Gareth Gates & The Osmonds in Boogie Nights Concert

Updated 1st September:
Next year Gareth Gates is going on a tour of Boogie Nights the Concert with Osmonds Merrill, Jay and Jimmy starting in Dartford on 31st January.

The Osmonds  are special guest stars performing their own hits including Crazy Horses and Love Me For A Reason as well as a range of classics they are not normally associated with.

Gareth Gates will play the role of heart throb Dean performing numbers including Spirit in the Sky, If You Leave Me Now, Disco Inferno and Puppy Love (with the Osmonds). 

The leading lady Debs will be Louisa Lytton who played Ruby in EastEnders and P C Beth Green in the Bill. This will her Louisa’s first musical and she can’t wait to belt out I Will Survive and Don't Go Breaking My Heart.

X Factor finalists Andy Abraham and Chico will also join the cast with Andy playing the tough guy soul singer Spencer with the Barry White classic You're My First, My Last, My Everything and Chico will be the daft and engaging character of Terry bringing his dance moves to such hits as Le Freak.

The star line up is completed by a Shane Richie Jr who will take over the role of Roddy (the original 70's bad boy) which was created by his father. He will be performing Blame It On the Boogie.

Jonathan Ansell & Caroline Sheen in Adam Guettel’s Light in the Piazza

Son of Mary Rodgers and Henry Guettel and grandson of  Richard Rodgers, musical theatre and opera composer Adam Guettel presents The Light in the Piazza concert at London’s Hippodrome supported by Caroline Sheen and Jonathan Ansell. The concert will run from 10th-15th September with tickets from www.hippodromecasino.com

Adam Guettel has won the Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Orchestrations, and two Drama Desk Awards for Best Music and Best Orchestrations.  

The Light in the Piazza Concert showcases work from all of his existing shows plus premieres of new songs from latest projects ranging from a fairy tale adventure to The Invisible Man, an exploration of goodness called Millions and an opera written for the devil. 

Guettel said: "I'm going to sing from these new shows and let Caroline and Jonathan sing from the old ones, since that material's too high for me now. I'm thrilled to be premiering songs in the UK in the new Hippodrome with such a great group of musicians.  I'll see you in September, I'm so looking forward to it."

New Rocky Horror 40th Anniversary Tour

Richard O Brien's cult musical The Rocky Horror Show has announced a new 40th Anniversary tour which will kick off in Brighton December and visit UK venues through 2013.

After the show opens in Brighton on 17th December it visits the Bristol Hippodrome ,New Wimbledon Theatre, Birmingham Alexandra, Aylesbury Waterside, Liverpool Empire, Sunderland Empire, Glasgow Kings, Edinburgh Playhouse, Grimsby Auditorium, Manchester Opera House, York Grand Opera House, Richmond Theatre, Stoke Regent Theatre, Bromley Churchill, Woking New Victoria and Milton Keynes Theatre which currently takes the tour up to July with more dates to come.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe casting is still to be announced.

Alfie Boe's My Story out on 30th August

UPDATED 15th February: Alfie Boe My Story book now available in paperback for £5.99 

Alfie Boe’s book My Story is out on 30th August. It can be pre-ordered for a special price of £9.87 from Amazon.

It tells Alfie’s story from car mechanic to opera, musical and recording star.  This is the story of his life - the ups and the downs, from finding fame to losing his father and his love affair with music.

Raised in Lancashire, the youngest of nine children and with a father who played opera at home, it is the tale of how Alfie went from car mechanic to the UK's most popular and well-known opera star, lauded by Baz Luhrman, Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Parkinson.

Cast for Beatles Tribute Musical Let It Be

The cast has just been announced for the Let It Be Beatles Tribute Musical which runs at the Prince of Wales Theatre from 14th September to 19th January 2013.

The Fab Four will be played by Emanuele Angeletti/Paul McCartney: Reuven Gershon/John Lennon: Stephen Hill/George Harrison and Gordon Elsmore/Ringo Starr who will alternate the roles with Ian B Garcia, John Brosnan, James Fox, Michael Gagliano and Phil Martin with Ryan Alex Farmery on keyboards.

Cast & Booking Details for Loserville

As already mentioned the new musical Loserville written by Elliot Davis and Busted’s James Bourne (inspired by his Son of Dork album Welcome To Loserville). will open at the Garrick Theatre on 17th October following previews from 1st October with a booking period until 2nd March 2013.

The London run follows a premiere at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds in June.

Former EastEnders actor Aaron Sidwell will play lead geek Michael Dork with ex-chart star "Lil" Chris Hardman. Gareth Gates who appeared as bad guy Eddie in Leeds is now touring in Legally Blonde the Musical and will be replaced by Stewart Clarke

The cast now includes: Michael Dork/Aaron Sidwell: Lucas Lloyd/Richard Lowe: Francis Wier/Lil Chris: Marvin Camden/Dan Buckley: Eddie Arch/Stewart Clarke: Huey Phillips/Robbie Boyle: Wayne Pagoda/Duncan Leighton: Chuck Bryson/Matthew Bradley: Charlie Arrow/Dan Krikler: Alvin Starburst/Ashley Luke Lloyd: Holly Manson/Eliza Hope Bennett: Leia Dawkins/Charlotte Harwood: Elaine Friend/Lauren Hall: Samantha Powden/Witney White: Ivanka/ Megan Louch: Marina/Sophie Ayers: Susie Alpine/ Sarah Watson and Britney Marks/Jade Albertsen.

Tickets from  www.nimaxtheatres.com

Sarah Brightman the Space Tourist?

One of her first recordings was I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper with Hot Gossip in 1978 and ironically it now it looks as if Sarah Brightman may become the next space tourist to fly to the International Space Station after successfully completing medical tests in Russia last month.

While not officially confirmed Alexei Krasnov, head of manned space missions at the Russian space agency Roscosmos, said yesterday “It can happen.”

This would mean that Brightman would be the second woman and the eighth fare-paying passenger to make the trip to the International Space Station. She is said to be the world's richest female classical performer which is just as well as the going rate for the trip is around $30 million which is used to support the Russian space programme.

No date has been set for her mission but it is likely that she would launch in 2015 on a Soyuz rocket. The name of the next space tourist is likely to be announced next month so watch this space.

Mamma Mia! Children in Need Gala

The musical Mamma Mia! which features the songs of Abba plays at the Prince of Wales Theatre until 1st September 2012 when it closes for a few days and re-opens at the Novello Theatre on 6th September.

They will celebrate the move to the Novello Theatre with a gala performance in support of BBC Children in Need on Wednesday, September 12th.

The special one-off Gala Performance will include special guest appearances by BBC Radio 2 presenters Vanessa Feltz, Anneka Rice and Penny Smith.  BBC Children in Need's Life President Sir Terry Wogan will also be there to mark this special night, along with a celebrity-packed audience.

You can obtain tickets for the Children in Need Gala from the Mamma Mia! Website www.mamma-mia.com or telephone the box office on 0844 482 5115.

Ross Hunter Joining Rock of Ages

The first bit of news for the Rock Of Ages cast change next month is that Ross Hunter is taking over the role of  Drew from Oliver Tompsett on 25th September.

Hunter has a great voice and was First Cover Galileo in We Will Rock You  for two years before joining the ensemble of Legally Blonde covering and playing the role of Warner.

Announcements to be made shortly on replacements for Shayne Ward and Justin Lee Collins who both leave the show on 23rd September, although there is a strong rumour that Tim Howar will be the new Stacey Jaxx.

Full Cast Announced for Jesus Christ Superstar Arena tour

Alex Hanson takes on the role of Pontius Pilate joining Tim Minchin, Melanie C, Chris Moyles and ITV Superstar winner Ben Forster in the tour of Jesus Christ Superstar which opens on  21st September at London’s O2 arena .

The cast also includes Superstar finalists Jeff Anderson and Tim Prottey-Jones.  

The full cast list for the arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar is: Tim Minchin/Judas Iscariot: Melanie Chisholm/Mary Magdalene: Chris Moyles/King Herod: Ben Forster/Jesus and Alex Hanson playing Pontius Pilate.

They will be joined by Pete Gallagher/Caiaphas: Gerard Bentall/Annas: Michael Pickering/Peter: Giovanni Spano/Simon Zealotes.

With Jeff Anderson/ Ensemble/First cover Jesus: Michelle Antrobus/Ensemble: Jack Booth/Ensemble: Alice Capitani/Ensemble: Ian Carlyle/Ensemble/Second cover Jesus: Leon Craig/Ensemble/First cover Herod: Krysten Cummings/Ensemble/Soul Girl/First cover Mary: Christos Dante/Ensemble/First cover Simon: Stephen John Davis/Ensemble/First cover Pilate: Keisha Downie/Ensemble/Soul Girl: Ffion Emyrs/ Ensemble: Lily Frazer/Ensemble: Gala R/Ensemble: Ryan Gibb/Ensemble/First cover Caiaphas: Zoe Green/Ensemble: Bob Harms/Ensemble/Second cover Caiaphas: Clare Ivory/Ensemble/Soul Girl cover: Sam Jackson/Ensemble: Jack Jefferson/Ensemble: Sia Kiwa/Ensemble/Soul Girl cover: Antony Lawrence/Ensemble/Second cover Pilate: Leon Maurice-Jones/Ensemble: Brian McCann/Ensemble/First cover Annas: Alana Murrin/Ensemble: Tim Newman/Ensemble/Second cover Simon: Tom Parsons/Ensemble/First cover Peter: Rhiannon Porter/Ensemble/Soul Girl Cover/Second cover Mary: Tim Prottey-Jones/Ensemble/First cover Judas: Adam Pritchard/Ensemble: Lucas Rush/ Ensemble/Second cover Judas: Benedict Smith/Ensemble: Russell Smith/Ensemble: Phil Snowden/Ensemble/Second cover Herod: Adam Strong/Ensemble/Second cover Annas: Ali Temple/Ensemble: Jon Tsouras/Ensemble: Alex Tucker/Ensemble: Marie Walker/Ensemble: Russell Walker/Ensemble: Karlene Wray/ Ensemble/Soul Girl

An Evening with Hadley Fraser

Update 1st Spemteber:  Another date added

Tickets are now on sale for an evening with West End star Hadley Fraser at 19:30 on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October the new St James’ Theatre in South West London (nearest tube Victoria – 5 minute walk).

His theatre credits include: Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, The Far Pavilions, The Shaughraun, Pacific Overtures,  My Fair Lady, Putting it Together, The Pirates of Penzance, Little Shop of Horrors, the Blues Brothers and Tiernan in the recent Broadway show The Pirate Queen.

He has recently been playing Inspector Javert in Les Misrables at the Queen's Theatre and is also in a band called the Sheytoons which he has formed with Ramin Karimloo.

£15 tickets from 0844 264 2140 www.stjamestheatre.co.uk

The Sound of Music at Regent's Park Next Year

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has just announced they will open their 2013 season with To Kill a Mockingbird which will run from 16th May -15th June 2013. It  has been adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel. and will be directed by Timothy Sheader.

They will also present The Sound of Music from 25th July-7th September which is the first time a musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II has been staged at the Open Air Theatre.

Priority booking for members opens 9th October with public booking opening on 20th November.

BBC Children in Need Celebrity Line-Up For Pop Goes The Musical 2012

After its sensational West End debut last year, BBC Children in Need is thrilled to be working with the smash hits of London theatre to launch POP Goes the Musical 2012. This unique charity project is, for the second year running, challenging a group of renowned celebrities to tread the West End boards and perform a hit song from a top theatre show in the run up to BBC Children in Need Appeal Night on Friday 16th November.

The sensational celebrities involved in this year’s unique curtain call challenge include the legendary Geri Halliwell who will be adding her own spice to Singin’ in the Rain, the sensational Alexandra Burke who will be performing in Les Misérables, the ultimate boy band Blue will be taking on JERSEY BOYS, plus magnificent Macy Gray and chart-busters Stooshe will each separately put their own spin on a Michael Jackson classic in Thriller Live.

 Don’t miss out on what is set to be a series of nights to remember; your chance to experience all the fun of a West End Show with the addition of a one-off performance from your favourite artists. There will be no room for error as the celebrities follow the world-class casts of these legendary productions. The celebrities are proven stars but can they handle the pressure of a packed theatre?

 Bookings can be made immediately for the following dates:

 18th September 2012 – Les Misérables with Alexandra Burke

11th October 2012 – Jersey Boys with Blue

25th October 2012 – Singin’ in the Rain with Geri Halliwell

15th November 2012 – Thriller Live with Macy Gray and Stooshe

Tickets are available exclusively at www.lastminute.com/pudsey and cost £80. Each ticket includes: Top Price seat, signed programme, a Pudsey bear, complementary drink plus access to a VIP after show reception hosted by Pudsey with the chance of an appearance from the star(s) of the show. Buying a ticket is a fun way to support the charity as 50% of the price of each ticket will go to the children and young people supported by BBC Children in Need.

Last year a host of celebs took to the West End stage to play their part in raising money for some of the UK’s most disadvantaged children. POP Goes the Musical 2011 saw fantastic performances from Peter Andre in Ghost the Musical, Sugababes in MAMMA MIA!, Stacey Solomon in WICKED, Dionne Bromfield in Million Dollar Quartet and Melanie C rocking out with legendary Brian May in We Will Rock You. With the help of our celebrity friends, in 2012 BBC Children in Need is able to give out a record breaking £46million to support disadvantaged children right here in the UK.

Top Hat London Cast Recording

Update: 23rd August: You can now hear samples of all 18 tracks at http://tiny.cc/TopHatCastAlbum

The London cast of Top Hat the musical starring Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen have recorded an album of the show which is due for release on 27^th August. It can be pre-ordered from Amazon for £10.42.

The track listing is:
1. Overture
2. Puttin' On the Ritz
3. No Strings (I'm Fancy Free)
4. No Strings (Reprise)
5. I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket
6. Isn't This A Lovely Day (To Be Caught in the Rain)?
7. You're Easy to Dance With
8. What Is Love?
9. Top Hat, White Tie and Tails
10. The Piccolino
11. Wild About You
12. Cheek to Cheek
13. Better Luck Next Time
14. Latins Know How
15. Let's Face the Music and Dance
16. Outside of That, I Love You
17. I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket (Reprise)
18. Finale

West End Fest Sunday 19th August 2012

At 7:00 pm this Sunday 19th August West End Fest will be held at the Actors’ Church in St Paul’s,  Covent Garden.  It will be hosted singer-songwriters Parnell Page along with West End star Sabrina Aloueche (best known as Scaramouche in We Will Rock You).

Proceeds from the concert go to LoveCreate, which raises vital funds by holding creative events featuring, music, arts and crafts. The organisation focuses on donating to both The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and to the Respiratory Ward at the Bristol Royal Infirmary to buy lifesaving equipment .

West End Fest will bring together talent from a wide number of shows including performers from Rent, Wicked, Les Miserables, We Will Rock You, Hair, Mamma Mia, After the Turn, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Thriller Live, Ghost and Shrek the Musical.

Performers include: Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Amy Diamond, David Ribi, Simon Adkins, Victoria Allen- Martin, Rebecca Trehearn, Lucinda Shaw, Dirk Johnston, Katie Paine, Parnell Page, Mig Ayesa, Erin Cornell, Chloe Hart, Ryan Dawson, Claire Marie-Hall, Andrew Derbyshire, Lucy Sinclair, Amy Lennox, Paul Read-Ayres and Lucy May Barker. The event will also feature acts from ITV’s Superstar, BBC1’s The Voice and Over the Rainbow.

Admission: £20. Buy tickets for West End Fest

Aston Merrygold from JLS replacing Adam Garcia on Got To Dance

Aston Merrygold from the mega-popular boy band JLS has joined Sky1's Got To Dance replacing Adam Garcia on the panel.

He will use his knowledge of choreography to judge the fourth run of the talent show with auditions starting last week in Manchester and continuing across the UK until late August. Got To Dance will return to Sky1 in 2013.

West End star Adam Garcia's is starring in the Chichester Festival Theatre and Old Vic production of Kiss Me Kate which means he is not available to film the next series early next year.

Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Banjo will return as judges for their fourth year while Davina McCall continues hosting..

John Barrowman & Scarlett Strallen in Gene Kelly - Gotta Sing Gotta Dance

Update 16th August:  You can now obtain tickets for the Gene Kelly Tribute which is being recorded  at the Hackney Empire on Wednesday 19th September at 8:00 pm by calling or by calling 020 8985 2424 or online from  www.hackneyempire.co.uk

BBC Radio 2's Friday Night Is Music Night presents a tribute to Gene Kelly - Gotta Sing Gotta Dance!  at 8:00 pm on Friday 28th September.

Starring John Barrowman with the sixty piece BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Broadway maestro Larry Blank, the concert also stars Scarlett Strallen (currently starring in Singin' in the Rain a the Palace Theatre) and big band vocalist Matt Ford  who performs regularly with the BBC Big Band, Halle, Philharmonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony, RTE Concert Orchestra and the John Wilson Orchestra performing at the BBC Proms in Hooray For Hollywood..

The concert features classic numbers including: Singin in the Rain; You Were Meant For Me; Almost Like Being in Love; I Could Write A Book; Make 'Em Laugh; Get Happy; For Me and My Gal; I Got Rhythm; Good Morning and Broadway Melody.

Full cast announced for Cabaret starring Will Young

Updated 13th August: As already announced, Will Young is making his West End debut as the Emcee in Rufus Norris' production of Cabaret with Michelle Ryan as Sally Bowles. The production is going on a short tour at the end of August prior to a run at the Savoy Theatre starting on 4th October.

They will be joined by Sian Phillips playing Fraulein Schneider (a role for which Sheila Hancock won an Olivier Award in Norris’ 2006 revival), Harriet Thorpe (who reprises her role as Fraulein Kost in Norris’ original production) and Matt Rawle playing young American writer Cliff Bradshaw.

Linal Haft (Harry Gold in EastEnders) and Nicholas Tizzard (Doctors) complete the cast along with an ensemble including John Brannoch, Jessica Ellen, Allessia Lugoboni, Edd Mitton, Ian Parsons, Nuno Silva, Rebecca Sutherland, Shahla Tarrant, Laura Tyrer, Cydney Uffindell-Phillips and Matthew Wesley.

Ben Richards in Soho Cabaret on Monday

The Soho Freedom Bar at 66 Wardour Street is presenting a Kinky Kabaret on Monday 13th August. 

Their resident divas the Idolls will be joined by West End and Bill star Ben Richards who has recently appeared in London’s West End in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and is due to embark on a UK tour of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 musical on 12th October.

Doors open at 11pm (show starts at midnight) with £5 tickets available on the door

Superstar Finalist Nathan James Judging Has Reading Got Talent?

Rock singer Nathan James was one of the finalists in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Superstar contest on ITV searching for someone to play Jesus in his arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.

He is going to be in Reading’s Broad Street Mall on Sunday 19th August to perform around lunch time and judge the semi-finals and finals of Has Reading Got Talent?

The contest to find Reading’s most gifted performers quarter-finals will be held on Saturday August 18th between 11:00am and 3:00 pm: the semi-final on Sunday, August 19th between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm and the final that afternoon between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

Details of new Wicked! Cast Members

There are a number of cast changes in Wicked! coming up when principals Matt Willis, Rachel Tucker, Julie Legrand, Adam Pettigrew, Lillie Flynn, Nikki Davis-Jones Chloe Taylor leave on 27th October.

It has already been announced that Louise Dearman is joining the company as Elphaba and other new cast members from 29th October include:

Ben Freeman (Fiyero) is best known as Scott Windsor in Emmerdale, a character he played for almost 10 years from 1998. Prior to Emmerdale, he starred for 4 years as Chris Longworth in Grange Hill.  He made his stage debut  as Friedrich in the national tour of the The Sound of Musi starring Christopher Cazenove. His starring roles in the West End include Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde and Norman in Dreamboats and Petticoats (also on national tour). His recent theatre roles include George in Same Time, Next Year (Jersey Arts Centre) and Callum in the national tour of The Chosen Ones. His presenting credits include Wake Up in the Wild Room and Smash Hits Roadshow for the Disney Channel.

Louise Plowright (Madame Morrible) created the role of Tanya in the original London production of Mamma Mia! for which she received an Olivier Award nomination. Louise then went on to play the lead role of Donna for 4 years.  Her most recent theatre roles have included Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! and Maggie Jones in 42nd Street, both at Chichester Festival Theatre; and Baroness Bomburst in the national tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. On television, her major roles have included: hairdresser Julie Cooper in Eastenders, from 1989 to 1990, Linda Harvey in Kay Mellor's Families; and Michelle Thorn in Footballers' Wives: Extra Time.

Sam Lupton (Boq) has recently finished playing the lead roles of Princeton/Rod in the UK tour of Avenue Q. His other theatre credits include: Greg in Single Sex and Gena Hamlet in Galka Motalka (Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester); Harry’ in Love On The Dole and Young Collector/Sailor in A Streetcar Named Desire (Bolton Octagon). He also appeared in the TMA award-wining production of The Hired Man (Bolton Octagon). Sam will make his West End debut in Wicked.

Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose) returns to Wicked having originated the role of Nessarose at the Apollo Victoria Theatre back in 2006, starring alongside Idina Menzel, Adam Garcia, Miriam Margolyes and Nigel Planer. She created the role of Sister Mary Roberts in Sister Act at the London Palladium and played Belle in the national tour of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. Her many other roles have included: Janet in the 30th Anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show; Sandy in Grease and Swallow in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down The Wind.

Hayley Gallivan (Standby Elphaba) played Martha in the London premiere of the award-winning musical Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith and in the West End at the Novello Theatre. She also starred as Olive Ostrovsky in The 25th Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Donmar, directed by Jamie Lloyd, and as Jan in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre. Hayley is currently appearing in Ragtime and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Open Air Theatre Regents Park.

Lucy van Gasse (Standby Glinda) most recently starred as Eileen opposite Connie Fisher in the national tour of Wonderful Town. She made her West End debut in the original cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies when she covered and played the role of Christine Daaé. Lucy also performed as part of the classical group Amici Forever in the UK and abroad.

New Cast for Wicked!

As already announced, Louise Dearman will be joining Wicked! taking over the role of Elphaba the green witch from Rachel Tucker from 29th October. 

There is a big cast change coming up with a number of members leaving on the 27th October and the new ones joining on the 29th.   The changes include Ben Freeman (Fiyero), Louise Plowright (Madame Morrible), Sam Lupton (Boq), Hayley Gallivan (Standby Elphaba), Lucy van Gasse (Standby Glinda) and Katie Rowley Jones will return as Nessarose which the role she originated in 2006.

Gina Beck, Keith Bartlett and Christopher Howell will continue in their current starring roles as Glinda, The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond.

Singin' In the Rain London Cast Recording

 Singin in the Rain is currently booking until February 2013 at the Palace Theatre in London's West End.

The London Company have recorded a Singin' in the Rain CD which is due for release on 13th August.

It can be pre-ordered from Amazon now for 10.42 GBP.

The track listing is:

1. Overture: Orchestra        
2. Fit as a Fiddle:  Adam Cooper & Daniel Crossley         
3. You Stepped Out of a Dream: Adam Cooper & Singin' in the Rain Company        
4. All I Do: Scarlett Strallen & The Girls of the Coconut Grove         
5. Make 'Em Laugh: Daniel Crossley  
6. Beautiful Girl: Singin' in the Rain Company & David Lucas       
7. You Are My Lucky Star: Scarlett Strallen         
8. You Were Meant for Me: Adam Cooper    
9. Moses Supposes: Adam Cooper & Daniel Crossley     
10. Good Morning :  Adam Cooper, Daniel Crossley & Scarlett Strallen         
11. Singin' in the Rain: Adam Cooper
12. Entr'acte:   Orchestra      
13. Good Morning (Reprise):  Singin' in the Rain Company        
14. Would You?: Scarlett Strallen         
15. What's Wrong With Me?:  Katherine Kingsley        
16. Broadway Ballet: Adam Cooper, Daniel Crossley & Singin' in the Rain Company  
17. You Are My Lucky Star (Reprise):   Singin' in the Rain Company,Adam Cooper & Scarlett Strallen   18. Singin' in the Rain (Reprise):    Singin' in the Rain Company         
19. Playout:  Orchestra

More Casting and Breakdown for Dear World Starring Betty Buckley

Updated 9th March: Dear World closing early on 16th March

Updated 17th December:

Tony Award winner Betty Buckley is starring in the revival of Jerry Herman’s Dear World at the Charing Cross Theatre. It will play there from 1st-February-30th March.

The production will be directed and choreographed by Gillian Lynne, who helped guide Miss Buckley to a Tony Award for her performance as Grizabella the Glamour Cat in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats.

Miss Buckley will play the role of Countess Aurelia, the part created on Broadway by Tony winner Angela Lansbury when it opened there in 1969.

She will be joined by Paul Nicholas/Sewerman, Katy Treharne (The Phantom Of The Opera)/Nina, Stuart Matthew Price (Sweet Smell Of Success, Mack And Mabel, Shrek, Parade)/Julian, Anthony Barclay/Prospector, Rebecca Lock (Avenue Q, Martin Guerre)/Gabrielle, Brett Brown/Waiter, Paul Hawkyard/Sargeant, Peter Land/ President, Robert Meadmore/President, Jack Rebaldi/President, Annabel Leventon/Constance, Ayman Safia/Mute  plus  Joanna Loxton and Craig Nicholls.

Set in post-war Paris in 1945 the musical is described as “a musical fable of Good versus Evil is a tale for our times, with only a madwoman and her odd collection of acquaintances to save the city from corporate greed." It is based on Jean Giraudoux's "The Madwoman of Chaillot”.

Miss Buckley received her second Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a musical for her performance in Triumph of Love, and an Olivier Award nomination for Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard which she also appeared in on Broadway.

Her other Broadway credits include 1776, Pippin, Song and Dance, the Mystery of Edwin Drood and Carrie.

Her latest CD, "Ah Men: The Boys of Broadway" was released in  August.

RIP Marvin Hamlisch

Very, very  sad news that composer Marvin Hamlisch has collapsed and died after a brief illness. He was only 68.

I last saw him with Idina Menzel in London and also in his one man show and loved the music and the man. He won three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony, a Pulitzer and three Golden Globes.

He composed over forty movie scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for "The Way We Were" and his adaptation of Scott Joplin's music for "The Sting" (for which he received a third Oscar). Other film scores included "Sophie's Choice," "Ordinary People," "The Swimmer," "Three Men and a Baby," "Ice Castles," "Take the Money and Run," Bananas," "Save the Tiger," "The Informant!" and his latest "Behind the Candelabra" which is a film currently being shot about the life of Liberace starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon.

Mr Hamlisch was Musical Director and arranger of Barbra Streisand’s 1994 concert tour of the US and England as well as of the television special, Barbra Streisand: The Concert (for which he received two of his Emmys).

On Broadway he wrote the music for "A Chorus Line" which received the Pulitzer Prize, "They're Playing Our Song," "The Goodbye Girl" and "Sweet Smell of Success."

He was due leave for Nashville this week to see his laest hit musical "The Nutty Professor” and was also working on a new Broadway musical "Gotta Dance."

LesMis v Phantom Charity Football Match

Updated 6th September:  total raised was £13,504.82!

As a way of showing support for their brave wig mistress Melanie Oakley-Dow and raising money for a great cause (Macmillan Cancer),  the cast of LesMis have a organised a charity football match again the Phantom of the Opera on Sunday 2nd September at East Grinstead FC. Kick off at 3:00 pm.

Come and support  the eclectic mix of of thespians, celebrities and ex-professional footballers or visit http://www.justgiving.com to make a donation.

Blood Brothers to Close at Phoenix

UPDATE 30th August:  Blood Brothers is playing for a further two weeks at the Phoenix and will now be closing on 10th November.

It has now been confirmed by Bill Kenwright that Willy Russell's Blood Brothers saying it is to close at the Phoenix Theatre on October 27th (it was booking until 24th November). It opened in the West End in 1988 and is coming up to its 25th anniversary.  There are no current plans to transfer it to another theatre .

With Dreamboats & Petticoats closing at the Playhouse last night it would seem that BKL is having a bit of rethink on his West End shows. Both Blood Brothers (starring Marti Pellow as the Narrator) and Dreamboats continue to tour successfully.

New Tour of Cats the Musical Next Year

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group has just confirmed that a new tour of Cats will start next year with the first date at the Edinburgh Playhouse opening on 8th February.

The 2013 tour is again presented by David Ian and it will also visit Aberdeen, Wolverhampton Grand (19th-30th March), Manchester, Bradford Alhambra (23rd April-4th May), Hull New Theatre (6th-18th May), Sunderland, Southampton, Milton Keynes, Woking, Ostend and Dublin with more dates to be announced.

Actual dates and booking links to follow shortly.

Casting for Bodyguard the Musical

Rehearsals start next month for the new musical The Bodyguard starring Heather Headley in the Whitney Houston (Rachel Marron) role and Lloyd Owen playing the part Kevin Costner covered in the film.

Other cast members include Debbie Kurup/Nicki Marron (Velma Kelly in Chicago, Tonight's The Night, Rent), Mark Letheren/The Stalker (All My Sons, Cloud Nine and the RSC's A Midsummer Night's Dream), Ray Shell/Bill Devaney (Miss Saigon, Gone With The Wind,Five Guys Named Moe, The Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express), Nicolas Colicos/Tony (Mamma Mia, The Producers) and Mark McKerracher as Herb Farmer (Les Miserables).

With Houston being a difficult act to follow Headley is fabulous and can really put the numbers across with the much anticipated performances starting on November 6th at the Adelphi Theatre with the opening night on 5th December.

Louise Dearman Playing Elphaba in Wicked!

West End leading lady Louise Dearman will return to Wicked! at the London Apollo Victoria from October 29th this year. But this time she will play the green witch Elphaba who sings the show stopping number Defying Gravity.

Since leaving the show she appeared as a special guest on Lee Mead's Love Concert Tour, dome concerts of her own and released a new album Here Comes The Sun

Miss Dearman played Glinda until last December opposite Rachel Tucker who she is now taking over from making her the first time the same actress has played both star roles in Wicked!

Tracie Bennett's End of the Rainbow to shutter early on Broadway

Peter Quilter's play End of the Rainbow with music about the final days of Judy Garland starring Tracie Bennett will close on August19th at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway. It was hoped that the run would last to January 6th next year,

But it's not the end for Tracie as the production will play at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles from March 12th-April 21st, a tour is in offing and a film adaptation starring Bennett is also being developed.

The production began performances in NY on March 19th and will have played a total of 176 performances on Broadway wneh it closes.

New Wii game Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals: Sing & Dance

Updated 6th November:  Playlist Added
Updated 23rd October.  Release date put back to 9^th November 

"Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals: Sing & Dance" will be released exclusively for Wii on 9th November.  It can be pre-ordered on Amazon for £19.99 with free super saver delivery.

The description on the box says "Fans of hit musicals such as 'The Phantom of the Opera', ‘Sunset Boulevard’, 'Evita', 'Cats', 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' and 'Jesus Christ Superstar' will now be able to put themselves centre stage with this new game."

It features 32 songs from 13 musicals including Evita's "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," Jesus Christ Superstar's "Superstar" and The Phantom of the Opera's "All I Ask Of You." It also features West End stars including Elaine Paige, Michael Crawford, Boyzone, Donny Osmond, David Essex and Sarah Brightman performing alongside the gamer.

Players can choose between "Dance", "Sing" or "Career" modes and have the option of performing alongside up to three other gamers.

The playlist that you can sing and dance along to is:

Aspects of Love: Love Changes Everything
Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat  – Susan Jane Tanner & Sir John Mills
Memory  – Elaine Paige
Mr. Mistoffelees – Paul Nicholas
The Jellicle Ball
Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina – Julie Covington
I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You  – Linda Lewis
Oh! What A Circus  – Elena Rodger
You Must Love Me  – Elena Rodger
Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar – Alice Cooper
King Herod's Song – Alice Cooper
Joseph: Any Dream Will Do – Lee Mead
Close Every Door  – Donny Osmond
Love Never Dies: Love Never Dies  – Sierra Boggess
'Til I Hear You Sing – Ramin Karimloo
Starlight Express: Crazy – Greg Ellis
Next Time You Fall In Love – Reva Rice & Greg Ellis
One Rock 'N' Roll Too Many – Maynard Williams & John Partridge
Starlight Express – El Debarge
Sunset Boulevard: Sunset Boulevard  – John Barrowman
Tell Me On A Sunday: Take That Look Off Your Face – Marti Webb
The Boys In The Photograph: All The Love I Have  Bryn Terfel & Renee Fleming
The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You  – Sarah Brightman & Cliff Richard
Angel Of Music – Ensemble
The Phantom Of The Opera – Sarah Brightman & Michael Crawford
The Music Of The Night  – Michael Crawford
Think Of Me – Sarah Brightman
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again  – Emmy Rossum
Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What  – Boyzone
Whistle Down The Wind  – Andrea Ross
The Wizard of Oz: Already Home  – Emily Tierney
Red Shoes Blues  – Hannah Waddingham