Menier Chocolate Factory News

Due to unprecedented demand, the critically acclaimed production of Funny Girl, which is fast selling out its run, extends booking for a further 4 weeks until 8 October 2016. Tickets for the extension of Michael Mayer's "exhilarating embrace of a production - Independent" starring Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress and "phenomenal talent - Independent" Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice go on sale from 10am on 8 February.

FUNNY GIRL, starring Sheridan Smith, is now running Menier Chocolate Factory through March 5 before transferring to the West End's Savoy Theatre from April 9. According to the Daily Mail, the smash hit production, marking the musical's 50th anniversary year and helmed by Michael Mayer, has just extended its run at the Savoy by four weeks through October 8, 2016.

Following the successful transfer to the Menier Chocolate Factory of the New York Production of ROAD SHOW in 2011, the Union Theatre and the Phil Willmott Company are thrilled to be creating the first ever UK production of Sondheim's latest hit. With Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by John Weidman and Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, ROAD SHOW began last night 3rd February and runs through 5th March 2016 at The Union Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

ALLEGIANCE's Lea Salonga went to see Broadway's THE COLOR PURPLE last week, and the production seems to have left a lasting impression. So much so that Salonga expressed her hope of the show making it to Manila.

WICKED, the West End musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to announce that the actor and presenter Mark Curry will play The Wizard from 25 March 2016. Tom McGowan will play his final performance as The Wizard on 12 March 2016. From 14-24 March 2016, the role will be played by Sean Kearns.

Following the successful transfer to the Menier Chocolate Factory of the New York Production of Road Show in 2011, the Union Theatre and thePhil Willmott Company are thrilled to be creating the first ever UK production of Sondheim's latest hit.

Directed by Tom Littler. Designed by Phil Lindley. Sound by Max Pappenheim. Lighting by Rob Mills.

A hit in the West End and on Broadway, End of the Rainbow will return in 2016, playing at the King's Theatre Glasgow from Tuesday 26 until Saturday 30 April as part of a major new UK tour, starring Lisa Maxwell as Judy Garland.

Sian Thomas will be taking on the role of Mrs Fox in the Donmar's production of Welcome Home, Captain Fox! replacing Francesca Annis who regrettably has had to withdraw from the production for personal reasons.

Danielle Brooks (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK) stopped by last night's THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT to talk about performing in the hit Broadway show THE COLOR PURPLE in front of Oprah Winfrey

Whoopi Goldberg recently went to see the Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE and took some time to discuss the show with her THE VIEW co-hosts. Watch the full clip below!

British actor Earl Carpenter, who originated the role of Inspector Javert in the reimagined production of Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil's book-to-stage adaptation of LES MISERABLES (LES MIS) and abruptly left the Broadway production last November due to a neck injury (cervical vertebrae impingement), will rejoin the company of the new production of LES MIS in its first Asian Tour (Manila-Singapore), which has been set to kick off at The Theatre at Solaire, Solaire Resort and Casino, in Manila from Friday, March 11, until Sunday, April 17.

CBS previously announced that THE COLOR PURPLE's Danielle Brooks (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK) will visit THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT tonight, Jan. 27th.

The first images were released today of Lisa Maxwell, Gary Wilmot and Sam Attwater rehearsing for hit West End and Broadway play End of the Rainbow, touring the UK in a brand new production from February.

The University of the Arts' Ira Brind School of Theater Arts announces the 2016 lineup for Polyphone, a "festival of the emerging musical" on the UArts campus in Philadelphia.  Running March 20-27, the 2016 the Polyphone festival produces staged concerts of new musicals and re-imagined canonical works offering professional composers, librettists and directors an opportunity to develop their work among the rich creative community of the Brind School at UArts.  The festival will program five musicals, including both classical and new works, with three performances each.  

New musical CLOSE TO YOU: BACHARACH REIMAGINED will end its limited West End run on Valentine's Day, Sunday 14 February. Featuring Burt Bacharach's songbook, CLOSE TO YOU broke box office records at the Criterion Theatre when it opened on 15 October, with the biggest advance in the venue's history.  Check out a first look below!

Today, The Curtain Up Show crowned Cynthia Erivo & Oliver Tompsett Sing Scott Alan Best Solo Album and Bend It Like Beckham Best Cast Recording in the inaugural Album of 2015, as chosen by the team behind the weekly theatre chat show at Resonance FM.

Michael Xavier, Siobhan Dillon and Fred Johanson will join Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard, the second production in the partnership between English National Opera (ENO) and the GradeLinnit Company. 

BroadwayWorld and The Muny announces today the directors, choreographers and music directors for the Muny's 2016 Season, which opens on June 13 with The Wizard of Oz.

CBS has announced that THE COLOR PURPLE's Danielle Brooks (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK) will visit the LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT on Wednesday, Jan. 27th.