As already mentioned, Broadway star Christopher Fitzgerald will play P T Barnum in the Chichester Festival Theatre production this summer. He has received great acclaim and awards for roles including Boq in the original cast of Wicked!, Igor in Young Frankenstein, Og in Finian’s Rainbow and Launcelot Gobbo in Al Pacino’s production of The Merchant of Venice. Tamsin Carroll will play his wife Charity (Chairy) Barnum which was the role orignally played by Glenn Close on Broadway.
They will be joined by Aretha Ayeh as Joice Heath, Anna O’Byrne as
Jenny Lind and Jack North as Thom Thumb. O'Byrne played the role of
Christine Daae in the Australian production of Love Never Dies and is currently alternating in the role in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera.
The cast also includes Rachael Archer, Jacquie Biggs, Nick Butcher,
Sophie Camble, Jon-Scott Clark, Leon Cooke, Stefan Dermendjiev,
Faith-Louise Francis, Chris Gage, A C Garcia, Trina Hill, Jack Horner,
Erin Jameson, Jasmine Kerr, Mitch Leow, James O’Connell, Michaela
O’Connor, Max Parker, Tom Scanlon, Lucie-Mae Sumner and Robert
Tregoning.
Barnum is being performed at Chichester's Theatre in the Park from 15th July-31st August.
Book tickets for Barnum
Friday, April 26
Tuesday, April 23
New The Commitments musical opening at Palace Theatre in September
Roddy Doyle's Booker prize winning novel The Commitments has its world premiere at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End this September with previews starting on 21st September before opening on 8th October 2013. It is booking until 26th January 2014.
The show has been more than two years in the making and has been adapted from the novel by Doyle himself and will be directed by award winning Jamie Lloyd.
It tells the story of working class lad Jimmy Rabbitte who pulls together an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians and friends to become the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced.
Jimmy puts an ad in the newspaper and auditions a number of wannabes before forming The Commitments. The musical takes you through the early stages of the band getting to know each other and their instruments, through early rehearsals to their first gig.
But just as they begin to get a name for themselves the backing singers are all getting off with the middle aged horn legend, the singer has entered Eurovision and the saxophone player starts leaning towards a jazz career.
Buy tickets for The Commitments (preview tickets are currently on sale at half price)
The show has been more than two years in the making and has been adapted from the novel by Doyle himself and will be directed by award winning Jamie Lloyd.
It tells the story of working class lad Jimmy Rabbitte who pulls together an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians and friends to become the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced.
Jimmy puts an ad in the newspaper and auditions a number of wannabes before forming The Commitments. The musical takes you through the early stages of the band getting to know each other and their instruments, through early rehearsals to their first gig.
But just as they begin to get a name for themselves the backing singers are all getting off with the middle aged horn legend, the singer has entered Eurovision and the saxophone player starts leaning towards a jazz career.
Buy tickets for The Commitments (preview tickets are currently on sale at half price)
Labels:
the commitments
Saturday, April 20
West End Men Lee Mead, David Thaxton & Matt Willis in concert plus Special Guests
The West End Men Vaudeville Theatre 25th May-22nd June
Lee Mead (Wicked, Legally Blonde, BBC Series Winner of Any Dream Will Do), David Thaxton and Matt Willis will be joined by special guest stars Kerry Ellis (Wicked, Oliver, We Will Rock You, Born Free Tour with Brian May), Glenn Carter and Stephen Rahman Hughes at certain performances in The West End Men Concerts which are running at the Vaudeville Theatre from 25th May until 22nd June (press night 3rd June).
The West End Men features songs from the West End and Broadway backed by a full live band and choir.
Book Tickets for The West End Men
Lee Mead (Wicked, Legally Blonde, BBC Series Winner of Any Dream Will Do), David Thaxton and Matt Willis will be joined by special guest stars Kerry Ellis (Wicked, Oliver, We Will Rock You, Born Free Tour with Brian May), Glenn Carter and Stephen Rahman Hughes at certain performances in The West End Men Concerts which are running at the Vaudeville Theatre from 25th May until 22nd June (press night 3rd June).
The West End Men features songs from the West End and Broadway backed by a full live band and choir.
Book Tickets for The West End Men
Labels:
West End Men
Friday, April 19
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward Musical to open at the end of this year?
According to the Daily Mail this morning Andrew Lloyd Webber will be bringing his new Stephen Ward musical based on the Profumo Scandalinto the West End before the end of the year if he can secure the right medium sized theatre.
He is hoping that rehearsals will begin in October, and go into previews in late November. According to a show executive: "That’s dependent on the right theatre being available. As of this moment, there isn’t a signed theatre. But there is a theatre in sight,’ an executive involved with the production told me.If that desired theatre doesn’t become free in time, then Stephen Ward will be put back till late spring or early summer".
The uber talented Alexander Hanson (pictured) played Ward at one of the workshops and is it still in the running to play the lead role but he's also involved in the Simon Cowell X Factor extravaganza It’s Time To Face The Musical which is due to open at the London Palladium next year.
Hanson is due to perform in a run-through of some of the numbers from Stephen Ward in a deconsecrated church in the grounds of Lloyd Webber’s country estate at Sydmonton in front of a private audience of people from theatre, television and film in order to gauge its future potential.
Carly Bawden who recently turned in a great performance as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at Sheffield will play Mandy Rice-Davies.
He is hoping that rehearsals will begin in October, and go into previews in late November. According to a show executive: "That’s dependent on the right theatre being available. As of this moment, there isn’t a signed theatre. But there is a theatre in sight,’ an executive involved with the production told me.If that desired theatre doesn’t become free in time, then Stephen Ward will be put back till late spring or early summer".
The uber talented Alexander Hanson (pictured) played Ward at one of the workshops and is it still in the running to play the lead role but he's also involved in the Simon Cowell X Factor extravaganza It’s Time To Face The Musical which is due to open at the London Palladium next year.
Hanson is due to perform in a run-through of some of the numbers from Stephen Ward in a deconsecrated church in the grounds of Lloyd Webber’s country estate at Sydmonton in front of a private audience of people from theatre, television and film in order to gauge its future potential.
Carly Bawden who recently turned in a great performance as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at Sheffield will play Mandy Rice-Davies.
Casting News for Barnum
As already reported, Christopher Fitzgerald will play P T Barnum in the Chichester Festival Theatre production of the musical Barnum which opens on 15th July.
He will be joined by Tamsin Carroll who will play his wife Charity Barnum (Chairy) which was the part Glenn Close originally played on Broadway.
Her stage and TV credits include The Magistrate at the National: Ragtime, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oliver! Theatre in Australia includes: Company, Dusty, Measure for Measure, The Listmaker, Grease - The Arena Sepctacular, High Society, Bye Bye Birdie, Hair, Take Flight, The Threepenny Opera, Harbour/The Republic of Myopia, A Dream Play, Six Characters in Search of an Author, Side Show Alley, Oliver Long Gone Lonesome Cowboys, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Evita
TV: All Saints, Studio A with Simon Burke, Carols by Candlelight, All Saints, The Three Stooges, Above the Law, A Difficult Woman, Heartbreak High
Films: Holy Smoke, Ms Understanding
Book tickets for Barnum
He will be joined by Tamsin Carroll who will play his wife Charity Barnum (Chairy) which was the part Glenn Close originally played on Broadway.
Her stage and TV credits include The Magistrate at the National: Ragtime, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oliver! Theatre in Australia includes: Company, Dusty, Measure for Measure, The Listmaker, Grease - The Arena Sepctacular, High Society, Bye Bye Birdie, Hair, Take Flight, The Threepenny Opera, Harbour/The Republic of Myopia, A Dream Play, Six Characters in Search of an Author, Side Show Alley, Oliver Long Gone Lonesome Cowboys, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Evita
TV: All Saints, Studio A with Simon Burke, Carols by Candlelight, All Saints, The Three Stooges, Above the Law, A Difficult Woman, Heartbreak High
Films: Holy Smoke, Ms Understanding
Book tickets for Barnum
Labels:
barnum
Thursday, April 18
David Essex new arena tour with Jonathan Ansell and Ruthie Henshall
Updated 9th May: THIS TOUR HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO "Technical Problems".
David Essex will be touring the UK in October in a new arena show Nights On Broadway which features songs from musical theatre. He will be joined by Ruthie Henshall, Hayley Westenra, Paul Potts, Jonathan Ansell and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Tickets go on presale at 09:00 on 24th April and general sale on the 26th at the following venues: 19th October Motorpoint Arena Cardiff - 20th October Brighton Centre - 23rd October 02 London - 24th October Liverpool Echo Arena - 25th October Metro Radio Arena Newcastle - 26th October LG Arena Birmingham - 27th October Manchester Arena and 28th October at The Hydro Glasgow.
David Essex will be touring the UK in October in a new arena show Nights On Broadway which features songs from musical theatre. He will be joined by Ruthie Henshall, Hayley Westenra, Paul Potts, Jonathan Ansell and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Tickets go on presale at 09:00 on 24th April and general sale on the 26th at the following venues: 19th October Motorpoint Arena Cardiff - 20th October Brighton Centre - 23rd October 02 London - 24th October Liverpool Echo Arena - 25th October Metro Radio Arena Newcastle - 26th October LG Arena Birmingham - 27th October Manchester Arena and 28th October at The Hydro Glasgow.
Labels:
David Essex
The Golden Voice New Musical at Arts Theatre
Updated 13th June: due to funding issues the opening of The Golden Voice has been postponed until 26th July with previews starting on the 17th. The show will now run until 31st August
Updated 29th April: Just announced that Darren Day will play Mike Chariot . Joining Darren will be Sebastian Torkia, Yvette Robinson, George Maguire, Natalie McQueen, Daniel Robinson, Nina French, Joe Sterling, Imogen Brooke, Patrick Burbridge, Sarah Goggin, Tom Newman, Jason Gray, Stephie Crocker, Joseph Claus.
The Golden Voice is a new musical which is running at the Arts Theatre in Great Newport Street London and previews
It tells the story of ambitious singer Mike Chariot who betrays his best friend and abandons his childhood sweetheart to win the talent show The Golden Voice. But he quickly realises he is a cash cow for the record company and TV executives who abandon him when they have made their money - sound familiar! Too famous to return to his old life he decides to disappear and is all but forgotten.
So fast forward by 20 years when a wiser Mike Chariot is back to make amends and help young singers and musicians achieve their dreams without entering television talent shows. This brings him back in contact with his former best friend Jim Ryan who now has the power to get his own back.
Nick Fogarty has written the book, lyrics and music and the show is directed by Guy Retallack. Casting to be announced shortly.
PREVIEW OFFER: Save up to 34% Top price seats £34 for a limited time. Book tickets for The Golden Voice
Updated 29th April: Just announced that Darren Day will play Mike Chariot . Joining Darren will be Sebastian Torkia, Yvette Robinson, George Maguire, Natalie McQueen, Daniel Robinson, Nina French, Joe Sterling, Imogen Brooke, Patrick Burbridge, Sarah Goggin, Tom Newman, Jason Gray, Stephie Crocker, Joseph Claus.
The Golden Voice is a new musical which is running at the Arts Theatre in Great Newport Street London and previews
but will
now open on 26 July, with previews from 17 July. - See more at:
http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/06-2013/darren-day-musical-golden-voice-delayed-due-to-fun_30969.html#sthash.fFK7YYPD.dpuf
but will
now open on 26 July, with previews from 17 July. - See more at:
http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/06-2013/darren-day-musical-golden-voice-delayed-due-to-fun_30969.html#sthash.fFK7YYPD.dpuf
It tells the story of ambitious singer Mike Chariot who betrays his best friend and abandons his childhood sweetheart to win the talent show The Golden Voice. But he quickly realises he is a cash cow for the record company and TV executives who abandon him when they have made their money - sound familiar! Too famous to return to his old life he decides to disappear and is all but forgotten.
So fast forward by 20 years when a wiser Mike Chariot is back to make amends and help young singers and musicians achieve their dreams without entering television talent shows. This brings him back in contact with his former best friend Jim Ryan who now has the power to get his own back.
Nick Fogarty has written the book, lyrics and music and the show is directed by Guy Retallack. Casting to be announced shortly.
PREVIEW OFFER: Save up to 34% Top price seats £34 for a limited time. Book tickets for The Golden Voice
Labels:
The Golden Voice
Tim Flavin starring in WAG! the Musical
Updated 3rd June: Cast now includes Tim Flavin, Lizzie Cundy, Pippa Fulton, Ariadne the
Greek Wag - the comic creation of Alyssa Kyria, Daisy Wood-Davis, Amy
Scott, Gavin Alex, Chris Grierson, Katie Kerr, Philip Andrew and Nia
Jermin.
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Olivier Award winner Tim Flavin is starrring in the West End premiere of WAG! The Musical at the Charing Cross Theatre from July 24th (previews from July 18th) to August 24th.
A contemporary comedy musical set in a major city centre department store, WAG! The Musical follows a day in the life of best friends Jenny and Sharron, two working class girls making ends meet working on the cosmetics counter. Jenny is the mistress of a premier league superstar and longs for escape and fulfillment, while girl-next-door Sharron battles to retain her friend and control her forbidden affections towards a new colleague.
Add to this adulterous males, scandal and fading hopes of lasting happiness which is lorded over by an acidic queen, and played out against the backdrop of a red carpet fashion launch extravaganza! There’s also a special guest appearance by Ariadne the Greek Wag.
Tim Flavin was the first American actor to win a Best Actor Olivier Award for his performance in Rodgers and Hart’s On Your Toes. His other West End roles include Billy Buck Chandler in My One and Only, for which he was again nominated for an Olivier Award; and Bobby Child in Crazy For You (another Best Actor nomination). Most recently, he starred as Julian Marsh in 42nd Street at Chichester and Leicester Curve and in the UK tour of Singin’ in the Rain.
There is a special guest appearance by Ariadne the Greek Wag who is the creation of Alyssa Kyria. She is a regular host, act and headliner on London’s comedy and cabaret circuit. .
Further casting to be announced shortly.
WAG! The Musical will be directed and staged by Alison Pollard, Associate Director on Book of Mormon in the West End. She previously directed Singin’ in the Rain (UK tour), Spamalot (Melbourne and Cologne), Spongebob Squarepants – The Musical (UK tour) and Chicago (Marrakech and Turkey). She also directed and choreographed Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (five-year international tour).
The book is by Belvedere Pashun (Norma Jean the Musical, Les Dawson The Musical, Hollywood Love, Shag! The Musical); and music and lyrics by Grant Martin, Thomas Giron-Towers and Tony Bayliss.
Produced by Peter Frosdick and Paul Nicholas, WAG! The Musical will have set design by Charles Camm, lighting by Simon Lord and sound by Peter Hargreaves.
Buy tickets for WAG! the Musical
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Olivier Award winner Tim Flavin is starrring in the West End premiere of WAG! The Musical at the Charing Cross Theatre from July 24th (previews from July 18th) to August 24th.
A contemporary comedy musical set in a major city centre department store, WAG! The Musical follows a day in the life of best friends Jenny and Sharron, two working class girls making ends meet working on the cosmetics counter. Jenny is the mistress of a premier league superstar and longs for escape and fulfillment, while girl-next-door Sharron battles to retain her friend and control her forbidden affections towards a new colleague.
Add to this adulterous males, scandal and fading hopes of lasting happiness which is lorded over by an acidic queen, and played out against the backdrop of a red carpet fashion launch extravaganza! There’s also a special guest appearance by Ariadne the Greek Wag.
Tim Flavin was the first American actor to win a Best Actor Olivier Award for his performance in Rodgers and Hart’s On Your Toes. His other West End roles include Billy Buck Chandler in My One and Only, for which he was again nominated for an Olivier Award; and Bobby Child in Crazy For You (another Best Actor nomination). Most recently, he starred as Julian Marsh in 42nd Street at Chichester and Leicester Curve and in the UK tour of Singin’ in the Rain.
There is a special guest appearance by Ariadne the Greek Wag who is the creation of Alyssa Kyria. She is a regular host, act and headliner on London’s comedy and cabaret circuit. .
Further casting to be announced shortly.
WAG! The Musical will be directed and staged by Alison Pollard, Associate Director on Book of Mormon in the West End. She previously directed Singin’ in the Rain (UK tour), Spamalot (Melbourne and Cologne), Spongebob Squarepants – The Musical (UK tour) and Chicago (Marrakech and Turkey). She also directed and choreographed Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (five-year international tour).
The book is by Belvedere Pashun (Norma Jean the Musical, Les Dawson The Musical, Hollywood Love, Shag! The Musical); and music and lyrics by Grant Martin, Thomas Giron-Towers and Tony Bayliss.
Produced by Peter Frosdick and Paul Nicholas, WAG! The Musical will have set design by Charles Camm, lighting by Simon Lord and sound by Peter Hargreaves.
Buy tickets for WAG! the Musical
Labels:
WAG
Cast For Titanic Musical at Southwark Playhouse
Updated 8th July: the full cast for Titanic is: Philip Rham/Captain E J Smith who appeared in the musical Parade at Southwark Playhouse: Simon Green (J Bruce Ismay Director of the White Star Line) has just finished playing M. AndrĂ© in the UK tour of The Phantom of the Opera: Greg Castiglioni (Thomas Andrews ship's architect) Paul in Company at Southwark Playhouse and Magaldi in Michael Grandage’s West End production of Evita: Celia Graham: Alice (2nd Class passenger Alice Beane from America) starred as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies, is
The rest of the cast is: Barratt: James Austen-Murray/Lightoller: Dominic Brewer/Kate Mullins: Scarlett Courtney/Bride: Matthew Crowe/Hartley/Bellboy: Jonathan David Dudley/Kate Murphey: Grace Eccle/Edgar: Oliver Hembrough/Etches: James Hume/Murdoch: Sion Lloyd/Caroline: Claire Marlowe/Jim Farell: Shane McDaid/Fleet: Leo Miles/Charles: Nadim Naaman/Kate McGowan: Victoria Serra,/Ida Strauss: Judith Street and Isidor Strauss:Dudley Rogers
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The European premiere of a new chamber version of Titanic which has only been performed once before in the US.is playing at the Southwark Playhouse from 26th July-31st August. Press night is 31st July.
Winner of 5 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Titanic tells the story of the final hour of 14th April 1912 when RMS Titanic ("the unsinkable ship") on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York hit an iceberg and slowly sank. It was one of the biggest disasters of the 20th Century when 1517 men, women and children lost their lives.
Based on actual characters aboard the ship, the 1997 musical by Maury Yeston (Nine, Grand Hotel, Phantom) and Peter Stone’s focuses on their hopes and aspirations. Unaware of the fate that awaits them the Third Class immigrants dream of a better life in America: the Second Class passengers dream of achieving the lifestyles of the rich and famous, and the millionaire Barons of the First Class dream of their hegemony lasting forever.
It will be directed by Thom Southerland who was named Best Director at the 2011 The Offies - Off West End Theatre Awards - for Me and Juliet at the Finborough. He directed Victor/Victoria, Mack & Mabel and Parade (Southwark Playhouse); Daisy Pulls It Off, Irving Berlin's Call Me Madam! (Upstairs At The Gatehouse); the European premiere of I Sing!, Divorce Me, Darling!, Annie Get Your Gun, The Pajama Game and sold-out all-male adaptations of Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore and The Mikado (Union); Noël and Gertie (Cockpit); the European premiere of The Unsinkable Molly Brown (Landor); and the European premiere of State Fair (Finbourough & transfer to Trafalgar Studios).
Musical Staging is by Cressida Carré, Musical Director Mark Aspinall, Set/Costume Designer David Woodhead, Lighting Designer Howard Hudson and Sound Designer Andrew Johnson.
Titanic is produced by Danielle Tarento (winner Best Producer at the 2012 Offies). She also produced Victor/Victoria, Mack & Mabel, Parade and Company at Southwark Playhouse; Taboo (Brixton Clubhouse); The Pitchfork Disney (Arcola); Burlesque, Drowning on Dry Land (Jermyn Street); Noël and Gertie (Cockpit). She is co-founder of the Menier Chocolate Factory and co-produced all in-house shows 2004- 2006, including Sunday In The Park With George, which received a West End transfer and 5 Olivier awards.
Casting to be announced shortly
Book tickets for Titanic
The rest of the cast is: Barratt: James Austen-Murray/Lightoller: Dominic Brewer/Kate Mullins: Scarlett Courtney/Bride: Matthew Crowe/Hartley/Bellboy: Jonathan David Dudley/Kate Murphey: Grace Eccle/Edgar: Oliver Hembrough/Etches: James Hume/Murdoch: Sion Lloyd/Caroline: Claire Marlowe/Jim Farell: Shane McDaid/Fleet: Leo Miles/Charles: Nadim Naaman/Kate McGowan: Victoria Serra,/Ida Strauss: Judith Street and Isidor Strauss:Dudley Rogers
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The European premiere of a new chamber version of Titanic which has only been performed once before in the US.is playing at the Southwark Playhouse from 26th July-31st August. Press night is 31st July.
Winner of 5 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Titanic tells the story of the final hour of 14th April 1912 when RMS Titanic ("the unsinkable ship") on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York hit an iceberg and slowly sank. It was one of the biggest disasters of the 20th Century when 1517 men, women and children lost their lives.
Based on actual characters aboard the ship, the 1997 musical by Maury Yeston (Nine, Grand Hotel, Phantom) and Peter Stone’s focuses on their hopes and aspirations. Unaware of the fate that awaits them the Third Class immigrants dream of a better life in America: the Second Class passengers dream of achieving the lifestyles of the rich and famous, and the millionaire Barons of the First Class dream of their hegemony lasting forever.
It will be directed by Thom Southerland who was named Best Director at the 2011 The Offies - Off West End Theatre Awards - for Me and Juliet at the Finborough. He directed Victor/Victoria, Mack & Mabel and Parade (Southwark Playhouse); Daisy Pulls It Off, Irving Berlin's Call Me Madam! (Upstairs At The Gatehouse); the European premiere of I Sing!, Divorce Me, Darling!, Annie Get Your Gun, The Pajama Game and sold-out all-male adaptations of Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore and The Mikado (Union); Noël and Gertie (Cockpit); the European premiere of The Unsinkable Molly Brown (Landor); and the European premiere of State Fair (Finbourough & transfer to Trafalgar Studios).
Musical Staging is by Cressida Carré, Musical Director Mark Aspinall, Set/Costume Designer David Woodhead, Lighting Designer Howard Hudson and Sound Designer Andrew Johnson.
Titanic is produced by Danielle Tarento (winner Best Producer at the 2012 Offies). She also produced Victor/Victoria, Mack & Mabel, Parade and Company at Southwark Playhouse; Taboo (Brixton Clubhouse); The Pitchfork Disney (Arcola); Burlesque, Drowning on Dry Land (Jermyn Street); Noël and Gertie (Cockpit). She is co-founder of the Menier Chocolate Factory and co-produced all in-house shows 2004- 2006, including Sunday In The Park With George, which received a West End transfer and 5 Olivier awards.
Casting to be announced shortly
Book tickets for Titanic
Labels:
Titanic
Wednesday, April 17
Casting for The Witches of Eastwick directed by Craig Revel Horwood
Updated 26th June: Rehearsals about to start with full cast: Alex Bourne/Darryl Van Horne: Rosemary Ashe/Felicia: "The witches" Tiffany Graves/Sukie: Poppy Tierney/Alexandra:Joanna Hickman/Jane with Esther Biddle/Townsperson: Dexter Galang/Fidel: : Jeffrey Harmer/Clyde: : Cici Howells/Little Girl: Greg Last/Townsperson: Gary Mitchinson/Townsperson: Naomi Petersen/Jennifer: : Gavin Whitworth/Townsperson and Ross William Wild/Michael
Updated 10th May: Casting news: Alex Bourne (Kiss Me Kate), Tiffany Graves (Piaf) with Joanna Hickman playing Jane Smart are to star in The Witches of Eastwick.
Craig Revel Horwood is directing a new production of The Witches of Eastwick musical comedy which will play at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury from 25th July-14th September.
Three divorcees in the picturesque town of Eastwick in Rhode Island unwittingly form a coven and have weekly meetings to share their fantasies about their ideal men. Then the distinctly unappealing Darryl Van Horne (played by Jack Nicholson in the 1987 film) arrives in the neighbourhood and uses his charms to release their creative energy along and inhibitions!
But hell hath no fury like three women scorned and Alex, Jane and Sukie (played by Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon in the film) use their newly discovered powers to teach their depraved seducer a lesson.
Paul Herbert (Radio Times and Thoroughly Modern Millie) is musical arranger with design by Tom Rogers, lighting by Nick Richings and sound by Peter Rice
Book tickets for The Witches of Eastwick
Updated 10th May: Casting news: Alex Bourne (Kiss Me Kate), Tiffany Graves (Piaf) with Joanna Hickman playing Jane Smart are to star in The Witches of Eastwick.
Craig Revel Horwood is directing a new production of The Witches of Eastwick musical comedy which will play at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury from 25th July-14th September.
Three divorcees in the picturesque town of Eastwick in Rhode Island unwittingly form a coven and have weekly meetings to share their fantasies about their ideal men. Then the distinctly unappealing Darryl Van Horne (played by Jack Nicholson in the 1987 film) arrives in the neighbourhood and uses his charms to release their creative energy along and inhibitions!
But hell hath no fury like three women scorned and Alex, Jane and Sukie (played by Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon in the film) use their newly discovered powers to teach their depraved seducer a lesson.
Paul Herbert (Radio Times and Thoroughly Modern Millie) is musical arranger with design by Tom Rogers, lighting by Nick Richings and sound by Peter Rice
Book tickets for The Witches of Eastwick
Labels:
The Witches of Eastwick
Tuesday, April 16
Harriet Thorpe returning to Wicked!
Harriet Thorpe is returning to Wicked! at the Victoria Apollo to reprise the role of Madame Morrible from Monday 22nd April until Saturday 16th November.
Louise Plowright who has been playing the part has been dogged by ill health for the past couple of months and has withdrawn from the role.
Hopefully Louise will be better soon.
Louise Plowright who has been playing the part has been dogged by ill health for the past couple of months and has withdrawn from the role.
Hopefully Louise will be better soon.
Labels:
Wicked
Michael Ball Sings the Musicals Concert
Michael Ball kicked off his new concert tour Both Sides Now last night which goes on until 10th May, and it has now been announced that he is joining this year’s line up for the summer concerts at Audley End.
He will be performing at Audley End House in Saffron Walden on Sunday August 4th “singing the musicals” accompanied by the British Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Callum McLeod.
Others stars already announced over the two weekends are Ronan Keating on Saturday August 10th and Katherine Jenkins on Sunday August 11th.
Buy tickets for Michael Ball Sings the Musicals
He will be performing at Audley End House in Saffron Walden on Sunday August 4th “singing the musicals” accompanied by the British Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Callum McLeod.
Others stars already announced over the two weekends are Ronan Keating on Saturday August 10th and Katherine Jenkins on Sunday August 11th.
Buy tickets for Michael Ball Sings the Musicals
Labels:
Michael Ball
David Shannon & Caroline Sheen Best of the West End Prom
David Shannon is currently residing in New York but he is returning to the UK in July to perform the Best of the West End Prom with Caroline Sheen.
The concert is part of the Welsh Proms and will be held at St David's Hall in Cardiff on Wednesday 24th July at 7:30 pm
They will be accompanied by the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera conducted by David Charles Abell singing numbers from the golden age of American musicals and standards from The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Cats, Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Grease and The Lion King.
Book tickets for Best of the West End Prom
The concert is part of the Welsh Proms and will be held at St David's Hall in Cardiff on Wednesday 24th July at 7:30 pm
They will be accompanied by the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera conducted by David Charles Abell singing numbers from the golden age of American musicals and standards from The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Cats, Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Grease and The Lion King.
Book tickets for Best of the West End Prom
Labels:
Caroline Sheen,
David Shannon
ALW Unsung Concert
ALW Unsung is an evening of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs in their original form: songs that were written for a project and then re-used in his hit musicals. It is an evening of classic musical theatre songs as you have
never heard them before including the song he wrote for Elvis Presley and his 1969 Eurovision entry.
It will be performed at the Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday 21st April at 8:00 pm.
West End performers Wendy Ferguson (Phantom, Oliver): Adam Linstead (Les Miz, Phantom): Will Barratt (Jersey Boys, Phantom) : Anton Stephans (Sweeney Todd, Starlight Express): Suzanna Kempner (Best Newcomer, Musical Comedy Awards 2010) and Tanya Shields (Spelling Bee).
It will be Directed by Brian McCann with Musical Direction by James Doughty.
Tickets for ALW Unsung
never heard them before including the song he wrote for Elvis Presley and his 1969 Eurovision entry.
It will be performed at the Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday 21st April at 8:00 pm.
West End performers Wendy Ferguson (Phantom, Oliver): Adam Linstead (Les Miz, Phantom): Will Barratt (Jersey Boys, Phantom) : Anton Stephans (Sweeney Todd, Starlight Express): Suzanna Kempner (Best Newcomer, Musical Comedy Awards 2010) and Tanya Shields (Spelling Bee).
It will be Directed by Brian McCann with Musical Direction by James Doughty.
Tickets for ALW Unsung
Labels:
ALW Unsung
Friday, April 12
Paul Michael Glaser playing Tevye in Tour of Fiddler on the Roof
The new tour of Fiddler on the Roof which opens at the Southampton Mayflower in September and is being directed by Craig Revel Horwood has Paul Michael Glaser in the lead role playing Tevye which was so famously played in London and on tour by Topol back in 1983. Zero Mostel originally created the role on Broadway in 1976.
Glaser appeared in the original 1971 film playing student and Bolshevik revolutionary Perchik who falls in love with Tevye’s second daughter.
Glaser is an American actor, writer and director who is best known for his role as Detective David Starsky (the jumper wearing one with the curly hair) in the TV series Starsky and Hutch which ran from 1975-1979.
He has numerous television credits but his theatre credits include Butterflies Are Free on Broadway in 1969 and Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the Churchill Theatre Bromley in 2007.
Glaser appeared in the original 1971 film playing student and Bolshevik revolutionary Perchik who falls in love with Tevye’s second daughter.
Glaser is an American actor, writer and director who is best known for his role as Detective David Starsky (the jumper wearing one with the curly hair) in the TV series Starsky and Hutch which ran from 1975-1979.
He has numerous television credits but his theatre credits include Butterflies Are Free on Broadway in 1969 and Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the Churchill Theatre Bromley in 2007.
Labels:
Fiddler on the Roof
Wednesday, April 10
Janie Dee, Hadley Fraser and Joanna Riding: A Little Night Music Concert Reading
Updated 3rd June: Hadley Fraser has had to pull out of this reading and Phantom star Simon Bailey will take his place.
There is a one off concert reading of the Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler musical A Little Night Music at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford at 7:00 pm on Sunday June 16th.
The evening will feature an all star West End cast including Janie Dee (Carousel, Comic Potential, Noises Off) as Desirée Armfeldt: Hadley Fraser (currently in rehearsal for The Pajama Game at Chichester, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, The Pirate Queen) as Count Carl- Magnus Malcolm: David Birrell (Ragtime, Spamalot, Passion) as Frederik Egerman: Joanna Riding (also in the Pajama Game, Carousel, The Witches of Eastwick, My Fair Lady) as Countess Charlotte Malcolm: Anna O'Byrne (Love Never Dies, The Phantom of the Opera) as Anne Egerman: Fra Fee (Les Miserables Movie) as Henrik Egerman: Laura Pitt-Pulford (Mack and Mabel, Sunset Boulevard, Hello Dolly) as Petra.
The cast also includes Nadim Naaman as Mr Erlanson: Scott Garnham as Mr Lindquist: Kimberly Blake as Mrs Nordstrom: Lisa-Anne Wood as Mrs Anderssen and Laura Sillett as Mrs Segstrom with further casting still to be announced.
Tickets priced between £26-29 can be booked on the Yvonne Arnaud website or by phone on 01483 440000.
There is a one off concert reading of the Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler musical A Little Night Music at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford at 7:00 pm on Sunday June 16th.
The evening will feature an all star West End cast including Janie Dee (Carousel, Comic Potential, Noises Off) as Desirée Armfeldt: Hadley Fraser (currently in rehearsal for The Pajama Game at Chichester, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, The Pirate Queen) as Count Carl- Magnus Malcolm: David Birrell (Ragtime, Spamalot, Passion) as Frederik Egerman: Joanna Riding (also in the Pajama Game, Carousel, The Witches of Eastwick, My Fair Lady) as Countess Charlotte Malcolm: Anna O'Byrne (Love Never Dies, The Phantom of the Opera) as Anne Egerman: Fra Fee (Les Miserables Movie) as Henrik Egerman: Laura Pitt-Pulford (Mack and Mabel, Sunset Boulevard, Hello Dolly) as Petra.
The cast also includes Nadim Naaman as Mr Erlanson: Scott Garnham as Mr Lindquist: Kimberly Blake as Mrs Nordstrom: Lisa-Anne Wood as Mrs Anderssen and Laura Sillett as Mrs Segstrom with further casting still to be announced.
Tickets priced between £26-29 can be booked on the Yvonne Arnaud website or by phone on 01483 440000.
Labels:
A Little Night Music
Bonnie Langford leaves 9 to 5 Tour for Spamalot and Anita Louise Combe takes over as Roz
Bonnie Langford left the tour of 9 to 5 last night (but is returning to perform at Southampton, Leeds and Cardiff). She due to return to Spamalot at London's Playhouse Theatre to reprise her role of Lady of the Lake on 6th May.
Anita Louise Combe will be opening as Roz tonight in the Dolly Parton musical. She is an Australian actress and singer who has a string of musical theatre credits to her name including playing Sillabub in the Australian Premiere of Cats and performing the roles of both Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly in Chicago in the West End (Adelphi Theatre).
She also created the role of Stephanie Mangano in the World Premiere Production of Saturday Night Fever opposite Adam Garcia at the London Palladium.
Anita Louise Combe will be opening as Roz tonight in the Dolly Parton musical. She is an Australian actress and singer who has a string of musical theatre credits to her name including playing Sillabub in the Australian Premiere of Cats and performing the roles of both Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly in Chicago in the West End (Adelphi Theatre).
She also created the role of Stephanie Mangano in the World Premiere Production of Saturday Night Fever opposite Adam Garcia at the London Palladium.
Labels:
9 To 5
Tuesday, April 9
Steps Ian "H" Watkins to Wear Joseph's Dreamcoat Again
Steps pop group member Ian "H" Watkins is again playing the role of Joseph in the Bill Kenwright tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat when Keith Jack leaves.
Watkins will play the role from 25th June when it opens at the Bristol Hippodrome until 5th October at Blackpool Opera House. He has already played the role in the West End and on a four month tour.
Watkins will play the role from 25th June when it opens at the Bristol Hippodrome until 5th October at Blackpool Opera House. He has already played the role in the West End and on a four month tour.
Labels:
Joseph
Friday, April 5
Great Line Up Announced for the Olivier Awards
The Olivier Awards are being held at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden on 28th April. The Musical Theatre nominees can be found here.
As already mentioned. they are being hosted this year by Sheridan Smith and Hugh Bonneville, but the line has now been announced with Glee and Broadway stars Idina Menzel and Matthew Morrison performing live. They will be joined by Petula Clark, Will Young with the cast of Cabaret, the full companies of A Chorus Line and Top Hat plus The Bodyguard star and Best Actress in a Musical nominee Heather Headley will sing I Will Always Love You. Busted and Son Of Dork musician James Bourne will sing from his nominated musical Loserville.
Michael Xavier and Claudia Winkelman will be in charge of he proceedings on the stage in the Covent Garden Piazza. There will be live performances from shows including Billy Elliot The Musical, Matilda The Musical, The Phantom Of The Opera, Wicked, Burn The Floor, Potted Potter and Some Like It Hip Hop. There will also be a large screen showing the awards ceremony as it happens.
Envelope opened and award presenters will include Damien Lewis, Daniel Radcliffe, Kim Cattrall, Lee Evans, Romola Garai, Lily James, David Suchet, Myleene Klass and Tim Minchin.
Sounds like a great event this year which will be broadcast live with red carpet coverage and performances from the show on BBC Radio 2 from 6:00 pm. Shortly after the ceremony ends ITV1 will be broadcasting highlights.
As already mentioned. they are being hosted this year by Sheridan Smith and Hugh Bonneville, but the line has now been announced with Glee and Broadway stars Idina Menzel and Matthew Morrison performing live. They will be joined by Petula Clark, Will Young with the cast of Cabaret, the full companies of A Chorus Line and Top Hat plus The Bodyguard star and Best Actress in a Musical nominee Heather Headley will sing I Will Always Love You. Busted and Son Of Dork musician James Bourne will sing from his nominated musical Loserville.
Michael Xavier and Claudia Winkelman will be in charge of he proceedings on the stage in the Covent Garden Piazza. There will be live performances from shows including Billy Elliot The Musical, Matilda The Musical, The Phantom Of The Opera, Wicked, Burn The Floor, Potted Potter and Some Like It Hip Hop. There will also be a large screen showing the awards ceremony as it happens.
Envelope opened and award presenters will include Damien Lewis, Daniel Radcliffe, Kim Cattrall, Lee Evans, Romola Garai, Lily James, David Suchet, Myleene Klass and Tim Minchin.
Sounds like a great event this year which will be broadcast live with red carpet coverage and performances from the show on BBC Radio 2 from 6:00 pm. Shortly after the ceremony ends ITV1 will be broadcasting highlights.
Labels:
Laurence Olivier Awards
Wednesday, April 3
Madalena Alberto to play Eva Peron in Tour of Evita
Marti Pellow has already been confirmed to play Che Guevara in Bill Kenwright's tour of Evita which opens at Wimbledon Theatre on 15th May.
His leading lady will be Portuguese born singer/songwriter and actress Madalena Alberto playing the role of Eva Peron. I believe this is one of the most demanding singing roles for a female in musical theatre and she certainly has the right background with credits including the title role in Piaf at the Curve Leicester: Fantine in the 25th Anniversary Production of LesMis: Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde: Zorro: Chicago and Fame.
I think this is inspired casting and am very much looking forward to seeing her in this role.
One other piece of casting news is that Nic Gibney is playing Magaldi. He has played this role for BKL in 2010 and his other musical theatre credits include The Pirates of Penzance, Jesus Christ Superstar, Smokey Joes Cafe and Rocky Horror in Concert.
His leading lady will be Portuguese born singer/songwriter and actress Madalena Alberto playing the role of Eva Peron. I believe this is one of the most demanding singing roles for a female in musical theatre and she certainly has the right background with credits including the title role in Piaf at the Curve Leicester: Fantine in the 25th Anniversary Production of LesMis: Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde: Zorro: Chicago and Fame.
I think this is inspired casting and am very much looking forward to seeing her in this role.
One other piece of casting news is that Nic Gibney is playing Magaldi. He has played this role for BKL in 2010 and his other musical theatre credits include The Pirates of Penzance, Jesus Christ Superstar, Smokey Joes Cafe and Rocky Horror in Concert.
Labels:
Evita
Tuesday, April 2
Clint Eastwood Directing Jersey Boys Film
The Frank Valli and the Four Seasons musical Jersey Boys is currently running at the Prince Edward Theatre.
A film of the musical is due to be made later this year with the screenplay by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, who wrote the book for the musical. Franki Valli and Bob Gaudio are the executive producers.
Updated 22nd May: Oscar-winning actor, director and filmmaker Clint Eastwood is now confirmed to direct the big-screen adaptation.
Auditions are currently under way and the film will begin shooting late this summer in Los Angeles. Graham King ("Argo") and Robert Lorenz ("Million Dollar Baby") are producing the film.
Eastwood has directed 32 films including Million Dollar Baby, Invictus and Mystic River and apparently wants to work on Jersey Boys after the casting delays on A Star Is Born which Beyonce was due to star in.
A film of the musical is due to be made later this year with the screenplay by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, who wrote the book for the musical. Franki Valli and Bob Gaudio are the executive producers.
Updated 22nd May: Oscar-winning actor, director and filmmaker Clint Eastwood is now confirmed to direct the big-screen adaptation.
Auditions are currently under way and the film will begin shooting late this summer in Los Angeles. Graham King ("Argo") and Robert Lorenz ("Million Dollar Baby") are producing the film.
Eastwood has directed 32 films including Million Dollar Baby, Invictus and Mystic River and apparently wants to work on Jersey Boys after the casting delays on A Star Is Born which Beyonce was due to star in.
Labels:
Jersey Boys
Daniel Boys UK Finalist for Neighbours Remixed Competition
The UK winner of the Neighbours theme tune competition has been announced as Daniel Boys who is currently appearing in the tour of High Society playing Mike Connor (the part played by Frank Sinatra in the 1956 MGM film).
He will now compete in a sing-off against the Australian winner Stephanie Angelini of the Neighbours Remixed competition: the winner of which will become the new voice behind the iconic theme tune.
Boys beat four other UK finalists with 37% of the vote and is now due to fly to Australia with the winner being announced on 8th April.
Lots of luck Daniel!
He will now compete in a sing-off against the Australian winner Stephanie Angelini of the Neighbours Remixed competition: the winner of which will become the new voice behind the iconic theme tune.
Boys beat four other UK finalists with 37% of the vote and is now due to fly to Australia with the winner being announced on 8th April.
Lots of luck Daniel!
Labels:
daniel boys
Monday, April 1
Ramin Karimloo & Simon Bailey West End Has Faith Concert
A host of West End stars including Ramin Karimloo, Simon Bailey, Rebecca Lock, Katy Treharne, Tabitha Webb, Rachel Spurrell, Annatt
Bass, Joanna Loxton, Ellen Jackson, Kate Radmilovic, Tsola Abraham,
Lydia Horton, David Birch, Jack Wilcox, Nathaniel Morrison, Phillip
Griffiths, John Jack, Brian McCann, Matt Elson and David Erik plus the West End Gospel Choir are performing an evening of Christian music in the West End Has Faith Concert on Sunday 7th April at 7:00 pm at St Paul's Actor's Church in Covent Garden.
The charity concert is in support of three charities: Tearfund, Thames Reach and Trinity.
Buy tickets for West End Has Faith
The charity concert is in support of three charities: Tearfund, Thames Reach and Trinity.
Buy tickets for West End Has Faith
Labels:
West End Has Faith