Royal Shakespeare Company News

The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers today announced the casting of the principal roles and the ensemble in the eagerly anticipated Broadway-bound musical MATILDA THE MUSICAL. They are (alphabetically): Karen Aldridge (Mrs. Phelps), Gabriel Ebert (Mr. Wormwood), Lesli Margherita (Mrs. Wormwood), and Lauren Ward (Miss Honey).

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) joins the international celebration of the bicentennial of Charles Dickens' birth, Dickens 2012, with a World's Stage presentation of the Olivier Award-nominated production Dickens' Women, featuring actress Miriam Margolyes, tonight, December 18-22, 2012 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare.

With The Suit, theater director Peter Brook-whose 1987 production of The Mahabharata inaugurated the BAM Majestic Theater (now the BAM Harvey Theater)-returns to BAM with Theatre des Bouffes du Nord to showcase his signature approach of innovative stage design and the integration of live music. Written by Can Themba, The Suit was adapted for the stage by Mothobi Mutloatse, and Barney Simon.

Originally produced by the National Theatre of Scotland, the English premiere of Iain Finlay Macleod's Somersaults opens at the Finborough Theatre on Wednesday, 2 January 2013 (Press Night: Thursday, 3 January 2013 at 7.30pm) for a limited four-week season, directed by Russell Bolam.

The smash hit West End musical GHOST the Musical, based on the Academy Award winning film, is to tour throughout the UK opening at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff in April 2013. GHOST the Musical is directed by the Tony award winning Matthew Warchus (Matilda, Art) and has music and lyrics by Grammy® award winning Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard and features the iconic song Unchained Melody. Set and costume designs are by Rob Howell, musical supervision and arrangements by Christopher Nightingale, illusions are by Paul Kieve, choreography is by Ashley Wallen, video and projection designs by Jon Driscoll, lighting by Hugh Vanstone and sound by Bobby Aitken. The UK tour is being produced by David Ian Productions, The Ambassador Theatre Group, Colin Ingram, and Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle. Full casting for the tour will be announced later this year.

From the author of Pride and Prejudice comes this heartwarming, humorous tale of two sisters struggling to move past a family disaster. Sensible, reserved Elinor and passionate, impulsive Marianne find the road to true love beset with dashing suitors and well-meaning relatives, devoted friends and devious rivals, and scandalous secrets and unexpected twists in a period-perfect adaptation that captures all of the deliciousness, flirtation and folly of Jane Austen's well-loved novel.

From 4 February 2013 a new cast will perform in Nicholas Hytner's five star West End production of One Man, Two Guvnors. As previously announced, Rufus Hound will take the lead as loveable chancer Francis Henshall. He will join new cast members Sam Alexander, Ian Burfield, Amy Cudden, Harry Kershaw, Kelly Price and Hugh Sachs. Martin Barrass will return to the production to play Alfie, and current cast members David Benson, Rhona Croker and Derek Elroy will continue. Mensah Bediako, Owen Brazendale, Gillian Budd, Max Hutchinson, Tom Lorcan, Aimee Parkes and Claire Sundin complete the ensemble.

From 4 February 2013 a new cast will perform in Nicholas Hytner's five star West End production of One Man, Two Guvnors. As previously announced, Rufus Hound will take the lead as loveable chancer Francis Henshall. He will join new cast members Sam Alexander, Ian Burfield, Amy Cudden, Harry Kershaw, Kelly Price and Hugh Sachs. Martin Barrass will return to the production to play Alfie, and current cast members David Benson, Rhona Croker and Derek Elroy will continue. Mensah Bediako, Owen Brazendale, Gillian Budd, Max Hutchinson, Tom Lorcan, Aimee Parkes and Claire Sundin complete the ensemble. Check out the headshots of the cast below!

On Stage Touring, LLC, in association with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE), announced today the tribute artists who will be performing in ELVIS LIVES this January through May and that the 2013 tour has expanded to include more markets.

TheatreSquared will open Tenneessee Williams' only comedy, set on Christmas Eve and rarely seen since its 1961 premiere, this week in a new production directed by Broadway veteran Sean Patrick Reilly. After a disastrous wedding night, George deposits Isabel at the home of his old army buddy, Ralph-whose own wife has just walked out-and promptly disappears. The unexpectedly warmhearted and poignant drama that follows is vintage Williams, with all the hallmarks that have defined him as one of America's greatest playwrights.

In a unique series of six films debuting on PBS Friday, January 25 at 9 p.m. (check local listings), Shakespeare Uncovered will combine history, biography, iconic performances, new analysis, and the personal passions of its celebrated hosts - Ethan Hawke, Jeremy Irons, Derek Jacobi, Trevor Nunn, Joely Richardson, and David Tennant - to tell the stories behind the stories of Shakespeare's greatest plays.

We speak with Denver Center veteran Kathleen McCall on her beginnings with the Denver Center Theatre Company, her long love affair with Shakespeare and of course her marriage.

Currently playing at London's Cambridge Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Matilda the Musical is Broadway-bound in 2013. MATILDA THE MUSICAL begins performances on March 4 and opens on April 11 2013 at the Shubert Theatre (235 West 44th Street). In the video below, the West End cast performs a medley of songs at the Royal Variety Performance, which was held last night, December 3. Check it out below!

TheatreSquared will open Tenneessee Williams' only comedy, set on Christmas Eve and rarely seen since its 1961 premiere, this week in a new production directed by Broadway veteran Sean Patrick Reilly. After a disastrous wedding night, George deposits Isabel at the home of his old army buddy, Ralph-whose own wife has just walked out-and promptly disappears. The unexpectedly warmhearted and poignant drama that follows is vintage Williams, with all the hallmarks that have defined him as one of America's greatest playwrights.

The puritanical killjoy of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night finally has his say in I, Malvolio, a one-man deconstruction of one of classic literature's most misunderstood characters. By British scribe Tim Crouch, I, Malvolio, presented by The New Victory Theater, is a hilarious, charged and often unsettling rant from a complex man full of pride, passion, rage and humiliation. I, Malvolio will run at The Duke on 42nd Street, 229 West 42nd Street, from January 11 through January 20, 2013.