Arlene Phillips News

Now in its fourth electrifyin' year at London's Piccadilly Theatre, the smash hit musical Grease has a new cast from 24 January 2011

Andrew Lloyd Webber's new The Wizard of Oz promises to be the biggest theatre event of the year, combining all the much-loved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score with new songs. Now, the full cast for the much anticipated show has been revealed. Joining the previously announced MICHAEL CRAWFORD (Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz), DANIELLE HOPE (Dorothy), EDWARD BAKER-DULY (Hickory/Tin Man), DAVID GANLY (Zeke/Cowardly Lion), PAUL KEATING (Hunk/Scarecrow), EMILY TIERNEY (Glinda), and HANNAH WADDINGHAM (Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West) are: SOPHIE EVANS (Alternate Dorothy), STEPHEN SCOTT (Uncle Henry/Ensemble, first cover Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz), and HELEN WALSH (Aunt Em/Munchkin Barrister/Ensemble).

Talking to the UK Telegraph, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber tells the paper that The Wizard of Oz, which opens in February 2011 in London (and already has a $13+ million dollar advance) will play America next, with talks underway to do a television casting show for Dorothy as he's done in the UK. Britain's loss could be America's gain, however. 'A couple of the networks in the US have wanted to build something around what I do on TV, and I think with Oz something is definitely going to happen there. The X Factor juggernaut is going to be huge there next year but other networks are looking for something to go against it. Once we've found a Dorothy in the US, my instinct is to open the show in Kansas [Dorothy's home].'

Earlier this week, Dorothy, Danielle Hope performed 'Over the Rainbow' at the Royal Variety Performance in London at the Palladium. Michael Crawford, who will play The Wizard, introduced the segment.

We popped down to the rehearsal studios at the beginning of the week to see how the cast, creatives and crew of The Wizard of Oz got on on their first day of rehearsals. Choreographer Arlene Phillips welcomes us, we catch up with Hannah Waddingham and Danielle Hope, and spot a few more familiar faces in the rehearsal room - from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Michael Crawford to Tim Rice….

The Wizard of Oz promises to be the biggest theatre event of the West End year, combining all the much-loved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score with new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, marking the first time they have worked together in over 30 years on a new production. Last night, Dorothy, Danielle Hope performed 'Over the Rainbow' at the Royal Variety Performance in London at the Palladium. Michael Crawford, who will play The Wizard, introduced the segment.

The Hurly Burly Show®, directed by William Baker, arrives in the West End in spring 2011, running at the Garrick Theatre from 3 March - 1 May 2011, with press night on Friday 11 March.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and The Really Useful Group are delighted to announce that Jason Donovan will star as 'Captain Von Trapp' in their smash hit production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" at the Regent Theatre Stoke (15 February - 5 March 2011) Box Office….

EDWARD BAKER-DULY (Tin Man), DAVID GANLY (Lion), PAUL KEATING (Scarecrow), EMILY TIERNEY (Glinda) and HANNAH WADDINGHAM (Wicked Witch of the West) are to join Michael Crawford and Danielle Hope in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, opening at The London Palladium in February 2011.

Flashdance The Musical, which began performances in the West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 25 September 2010, will now complete its run on 15 January 2011.

Set to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ are Michael Crawford as The Wizard and Danielle Hope, the winner of the BBC's smash hit Over The Rainbow, when the show opens at the London Palladium next year. Variety has the first scoop from Jeremy Sams, who is directing and who has re-written the book. Sams tells the publication that:...

Due to overwhelming demand, the producers of Midnight Tango have added another month of dates to the nationwide tour. Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace have dazzled television audiences for six series of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing with their stunning tango routines. Now, in their new live show, they will bring to life all the drama, sensuality and elegance of this most exciting of dance forms.

Pittsburgh CLO is proud to announce the world premiere of Love Changes Everything, a song and dance celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber's music, as part of the 2011 Summer Season.

Lucinda Hawksley reviews the latest 1980s pop musical

Flashdance The Musical, based on the Paramount Pictures film (screenplay by Tom Hedley and Joe Eszterhas, story by Tom Hedley), is produced in the West End by Christopher Malcolm, David Ian, The Baruch Viertel Routh Frankel Group, and Transamerica.

Flashdance The Musical will open in the West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre this autumn. Previewing from 24 September 2010 with press night on 14 October, Flashdance The Musical is currently booking until 26 February 2011.

Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace have dazzled television audiences for six series of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing with their stunning tango routines.

Matt Willis and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt lead the cast in Flashdance The Musical, currently booking until 26 February 2011.

Sparks will fly this year as the West End Premiere of FLASHDANCE - THE MUSICAL explodes onto the stage at the Shaftesbury Theatre starting September 27, 2010. Tickets are currently being sold through February 26, 2011.

The West End premiere of FLASHDANCE: THE MUSICAL begin previews September 25. Due to technical difficulties, the September 24 opening was cancelled. The official premiere of the new musical will be October 14.