Frances News

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Robert Icke's latest to Fleabag, Evita and witchy adventures, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!

SHOWS: Sunday, July 21, 2 PM & 7 PM, Lancaster Festival Shows, Thursday, August 1, 7 PM, Friday, August 2, 7 PM, Saturday, August 3, 7 PM, Sunday, August 4, 2 PM. The box office opens one hours before show. ONLINE TICKET SALES: https://commerce.cashnet.com/oul-theatre 'A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, “LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical,” follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances - this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!' Book by Heather Hach, Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture. 'LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical' is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

The Old Log Theatre hosts a one-night staged reading of a new musical on the life of Minnesotan-by-birth Judy Garland's life on Monday, July 22. Learn more details about this opportunity to see a show that could be Broadway bound right here in Minnesota.

Santa Monica Playhouse has been a cultural treasure in the seaside community for 60 years. Now, the Playhouse is giving love back with its Fourth Annual Binge Free Festival (BFF), a full month of free performances, workshops, readings, music and poetry in Santa Monica's ONLY fringe festival. The BFF's primary focus will be on Santa Monica and Los Angeles-based artists.

Seattle Center Movies at the Mural offers a stellar line-up of feature films starting next Saturday, July 27, at Mural Amphitheatre. This series of outdoor movies offers big screen drama, adventure, comedy and suspense. 

Winner of the SDSU New Musicals Initiative, 'TIL DEATH DO US PART tells the story of Gracie Jean, a spitfire from hardscrabble Tennessee, who is called to preach God's grace, and Matthew, heir apparent to small town Evangelical royalty, who struggles to rebel against his father while maintaining the privilege of his birth. When they meet, it's love at first sight. But what happens when a fairytale marriage becomes a battle of the sexes?

With Traverse Festival 2019 presenting a total of seven Traverse Theatre Company productions - more than any recent year documented - we are thrilled to look ahead to our autumn/winter season, which is similarly abundant with fresh and provocative Traverse Theatre Company new work. We have a total of three world premiere productions - The Monstrous Heart, Strange Tales, and I Can Go Anywhere - as well as a new writing showcase (First Stages Festival) and the return of our long-running flagship education project Class Act.

Artadia is thrilled to partner with Global Insurer, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and the artist LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, Inc. for the two 2019 Chicago Artadia Awards. Both organizations have generously committed to supporting exceptional artists in Chicago, each with a named Award in the amount of $10,000 in unrestricted funds for the artist as well as access to the ongoing benefits of the Artadia Awards program. 

The Barrow Group announces its 2019-2020 season, which consists of three timely productions that invite audiences to take a look deep within-inspiring positive change in action and awareness.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) announces the final two productions for its 2019/20 season.

Broadway and TV actor Frances Jue is currently starring in TheatreWorks' production of Julia Cho's 'The Language Archive.' Mr. Jue recently talked to BroadwayWorld about his lengthy and surprising career path, from his formative experiences with Stephen Sondheim and TheatreWorks to working with Tony winners David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori, and of course his continuing role on the CBS television series 'Madam Secretary.' His fascinating story serves as an inspiring example for anyone who doesn't see a clear path to success or struggles to find a place to fit in.

Northrop announces its 2019-20 Film Series, featuring several award-winning films with diverse artistic voices from around the world. From a film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby to the Beatles fan favorite Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and the more recent The Hate U Give, the series includes cult classics and notable works exploring history, social issues, and arts performances.

Disney's “The Lion King” marked its European premiere in Leicester Square in London, welcoming a host of royal and celebrity guests including Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The event was in support of the conservation work of HRH The Duke of Sussex through The Royal Foundation. Headlining the celebration were voice-cast members Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Nala), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scar), Billy Eichner (Timon), Florence Kasumba (Shenzi), Keegan-Michael Key (Kamari), plus filmmakers Jon Favreau (director), Karen Gilchrist (producer) and John Bartnicki (co-producer), as well as several members of the team behind the film's music—songwriters Sir Elton John and Sir Tim Rice, composer Hans Zimmer, Producer Pharrell Williams and Lebo M.

SHE'S HISTORY! the longest running solo play in Los Angeles, celebrates Women's Equality Day with ONE Performance, and honors our unknown, unheralded and forgotten heroines past and present.

Alan Cumming said it best: 'I've known Frances for almost 30 years but she never ceases to surprise and amaze me with the ways she reinvents herself, finding new levels of expression and excellence, always with total commitment and her signature sensual passion. I cannot wait to see what she does next.'

How much Shakespeare is too much Shakespeare? Is there such a thing? In the opinion of Midsummer Shakespeare and The Glass Horse Project's Shakespeare in NB, the answer is a resounding no! Which is why both companies have come together to join forces and co-produce a regional tour of Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.

The 8th Annual Atlanta One-Minute Play Festival (#1MPF) returns to for its 8th year, in partnership with Actor's Express. The 8th Annual Atlanta One-Minute Play Festival runs two performances only; July 28 & 29 at 8 PM. All performances are at Actor's Express (887 W Marietta St NW). Tickets, priced at $20, are available at actors-express.com

The Board of Directors of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles announced today the appointment of Anne Ellegood as the museum's next executive director. Ellegood is currently the senior curator at the Hammer Museum. She succeeds Elsa Longhauser, who is stepping down from her position after 19 years of leadership and notably oversaw the museum's transformation from the Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMoA) into the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA). Ellegood will assume her new role on September 16, 2019.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, music icon Barbra Streisand returned to London last night when she headlined the British Summer Time series in Hyde Park. Streisand was reunited onstage with her A Star Is Born co-star Kris Kristofferson to perform the anthem from the 1976 version of the film- 'Lost Inside of You'. Check out the full performance below!

Today's top stories: Tonight, Alice Ripley, Tony Yazbeck, Betsy Wolfe, and many more Broadway stars take the stage in Into The Woods at Town Hall!