Ben Elton News

Kacey Ainsworth (Annelle), Isla Blair (M'Lynn), Cheryl Campbell (Ouiser), Cherie Lunghi (Clairee), Sadie Pickering (Shelby) and Denise Welch (Truvy) comprise the cast for the National Tour of Steel Magnolias, written by Robert Harling and directed by David Gilmore. Steel Magnolias is being produced by David Ian Productions.

Kacey Ainsworth (Annelle), Isla Blair (M'Lynn), Cheryl Campbell (Ouiser), Cherie Lunghi (Clairee), Sadie Pickering (Shelby) and Denise Welch (Truvy) comprise the cast for the National Tour of Steel Magnolias, written by Robert Harling and directed by David Gilmore.

West End smash hit musical We Will Rock You has announced the on sale date of tickets for its upcoming special tenth anniversary celebration show which will take place at the Dominion Theatre, London, on Monday, May 14.

This year is shaping up to be the year of the Canucks on Broadway - with more Canadian representation on the Great White Way than ever before. One of those Canadians is Tony LePage, currently starring in Rock of Ages where he understudies all eight of the male roles. Tony started with the Toronto production of the show before moving to NYC, which he has called home for the last year. He took a few minutes to talk with BWW about what the journey has been like for him, and about why he hopes to continue to call NYC home.

In its second season, the Dayton Philharmonic's Rockin' Orchestra Series is playing to sold-out houses at the Schuster Performing Arts Center in Downtown Dayton, Ohio. The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO) is the first American orchestra to package rock-with-orchestra-based music into a season subscription series.

In its second season, the Dayton Philharmonic's Rockin' Orchestra Series is playing to sold-out houses at the Schuster Performing Arts Center in Downtown Dayton, Ohio. The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO) is the first American orchestra to package rock-with-orchestra-based music into a season subscription series.

Today we are talking to one of the busiest lyricists in show business, Glenn Slater, all about today's movie theater showing of his collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber, LOVE NEVER DIES - a continuation of the world's most successful show, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - and the spectacular Simon Phillips-directed Australian production of it filmed for the ages and presented in hundreds of movie theaters across the country, with an encore cinema showing on March 7 prior to its DVD/Blu-ray release in the Spring. Besides discussing all aspects of the writing of the show and its West End debut, Slater also elaborates on the rewriting of the show and how this new production and unprecedented in-theater presentation is the ultimate realization of Lloyd Webber's dream vision for the musical drama - something the Lord shared with me himself when he recently did this column.

Having performed the role over 300 times in the highly successful UK national tour of the show, singer/actor Noel Sullivan is to join the original London production of the Queen/Ben Elton hit musical We Will Rock You in a reprise of his lead role of Galileo.

TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly.

Broadway's longest-running production of all time celebrates a triumphant quarter century on stage with The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall, coming to Blu-rayTM - with perfect hi-def picture and perfect hi-def sound- DVD, On Demand and Digital Download on February 7, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. On October 2, 2011, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Cameron Mackintosh marked the 25th anniversary of their beloved musical extravaganza, "The Phantom of the Opera," with a lavishly staged production at London's legendary Royal Albert Hall that was beamed live via satellite to cinemas across the globe.The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall marks the first time a live performance of the blockbuster musical has been made available for home viewing, making it a must-have anniversary release for fans everywhere.

MCC Theater has announced the complete cast for the newly reworked and fully re-imagined production of Carrie, the musical. Carrie features music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford (Academy Award winning composer and lyricist for the original film Fame) and a book by Lawrence D. Cohen (who also adapted the 1974 novel by Stephen King for the 1976 Brian DePalma film). Directed by Stafford Arima, performances for Carrie begin January 31, 2012, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC). The official opening night is set for March 1, 2012.

Kacey Ainsworth (Annelle), Isla Blair (M'Lynn), Cheryl Campbell (Ouiser), Cherie Lunghi (Clairee), Sadie Pickering (Shelby) and Denise Welch (Truvy) comprise the cast for the National Tour of Steel Magnolias, written by Robert Harling and directed by David Gilmore. Steel Magnolias is being produced by David Ian Productions.

Kacey Ainsworth (Annelle), Isla Blair (M'Lynn), Cheryl Campbell (Ouiser), Cherie Lunghi (Clairee), Sadie Pickering (Shelby) and Denise Welch (Truvy) comprise the cast for the National Tour of Steel Magnolias, written by Robert Harling and directed by David Gilmore.

The current year-long celebrations of legendary rock band Queen's 40th anniversary have seen a massively elevated profile for the co-creators of hit show We Will Rock You, and the celebrations continue with the launch next week of the lavish memorabilia book , '40 Years of Queen' (Carlton Books).

According to the Daily Mail, Joely Richardson has signed on to star in Ibsen's THE LADY FROM THE SEA. Richardson's mother, Vanessa Redgrave, and sister, the late Natasha Richardson, have both played this leading role of Ellida, the lighouse keeper's daughter in Ibsen's drama. The play will be performed at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from February 23.

West End star Kerry Ellis is set to return to the Shaw Theatre for 'An Audience with Kerry Ellis,' tonight and October 1. Ellis will perform her most loved songs, and will discuss her life and career with Mark Shenton.

The current year-long celebrations of legendary rock band Queen's 40th anniversary have seen a massively elevated profile for the co-creators of hit show We Will Rock You, and the celebrations continue with the launch next week of the lavish memorabilia book , '40 Years of Queen' (Carlton Books).

The Broadway at Birdland concert series last night featured the American concert debut of Dutch performer Willemijn Verkaik, best known to theater lovers for originating the role of Elphaba in the German production of Wicked. Broadwayworld was there for the event and brings you full coverage below!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present the American concert debut of Dutch performer Willemijn Verkaik, best known to theater lovers for originating the role of Elphaba in the German production of Wicked. This event will take place at Birdland on Monday, August 22 at 7pm. Verkaik, backed by a seven piece rhythm and string section, will sing the work of today's most celebrated composers and will be joined by three very special guest composers: Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin), Jason Robert Brown (Parade; Last Five Years) and Scott Alan (Dreaming Wide Awake; Home), who will accompany the singer on work from their songbooks. This concert will mark Verkaik's American concert debut.

Nominated as Best Actor in a Musical in both the Oliver Awards and Whatsonstage.com Awards for his performance as Emmett in the original London cast of Legally Blonde, actor, singer Alex Gaumond is to take over the leading role of Galileo in the Queen & Ben Elton hit West End musical, We Will Rock You.