Jenna Russell News

One of the greatest joys of our job is seeing our audiences transformed by a theatre performance. At some point in Roundabout's 46-year history, you've likely experienced a play or musical that has inspired you. Roundabout has been fortunate to produce award-winning productions on Broadway for 20 years now. You may even recall our first Broadway production of Anna Christie at the Criterion Center in 1992.

Last night, 23 February 2012, host Jan Ravens, performers Daniel Evans, Josie Lawrence, Jenny Jules, Jonathan Pryce, Jenna Russell, Samantha Spiro and Meera Syal, the Young Friends of the Almeida and award-winning theatre company Inspector Sands performed as part of Almeida Up Close, the theatre's 2012 fundraising Gala. Directed by Indhu Rubasingham, Almeida Up Close took place at One Mayfair. The evening of fine dining and cabaret included music by Stephen Sondheim and Amy Winehouse. Check out photos from the star-studded event below!

Hosted by Jan Ravens, with performers Daniel Evans, Josie Lawrence, Jenny Jules, Jonathan Pryce, Jenna Russell, Samantha Spiro and Meera Syal are joined by Young Friends of the Almeida and award-winning theatre company Inspector Sands to perform as part of 'Almeida Up Close,' the theatre's 2012 fundraising Gala.

According to a report by Michael Riedel of nypost.com, The Public Theater is already considering a Broadway transfer for the revival of INTO THE WOODS which plays the Delacorte in Central Park this Summer.

Hosted by Jan Ravens, with performers Daniel Evans, Josie Lawrence, Jenny Jules, Jonathan Pryce, Jenna Russell, Samantha Spiro and Meera Syal are joined by Young Friends of the Almeida and award-winning theatre company Inspector Sands to perform as part of 'Almeida Up Close,' the theatre's 2012 fundraising Gala.

Hosted by Jan Ravens, performers Daniel Evans, Josie Lawrence, Jenny Jules, Jonathan Pryce, Jenna Russell, Samantha Spiroand Meera Syal are joined by Young Friends of the Almeida and and award-winning theatre company Inspector Sands to perform as part of Almeida Up Close, the theatre's 2012 fundraising Gala. Directed by Indhu Rubasingham, Almeida Up Close will take place on 23 February 2012 at One Mayfair. The evening of fine dining and cabaret will include music by Stephen Sondheim and Amy Winehouse.

BroadwayWorld.com has learned that the hit open-air production of INTO THE WOODS that played London's Regent's Park Theatre in 2011 is now planning for a transfer to Central Part's Delacorte Theater as part of the Public Theater's Summer 2012 programming. Casting is said to be underway already for the role of 'The Witch' and that the producers are seeking a big name. Nothing officially has been announced on a possible transfer, as The Public is expecting to announce the 2012 summer season at the Delacorte sometime next month. The Public Theatre had no comment by press time.

The New York Times reports today that a FINDING NEVERLAND musical has been greenlighted by The Weinstein Company for further development following successful readings in London last week. The project was last workshopped in New York this past spring and was scheduled to premiere at the La Jolla playhouse this fall. The Weinstein's pulled the project at the last minute (which was replaced at La Jolla by the Startford Festival's Jesus Christ Superstar, currently running) to develop further. Tony Award winner Rob Ashford helms the project, which has Broadway apsirations. The project marks the first musical on which the Weinstein company is lead producer.

The second instalment of our interview with Gemma Sutton!

Modern-day master of musical theatre Stephen Sondheim is about to release the second book of his complete collected lyrics - covering mostly everything written in the last three decades and in this one so far - titled after a line from what may very well be his ultimate masterpiece, the Pulitzer Prize-winning SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE - LOOK, I MADE A HAT; Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany. So, today, we are going to be taking a look at a litany of the finest moments from Sondheim's post-SWEENEY TODD musicals that are highlighted in LOOK, I MADE A HAT and perhaps discover a few of the many reasons why Sondheim's musicals - whether late-period or early on- are the best of the best Broadway has to offer - now or ever. And, what an absolutely mind-blowing list it is - and what a masterpiece of a book!

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye today reports that FINDING NEVERLAND will have London workshops this December prior to a late 2012 or early 2013 West End opening bow.

Multi-award winning actress Jenna Russell will play the role of Enid. Jenna won an Olivier Award and Theatre World Award for her performance as Dot/Marie in Sunday In The Park With George in the West End and on Broadway. She was nominated for a Tony and a Drama Desk Award for the same performance. Most recently she appeared in Aykbourn's Season's Greetings at the National Theatre, and prior to that in the award winning Into the Woods at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park. Vincent Franklin will play the role of Tubby. Vincent has appeared in all three series of The Thick Of It on the BBC, and has also recently appeared in the TV series Doc Martin and Being Human. Vincent has also appeared in numerous stage productions and is one half of the comedy duo ‘John and Vince'.

Last weekend marked the opening of his new vampire-centric horror film STAKE LAND, and you can catch him every week on FOX's hit series FRINGE, but Michael Cerveris is certainly best known for his series of stunning performances in some of the finest musical theatre productions of the 21st century - John Doyle's SWEENEY TODD and Joe Mantello's ASSASSINS chief among them - as well as for originating the title role in Pete Townshend's singular Broadway foray, The Who's TOMMY. With a captivating new double-disc concept album - NINE LIVES - out now, it seems that Cerveris has found a way to juggle it all. In this extensive two-part conversation, we take a look back at his experiences in the aforementioned Sondheim musicals, as well as his series of performances in Sondheim shows under the direction of Lonny Price at the Ravinia Festival co-starring Audra McDonald and Patti LuPone, and also touch upon his work in plays, such as his recent Kent in Kevin Kline's KING LEAR at The Public, HEDDA GABLER opposite Mary Louise Parker, and Sarah Ruhl's IN THE NEXT ROOM (OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY) with Laura Benanti. Additionally, he shares his Tony memories, singing SWEENEY TODD at the recent SONDHEIM! Celebration, HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH, TITANIC and much, much more in this compelling and comprehensive conversation - plus, first news on his upcoming TREME appearance and FRINGE renewal confirmation. His new feature film STAKE LAND is in selected cities now!

According to the Hollywood Reporter, stage veterans Nicholas Hoult, John Kassir, Ewan McGregor, Ian McShane, Bill Nighy, and Stanley Tucci are on board for New Line/Legendary's 'Jack the Giant Killer.' The movie will be written by Darren Lemke and directed by Bryan Singer.

Digital Theatre today (14 March 2011) announces the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into The Woods, which yesterday won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, is now available for pre-order at www.digitaltheatre.com, for release on Thursday 31 March at 10am.

Digital Theatre today (14 February 2011) announces William Shakespeare's As You Like It - their second collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company; the critically acclaimed Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into The Woods, and the sell out West End production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons as their next three downloadable productions which will also be available to stream from £6.99 at www.digitaltheatre.com. As You Like It will be available from today followed shortly by Into The Woods and All My Sons.

The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has announced the complete cast for its production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS. Helen Dallimore (Cinderella), Beverly Rudd (Little Red Riding Hood), Simon Thomas (Rapunzel's Prince), and Michael Xavier (Wolf and Cinderella's Prince) will be joining the previously announced cast members. These include Hannah Waddingham (The Witch), Jenna Russell (Baker's Wife), Marc Antolin (Swing), Valda Aviks (Granny), Billy Boyle (Mysterious Man), Gaye Brown (Cinderella's Stepmother), Sophie Caton (Swing), Alice Fearn (Rapunzel), Mark Goldthorp (Steward), Amy Griffiths (Lucinda), Mark Hadfield (Baker), Amy Ellen Richardson (Florinda), Ben Stott (Jack), and Gemma Wardle (Cinderella's Mother).

Miriam Zendle takes a look at what's going on besides the Edinburgh Fringe Festival...