Jenna Russell News

Stage and screen star Judi Dench paid special tribute to Stephen Sondheim on July 31, 2010 as part of the Sondheim at 80 BBC Proms event, celebrating the composer's 80th birthday. Dench performed her rendition of 'Send In the Clowns' from A Little Night Music, which she claims to be 'hugely exciting' but 'daunting.'

The BBC reports that stage and screen star Judi Dench will pay special tribute to Stephen Sondheim on July 31, 2010 as part of the Sondheim at 80 BBC Proms event, celebrating the composer's 80th birthday. Dench will perform her rendition of 'Send In the Clowns' from A Little Night Music, which she claims to be 'hugely exciting' but 'daunting.' The song selection for the actress was a no-brainer, as allegedly, 'On hearing Dame Judi's performance of Send In The Clowns at the National Theatre in 1995, Sondheim is said to have told the acclaimed actress: 'It's yours now.'

The BBC reports that stage and screen star Judi Dench will pay special tribute to Stephen Sondheim on July 31, 2010 as part of the Sondheim at 80 BBC Proms event, celebrating the composer's 80th birthday. Dench will perform her rendition of 'Send In the Clowns' from A Little Night Music, which she claims to be 'hugely exciting' but 'daunting.' The song selection for the actress was a no-brainer, as allegedly, 'On hearing Dame Judi's performance of Send In The Clowns at the National Theatre in 1995, Sondheim is said to have told the acclaimed actress: 'It's yours now.'

Rehearsals for INTO THE WOODS at Regents Park Open Air Theatre have begun and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the stars in action below!

Carrie Dunn talks to the Olivier-winning star about her return to the Open Air Theatre...

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre announced today that Dame Judi Dench will feature as the voice of the Giant in its new production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods. Dame Judi, who is also a patron of the 1,240 seat theatre, last performed on the Regent's Park stage in Sweet Mister Shakespeare in 1976 and directed Romeo and Juliet and Taming of the Shrew in 1993 alongside Toby Robertson. Dame Judi will record her part in late July.

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).

Conductor David Charles Abell has worked extensively, and to great acclaim, across the musical and operatic repertoire but only now is he directing his talent in any major way toward his fellow American, Stephen Sondheim, who turned 80 earlier this year.

Today we are taking a listen to Stephen Sondheim's musicals of the 1980s, each a striking artistic achievement attempting to do something never done before in Broadway history and improving the very genre of musical theatre itself with his work on these three very different shows. MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and INTO THE WOODS...

According to a report in What's On Stage, British actors Hannah Waddingham and Scarlett Strallen are in talks to play the Witch and Cinderella, respectively, in the Open Air Theatre's upcoming revival of Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS.

The 2009 production of Hello, Dolly! won three Laurence Olivier Awards at this year's ceremony, taking awards for Best Musical Revival, Best Actress in a Musical (Samantha Spiro) and Best Theatre Choreography (Stephen Mear).

John Barr's latest release 'All I Am' is now available at Dress Circle http://www.dresscircle.co.uk/product.asp?StockID=35593 and on iTunes. This is his 5th Solo CD, the first being released in 1996 when he started performing in Cabaret - The Debut CD titled 'A Small Affair' lead to his New York Cabaret Debut at The Town Hall & 88's in the Village. He then went on to record 3 other CD's - In Whatever Time We Have (1998), A Different Corner (2000) and Anything Can Happen (2002) all on the Dress Circle and LMLMusic Labels. Which then leads onto this his latest release...

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) announces the complete cast of Sondheim on Sondheim. Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine return to Studio 54 with Sondheim on Sondheim, a new original Broadway musical starring Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams, Tom Wopat, Leslie Kritzer, Norm Lewis, Euan Morton, Erin Mackey & Matthew Scott. Music & lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim and the production is conceived & directed by James Lapine.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to have Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine return to Studio 54 with Sondheim on Sondheim, a new original Broadway musical starring Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams, Tom Wopat, Leslie Kritzer, Norm Lewis, Euan Morton & Matthew Scott. Music & lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim, and the production is conceived & directed by James Lapine.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) will welcome back Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine to Studio 54 with Sondheim on Sondheim, a new original Broadway musical starring Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams,Michael Arden & Leslie Kritzer. Music & lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim, conceived & directed byJames Lapine.

Stage star and former Mr. Von Trapp, Christopher Plummer, will topline the new Indie film, Beginners, alsongside Ewan McGregor, Melanie Laurent (Inglorious Basterds), and Goran Visnjic (ER). Production has already begin in Los Angeles.

Tony Award winner Laura Benanti is set to replace British stars Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell in an upcoming 'Spotlight' concert series at the Kennedy Center. Benanti will take over the concert, which is set to be a part of the 'Barbara Cook's Spotlight' concert series, featuring Broadway stars and curated by Barbara Cook.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) will welcome back Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine to Studio 54 with Sondheim on Sondheim, a new original Broadway musical starring Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams, Michael Arden & Leslie Kritzer. Music & lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim, conceived & directed by James Lapine.

The Kennedy Center today announced an additional performance with Tony Award®-winning actress and singer Jane Krakowski on October 3, 2009 at 9:30 p.m. in the Terrace Theater due to popular demand.

The Kennedy Center today announced a one-time-only performance with Tony Award-winning actress and singer Jane Krakowski on October 3, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Terrace Theater. The evening is part of Barbara Cook's Spotlight, which features theater cabaret performances throughout the 2009-2010 season by Broadway artists chosen by Barbara Cook.