Maria Friedman News

Casting has just been announced for the first new musical to be staged at Live at Zedel at Crazy Coqs. Alex Parker Theatre Company, The Katie Lam Company and Fane Productions present AFTER YOU, with music by Alex Parker, book & lyrics by Katie Lam, and directed by Alastair Knights, Live at Zedel at Crazy Coqs, running 13 April - 22 April 2017. Press night is set for Friday, 14 April 2017 at 7pm.

Following the enormously successful opening of James Macdonald's new production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? starring Imelda Staunton, Conleth Hill, Imogen Poots and Luke Treadaway, producers today announced the forthcoming live broadcast of the play to cinemas throughout the UK and beyond as part of National Theatre Live.

The world premiere of a brand-new, one-man musical will be the first musical to be performed in Southwark Playhouse's Little space.

Last night, STEPPING OUT opened at the Vaudeville Theatre (read our review here). The production stars Amanda Holden, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Nicola Stephenson, Judith Barker, Jessica-Alice McCluskey, Sandra Marvin and Dominic Rowan, directed by Maria Friedman. For the first part of the West End run, Anna-Jane Casey steps in for the injured Tamzin Outhwaite.

Never mind stepping out - the real wonder of this production is Anna-Jane Casey stepping in for the injured Tamzin Outhwaite at short notice. It's a plot twist worthy of the backstage shenanigans in Richard Harris's genial 1984 play about the members of a weekly tap class, and Casey's superb turn - and smooth integration into the ensemble - equally in keeping with its triumphant community spirit.

Huntington Theatre Company, Boston's leading professional theatre, announces its 2017-2018 season. The Huntington has long been an anchor cultural institution of Huntington Avenue, the Avenue of the Arts, and will remain so on a permanent basis. The Huntington's upcoming season will include productions in the Huntington Avenue Theatre (known as the BU Theatre through June 30), and plans are underway to convert the theatre into a first-rate, modern venue with expanded services to audiences, artists, and the community. The 36th season will include four plays at the Huntington Avenue Theatre, as well as three plays at the Wimberly Theatre and one special event in the Roberts Studio Theatre, both located in the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA in the South End.

The West End production of Stepping Out opens for preview performances tonight, Wednesday 1 March at the Vaudeville Theatre. The heart-warming comedy charts the lives of seven women and one man attempting to tap their troubles away at a weekly dancing class led by their ever patient teacher, Mavis.

Natalie Casey joins the previously announced Amanda Holden, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Tamzin Outhwaite and Nicola Stephenson in heart-warming comedy Stepping Out when it opens in London this Spring. Directed by Maria Friedman, this brand new staging of Richard Harris's award-winning play which toured UK venues last year, will open at West End's Vaudeville Theatre with preview performances from tonight 1 March 2017 and opening night for press on 14 March 2017.

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From starry Stoppard and Marber revivals to toe-tapping musicals and Elena Ferrante on stage, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…

The most recent revitalization of Sunday in the Park with George, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford, opens this Thursday, February 23, at the Hudson Theatre. The beloved Stephen Sondheim musical made its Broadway debut May 2, 1984 at the Booth Theatre, where it ran for 604 performances. The original production starred Mandy Patinkin as George and Bernadette Peters as Dot/Marie. Although it did not win Best Musical at the Tony's, it did take home the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1985.

As part of their 2017-18 season, Boston's Huntington Theatre Company will present a revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Firth's 1981 musical, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. Staging this revival is Oliver award-winning director Maria Friedman. 

Young Artists of America at Strathmore (YAA) is thrilled to announce the world premiere of The Circle of Life: The Songs of Tim Rice in Concert which will take place on March 12th, 2017 at 5:00pm at the Music Center at Strathmore.

DUSTY, the first authorised new musical charting the life of Dusty Springfield is set to premiere in the UK in 2018. Details of dates, venue and casting are still to be announced.

Three-time Olivier Award winner Maria Friedman makes her Feinstein's/54 Below solo debut this fall with shows on September 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 at 7pm.

Natalie Casey will join the previously announced Amanda Holden, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Tamzin Outhwaite and Nicola Stephenson in heart-warming comedy Stepping Out when it opens in London this Spring.

Sonia Friedman Productions presents the long-awaited UK premiere of Dreamgirls, opening tonight 14 December 2016 and running at the Savoy Theatre until 6 May 2017.

The cast for Winter Solstice, which receives its English Language premiere at the Orange Tree Theatre in early 2017, has been announced.

Mark Umbers' diverse work includes Home Fires and Mistresses on screen and, on stage, The Glass Menagerie at the Apollo Theatre and the acclaimed revival of Merrily We Roll Along at Menier Chocolate Factory. He's returned to the Menier for She Loves Me, whose plot - two feuding employees in a Budapest shop are also, unbeknownst to them, one another's romantic pen pals - also formed the basis for the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan film You've Got Mail. Umbers stars opposite Scarlett Strallen, and the show begins previews on 25 November.

NEW SONGS 4 NEW SHOWS is just that, the first opportunity to enjoy a sneak preview of four exciting new musicals that will go into full production from 2017 onwards, hearing their songs for the first time in this fully staged concert production.

The Great British Bake Off host MEL GIEDROYC joins a star studded cast of NEW SONGS 4 NEW SHOWS giving the West End a unique experience of seeing star performances of songs from four new musicals, in this one off Gala Concert at the Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue.