The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Into The Woods' finally opens tomorrow! Plus Porchlight's Sondheim season continues, TMTC's 'Allegro' at Ravinia, Laura Osnes is coming to town, 'Galavant' and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards arrive in early January, followed by 'Tommy' in Aurora, 'First Date' at the Royal George, 'The Full Monty' at Theater Wit and more!
Since opening on Broadway in 1987, Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods has become a musical theatre staple, having been performed in venues big and small all over the world. Based on some of the most enduring fairytales ever told, Into the Woods gives a musical voice to such beloved characters as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, and countless others, intertwining their stories into one theatrical masterpiece.
Though much of the musical is based on the stories that we heard at bedtime, many of the tales have been altered [spoiler alert!] to create a cohesive plot. In anticipation of Disney's upcoming big screen version of the musical, which hits theatres on Christmas day, BroadwayWorld is traveling back to 'Once Upon a Time' to take a closer look at the original fairy tale characters, and how some of their fates differ in Into the Woods!
For one very special night only, Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's critically acclaimed and award-winning musical? A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC will be performed with an all-star cast at the Palace Theatre in the West End on Monday January 26, 2015
The Daily Mail reports that Anne Reid and Janie Dee will star as Madame Armfeldt and her daughter Desiree, respectively, in a concert performance of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at the Palace Theatre on January 26, 2015. The show will mark the 40th anniversary of the original London production.
A one night only concert performance of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's critically acclaimed and award-winning musical A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC will come to London's West End Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. The all-star cast includes Janie Dee as Desiree Armfeldt, David Birrell as Fredrick Egerman, and Anne Reid as Madame Armfeldt.
This just in! Theatre fans need not worry, as we're told that the character names in Disney's upcoming film of INTO THE WOODS *are* faithful to the original material. Some incorrect names were published online in error and have now been corrected.
The first teaser trailer for Rob Marshall's big screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical INTO THE WOODS has arrived! The musical will hit theaters on December 25, 2014 from Walt Disney Pictures. Click here to get a first look at the cast in action!
West End theatres have raised over £83,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Philippines Typhoon Appeal, it was announced today. Typhoon Haiyan wreaked devastation across the Philippines last November, affecting 14 million people and leaving 5 million homeless. Through a combination of audience collections, donations and a special gala performance, West End theatres have raised the funds for vital emergency aid and recovery work.
Following a critically acclaimed, sold out run, Chichester Festival Theatre's sparkling production of the Broadway smash hit musical, The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre, just opened in the West End, playing until 13 September 2014. A buoyantly blissful blend of romance and comedy starring Joanna Riding reprising her feisty heroine, and Michael Xavier, the show features golden hits such as Hey There (You With The Stars In Your Eyes), Hernando's Hideaway and Steam Heat.
In 1950s America, love is in the air at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory as handsome new Superintendent Sid Sorokin (Michael Xavier) falls head-over-heels for firebrand Union rep Babe Williams (Joanna Riding). Sparks fly when the employees are refused a seven-and-a-half cents raise, leaving Sid and Babe deliciously at odds as the temperature rises. . . Will love, eventually, conquer all?
Let's see what the critics had to say...
Richard Eyre's revival of this classic American musical is worth getting out of bed for. In Coronation Street, the machinists at Carla's knicker factory steal the petty cash and gossip over cream cakes. Rewind to 1954 and working conditions are very different. The unionised workers at Mr Hasler's pajama factory are overworked and underpaid so they threaten production by 'going slow' and with substandard button threading.
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Fantasia returns to AFTER MIDNIGHT as its guest star tonight!
Following a critically acclaimed, sold out run, Chichester Festival Theatre's sparkling production of the Broadway smash hit musical, The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre, transfers to the West End on 2 May playing until 13 September 2014.
Go behind the scenes of the new West End musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton, STEPHEN WARD, via a new behind the scenes featurette highlighting the recording of the Act 2 showstopper 'I'm Hopeless When it Comes To You'.
A first look at the stars of the new West End revival of musical comedy classic THE PAJAMA GAME in action is now available, showcasing headliners Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier.
