taking some time out. It’s a real shame because the new shooting dates have resulted in some singers becoming unavailable as they have prior engagements which have to be fulfilled first.”

Marti Pellow Joining Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds Tour

Wet, Wet,Wet singer and front man  Marti Pellow is playing the Narrator in the Tour of Willy Russell's Blood Brothers until 24th November and he then will be joining the cast of Jeff Wayne’s new Musical Version of The War of The Worlds: The New Generation - Alive on Stage which kicks off at Dublin 02 Arena on 29th November.

He will be  playing The Voice of Humanity alongside Jason Donovan as Parson Nathaniel,  Kerry Ellis as his wife Beth and  Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson as the The Artilleryman.

Marti said: “I am so looking forward to working on Jeff Wayne's classic, The War of The Worlds. I think Jeff's idea of the New Generation is wonderful, it says to me The War of The Worlds is still about that original amazing piece - but it's also about turning new people on to Jeff's vision, it delivers so much more to the original fans and will massively inspire new ones.As a songwriter I get it big time - but as a punter too, watching this show, it will simply blow you away! Jeff's team have put together a production that is second to none - embracing today's technology but never losing sight of the star of the show and the songs - that's why it was a big "yes" from me”
Hollywood star Liam Neeson will appear in the holographic role of The Journalist, taking over from Richard Burton.

Sheridan Smith & David Walliams to star in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

West End, film and TV star Sheridan Smith is due to return to the stage this  September playing Hedda Gabler at the Old Vic, and it has just been announce that next September she is due to play Titania in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with David Walliams playing bottom.

It’s some inspired casting by director Michael Grandage who has put together a really great company of British actors to launch the first season of his new Michael Grandage Company. It includes Simon Russell Beale, Judi Dench, Jude Law, Daniel Radcliffe, Sheridan Smith, David Walliams and Ben Whishaw who will star in five 12 week plays that he will direct at the Noel Coward Theatre from 1st December.  And the really great news is that for every show 200 seats will be on sale for just £10.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the fourth production of Grandage’s 14 month reign at the Noel Coward Theatre. It opens on 7th September 2013 and he said of Smith and Walliams roles: “Once in the forest there’s a kind of anarchic sexual freedom, and the casting of Sheridan and David helps me define that. As Titania and Bottom they’re already in the forest, doing what they do. When I met Sheridan and David I said: Let’s make it a really, absolutely sexual production”.

Sheridan knows this pay well having played love struck Hermia six years ago at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park. David Walliams is keen to do more stage work following his debut in Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land in 2008 and Bottom is a great comic role and a part he really wants to play.

To get tickets for the Michael Grandage Company  ring 0844 482 5141 or visit michaelgrandagecompany.com

Sierra Boggess to join fiance Tam Mutu in Les Miserables

West End and Broadway leading lady Sierra Boggess has had a frustrating year with two Broadway shows she was due to star in  (Rebecca and Prince Of Broadway) being  postponed for monetary reasons, but she now has some good news and is joining the West End cast of  Les Miserables this summer playing the role of Fantine.  She will take over from Caroline Sheen who is pregnant and leaving the company on 29th June.

Miss Boggess start date is still to be confirmed. There is big cast change taking place in Les Miserables this weekend with  Geronimo Rauch (Jean Valjean),  Tam Mutu (Javert), Danielle Hope (Eponine), Samantha Dorsey (Cosette) and Linzi Hateley as Madame Thenardier joining the company and opening at the Queen’s on 18th June. 

Miss Boggess must be delighted this job has come up as she spends a lot of time flying between London and New York and can now base herself here for a while with her fiance Tam Mutu who she starred with in Love Never Dies.  She was most recently here as a guest of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to sing to the Queen at the private birthday party he hosted at his estate and also to appear in the Disney Concert  (playing Ariel in the Little Mermaid) over the Diamond Jubilee Weekend.

Ruthie Henshall Guesting in Doctor Who Series 7

West End leading lady Ruthie Henshall is appearing in episode 4 of the new Doctor Who Series 7 which she has been filming in Wales and is due to be screened later this year. I will post actual dates as soon as they are available.

Her episode is written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Douglas Mackinnon. The Doctor investigates mysterious black cubes that have fallen to modern day earth causing illness on unsuspecting victims (including the Doctor).

UNIT return along with a character called Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) who may be the late Brigadier’s daughter and Steven Berkoff (Mr Shanks).

Hugh Jackman's LesMis Adrenaline Rush

According to a Vanity Fair interview with Hugh Jackman he said he is not missing the adrenaline rush of performing live on the stage every night in his Tony award winning one man show.

He said: “I am right now doing a movie musical of Les Miz, where every day we record every take live, so basically the feeling of an opening night on Broadway is happening every day of my life right now,’cos I know when I wake up that what I’m going to sing that day I will never sing again. There’s no fixing it after, there’s no pre-recording it before, so yeah, trust me, I’m getting all the adrenaline I need right now.”

He also said that he and co-stars Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, and Sacha Baron Cohen had been in rehearsal for seven weeks before the three-month shoot began which “The King’s Speech” Tom Hooper is directing.

Sheridan Smith to Play Hedda Gabler at Old Vic

Sheridan Smith is currently tweeting from sunnier climes where she is talking a break following her return from Australia where she was filming Mrs Biggs (playing the title role as the wife of Ronnie Biggs the great train robber). 

She is then due to play the title role in a revival of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen at London’s Old Vic Theatre which starts previews on 5th September and opens on the 12th for a limited season to 5th November.

The production will be directed by Anna Mackmin and is the opening show in their autumn/winter season. Buffy Davis, Anne Reid, Adrian Scarborough and Fenella Woolgar are also in the cast.

The Old Vic’s Kevin Spacey said: “I am particularly pleased to unveil our production of Hedda Gabler, such an iconic and impactful play, with Sheridan Smith in the lead. Sheridan is a wonderful actress who has rightly received acclaim for her recent work and I am sure audiences will be intrigued to see her tackle this role.”

Book tickets for Hedda Gabler

Chichester's Kiss Me Kate moving into Old Vic

Trevor Nunn’s production of Kiss Me Kate which is currently rehearsal and starts previews at the Chichester Festival Theatre on June 18th (prior to an official opening on June 27th for a run through to September 1st) will re-open at the Old Vic Theatre from November 20th with press night on December 3rd. The production runs until 2nd March 2013.

Cast members currently transferring include Alex Bourne, David Burt, Adam Garcia, Clive Rowe and Hannah Waddingham. It will be choreographed by Stephen Mear.

Book tickets for Kiss Me Kate

Tour of Tina Turner Musical Soul Sister

Soul Sister recently had a successful run at the Hackney Empire. It is a new musical about Ike and Tina Turner which opens at the Savoy Theatre in August for a limited run.

It stars Emi Wokoma as Tina Turner and Chris Tummings as Ike. The musical follows the highs and lows, passions and heartbreak of Ike and Tina Turner as their careers blossomed and their marriage crumbled. It features classic numbers including What's Love Got to Do with It, Proud Mary, Private Dancer and River Deep Mountain High.

The show ends at the Savoy on 29th September and begins a tour of Soul Sister on 1st October to York, Milton Keynes, Dublin, Coventry, High Wycombe, Southampton and Darlington ending at Edinburgh Festival Theatre on 8th December.

Latest News on Hugh Jackman Houdini Musical

Updated 21st September: Hugh Jackman has now said he is definitely going to do a third workshop for a musical about Houdini and hopes to play the famed escapologist on Broadway within a year or 18 months.

 Updated 24th July:  While promoting Wolverine in a red carpet interview yesterday, Hugh Jackman told Elvis Duran and The Morning Show about the latest plans for his Broadway musical Houdini. "We got a final workshop at the end of this year. If all goes well, next year we'll bring it to Broadway."

Read more about VIDEO:Hugh Jackman  has been in the UK filming the musical Les Miserables playing Jean Valjean but was back in America at the Tony Awards last night where his wife presented him with a special award for his one-man sell out show Back on Broadway.

While being interviewed on the red carpet he mentioned that he will participate in a staged reading of the first act of the Broadway-bound musical Houdini.

Jackman said: “I'm very excited.  Aaron Sorkin is writing the book, Stephen Schwartz doing the music, Jack O'Brien directing with David Rockwell doing the scenic design. We have a very exciting group and we're about to do a first act read-through in about a week.”

As previously announced, Jackman will star in the title role of the musical that is scheduled for a Broadway during 2013-14 season.

Tony winners Scott Sanders and Rockwell produce the musical about the life of the turn-of-the-century illusionist, which will have a score by Academy Award-winning composer-lyricist Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Pocahontas) and book by Academy Award winner Sorkin (A Few Good Men, The Newsroom, The Farnsworth Invention).

Sorkin has previously said: "Rather than being a biography, Houdini tells the story of an epic battle that took place between the world's greatest illusionist and a trio of women, known as Spiritualists, who convinced millions of people, including the editors of Scientific American and The New York Times that they could communicate with the dead."

Helen Hobson, Sarah Eyden & Sarah Ryan in Concert

West End leading ladies Helen Hobson, Sarah Eyden and Sarah Ryan are Access All Arias. They will be performing at the Pheasantry Cabaret Venue on London’s Kings Road on Friday 24th August.  Doors open at 7:00 pm. Show time 8:30 pm.

Helen Hobson, Sarah Eyden and Sarah Ryan have formed their own group Access All Arias singing their own arrangements of popular arias from Puccini to Michel Legrand breaking boundaries in the “classical crossover” world.

They have established their own unique sound, bringing together their wealth of experience from the world of West End musicals and the classical concert stage, with the harmonic versatility of The Swingle Singers.

Tickets for Access All Arias

Phantom Cast & Sophia Ragavelas Cabarets at Delfont Room

There are a couple of cabaret shows at the Delfont Room in the  Prince of Wales Theatre over the next couple of months:

Sophia Ragavelas in Cabaret on 23rd June at 10:30 pm presents "An international Affair" The story of how her Greek father met her South African mother and their journey to Essex!!!
accompanied by her MD Paul Herbert and six piece band.

Jubilation! West End cast of The Phantom of the Opera on Tuesday 17th July at 11:00 pm. An evening of old and new songs an alternative celebration of the show’s silver anniversary in the Diamond Jubilee year. All profits will be donated to TheatreMAD

Full Cast for Chichester's Kiss Me Kate

The full cast has been announced for Trevor Nunn's new production of Kiss Me  Kate, which is currently in rehearsal and starts performances at Chichester Festival Theatre from June 18th  to1st September, with a rumoured West End transfer.

The cast will feature Alex Bourne as Fred Graham/Petruchio, Kevin Brewis as Riley/Hortensio, Wendy Mae Brown as Hattie, David Burt as Gangster 1, Clive Rowe as Gangster 2, Christopher Dickins as Pops, Adam Garcia as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio, Paul Grunert as Harry Trevor/Baptista Minola, Mark Heenehan as General Harrison Howell, Samuel Holmes as Flynt/Gremio, Jason Pennycooke as Paul, Holly Dale Spencer as Lois Lane/Bianca and Hannah Waddingham as Lilli Vanessi/Katherine Minola.

The ensemble includes Michelle Bishop, Shaun Henson, Holly James, Richard Jones, Carolyn Maitland, Jo Morris, Harry Morrison, Tanya Robb, Warren Sollars and Kate Tydman.

Gina Beck, Daniels Boys & Jon Robyns in Little Women Concert

There is a concert performance of Steven Luke Walker's adaptation of the Little Women novel by Louisa-May Alcott on Sunday 24th June at 7.30pm at the Playhouse Theatre in London.

The concert will be hosted by the Stage’s Mark Shenton with a fabulous West End cast of  Wicked's Gina Beck (Meg): Helena Blackman (Belle Gardner): Norman Bowman (Professor Bhaer): Daniel Boys (Laurie): Nikki Davis-Jones (Jo): Sarah Lark (Beth): Shona Lindsay (Marmee): Jon Robyns (John Brooke); Lisa-Anne Wood (Amy) with a guest performance by Les Mis's Samantha Barks supported by a specially formed GSA ensemble.

The evening will be directed by Nicola Samer with musical direction from Niall Bailey in aid of the Gingerbread Charity which provides advice and practical support for single parents.

Buy Tickets for Little Women

Russell Grant, Mary Byrne and Rhydian Roberts new Grease Teen Angels

Russell Grant (Wizard of Oz), X Factor's Mary Byrne and Rhydian Roberts (War of the Worlds, We Will Rock You, Grease) are joining the tour of  Grease the musical when it restarts on 3rd July.

They will be wearing the sparkly suit to play Teen Angel with Russell Grant starring for several dates including Newcastle (9th-14thJuly), Llandudno, (6th-11th August), Dartford (27th August- 1st September), Southsea (1st-6th October), Manchester (8th-13th October), Wimbledon (15th-20th October) and Swansea (5th-10th November )

Mary Byrne play the role in Newcastle (3rd-7th July) and Eastbourne (20th-25th August)  and Rhydian Roberts will be in Southend (30th July- 4th August ) and Bournemouth (13th-18th August).

Tina Turner Musical to open at Savoy

Soul Sister is a new musical about Ike and Tina Turner which opens at the Savoy Theatre 23rd August (previews from the 20th) for a limited run to 29th September.

It stars Emi Wokoma as Tina Turner and recently had a successful run at the Hackney Empire.  The musical follows the highs and lows, passions and heartbreak of Ike and Tina Turner as their careers blossomed and their marriage crumbled. It features classic numbers including What's Love Got to Do with It, Proud Mary, Private Dancer and River Deep Mountain High.

The show is devised by Pete Brooks and John Miller. Directed by Pete Brooks and Bob Eaton, designed by Laura Hopkins, lighting by Nick Richings, choreography and musical staging by Jason Pennycooke.

Tickets for Soul Sister

Gareth Gates & Jennifer Ellison to join Tour of Legally Blonde

Gareth Gates and Jennifer Ellison are to join the tour of Legally Blonde The Musical as Warner and Paulette from 17th July. The tour is currently booking until 6th October.

They will take over the roles from Ray Quinn who leaves to join the tour of the Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Niki Evans (X Factor, Blood Brothers).

Gareth Gates shot to fame in 2002 when he was runner-up in the UK’s first hit television series of Pop Idol.  He has sold 3.5 million records in the UK, releasing three albums and four number 1 singles. Recently Gareth has starred in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Miserables and Loserville (West Yorkshire Playhouse).

Jennifer Ellison is best known for her roles in the TV soap opera Brookside and the film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera. Her theatre credits include Roxie Hart in Chicago (West End and UK tour), Boeing Boeing (Comedy Theatre) and Calendar Girls. She has made numerous television appearances including Hotel Babylon, The Verdict, The Brief, Hell’s Kitchen and as a judge on Dirty Dancing- Time of Your Life.

Jennifer was recently seen on ITV’s Dancing on Ice where she reached the semi finals.

Faye Brooks continues to star in the role of Elle and Iwan Lewis plays Emmett. Further casting to be announced.

Lee Mead in Top That! Irving Berlin Tribute Concert

BBC2’s Friday Night is Music Night will be presenting Top That! celebrating Irving Berlin in concert live on Thursday 28th June 2012 at 8:00 pm at Watford Colosseum.

The presenter will be Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton du Beke. West End leading man Lee Mead will sing a selection of his work including Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' Top Hat, Cheek to Cheek, Change Partners, Isn’t This A Lovely Day, Let’s Face the Music and Dance plus highlights from Berlin’s many musical and film scores including Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam and White Christmas.

He will be joined by Mary Carewe, Matthew Ford, Georgina Jackson and the sixty piece BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Richard Balcombe.

The concert will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Friday 7th September. Tickets for the live show can be purchased from  https://watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Les Miserables Movie Poster

The poster for the Les Miserables film which is due for release on 14th December features a familiar face.

Hugh Jackman is set to play Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe is Javert, Anne Hathaway is Fantine and Amanda Seyfried is the grown up Cosette.

The young Cosette is depicted in the poster with the image being a zoomed in version of the same face featured on the art for the original musical:

Julian Ovenden, Janie Dee and Tony Christie performing Live at the new London Hippodrome

The Matcham Room at the new Hippodrome Casino in London's Leicester Square has just announced the first season of performances with booking opening today.

The Hippodrome Casino was previously home to Talk of the Town and The Matcham Room is named after the theatre’s original architect Frank Matcham and will serve food and drink at booths, tables and balcony seats within the performance space. The menu is designed and served by the neighbouring Heliot Restaurant, Bar and Lounge.

From Monday 2nd July 2012, Live at the Hippodrome will host week-long residencies, one-off events and late night slots with performers from the West End and Broadway, cabaret, jazz, burlesque, variety and the music industry. The first performances will include Janie Dee, Jane Monheit, Tony Christie, Kate Dimbleby, Julian Ovenden and Miss Polly Rae.

Future dates in 2012 will be available for booking soon and will include evenings with Maria Friedman, Adam Guettel (with Jonathan Ansell), Ruthie Henshall, Barb Jungr, David McAlmont, Gwyneth Herbert, Kerry Ellis, Judy Kuhn, Stefanie Powers, Suzi Quatro, Hot Club of Cowtown, Lea DeLaria and Cerys Matthews.

In 2013 Live at the Hippodrome will welcome Alexander Armstrong, David Arnold, Jason Robert Brown, composers Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, Maureen Lipman, Robert Lindsay, John Partridge and Tyne Daly.

Cast Changes for Matilda the Musical

David Leonard will be taking over from award winning Bertie Carvel to play the child-tormenting headmistress Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre from 3rd July.  Carvel leaves the production on the 1st.

Annette McLaughlin will take over from Josie Walker as Mrs Wormwood on 21st August. Walker leaves on the 19th.

They will be joining new cast members Steve Furst and Haley Flaherty who play Mr Wormwood and Miss Honey and two new Matildas:  Isobelle Molloy and Jade Marner. Hayley Canham will be joining the company as Matilda in August.

Latest on tour of Bohemian Rhapsody starring Jonathan Ansell & Simon Bowman

Celebrating the the music of Freddie Mercury and Queen, the show is a Broadway style production with a cast of 25 performers and on-stage band performing Queen’s classic hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, Killer Queen, We are the Champions, Barcelona and of course We Will Rock You. The show is currently in rehearsal and I have heard very good things about the musical arrangements by A J Moore and the calibre of the cast who can really put Queen's numbers across.

The cast includes ex G4 singer Jonathan Ansell,  Simon Bowman (Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon); Sabrina Aloueche (Eponine in Les Misérables, Scaramouche in We Will Rock You) and a host of West End stars including  Erin Cornell ( Wicked),  Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Gypsy, Flashdance, Grease), Andrew Derbyshire (We Will Rock You, Joseph); Duncan Heather (Jersey Boys; The Spirit Of Broadway, Twist and Shout); Lucinda Shaw (Priscilla,; Gypsy, It’s A Wonderful Life, We Will Rock You) and Rachael Wooding (Jersey Boys, Hairspray, We Will Rock You and Fame.)

The show is going on a short UK tour to Newcastle Theatre Royal 20th-23rd June: Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney 26th June-1st July  and the Congress Theatre Eastbourne from 10th-14th July before heading off to the Monte Carlo Sporting Club between 6th-14th August

Chichester's Kiss Me Kate to move into Old Vic?

Kiss Me Kate with Adam Garcia, HannahWaddingham, Clive Rowe and Alex Bourne is currently in rehearsal under the Direction of Trevor Munn and due to start previews at the Chichester Festival Theatre on 18th June.

It ends its run there on 1st September and word is that negotiations are currently under way for it to transfer into the Old Vic.

Ghost the Musical to close on 6th October

UPDATE 14th June:  Cast and crew of the musical Ghost told last night that it will be closing on 6th October.

According to today’s Mail the new Spice Girls’ Musical Viva Forever will open at the Piccadilly Theatre in December with Ghost The Musical which is currently running there closing in the autumn when the current principals are due to leave. (The current booking period is being advertised until 20th April 2013).

Spice Girls Emma Bunton and Mel C apparently cried when they saw footage of the upcoming show which includes hit songs Wannabe, The Lady Is A Vamp, Who Do You Think You Are? and Mamma. The musical is a mother and daughter story with a television talent show as a backdrop strongly illustrating today’s obsession with celebrity. The producer Judy Craymer (of Mamma Mia! fame) told the Mail’s Baz Bamigboye some time ago “the show isn’t about the Spice Girls directly, but it’s sprinkled with their essence”
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Previews for Viva Forever will begin in November with auditions being held later this month running into July. The director Paul Garrington wants to be ready to start rehearsals around September.

Workshop versions of the show have already been held enabling choreographer Lynne Page, designer Peter Mackintosh and orchestrator Martin Koch to get ahead on the staging ahead of rehearsals.

They have some staff competition with the new Whitney Houston musical The Bodyguard starring the sensational Heather Headley opening at the Adelphi Theatre at around the same time.