Menier Chocolate Factory News

Full casting has today been announced for the West End run of the Royal Court Theatre's production of Hangmen. ProducersRobert Fox, Matthew Byam Shaw for Playful Productions and Royal Court Theatre Productions are delighted to announce that Andy Nyman will play Syd, Craig Parkinson will take on the role of Inspector Fry and Tony Hirst will play Bill, completing the cast of the West End production. Directed by Matthew Dunster, Martin McDonagh's Hangmen will transfer to the Wyndham's Theatre for a strictly limited season, previewing from 1 December.  Check out the new trailer below!

Broadway's dreams of a Lea-Michele-led Funny Girl might be fading, but support for Menier Chocolate Factory's production, starring Sheridan Smith, is skyrocketing. The Daily Mail reports that the sold-out production will transfer to the West End's Savoy Theatre beginning April 9, 2016.

Ghostlight Records and Two River Theater announce the release of the Original Cast Recording of the new musical BE MORE CHILL, with a U.S. Digital Release today, October 30; and international digital release on Friday, November 13; with physical CDs in stores and online Friday, December 18.

Guest Conductor Jack Everly will lead the Utah Symphony in the highly-anticipated and visually-arresting 'Mysterioso: Music, Magic, and Mayhem' concert this weekend, October 30 and 31 at 7:30 PM at Abravanel Hall.

Elaine Cassidy will be taking on the role of Madame de Tourvel in the Donmar's production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, replacing Michelle Dockery who regrettably has had to withdraw from the production prior to the start of rehearsals.

Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, THE COLOR PURPLE, will be published in a new tie-in edition featuring the show artwork for the upcoming Broadway musical revival.

Since Ryan Murphy nabbed the stage rights to FUNNY GIRL last year, there has been virtual radio silence on whether the show -- ideally a star vehicle for Lea Michele -- will ever appear on Broadway. During a panel at EW Fest over the weekend, Murphy finally commented on the project.

Ghostlight Records and Two River Theater announce the release of the Original Cast Recording of the new musical BE MORE CHILL, with a U.S. Digital Release on Friday, October 30; and international digital release on Friday, November 13; with physical CDs in stores and online Friday, December 18.

Tucker just checked in with BroadwayWorld about her first month as a Broadway Elpahba and everything that's been going on at the Gershwin since she arrived. Check out the full interview below!

Online submissions are being accepted beginning today through January 8 for the 2016 YALE INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC THEATRE.

Over the past few decades, many have bemoaned the rash of movies adapted for the Broadway stage, claiming that the theatre had lost its sense of creativity and enginuity. Some of these movie adaptations have gone on to have successful, award-winning runs (THE PRODUCERS and THE 39 STEPS to name a few), while many, many others have, simply, not. However, long before the stage looked to the screen as a source for new works, the inspiration for many of the theatre's best shows came from the pages of some of the world's best books; like THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, or the longest running show in Broadway history, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: CHINA DOLL and A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE start on Broadway, FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE opens and more!

Guest Conductor Jack Everly will lead the Utah Symphony in the highly-anticipated and visually-arresting "Mysterioso: Music, Magic, and Mayhem" concert on October 30 and 31 at 7:30 PM at Abravanel Hall.

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces full casting for their production of Funny Girl. Joining Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice are Valda Aviks (Mrs O'Malley), Natasha J Barnes (Emma/Mrs Meeker), Darius Campbell (Nick), Marilyn Cutts (Mrs Brice), Maurice Lane (Mr Keeney), Bruce Montague (Ziegfeld), Joel Montague (Eddie), Gay Soper (Mrs Strakosh); withEmma Caffrey, Matthew Croke, Joelle Dyson, Rebecca Fennelly, Luke Fetherston, Leah Harris, Kelly Homewood, Sammy Kelly and Stuart Ramsay completing the ensemble.

In the process of assuring fans that Sheridan Smith's portrayal of the iconic 'Fanny Brice' will be all her own when Funny Girl opens at Menier Chocolate Factory this November, the Daily Mail has revealed more of the musical's cast!

THE COLOR PURPLE producer Oprah stopped by a recent rehearsal for the show's upcoming Broadway run and joined in on a song after hugging some of the cast members, among them Danille Brooks, Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo. Check out a clip from the surprise visit below!

Menier Chocolate Factory's summer show WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? BACHARACH REIMAGINED has been refashioned into CLOSE TO YOU: BACHARACH REIMAGINED, set to run at the Criterion Theatre, opening tonight, October 15, and running through January 10, 2016.

MasterVoices will hold its Fall Gala and Concert, featuring the THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE; OR, THE SLAVE OF DUTY at Le Parker Meridian and the New York City Center tonight, October 15, 2015.

MasterVoices will hold its Fall Gala and Concert, featuring the THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE; OR, THE SLAVE OF DUTY at Le Parker Meridian and the New York City Center on October 15, 2015.