Des McAnuff News

La Jolla Playhouse has announced that the acclaimed Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, directed by Playhouse Director Emeritus and Stratford Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director Des McAnuff, will replace the previously-announced musical Finding Neverland. This thrilling revival will run in the Mandell Weiss Theatre November 18 - December 31, 2011.

Upcoming MTI Shows - 7/17 for Toronto

The Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons closes in Cleveland at PlayhouseSquare on July 17.

According to Baz Bamingboye in his Daily Mail UK column, the Weinstein Company is planning a four-week workshop of the new musical, Finding Neverland, this fall in New York. The workshop, directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford is said to star Julian Ovenden as J.M. Barrie and Kelli O'Hara as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. Bamingboye writes that 'if it works - and Ovenden and O'Hara are available - the Weinsteins will launch a big production for Broadway.'

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar opened at The Avon Theatre on Friday June 3rd to outstanding reviews with audiences and critics alike raving about this magnificent new take on the now four decade old show. Directed by Des McAnuff, the show tells the story of the last week of Christ's life. Since the show's opened, there has been a flood of theatre insiders travelling to Toronto to see the show to discuss moving it to Broadway. The cast recently visited CBC Radio, where they performed 'Heaven on Their Minds,' 'I Don't Know How to Love Him,' and 'Gethsemane.' Click here to listen to the broadcast.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston opens its 43rd consecutive summer season July 8-17 with a sumptuous production of 'Oklahoma!' that features recreations of the original 1943 costumes, sets, and Agnes de Mille choreography. A cast of 50 and a full, live orchestra bring this great American classic to audiences in all of its original Broadway splendor.

The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, winner of four 2006 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2009, is celebratin two years in Australia this week! Click below to watch them sing a medley of Four Seasons hits on 'Sunrise'.

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice both travelled to see the show and came away from their experiences - wildly enthusiastic. Now, Michael Riedel in the New York Post has picked up on the trail this morning, and he adds fuel to the fire that has the show likely to come to Broadway in the Spring of 2012.

According to the Beacon Herald, Tony nominee Brian Bedford, who was previously slated to star in THE MISANTHROPE at Stratford Shakespeare Festival, will no longer participate due to medical reasons. Peter Hutt will now play Oronte in the show.

The annual Helpmann Awards® recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many disciplines of Australia's vibrant live performance sectors, including musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, theatre, dance and physical theatre. The Helpmann Awards also incorporates the JC Williamson Award for outstanding contribution to the Australian live performance industry.

There's lots of news (and potential news) for Andrew Lloyd Webber fans on both sides of the pond this morning, with news reports coming out of both Variety and the UK Express.

JERSEY BOYS, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical, will break two records this weekend.

JERSEY BOYS, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical, will break two records this weekend. The hit musical will surpass Abie's Irish Rose with 2,328 performances, becoming the 26th longest-running Broadway show following the performance tomorrow night, Saturday, June 25, and JERSEY BOYS will surpass Man of La Mancha with 2,329 performances, becoming the 25th longest-running Broadway show following the performance on Sunday, June 26.

Katie O'Toole, from the cast of Broadway's Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning JERSEY BOYS, will appear on New York Non-Stop's 'In The Wings' beginning Friday, June 24 at 9:30pm.

The Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, is coming to the Ohio Theatre.

Now, the paper reports that 'Tim Rice, the lyricist of Jesus Christ Superstar, attended the Wednesday night performance of his show at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival less than two weeks after his composer colleague, Andrew Lloyd Webber undertook the same journey. This only served to underscore the constant rumbling since the show's June 3 opening that it was headed for Broadway - fast. If both of the show's creators give this production their blessing, then the chances of it going to Broadway have just grown exponentially.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar opened at The Avon Theatre on Friday June 3rd. Directed by Des McAnuff, the show tells the story of the last week of Christ's life and the relationship between Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene in a rock pop musical spectacular. View the production's 'Pilate's Dream' perfromed by Brent Carver below!

The Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons opens in Cleveland at PlayhouseSquare on June 22 through July 17.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar opened at The Avon Theatre on Friday June 3rd. Directed by Des McAnuff, the show tells the story of the last week of Christ's life and the relationship between Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene in a rock pop musical spectacular. Take a first look at the production by clicking below!

Toronto's Luminato Festival held the perfect post-Tony Awards bash this past Monday with its outdoor concert in David Pecaut Square entitled 'Broadway's Night Out.' Hosted by Toronto's Broadway Babies Sharron Matthews and Shawn Hitchins, the show featured cast members from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's production of Jesus Christ Superstar, The Shaw Festival's My Fair Lady, Meow Meow and Lance Horne. BWW was on hand to bring you photos of all the Broadway fun.