Jenna Russell News

Following a sell-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth transfers to the Harold Pinter Theatre for 12 weeks only 100 stalls and dress circle seats at £25 available for every performance until 1 June*

Before the well-loved musical that is Merrily We Roll Along by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, there was the original play, written in 1934 by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart. Although rarely revived, the play was the inspiration for Sondheim and Furth's piece. Focusing on the lifelong friendship of three characters, the play tells their story in reverse time, from 1934 to 1916, and is a poignant and bittersweet reflection of life, love and loss.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Menier Chocolate Factory's current production of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along will transfer to the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre in April.

Merrily We Roll Along at the Menier Chocolate Factory announced today that it will now be booking through the 9th March 2013.

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG began performances 16 November 2012 - 23 February 2013. Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, with triple Olivier award winner Maria Friedman are making her professional directorial debut at the Chocolate Factory.

The first pictures from Merrily We Roll Along at the Menier Chocolate Factory, directed by Maria Friedman

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG begins performances 16 November 2012 - 23 February 2013. Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, with triple Olivier award winner Maria Friedman are making her professional directorial debut at the Chocolate Factory.

After a weekend of frenzied Twitter chat about the 2012 BWW:UK Awards, voting has been boosted by fans getting their votes in for their favourites as we enter the last weeks of polling!

Another week, another roundup! Today, we bring you a list of the most-read stories in our regional markets for the week of September 21. Browse over to your favorite far-away city/country to see what's making news, check out what productions are playing around the country and overseas and get to know new performers! Enjoy this virtual trek around the globe and stay tuned for next week's recap of regional not-to-be-missed news!

Following its past sold-out Christmas musicals (Sunday in the Park with George, Little Shop of Horrors, La Cage aux Folles, A Little Night Music, Sweet Charity and Pippin), Menier Chocolate Factory announces the casting for its hugely anticipated revival of the Sondheim / Furth musical Merrily We Roll Along as its Christmas 2012 show.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mercury Musical Developments, performers including Michael Xavier, Janie Dee, Claire Moore, Hayley Gallivan, Maria Friedman, Danielle Hope, Alison Jiear, Haydn Gwynne, Sally Anne Triplett, David Bedella, Tam Mutu, Paul Kaye, Stuart Matthew Price, Lucy May Barker, Madalena Alberto and Jenna Russell will feature at a gala concert on October 14 at the Novello Theatre.

Michael Xavier, Janie Dee, Claire Moore, Hayley Gallivan, Maria Friedman, Danielle Hope, Alison Jiear, Haydn Gwynne, Sally Anne Triplett, David Bedella, Tam Mutu, Paul Kaye, Stuart Matthew Price, Lucy May Barker, James Bourne, Madalena Alberto and Jenna Russell are now confirmed as the full line up of artists for Mercury Musical Developments 20th Anniversary Gala on Sunday 14 October 2012 at the Novello Theatre.

Soho Cinders does what it says on the tin - it's a cheeky London W1 reworking of the classic Cinderella tale, centred on Robbie (Tom Milner), a cute but savvy young gay man with very little family but many dreams. He has ugly sisters (the deliciously vulgar, lycra-clad Suzie Chard and Beverly Rudd), a wicked stepfather we never meet and of course a Buttons-style soulmate full of unrequited love for him. This is Velcro (the standout performance from Amy Lennox), a loveable, ballsy blonde who works in his dead mother's launderette.

Soho Cinders is directed by Jonathan Butterell with music by George Stiles, lyrics by Anthony Drewe, book by Anthony Drewe & Elliot Davis, choreography by Drew McOnie, design by Morgan Large and lighting design by Hugh Vanstone. Press night will be held at the Soho Theatre on Thursday, 9th August at 8.00pm, and the show runs through Sunday, 9th September, 2012. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Following the sold-out concert performance of Soho Cinders at the Queen's Theatre in October 2011, Stiles & Drewe's new musical receives its world premiere at Soho Theatre running from tonight, 2nd August to 9th September 2012. The full-scale production with a live band features an all-star cast, including Jenna Russell and Michael Xavier, and featuring the voice of Stephen Fry.

On 14th October 2012 Mercury Musical Developments will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a Gala Concert celebrating British musical theatre past, present and future, for one night only, at the Novello Theatre.

Raj Ghatak, Thomas Milner, Gerard Carey and Neil McCaul will join Jenna Russell and Michael Xavier in the world premiere of Stiles & Drewe's SOHO CINDERS at Soho Theatre running from 2nd August to 9th September 2012. The full-scale production with a live band also features the voice of Stephen Fry.

Today we are talking to one of the entertainment industry's most celebrated Broadway/Hollywood crossover stars, who has gone from memorable cameo childhood roles on the big screen in hit properties such as NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION and FATAL ATTRACTION to big Broadway success with her stints in STARLIGHT EXPRESS and GRAND HOTEL later that decade, to small screen success with ALLY MCBEAL in the 90s all the way to Tony-winning and Olivier-winning glory with the sensational revival of NINE in 2003 on Broadway, directed by David Leveaux, and GUYS & DOLLS in the West End, directed by Michael Grandage - as well as three Emmy nominations for her seven-year stint on NBC's richly awarded and highly celebrated Tina Fey comedy 30 ROCK - the precocious, alluring and arousing Jane Krawkowski. Sharing the details about her upcoming concert performance at Town Hall on June 8, Krakowski opens up about the many lauded composers and creators she has collaborated with over the years - Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Maury Yeston, Tommy Tune, Steven Spielberg and many more - and what we can expect from her brassy and bawdy solo show, in addition to shedding some light on her Broadway days; whether on roller skates in STARLIGHT EXPRESS and the workshop of XANADU or treading the boards in workshops and productions for master director Tommy Tune. Also, Krakowski clues us in on where her classic 30 ROCK character Jenna Maroney will end up in the final, seventh season of the show that begins shooting in August and reveals her affection for her 30 ROCK and DAMN YANKEES co-star Cheyenne Jackson and their experiences filming the recent live episode (and singing the theme song). Plus, potential future stage roles she would like to essay someday - KISS OF THR SPIDER WOMAN, perhaps? Or, maybe, a reprise of her Adelaide in GUYS & DOLLS? Dot in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, even? - as well as Milliken Breakfast Show memories from the 1970s and much, much more!

Following the sold-out concert performance of Soho Cinders at the Queen's Theatre in October 2011, Stiles & Drewe's new musical will receive its world premiere at Soho Theatre running from 2nd August to 9th September 2012. The full-scale production with a live band will feature an all-star cast including Jenna Russell and Michael Xavier, and featuring the voice of Stephen Fry.

Rumours that The Public Theatre's production of INTO THE WOODS will transfer to Broadway have been fueled once more by The New York Post, which reports that extentions to Donna Murphy, Amy Adams and the rest of the cast's contracts are being negotiated.