Jeremy Sams News

Following a sell-out season at the Menier Chocolate Factory, the West End run of Willy Russell's Educating Rita starring Tim Pigott-Smith and Laura Dos Santos, and Shirley Valentine starring Meera Syal, will close on Saturday 30 October 2010 as previously announced.

Following a sell-out season at the Menier Chocolate Factory, the West End run of Willy Russell's Educating Rita starring Tim Pigott-Smith and Laura Dos Santos, and Shirley Valentine starring Meera Syal, will close on Saturday 30 October 2010 as previously announced.

Juggling both film and stage careers, Michael Crawford had established himself as one of theatre's finest leading men long before he opened as 'the Phantom' in Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, beginning one of the most widely acclaimed and memorable performances in theatre history. Few stars are as widely connected to a single role as Crawford is to 'the Phantom.' His Los Angeles and Broadway performances earned an astonishing catalogue of critical recognition including the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the Los Angeles Dramalogue Award and Drama Critics Award. Since leaving PHANTOM after nearly four years in the role in London, New York and Los Angeles; Crawford has become a multi-platinum recording artist and one of the world's most sought after concert and stage performers, playing to sold-out venues around the globe. In addition to his recent concert work, stage credits in London and on Broadway include Billy, Flowers for Algernon, Black Comedy, Dance of the Vampires, The Woman in White, and Barnum. It was announced late last night that he will make his eagerly awaited return to the stage alongside Danielle Hope, winner of the BBC's smash hit Over The Rainbow, when the show opens at the LONDON PALLADIUM next year. We checked in with the star to get the first scoop!

Michael Crawford is to star as The Wizard in ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ.

The New York Times reports today that Hartford Stage Artistic Director Michale Wilson will be stepping down from his poast after 12 years in the position. Wilson is departing in the hopes, he tells the New York Times, of being 'more fully in the rehearsal hall.'

We talk cushions, bras and interior design as we catch up with Margaret (Maggie) Preece, who finished her acclaimed run as the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music earlier this year.

British actress and comedienne Maureen Lipman joins the judging panel for The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer Of The Year Competition & The Stiles and Drewe Best New Song of 2010 Awards, to be hosted by West End star Hannah Waddingham at The Queen's Theatre on Sunday 6th June.

Following a sell-out season at the Menier Chocolate Factory Willy Russell's Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine will transfer to the West End for a limited 16 week run. Tim Pigott-Smith joins Laura Dos Santos in Educating Rita with Meera Syal reprising her role in Shirley Valentine.

Arden Theatre Company proudly announces the seven productions, featuring three world premieres, that comprise its 2010/11 season

British actress and comedienne Maureen Lipman joins the judging panel for The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer Of The Year Competition & The Stiles and Drewe Best New Song of 2010 Awards, to be hosted by West End star Hannah Waddingham at The Queen's Theatre on Sunday 6th June.

The Menier Chocolate Factory will present the first major London revivals of Willy Russell's award-winning Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine, playing in repertoire from 26 March to 08 May, with the press day on 08 April.

West End star Hannah Waddingham will host a prestigious awards ceremony, now in its fourth year, on Sunday 6th June at The Queens Theatre, London. The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer Of The Year Competition & The Stiles and Drewe Best New Song of 2010 Awards are presented by The Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments (MMD).

The Menier Chocolate Factory will present the first major London revivals of Willy Russell's award-winning Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine, playing in repertoire from 26 March to 08 May, with the press day on 08 April.

Casting has been announced for the upcoming Ohio premiere of Jason Robert Brown's latest musical, 13. The production will take place at the Fairmount Center for the Arts beginning February 18th and run through February 28th. The production is directed by Sean Szaller with musical directed by Mike Caraffi and choreography by Bebe Weinberg Katz.

Variety reports this morning that A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC helmer, Trevor Nunn, is set to direct a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's ASPECTS OF LOVE for London's Menier Chocolate Factory. Nunn directed the show's premiere in 1987, as well.

TheatreWorks' production of DADDY LONG LEGS, based on the beloved novel by Jean Webster, will close on February 14, 2010.

ith audiences absolutely delighted by John Caird and Paul Gordon's sparkling new musical romance, DADDY LONG LEGS at TheatreWorks will now extend through February 21 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, is thrilled to present a sparkling new musical romance, DADDY LONG LEGS, based on the beloved novel by Jean Webster.

The enormously popular production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC cannot seem to satisfy audience demand.

The enormously popular production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC cannot seem to satisfy audience demand. The record-breaking run was scheduled to end on January 3, 2010 after 15 sensational months. But audiences want more, so producers Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and David Mirvish have had to give in and quickly organize one more week of the classic musical. THE SOUND OF MUSIC will enjoy eight more performances, now ending on January 10, 2010.