Robert G. Bartner News

Actress Sheridan Smith will depart the West End's LEGALLY BLONDE on October 23, whatsonstage.com reports. Smith, who plays Elle Woods, made the announcement via her twitter account. As previously reported on BroadwayWorld, Jennifer Ellison is being considered to replaced Smith; however, no official announcement has been made.

Due to popular demand, Neil Simon's award-winning comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue has extended its run at the Vaudeville Theatre until 25 September 2010. Directed by Terry Johnson and starring Jeff Gold blum and Mercedes Ruehl, The Prisoner Of Second Avenue is the first West End production to be staged by The Old Vic Theatre Company.

Mark Rylance (Valere), David Hyde Pierce (Elomire) and Joanna Lumley (The Princess) are joined by Stephen Ouimette (Bejart), Lisa Joyce (Marquise-Therese Du Parc), Greta Lee (Dorine), Robert Lonsdale (Rene Du Parc), Michael Milligan (De Brie), Liza Sadovy (Catherine De Brie) and Sally Wingert (Madeleine Bejart) in Matthew Warchus' production of David Hirson's La Bête.

Mark Rylance (Valere), David Hyde Pierce (Elomire) and Joanna Lumley (The Princess) are joined by Stephen Ouimette (Bejart), Lisa Joyce (Marquise-Therese Du Parc), Greta Lee (Dorine), Robert Lonsdale (Rene Du Parc), Michael Milligan (De Brie), Liza Sadovy (Catherine De Brie) and Sally Wingert (Madeleine Bejart) as rehearsals begin for Matthew Warchus' production of David Hirson's La Bête.

Actress Jennifer Ellison is in 'talks and talks' to take on the role of Elle Woods in the West End production of LEGALLY BLONDE, The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye reports. Ellison would replace Sheridan Smith, who is currently playing the role and is to leave in September or October.

Mark Rylance (Valere), David Hyde Pierce (Elomire) and Joanna Lumley (The Princess) are joined by Stephen Ouimette (Bejart), Lisa Joyce (Marquise-Therese Du Parc), Greta Lee (Dorine), Robert Lonsdale (Rene Du Parc), Michael Milligan (De Brie), Liza Sadovy (Catherine De Brie) and Sally Wingert (Madeleine Bejart) as rehearsals begin for Matthew Warchus' production of David Hirson's La Bête.

Musical theatre songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul announced through their website today that they are writing the score to 5th Avenue's revised A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL!, running November 30 through December 19.

Richard Fleeshman will join the cast of the critically acclaimed Legally Blonde The Musical from 16 June to play Warner Huntington III opposite Sheridan Smith as Elle Woods, Jill Halfpenny as Paulette, Peter Davison as Professor Callahan and Alex Gaumond as Emmett. Fleeshman takes over the role of Warner Huntington III from Duncan James whose final performance will be 14 June 2010. Legally Blonde The Musical, which opened at the Savoy Theatre earlier this year, is currently booking until 20 February 2011.

The West End production of LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL will receive its own cast recording, according to a post on the musical's Facebook page on May 21st. The show will be recorded live on June 12, 13, and 14 for a yet-to-be-announced release date.

The American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 13, 2010 and broadcast on the CBS Television Network. For more information visit tonyawards.com.

Richard Fleeshman joins the cast later this month to play Warner Huntington III opposite Sheridan Smith as Elle Woods, Jill Halfpenny as Paulette, Peter Davison as Professor Callahan and Alex Gaumond as Emmett.

Today, Tuesday 08 June 2010, Legally Blonde The Musical extends booking to 29 October 2011, releasing over 311,000 new tickets for sale.

Today, Tuesday 08 June 2010, Legally Blonde The Musical extends booking to 29 October 2011, releasing over 311,000 new tickets for sale.

The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley will play Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) beginning September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), will officially open October 14, 2010. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night set for July 7.

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE and FENCES share the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Play.

Liev Schreiber is this year's recipient of the Drama Desk Award for Best Actor in a Play.

The West End production of LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL will receive its own cast recording, according to a post on the musical's Facebook page on May 21st. The show will be recorded live on June 12, 13, and 14 for a yet-to-be-announced release date.

The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley will open on Broadway October 14, 2010 at a Shubert Theatre to be announced. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), will begin previews September 23, 2010, following a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night set for July 7.

Mark Rylance (Valere), David Hyde Pierce (Elomire) and Joanna Lumley (The Princess) are joined by Stephen Ouimette (Bejart), Lisa Joyce (Marquise-Therese Du Parc), Greta Lee (Dorine), Robert Lonsdale (Rene Du Parc), Michael Milligan (De Brie), Liza Sadovy (Catherine De Brie) and Sally Wingert (Madeleine Bejart) as rehearsals begin for Matthew Warchus' production of David Hirson's La Bête.

Richard Fleeshman will join the cast of the critically acclaimed Legally Blonde The Musical from 16 June to play Warner Huntington III opposite Sheridan Smith as Elle Woods, Jill Halfpenny as Paulette, Peter Davison as Professor Callahan and Alex Gaumond as Emmett. Fleeshman takes over the role of Warner Huntington III from Duncan James whose final performance will be 14 June 2010. Legally Blonde The Musical, which opened at the Savoy Theatre earlier this year, is currently booking until 20 February 2011.