Howard Goodall News

Gary Naylor sees a musical that captures the charm of its inspiration, A Midsummer Night's Dream, but is slightly let down by inconsistent singing.

This July, the European premiere of the uniquely stirring musical drama Dessa Rose is coming to London's West End. Dessa Rose is based on the book by Sherley Anne Williams with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once On This Island, Seussical and Rocky The Musical) who have won Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards and been nominated for Grammys, Academy Awards and a Golden Globe.

November 21, 1963. On the night before their deployment to Vietnam, three young Marines set out for one final boys' night of debauchery. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, the unassuming and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet, she rewrites the rules of the game and opens his eyes to what really matters in life.

National Youth Music Theatre will present an exciting season of work for summer 2014, including a new commission to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War. The company of over 150 actors, musicians, creative and backstage teams aged between 11 and 23 will stage The Ragged Child at the Rose Theatre, Kingston (23 - 27 July), The Hired Man at the St. James Theatre, London (13 - 16 August) and Brass at the City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds (20 - 23 August).

Ahead of Gavin Creel's Singular Sensations appearance on April 20th at the Charing Cross Theatre, we today reveal that musical theatre fans can expect an exclusive treat as it is confirmed that he will perform a track of his own. This is a charity event in support of Gavin's nominated charity West End Serves and some of his fellow The Book of Mormon cast members will be on hand to help with a bucket collection at the end of the show.

Edward Seckerson - former presenter of BBC Radio 3's long-running musical theatre show Stage and Screen continues to host a series of in-depth encounters with the stars of musical theatre at London's Charing Cross Theatre.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center presents LOVE STORY, the musical inspired by Erich Segal's best-selling novel and one of the most romantic films of all time - with book and lyrics by Stephen Clark, music and additional lyrics by Howard Goodall, directed by JPAC Managing Director Melanie Lamoureux and musical direction by John Warren. LOVE STORY, the musical will play through March 1, 2014 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. Tickets are available at www.jpactheatre.com or by calling (708) 656-1800. The press performances are Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 7:30 pm.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center presents LOVE STORY, the musical inspired by Erich Segal's best-selling novel and one of the most romantic films of all time - with book and lyrics by Stephen Clark, music and additional lyrics by Howard Goodall, directed by JPAC Managing Director Melanie Lamoureux and musical direction by John Warren. LOVE STORY, the musical will play tonight, February 14 - March 1, 2014 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center presents LOVE STORY, the musical inspired by Erich Segal's best-selling novel and one of the most romantic films of all time - with book and lyrics by Stephen Clark, music and additional lyrics by Howard Goodall, directed by JPAC Managing Director Melanie Lamoureux and musical direction by John Warren. LOVE STORY, the musical will play February 14 - March 1, 2014 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. Tickets are available at www.jpactheatre.com or by calling (708) 656-1800. The press performances are Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 7:30 pm.

The London College of Music at the University of West London presents the world premiere of BEL-AMI - THE MUSICAL, a contemporary adaptation of the novel by Guy de Maupassant.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center presents LOVE STORY, the musical inspired by Erich Segal's best-selling novel and one of the most romantic films of all time - with book and lyrics by Stephen Clark, music and additional lyrics by Howard Goodall, directed by JPAC Managing Director Melanie Lamoureux and musical direction by John Warren. LOVE STORY, the musical will play February 14 - March 1, 2014 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's a non-holiday edition! With 'The Mikado,' 'Triumph Of Love,' 'Sweet Smell Of Success,' 'Cabaret' at the Marriott, 'Ain't Misbehavin',' CST's 'Gypsy' and more, plus Streisand and Sondheim on TV, and 'The Sound Of Music' at Sidetrack!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center presents LOVE STORY, the musical inspired by Erich Segal's best-selling novel and one of the most romantic films of all time - with book and lyrics by Stephen Clark, music and additional lyrics by Howard Goodall, directed by JPAC Managing Director Melanie Lamoureux and musical direction by John Warren. LOVE STORY, the musical will play February 14 - March 1, 2014 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. Tickets go on sale Monday, January 13, 2014 at www.jpactheatre.com or by calling (708) 656-1800. The press performances are Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 7:30 pm.

Charing Cross Theatre's SINGULAR SENSATIONS - Up Close and Personal with the Stars of Musical Theatre continues with an intimate chat with John Wilson on Sunday December 8th at 3pm.

The Finborough production of the first London revival since Gay Sweatshop's original 1975 production of Martin Sherman's ground-breaking gay play, Passing By, transfers to the Tristan Bates Theatre for a limited run of only four weeks, opening tonight, 5 November 2013 (Press Night: Thursday, 7 November 2013 at 7.30pm), directed by Andrew Keates.

Singular Sensations continues its autumn run at the Charing Cross Theatre as the multi-talented Janie Dee joins Edward Seckerson on Remembrance Sunday, Sunday 10th November at 3pm to talk about her glittering career.

When Oliver Barrett IV wanders into a library in search of a book, he discovers Jenny Cavilleri. They came from different worlds. He was a Harvard man, she was Radcliffe. He was rich, she was poor. He was sporty, she played music. But they fell in love. This is their story.

According to the Daily Mail, the upcoming musical adaptation of BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM held a developmental workshop last Saturday, October 5. Stage and screen star Samantha Barks played 'Jules' -- who was portrayed by Keira Knightley in the 2002 movie -- alongside Tara Divina as 'Jess' (originated by Parminder Nagra on screen) in the starring role.

All Star Productions presents DAYS OF HOPE, with Music and Lyrics by Howard Goodall and Book by Renata Allen.

Now in its fifth consecutive year, the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre - the coalface of British Theatre - presents Vibrant 2013 - A Festival of Finborough Playwrights, its annual explosion of new writing, running between today, 6-25 October 2013