West End leading lady Louise Dearman is to perform at a
celebration of the work of the late. great Marvin Hamlisch at the St James Theatre on Sunday August 24th at 3.30pm and at 7:00 pm.
It is being produced by Alex Parker, with staging
by Alastair Knights and choreography by Racky Plews. who are the team behind
the recent staging of Putting It Together earlier this
year starring Janie Dee
The Marvin Hamlisch concert will feature music from shows including A
Chorus Line, as well as songs he wrote for Barbra Streisand. The cast
also includes Michael Colbourne, Emma Harrold, Rob Houchen and Joe
Vetch accompanied by a 12-piece ban.
Tickets for Marvin Hamlisch Concert
Wednesday, July 30
Monday, July 28
Forbidden Broadway to transfer into Vaudeville
Forbidden Broadway at the Menier Chocolate Factory has just been extended by two weeks until 30th August and now comes the news that it is to transfer into the Vaudeville Theatre in London's West End for a limited 11 week run from September 9th to November 22nd.
Three of the cast - Damian Humbley, Anna-Jane Casey and Ben Lewis - will remain with the production, and they will be joined by YouTube star Christina Biancowho has appeared in Forbidden Broadway: Goes to Rehab in New York and whose latest YouTube video of "Let It Go" has received over 5 million views,
Three of the cast - Damian Humbley, Anna-Jane Casey and Ben Lewis - will remain with the production, and they will be joined by YouTube star Christina Biancowho has appeared in Forbidden Broadway: Goes to Rehab in New York and whose latest YouTube video of "Let It Go" has received over 5 million views,
Labels:
forbidden broadway
Sunday, July 27
Marti Webb appearing in David Bedella and Friends at St James' Studio
Continuing his monthly Sunday night residency - David Bedella and Friends - Primetime! - on 3rd August at 7:00 pm at St James Studio David Bedella hosts another evening of laughter, song, gossip &
chat with The League of Gentlemen and Sherlock actor/writer Mark Gatiss, Tell Me On a Sunday star Marti Webb & talented illusionist Tom Silburn.
Tickets for David Bedella and Friends - Primetime!
Tickets for David Bedella and Friends - Primetime!
Labels:
marti webb
Thursday, July 24
John Owen Jones and Gloria Onitiri Friday Night is Music Night Gala Concert tomorrow
Tomorrow night's Friday Night is Music Night on BBC Radio 2 at 8:00 pm is a special gala celebrating the
Commonwealth Games live from the City Halls in Glasgow.
With the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Richard Balcombe with West End singers John Owen Jones (Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables) and Gloria Onitiri (The Bodyguard and The Lion King) and medal winning guests Colin Jackson, Jonathan Edwards, Steve Cram and Matthew Pinsent.
Music includes 'This is The Moment', Go the Distance, One Moment in Time, The Natural, I Will Survive, Search for the Hero, We Are the Champions together with famous sporting themes 'Rocky', 'Champions', 'Chariots of Fire' and a world premiere - Rimsky Korsakov's Flight of the Bumble Bee for Symphony orchestra .
With the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Richard Balcombe with West End singers John Owen Jones (Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables) and Gloria Onitiri (The Bodyguard and The Lion King) and medal winning guests Colin Jackson, Jonathan Edwards, Steve Cram and Matthew Pinsent.
Music includes 'This is The Moment', Go the Distance, One Moment in Time, The Natural, I Will Survive, Search for the Hero, We Are the Champions together with famous sporting themes 'Rocky', 'Champions', 'Chariots of Fire' and a world premiere - Rimsky Korsakov's Flight of the Bumble Bee for Symphony orchestra .
Labels:
Friday Night is Music Night
Wednesday, July 23
Cast changes to The Phantom of the Opera
There will be a number of key cast changes in Andrew Lloyd
Webber's musical “The Phantom of the Opera" at Her Majesty’s Theatre with effect from 1st
September 2014.
Liam Tamne will star as ‘Raoul’, John Ellis is ‘Piangi’ and Alicia Beck is ‘Meg.
Gerónimo Rauch continues as ‘The Phantom’ with Harriet Jones as ‘Christine’ and Emmi Christensson, as her alternate.
Continuing their roles are: Andy Hockley as ‘Monsieur Firmin’; Martin Ball as ‘Monsieur Andre’; Lara Martins as ‘Carlotta’ and Jacinta Mulcahy as ‘Madame Giry’.
Liam Tamne is probably best known from the second series of BBC 1’s ‘The Voice’. His previous theatre credits include ‘Enjolras’ in “Les Miserables” (Queen’s Theatre); “Hair” (Gielgud Theatre); “Hairspray” (Shaftesbury Theatre) and “Wicked” (Apollo Victoria Theatre).
John Ellis has most recently performed the role of ‘Piangi’ in the German production "Das Phantom Der Oper”. This role marks his West End debut. Previous theatre credits include: ‘Old Deuteronomy’ in “Cats” (World Tour); ‘Simon’ and ‘Judas’ in Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Tour) and in his native Australia: “The Wizard of Oz”; “Summer Rain”“Assassins” and “Passion.”
Alicia Beck is making her West End debut as ‘Meg’. After training with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Alicia danced with Ballet Dortmund, Ballet Nice Mediterenee and The Zurich Ballet. Most recently she has played the role of ‘White Cat’ in the UK and European Tour of “Cats.
Emmi Christensson is making her West End debut as ‘Christine’. Previous theatre credits include, most recently ‘Cosette’ in Les Miserables in Norway, a role she also did at Malmo Opera, Sweden. Other roles include ‘Maria’ in West Side Story (Nojesteatern), Sound of Music (Gota Lejon and tour of Sweden) and ‘Wendy’ in Peter Pan (Rival).
The full cast will be: Zoe Arshamian; Martin Ball; Emma Barr; Alicia Beck; Kieran Brown; Emmi Christensson; Joseph Claus; Scott Davies; Hadrian Delacey; Meshell Dillon; John Ellis; Fiona Finsbury; David Francis; Lyndsey Gardiner; Ryan Goscinski; Philip Griffiths; Layla Harrison; Andy Hockley; Elizabeth Holmes; Daisy Hulbert; Ellen Jackson; Harriet Jones; Tim Laurenti; Lara Martins; Leo Miles; Tim Morgan; Fiona Morley; Jacinta Mulcahy; Richard Munday; Ryan O’Gorman; Joanna O’Hare; Simon Rackley; Gerónimo Rauch; Shena Sanders; Oliver Savile; Danielle Stephens; Liam Tamne; Claire Tilling; Georgina Ware and Lisa-Anne Wood.
Labels:
Phantom of the Opera
Sunday, July 20
Ben Forster starring in Tour of Elf the Musical
Updated 25th September: Ben Forster will star in the
leading role of Buddy the Elf this Christmas. Joining Ben will be Irish stage and screen star Aoibhínn
McGinnity in the role of Jovie with JoeMcGann and Jessica Martin.
There will be a tour of the Broadway hit Elf the Musical at the end of this year.The only dates we have so far are Theatre Royal Plymouth (6th-13th December) and Bord Gais Energy in Dublin (16 December - 10 January). The show ran on Broadway in the Christmas seasons of 2010-11 and 2012-13, and also toured the US.in 2012.
The show is narrated by Santa Claus and based on the 2003 movie starring Will Ferrell, telling the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. He finds him, but like many other New Yorkers he doesn't believe in the spirit of Christmas, which is a problem, because Santa's sleigh is powered by the people's belief in Christmas.
Elf he Musical Features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar & Chad Beguelin. Book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan & Bob Martin. Direction & choreography by Morgan Young. Set and Costume design by Olivier Award winner Tim Goodchild. Lighting design by Oliver Award winner Tim Lutkin and Sound design by Ciem Rawling.
There will be a tour of the Broadway hit Elf the Musical at the end of this year.The only dates we have so far are Theatre Royal Plymouth (6th-13th December) and Bord Gais Energy in Dublin (16 December - 10 January). The show ran on Broadway in the Christmas seasons of 2010-11 and 2012-13, and also toured the US.in 2012.
The show is narrated by Santa Claus and based on the 2003 movie starring Will Ferrell, telling the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. He finds him, but like many other New Yorkers he doesn't believe in the spirit of Christmas, which is a problem, because Santa's sleigh is powered by the people's belief in Christmas.
Elf he Musical Features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar & Chad Beguelin. Book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan & Bob Martin. Direction & choreography by Morgan Young. Set and Costume design by Olivier Award winner Tim Goodchild. Lighting design by Oliver Award winner Tim Lutkin and Sound design by Ciem Rawling.
Labels:
Elf the Musical
Wednesday, July 16
Full cast announced for Jersey Boys Tour
The full cast has just been announced for the tour of Jersey Boys which kicks off in Manchester in September.
As already confirmed Tim Driesen will be heading the cast as Frankie Valli. He has been playing the role in the Dutch production and also was in the show at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End for a short time. He will be joined by Stephen Webb as Tommy DeVito, Sam Ferriday as Bob Gaudio and Lewis Griffiths as Nick Massi. (Matt Comer will play Frankie Valli at certain performances Sean Kingsley/Gyp DeCarlo, Matt Gillett/Bob Crewe, Nathaniel Morrison/Barry Belson, Dominic Smith/Norm Waxman, Damian Buhagiar/Joey Pesci, Henry Davis/Hank Majewski, Leanne Garretty/ Lorraine, Amelia Adams-Pearce/ Mary Delgado and Sinead Long as Francine, with Dan Krikler, Dayle Hodge, Luke Morton and Charlie Allen.
As already confirmed Tim Driesen will be heading the cast as Frankie Valli. He has been playing the role in the Dutch production and also was in the show at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End for a short time. He will be joined by Stephen Webb as Tommy DeVito, Sam Ferriday as Bob Gaudio and Lewis Griffiths as Nick Massi. (Matt Comer will play Frankie Valli at certain performances Sean Kingsley/Gyp DeCarlo, Matt Gillett/Bob Crewe, Nathaniel Morrison/Barry Belson, Dominic Smith/Norm Waxman, Damian Buhagiar/Joey Pesci, Henry Davis/Hank Majewski, Leanne Garretty/ Lorraine, Amelia Adams-Pearce/ Mary Delgado and Sinead Long as Francine, with Dan Krikler, Dayle Hodge, Luke Morton and Charlie Allen.
Labels:
Jersey Boys
Tuesday, July 15
Louise Dearman as Bianca in Kiss Me Kate with John Wilson Orchestra at Proms
Following the success of the semi-staged performance of
My Fair Lady at the Proms in 2012, John Wilson returns to perform Cole Porter’s Tony Award-winning musical
Kiss Me, Kate. Joining John Wilson and his Orchestra are Broadway stars Ben Davis/Fred Graham/Petruchio, Alexandra Silber/Lilli Vanessi/Katherine, Tony Yazbeck/Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and West End star Louise Dearman/Lois Lane/Bianca performing an irreverent reworking of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew – a play within a play. This is the BBC
Proms debut for all four performers as they sing the energetic score in ts original 1948 arrangement.
The show takes place on Saturday 2nd August and will be broadcast Live on BBC Radio 3, 7.30pm
The show takes place on Saturday 2nd August and will be broadcast Live on BBC Radio 3, 7.30pm
and Recorded for broadcast on BBC Two in December 2014
Returns
only for seated tickets. Up to 1400 Promming (standing) tickets at £5
are available on the day for every Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. For
more information please
visit bbc.co.uk/proms
Labels:
Kiss Me Kate
Reshooting of Into the Woods Movie
The much anticipated Disney big screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's
fairy tale-themed musical INTO THE WOODS is apparently adding
some new material to what's already been shot with a month of
reshoots about to begin.
Suggestions of the changes that have been made to the feature film, include the decision to not kill off the character of Rapunzel.
INTO THE WOODS is set to be released on December 25, 2014.
Suggestions of the changes that have been made to the feature film, include the decision to not kill off the character of Rapunzel.
INTO THE WOODS is set to be released on December 25, 2014.
Labels:
into the woods
New Elder Price and Elder Cunningham to join The Book of Mormon
The Book Of Mormon at the Prince of Wales theatre is about to undergo a cast change on 28th July when US stars Billy
Harrigan Tighe and A J Holmes take on the lead roles of Elder Price an Elder Cunningham from Gavin Creel and Jared Gertner wgo are due to leave on 26th July.
Harrigan Tighe's (Elder Price) credits include Pippin on Broadway and the US tour of Wicked.
Holmes has played Elder Cunningham in all three North American companies of the musica.
Harrigan Tighe and Holmes will join current cast members including Alexia Khadime, Stephen Ashfield, Kevin Harvey, Hugo Harold Harrison, Chris Jarman, Mark Anderson, Benjamin Brook, Daniel Clift and Christopher Copeland - all of whom continue in their roles.
Harrigan Tighe's (Elder Price) credits include Pippin on Broadway and the US tour of Wicked.
Holmes has played Elder Cunningham in all three North American companies of the musica.
Harrigan Tighe and Holmes will join current cast members including Alexia Khadime, Stephen Ashfield, Kevin Harvey, Hugo Harold Harrison, Chris Jarman, Mark Anderson, Benjamin Brook, Daniel Clift and Christopher Copeland - all of whom continue in their roles.
Labels:
The Book of Mormon
Kerry Ellis to return to Wicked!
Willemijn Verkaik who plays the green witch Elphaba in Wicked! will unfortunately be leaving the show earlier than planned on this Saturday 19th July due to back
injuries that require surgery.
Kerry Ellis will be returning to the show;for 12 weeks to reprise the role she originally played in 2007 from 4th August to October 25th until Nikki Davis-Jones officially takes over at cast change on October 27th. (Emma Hatton will be performing during the 2 weeks gap between Willemijn leaving and Kerry joining).
NB: Kerry Ellis will not be appearing in Wicked on Tuesday 19 August, Saturday 27 September, Thursday 2 October - Friday 10 October, Tuesday 14 - Thursday 16 October and Saturday 18 October due to her concert appearances.
Kerry Ellis will be returning to the show;for 12 weeks to reprise the role she originally played in 2007 from 4th August to October 25th until Nikki Davis-Jones officially takes over at cast change on October 27th. (Emma Hatton will be performing during the 2 weeks gap between Willemijn leaving and Kerry joining).
NB: Kerry Ellis will not be appearing in Wicked on Tuesday 19 August, Saturday 27 September, Thursday 2 October - Friday 10 October, Tuesday 14 - Thursday 16 October and Saturday 18 October due to her concert appearances.
Labels:
kerry ellis,
Wicked
Saturday, July 12
Dolly Parton the Musical!
Following her triumph at Glastonbury Dolly Parton has revealed that she is writing a new Broadway musical based on her larger than life career tracing her journey from humble family
beginnings in Tennessee, through decades of country music and worldwide
superstardom.
She said "I'm writing my life story as a musical for Broadway. I probably won't be in it but I'll find a way to introduce it somehow, maybe the older me." She wrote original songs for the stage version of 9 to 5: The Musical that went to Broadway in 2009 and recently toured he UK.
Parton is due to star in A Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah in cinemas from January 13th. They play two strong-minded women who are forced to cooperate when budget cuts threaten to shut down a small-town choir..
She said "I'm writing my life story as a musical for Broadway. I probably won't be in it but I'll find a way to introduce it somehow, maybe the older me." She wrote original songs for the stage version of 9 to 5: The Musical that went to Broadway in 2009 and recently toured he UK.
Parton is due to star in A Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah in cinemas from January 13th. They play two strong-minded women who are forced to cooperate when budget cuts threaten to shut down a small-town choir..
Labels:
dolly parton
Kinky Boots to arrive in London next August?
Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels fame) will direct and choreograph Kinky Boots, which is based on the 2005 film of the same name.
The musical has a new book by Tony winner Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles, Newsies) and a score by Grammy and Tony Award-winning "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" hit-maker and "True Colors" songwriter Cyndi Lauper.
Labels:
kinky boots
Friday, July 11
Alexander Hanson, Sabrina Aloueche, Nadim Naaman, Rebecca Caine, Mark Moraghan, Chloe Hart peforming Songs of Daniel & Laura Curtis
Their latest album, Love on 42nd Street features performers including Lea Salonga, Samantha Barks, Sierra Boggess and Simon Bowman and reached No.1 in the iTunes Vocal Chart and No.1 in the Amazon Broadway Chart.
The evening will feature music from Love on 42nd Street as well as premiering a number of new songs.
Tickets for The Songs of Daniel & Laura Curtis
Labels:
Daniel and Laura Curtis
Jenna Russell & Jonathan Slinger but no Richard Fleeshman in Urinetown at Apollo
According to today's Mail, Jenna Russell will star in the West End transfer of Urinetown, reprising her performance as Ms Pennywise, with a number of the original St James' Theatre cast reportedly returning (including Jonathan
Slinger as Officer Lockstock). Unfortunately Richard Fleeshman will not be there as Bobby Strong explaining on Twitter that he could not commit to the
transfer due to other commitments. saying "I wish the show every
success and I know it's going to be amazing."
Marc Elliott, Rosanna Hyland and Karis Jack will also reprise their performances as Mr. McQueen, Hope Cladwell and Little Sally. Further confirmed casting includes Chris Bennett (Swing), Katie Bernstein (Little Becky Two Shoes/Mrs. Millennium), Cory English (Old Man Strong/Hot Blades Harry), Madeleine Harland (Soupy Sue), Julie Jupp (Old Woman/ Josephine Strong), Aaron Lee Lambert (Billy Boy Bill/ UGC Executive), Mark Meadows (Senator Fipp), Joel Montague (Swing) and Jeff Nicholson (Tiny Tom/ Dr. Billeaux).
Further casting will be announced shortly, including the roles of Caldwell B. Cladwell and Bobby Strong.
Jamie Lloyd's production transfers to the Apollo Theatre from Monday
29th September 2014. The production is currently booking to
24th January 2015.
Tickets for Urinetown
Tickets for Urinetown
Labels:
urinetown
Monday, July 7
Booking info for Cats at London Palladium
At the press launch of Cats the Musical this morning at the London
Palladium it was announced hat the show is playing at the London Palladium
for a limited run of 12 weeks previewing from 6th December and running until 28th
February 2015. Tickets go on sale at noon today.
Tickets for Cats the Musical
Tickets for Cats the Musical
Labels:
Cats
Friday, July 4
Michael Ball to host West End Heroes Gala at Dominion
It has just been announced that Michael Ball will host the 2014 West End Heroes
gala concert.
at the newly refurbished Dominion Theatre on Sunday 28 September at 8.00pm
Last year the gala raised over £88,000 for the charity Help for Heroes and again his year it will be supported by many TV and theatre stars featuring line-ups from current and past West End Shows.
Michael will also perform in the gala concert, which will again unite the country's top military musicians with even more West End performers and productions in a showcase of showstopping numbers, unlikely song mash-ups and stunning choreography and precision drilling.
Tickets for West End Heroes
at the newly refurbished Dominion Theatre on Sunday 28 September at 8.00pm
Last year the gala raised over £88,000 for the charity Help for Heroes and again his year it will be supported by many TV and theatre stars featuring line-ups from current and past West End Shows.
Michael will also perform in the gala concert, which will again unite the country's top military musicians with even more West End performers and productions in a showcase of showstopping numbers, unlikely song mash-ups and stunning choreography and precision drilling.
Tickets for West End Heroes
Labels:
West End Heroes
Thursday, July 3
Oh What a Lovely War back at Stratford East
Theatre Royal, Stratford East has announced its new season, which features the return of Oh What a Lovely War for a limited run from 29 January to 7 February 2015 prior to a UK tour.
Casting news to follow.
The show, which is 'true to the spirit' of Joan Littlewood's 1963 original production, is a musical entertainment focused around the First World War.
General booking opens at 10:00 am on 7 July.
Casting news to follow.
The show, which is 'true to the spirit' of Joan Littlewood's 1963 original production, is a musical entertainment focused around the First World War.
General booking opens at 10:00 am on 7 July.
Labels:
oh what a lovely war
Cynthia Erivo to star as Dessa Rose with Cassidy Janson, Jon Robyns and Miguel Brown.
The uniquely stirring musical drama Dessa Rose is coming to London's Trafalgar Studios previewing from 29th July, opening on the 31st and running until 30th August. Dessa Rose is based on the book by Sherley Anne Williams with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once On This Island, Seussical and Rocky The Musical)
who have won Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle
Awards and been nominated for Grammys, Academy Awards and a Golden Globe.It will be directed by the Multi-award winning Andrew Keates.
Casting includes Cassidy Janson, Cynthia Erivo (in the title role), Jon Robyns ,John Addison, Edward Baruwa , Sharon Benson, Cameron Leigh, Alexander Evans, Abiona Omonu and Miguel Brown.
This powerful and moving story, set in 1846 in the ante-bellum South, follows two young women on their journey to acceptance. With elements of blues, folk, hymns and gospel, Dessa Rose perfectly blends history and fiction. The storytelling for which Ahrens and Flaherty are most famous is masterfully exhibited throughout. Passionate and innocent Dessa Rose is a young slave faced with a barrage of hardships because of the colour of her skin. While Ruth, a young white mother, faces difficulties because of her gender.
Ruth and Dessa ‘hand down the story’ to their grandchildren, reliving the adventure they experienced together. Through their extraordinary tale we see their deep and lasting bond and how this makes them part of a long, strong line of women.
Buy tickets for Dessa Rose
Casting includes Cassidy Janson, Cynthia Erivo (in the title role), Jon Robyns ,John Addison, Edward Baruwa , Sharon Benson, Cameron Leigh, Alexander Evans, Abiona Omonu and Miguel Brown.
This powerful and moving story, set in 1846 in the ante-bellum South, follows two young women on their journey to acceptance. With elements of blues, folk, hymns and gospel, Dessa Rose perfectly blends history and fiction. The storytelling for which Ahrens and Flaherty are most famous is masterfully exhibited throughout. Passionate and innocent Dessa Rose is a young slave faced with a barrage of hardships because of the colour of her skin. While Ruth, a young white mother, faces difficulties because of her gender.
Ruth and Dessa ‘hand down the story’ to their grandchildren, reliving the adventure they experienced together. Through their extraordinary tale we see their deep and lasting bond and how this makes them part of a long, strong line of women.
Buy tickets for Dessa Rose
Labels:
Dessa Rose
Tuesday, July 1
Urinetown into Apollo Theatre
The long awaited transfer of Urinetown the Musical which played at the St James' Theatre and closed in May of this year has just been announced.
The show is going into the Apollo Theatre from 29th September until 30th August 2015
The show is going into the Apollo Theatre from 29th September until 30th August 2015
is timed to end its run on 30 August 2014.
is timed to end its run on 30 August 2014.
is timed to end its run on 30 August 2014.
Labels:
urinetown