Menier Chocolate Factory News

Kyle Riabko's CLOSE TO YOU: BACHARACH REIMAGINED, currently playing in the West End at the Criterion Theatre in an extended run through Valentine's Day 2016, is getting a cast album! Riabko took to Instagram last week to reveal the news about the show, which features Bacharach's iconic songbook. Below, check out some behind-the-scenes shots of the cast in the recording studio!

The road to musicals like KINKY BOOTS was paved by Fierstein with his groundbreaking play.

Oscar winners, Broadway favorites and an English Lord all have openings during this holiday month.

The producer of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, We're Going on a Bear Hunt, Hetty Feather and What the Ladybird Heard today announces the world premiere of brand new family musical Mr Popper's Penguins which is making a splash this winter touring around the country now through January 2016. Mr Popper and his Penguins will be hopping off to various locations, opening at the Theatre Royal Brighton today 26 November.

This Christmas, Southampton's Nuffield will be transformed into the enchanting, mythical kingdom of Camelot to tell the story of young MERLIN and his childhood friends Arthur and Gwen as they embark on an action-packed journey of a lifetime, encountering powerful magic forces, mystical characters and adventures beyond their wildest dreams. MERLIN will run tonight 26 November 2015 - 3 January 2016, with press night set for Tuesday 1 December 2015.

On this morning's GMA, THE COLOR PURPLE's Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo took to the stage with a powerful performance of the title song. Later, the actors discuss the stage adaptation of the classsic novel.

Nathan Amzi will return to In The Heights for a limited two-week run, playing Piragua Guy from Monday 21 December 2015 to Sunday 3 January 2016. Nathan originated the role in the London production when it premiered at Southwark Playhouse in 2014. In The Heights recently extended its run at King's Cross Theatre for a second time, now booking for an additional 3 months until Sunday 10 April 2016.

Disney Theatrical Productions announced today that Dean John-Wilson will play the role of Aladdin alongside Jade Ewen as Jasmine in the West End premiere of the new musical based on the classic Academy Award-winning animated film. BroadwayWorld previously reported that the duo were in negotiations for the show, but the official word came today.

Nicole Kidman has been named best actress and James McAvoy best actor at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards, which is now in its 61st year.

The Color Purple just began preview performances last last week at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th street). Grammy, Academy Award, and Golden Globe award winner JENNIFER HUDSON makes her Broadway debut opposite CYNTHIA ERIVO, the breakout star ofJohn Doyle's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory production, and Orange is the New Black's DANIELLE BROOKS, in this fall's highly anticipated production. All three women will be making their Broadway debuts. The company just met the press and you can check out the pics BroadwayWorld snapped!

Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Sally Ann Triplett in MY AMERICAN DREAM tonight, November 21, and November 27, 2015.

The Color Purple just began preview performances last last week at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th street). Grammy, Academy Award, and Golden Globe award winner JENNIFER HUDSON makes her Broadway debut opposite CYNTHIA ERIVO, the breakout star ofJohn Doyle's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory production, and Orange is the New Black's DANIELLE BROOKS, in this fall's highly anticipated production. All three women will be making their Broadway debuts. The company just met the press and you can check out what they had to say about how things are going so far below!

The Color Purple just began preview performances last last week at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th street). Grammy, Academy Award, and Golden Globe award winner JENNIFER HUDSON makes her Broadway debut opposite CYNTHIA ERIVO, the breakout star ofJohn Doyle's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory production, and Orange is the New Black's DANIELLE BROOKS, in this fall's highly anticipated production. All three women will be making their Broadway debuts. The company just met the press and you can check out a preview of photos from the special day below!

Highlights from this week include MISERY opens on Broadway, BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY gets ready to hit the road, THE WIZ LIVE gets ready to hit TV screens, LAURA BENANTI ties the knot and SO much more!

FUNNY GIRL returns to the London stage for the first time since its 1966 premiere tonight, November 20, 2016. The sold-out run, led by Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith as 'Fanny Brice', will play through March 5, 2016 before transferring to the Savoy Theatre in the West End from 9 April.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: FIDDLER returns to Broadway, FUNNY GIRL arrives in London, Billie Joe Armstrong's new musical lands off-Broadway and more!

This Christmas, Southampton's Nuffield will be transformed into the enchanting, mythical kingdom of Camelot to tell the story of young MERLIN and his childhood friends Arthur and Gwen as they embark on an action-packed journey of a lifetime, encountering powerful magic forces, mystical characters and adventures beyond their wildest dreams. MERLIN will run 26 November 2015 - 3 January 2016, with press night set for Tuesday 1 December 2015. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal!

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, November 15, 2015 - Sunday, November 15, 2015.

Due to unprecedented demand, the Menier Chocolate Factory Production of Funny Girl transfers to the Savoy Theatre in London's West End, following the sold out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory which begins later this month. Michael Mayer's production, starring Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice and with the cast from the Menier Chocolate Factory, will begin performances at the Savoy Theatre on 9 April 2016 for a strictly limited 12-week run until 2 July 2016. Check out first photos from the production below!