London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a big musical revival to starry panto and Matthew Bourne's latest, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…
Broadway alum Aaron Tveit will lead Bill Duke's big screen legal drama CREATED EQUAL. Edy Ganem, Lou Diamond Phillips ('Longmire') and Greg Alan Williams ('Greenleaf') will also star.
Hot on the heels of a record-breaking, critically acclaimed West End run, this new production of FUNNY GIRL embarks on a major national tour in 2017. The five-star production opens at Manchester Palace, where it runs for a week from 20 February, before touring to venues including Milton Keynes Theatre, Liverpool Empire, Bristol Hippodrome, Stoke Regent Theatre, His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen, Edinburgh Playhouse, New Victoria Theatre Woking, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, Birmingham Hippodrome, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Mayflower Theatre Southampton, King's Theatre Glasgow, Nottingham Theatre Royal and Southend Cliffs Pavilion. Further tour dates and casting yet to be announced.
The new original series 'Greenleaf,' featuring Oprah Winfrey's first recurring scripted television role in two decades, will launch with a two-night premiere on OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK today, May 24
TV One is celebrating mothers all month long with 'Love My Momma Month of May,' a specially-themed programming slate devoted to Represent Real Moms who are the heart and soul of life itself.
Last night, the Sheridan Smith-starring revival of FUNNY GIRL opened at the Savoy Theatre in the West End. The transfer follows a sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and the show is booking until October 8. Smith takes on Barbra Streisand's iconic role of Fanny Brice, the Brooklyn singer and comedienne who became a Broadway sensation under producer Florenz Ziegfeld. The cast also features 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.
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.
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network unveiled today a first look at its new original drama series GREENLEAF from Lionsgate TV and Emmy-nominated writer/producer Craig Wright
Due to unprecedented demand, the critically acclaimed production of Funny Girl, which is fast selling out its run, extends booking for a further 4 weeks until 8 October 2016. Tickets for the extension of Michael Mayer's "exhilarating embrace of a production - Independent" starring Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress and "phenomenal talent - Independent" Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice go on sale from 10am on 8 February.
FUNNY GIRL, starring Sheridan Smith, is now running Menier Chocolate Factory through March 5 before transferring to the West End's Savoy Theatre from April 9. According to the Daily Mail, the smash hit production, marking the musical's 50th anniversary year and helmed by Michael Mayer, has just extended its run at the Savoy by four weeks through October 8, 2016.
The new original series 'Greenleaf,' featuring Oprah Winfrey's first recurring scripted television role in two decades, will launch with a two-night premiere on OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK on Tuesday, May 24
Following a critically acclaimed opening at the Menier Chocolate Factory this week, the smash hit production of Funny Girl extends its booking period at the Savoy Theatre due to popular demand. Michael Mayer's "exhilarating embrace of a production - Independent" will now run until 10 September 2016 - marking the musical's 50th anniversary year. Tickets for the extended booking period production starring Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress and "phenomenal talent - Independent" Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice go on sale today.
The Brevard Music Center (BMC) will open its 2015 season tonight, June 20, with superstar pianist André Watts and BMC Principal Guest Conductor JoAnn Falletta in an all-Beethoven program.
MADE IN DAGENHAM's Isla Blair will play 'Lady Caroline Byng' in A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS at the Chichester Festival Theatre, running tonight, May 30 - June 27, 2015.
The full list of winners are announced today in the inaugural Also Recognised Awards, the new audience-voted, industry accolade set up by theatre commentators Mark Shenton and Terri Paddock to celebrate lesser-known but equally worthy talent in fields overlooked by other awards bodies. Over a month's voting, more than 15,000 people took part.
MADE IN DAGENHAM's Isla Blair will play 'Lady Caroline Byng' in A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS at the Chichester Festival Theatre, running May 30 - June 27, 2015.
Jamie Lloyd's production of Urinetown The Musical, which has been voted Best New Musical in the West End in the BroadwayWorld.com UK 2014 Awards, recently announced an early closing date for today, January 3, 2015 at the Apollo Theatre. The production was originally slated to run through January 10.