Tom Murphy News

Irish Repertory Theatre, in association with The Public Theater, announced an extension for the US premiere of the Abbey Theatre's production of QUIETLY.

The Irish are a unique brand of people. Living in a land of rocks, hills, harsh weather, poverty and isolation, they have developed attitudes toward life that lend themselves to dark thoughts and bleak tales.

With previews in full swing at the Savoy Theatre, director Michael Mayer continues to polish the new revival of FUNNY GIRL, starring Sheridan Smith, which premiered at Menier Chocolate Factory.

The West End transfer of Funny Girl, receives its first preview tomorrow night, 9 April 2016 - with opening night on 20 April, at the Savoy Theatre. Michael Mayer directs Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice, Darius Campbell as Nicky Arnstein, Marilyn Cutts as Mrs Brice, Maurice Lane as Mr Keeney, Valda Aviks as Mrs Meeker, Gay Soper as Mrs Strakosh, Natasha J Barnes as Emma/Mrs Nadler, Bruce Montague as Florenz Ziegfeld, and Joel Montague as Eddie Ryan.                

Full casting has been announced for Promethean Theatre Ensemble's production of James Goldman's The Lion in Winter, according to Brian Pastor, director of this production and artistic director of the company. Leading the cast as King Henry II of England and his wife Eleanor of Acquitaine, the roles immortalized by Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn in the 1968 film version, will be Brian Parry and Elaine Carlson. Parry, a Jeff award winner for supporting actor in Redtwist's Shining City, is a four-time Jeff Award nominee and recently earned raves for his portrayal of George in Redtwist's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf along with his roles in Redtwist's Red and the currently playing The Drawer Boy. Parry has previously appeared with Promethean in The Lark. Carlson was a Jeff winner for Famous Door's Salt of the Earth and was seen recently in Eclipse's A Perfect Ganesh. She has performed previously with Promethean in Tiger at the Gates and A Study in Scarlet.

Back by popular demand, Birmingham Repertory Theatre revives their 2014 production of John Steinbeck's classic Of Mice And Men for a limited run this February. Featuring a new cast, the show will open at The REP on 4 February 2016 before touring the UK until May.

Jonathan Kent's five-star production of Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton as Rose has its final performance today 28 November 2015, as previously announced.

More good news, Baz Bamingboye reports in the UK Daily Mail that Broadway could indeed be next, writing 'We are actively pursuing and trying to work out the right way to go to New York with Imelda in Gypsy,' said Michael Harrison, who produced the show with David Ian. The Jonathan Kent production recouped its costs and made a profit for investors which (as we know) doesn't happen with every musical production.' He also notes '

Strawdog Theatre Company, Artistic Director Hank Boland and Hugen Hall Artistic Director Anderson Lawfer are proud to announce the first production in its 2015-2016 Hugen Hall season, the United States premiere of Julia Lederer's With Love and a Major Organ, September 12 - October 14, directed by Thrisa Hodits at Hugen Hall in Strawdog Theatre Company, 3829 N. Broadway St.

Promethean Theatre Ensemble announces a new programming initiative called Promethean Spark. The Spark project provides ensemble members with an opportunity to create and curate theatrical pieces that explore the boundaries of our mission statement of producing classic works with a modern twist.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, plans have been underway for the BBC to film the London production of Gypsy this month, and now the news is official. According to the theatre's official Facebook page, equipment is in place to record the show for a later broadcast . 

Jonathan Kent's five-star production of Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton as Rose will have its final performance on 28 November 2015 as previously announced.   Having smashed the all time box office record at the Savoy Theatre and subsequently recouped, Kent's production originally opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre in October last year.  Following a second set of five-star reviews, producers Michael Harrison and David Ian announced an extension to the West End run in April.

According to an email sent to a ticket buyer and alerted to BroadwayWorld.com, plans are underway for the BBC to film the London production during the first week of October for potential broadcast and release. At this time no official announcement of either has been made, and the Savoy Theatre's Twitter account has long denied filming being planned, but stay tuned to BroadwayWorld.com for the latest.

Strawdog Theatre Company presents the first production in its 2015-2016 Hugen Hall season, the United States premiere of Julia Lederer's WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN, now through October 14, directed by Thrisa Hodits at Hugen Hall in Strawdog Theatre Company, 3829 N. Broadway St. Opening night performance is tonight, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Strawdog Theatre Company, Artistic Director Hank Boland and Hugen Hall Artistic Director Anderson Lawfer are proud to announce the first production in its 2015-2016 Hugen Hall season, the United States premiere of Julia Lederer's With Love and a Major Organ, tonight, September 12, through October 14, directed by Thrisa Hodits at Hugen Hall in Strawdog Theatre Company, 3829 N. Broadway St. Opening night performance is Monday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m.

Jarlath Tivnan's debut play is written in the strokes of black comedy but points to darker truths under the surface in rural Ireland.

Strawdog Theatre Company, Artistic Director Hank Boland and Hugen Hall Artistic Director Anderson Lawfer are proud to announce the first production in its 2015-2016 Hugen Hall season, the United States premiere of Julia Lederer's With Love and a Major Organ, September 12 - October 14, directed by Thrisa Hodits at Hugen Hall in Strawdog Theatre Company, 3829 N. Broadway St.

When it comes to Irish theatre and the Tony Awards, the distance is never great.

Druid today announced full details of one of the company's most ambitious ever undertakings, DruidShakespeare, a challenging but fitting project to mark the company's fortieth anniversary year.