The Boy Friend 00/00/0000

Ages: 12+
Opened: November 30, -0001

The Boy Friend - 1989 - West End History , Info & More

The Jazz Age lives on in this light, romantic spoof of 1920's musical comedy. brbrThe setting is-where else?-the French Riviera. Polly, an English heiress attending Mme. Dubonnet's Finishing School, falls in love with Tony, a delivery boy. Recalling her father's warning to beware fortune seekers, she posses as a working girl, unaware Tony is in fact the missing son of the wealthy Lord Brockhurst. Things get complicated with the unexpected arrival in Nice of Polly's parents and Lord and Lady Brockhurst-but not to worry, a happy ending is in store for all. brbrThe show's many memorable roles include the flirtatious Mme. Dubonnet, her boy-crazy students and Polly (the role which turned Julie Andrews into an overnight sensation), making it ideal for theatre groups with a strong female ensemble. With its catchy tunes, period dances (including the inevitable Charleston) and winning sense of humor, "The Boy Friend" is a sparkling, tongue-in-cheek 1920's romp in the spirit of "No, No, Nanette."

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Bill English, Nkrumah Gatling, Teal Wicks & More to Star in RAGTIME at Signature Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 26, 2023


Signature Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team for the epic musical Ragtime, with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

SWEENEY TODD, A History- Part 2: The Demon Barber Slashes His Way From Page To Stage And Beyond
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 26, 2023


Learn how Sondheim made Sweeney sing and how Mr. Todd made his mark on mass media in Part 2 of SWEENEY TODD, A History.

Granada Theatre Reveals Honorees For 7th Annual Legends Gala
by Stephi Wild - Jul 19, 2023


The Granada Theatre has announced the 7th Annual  Granada Theatre Legends Gala on Saturday, September 16, 2023. This annual event is one of Santa Barbara's most highly anticipated evenings and features inspiring honorees, extraordinary talent, and dedicated patrons of the arts all in one place to support Santa Barbara's performing arts community. 

BTG Reveals Casting For MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET and PHOTOGRAPH 51
by Stephi Wild - Jun 2, 2023


Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) and Kate Maguire (Artistic Director, CEO) have announced casting for two of its summer 2023 shows: Million Dollar Quartet, a three-time Tony Award–nominated once-in-a-lifetime musical evening back by popular demand with some of the same cast as 2017 and Photograph 51, an intriguing portrait of the race to discover the mysteries of the DNA double helix. 

BWW Interview: Barry Brisco Proudly Assures That LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD
by Gil Kaan - May 29, 2023


Barry Brisco’s Love is a Battlefield returns to the Hollywood Fringe Festival after nine years opening June 10, 2023, at the Limbic Arthouse. Barry directs his based-on-real-life script with the cast of Roy Fowler, Ian James, Johnny Manibusan, Michael C. Morello, Navene Shata, Jamarr Tillman and Arielle Thomas.

NJPAC Announces New Classical Shows For 2023/24 Featuring Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, And More
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 26, 2023


New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and the Smart Family Foundation; David S. Stone, Esq., Stone & Magnanini has announced the 2023/24 Classical Performances.

PACIFIC OVERTURES, CLOSE UP - THE TWIGGY MUSICAL, and More Set For Menier Chocolate Factory 2023 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2023


With Marjorie Prime currently running at the company's home base in South London and Funny Girl on Broadway, the Menier Chocolate Factory announced forthcoming programming for 2023. Learn more about the lineup here!

Which Songs Have Appeared in Multiple Broadway Shows?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jan 15, 2023


This month, the reader question was: 'Which Songs Have Appeared in Multiple Broadway Shows?'

Film at Lincoln Center Announces Jordan Peele Curation
by Michael Major - Dec 22, 2022


Widely hailed as one of this century’s great directorial debuts, Jordan Peele’s era-defining Get Out injected new life into horror with its witty subversion of racial politics and elitist social mores. Two years later, his wildly entertaining Us plumbed everything from isolationist fears and late-capitalist power structures to the rich lineage.

The Official Take That Musical GREATEST DAYS Will Visit Theatre Royal Brighton in October 2023
by Stephi Wild - Nov 16, 2022


Adam Kenwright has announced new tour dates for The Official Take That Musical - GREATEST DAYS, with a book by award winning playwright Tim Firth. The musical will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour from 5 May 2023 and will coincide with the summer 2023 release of the official movie version of this smash-hit musical, starring Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams.

New Dates Announced For UK and Ireland Tour Of GREATEST DAYS
by Stephi Wild - Nov 10, 2022


New tour dates have been announced for The Official Take That Musical - GREATEST DAYS, with a book by award winning playwright Tim Firth. The musical will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour from 5 May 2023 and will coincide with the summer 2023 release of the official movie version of this smash-hit musical, starring Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams. 

Interview: Professional Opera Singer Frank Pitts is Guest Music Director of BIG FISH at Arkansas State University Beebe
by Theresa Bertram - Nov 2, 2022


In theatre, as well as in life, we all need a little help from our friends. This holds true for Director Ryan Gibbins at Arkansas State University-Beebe Theatre Department, who will be presenting BIG FISH this Thursday through Saturday, November 3 through 5, in the Owen Center Theatre, beginning at 7pm. Thankfully, Mr. Gibbons has extremely talented friends, and his students are blessed to be guided under professional opera singer Frank Pitts, who has graciously stepped into the Music Director position for the show.

Review Roundup: National Tour of ALADDIN Launches; What Did the Critics Think?
by Stephi Wild - Oct 26, 2022


The National Tour of Aladdin recently launched at Proctor's in Schenectady, NY. Read the reviews for Aladdin here!

GREATEST DAYS - The Official Take That Musical Will Tour the UK in 2023
by Stephi Wild - Sep 21, 2022


GREATEST DAYS - The Official Take That Musical, with a book by award winning playwright Tim Firth, will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour from 5 May 2023.

Cast and Creative Team Announced For THE KITE RUNNER
by Stephi Wild - Mar 28, 2022


The cast and creative team for the Broadway-bound limited engagement of The Kite Runner at The Hayes Theater (240 West 44th Street) this summer.

The Gamm Theatre Announces 2022-23 Season
by Stephi Wild - Mar 23, 2022


The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm), under the leadership of Artistic Director Tony Estrella and Managing Director Amy Gravell, announces its 2022-23 season of bold and compellingly human plays.

Award-Winning Costume and Set Designer Tony Walton Dies at 87
by Marissa Tomeo - Mar 3, 2022


According to a Deadline article, acclaimed costume and set designer Tony Walton has passed away at the age of 87. He died on March 2nd from issues related to a stroke. Bridget LeRoy, his stepdaughter, released the news of his death on Facebook, writing, “A fond and loving farewell to the most fabulous stepdad and human being in the world. Love you forever, Tony Walton. Have a great trip.” 

BWW Exclusive: A History of ANNIE on Broadway and Beyond
by Jeffrey Kare - Dec 2, 2021


Tonight, NBC will air its sixth live musical production. Following in the footsteps of The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz, Hairspray, and Jesus Christ Superstar, the peacock network will be presenting Annie. Based on Harold Gray's comic strip titled Little Orphan Annie, this musical tells the story of a little orphan with equal measures of pluck and positivity who charms everyone's hearts, despite a next-to-nothing start in New York City in the year 1933.

Soho Theatre Announces Upcoming November Programming
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 19, 2021


Soho Theatre has announced their upcoming November programming featuring MUM, SESSIONS, MAKROOH and more. 

DEBUT WORKS AND RECENT FILMS BY NOTABLE JAPANESE DIRECTORS Announced
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 5, 2021


The second ACA Cinema Project series will present Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors, a hybrid program with 18 films streaming nationwide on Japan Society's Virtual Cinema from December 3-23, 2021 and two in-person screenings in Japan Society's auditorium on December 11 and 17.

Small Shows With Big Plots You Must See!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2021


While the large-scale musical tends to receive the most attention from audiences, oftentimes it's the small musicals that speak to us in the most impactful ways. For fans of emotional one act musicals and cult-classic Off-Broadway shows, we're rounding up what we think are some of the best small cast musicals out there!

Robert Falls to Step Down as Goodman Theatre Artistic Director in Summer 2022
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 15, 2021


After more than three decades leading creative operations for one of America’s largest theaters, Tony Award-winner Robert Falls is ending his tenure as Artistic Director of Goodman Theatre. Today, Falls announced his intention to step down next summer at the completion of the current 2021/2022 Season.

TheatreWorks to Reopen October 2021 With LIZARD BOY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 27, 2021


TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will resume in-person performances when it launches its previously announced 51st season, featuring eight plays and musicals presented October 2021 through August 2022, kicking off with the new indie folk-rock musical Lizard Boy.

BWW Interview: Hear From Matt Selman & Elisabeth Kiernan Averick About THE SIMPSONS' Broadway-Musical-Worthy Season Premiere!
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Aug 27, 2021


Overcome with nostalgia, Marge decides to stage a revival of her high school musical, “Y2K: The Millennium Bug.” 

SPANKING MACHINE Will Be Performed at the Marsh in September and October
by Stephi Wild - Aug 14, 2021


Marga Gomez returns to The Marsh San Francisco stage for live performances of Spanking Machine, her by turns funny, intense, and heart-rending memoir of growing up brown and queer in Washington Heights. Childhood pranks, Devil Dogs, sadistic nuns on poppers, assault, and suppressed memory play their parts in Gomez's shift across gender, latitudes, and generations.

The Boy Friend FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of The Boy Friend have there been?
The Boy Friend has had 17 productions including London Fringe which opened in 1953, London Fringe which opened in 1953, West End which opened in 1954, Broadway which opened in 1954, Broadway which opened in 1954, US Tour which opened in 1955, Off-Broadway which opened in 1958, West End which opened in 1967, Australia which opened in 1968, Broadway which opened in 1970, Broadway which opened in 1970, West End which opened in 1984, Regional (US) which opened in 2003, Regional (US) which opened in 2005, West End which opened in 2006, Off-Broadway which opened in 2007 and West End which opened in 2019.

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