John Wilson News

Fans of Jason Robert Brown will be embracing the opportunity to witness a fresh production of Songs From A New World. It was last performed in the UK way back in 2015 - when The Other Palace was known as St James Theatre - and had an impressive cast of Jenna Russell, Cynthia Erivo, Dean John Wilson and Damian Humbley. Songs For A New World is Brown's first musical, and Lambert Jackson Productions is bringing it back to the masses with a new isolated production starring Rachel John, Cedric Neal, Rachel Tucker and Ramin Karimloo.

In the year that the Proms turns 125 years old, the 2020 season brings the spirit of the Proms to music-lovers at home. BBC Radio 3 and BBC Four broadcasts treasures from the past 30 years of the Proms across six weeks, before two weeks of incredible live performances at the Royal Albert Hall.

Today, BBC Front Row host John Wilson tweeted excerpts from his interview with famed conductor, Sir Simon Rattle, which assert that Dowden made 'very clear' on a recent Zoom call that the UK arts sector is 'better and stronger' without government support.

The Philharmonia Orchestra has today announced The Philharmonia Sessions a?" a summer programme of three world class free digital concerts, broadcast on YouTube and conceived and created especially for an online audience.

12 a?" 28 June 2020 would have been the 73rd Aldeburgh Festival and this is the first time in its history that it will not go ahead. During the period that the Festival would have taken place, Britten Pears Arts presents a celebration of the Festival's unique programming over more than 70 years, in collaboration with BBC Radio 3 and BBC Four.

R&H Movie Night returns on Friday, May 8th at 8PM ET with a live viewing party of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, starring Tony Award-winner Kelli O'Hara (Anna Leonowens), Ken Watanabe (The King),Tony Award-winner Ruthie Ann Miles (Lady Thiang), Dean John-Wilson (Lun Tha) and Na-Young Jeon (Tuptim).

Today (April 14) in live streaming: Richard Ridge chats with the cast of Girl from the North Country, Spencer Glass teaches us about a little-known musical, the cast of Glee reunites on Stars in the House and so much more!

Today's top stories: the Disney on Broadway concert stream to benefit BC/EFA will go on, and more!

Today, the almighty composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim turns 90 - happy birthday from all of us at BroadwayWorld! Here, BWW reviewers share some of the reasons why we adore his work.

Flying Over Sunset is officially in previews on Broadway! The musical, with book and direction by James Lapine, music by Tom Kitt, and lyrics by Michael Korie, and choreography by Michelle Dorrance will open Thursday, April 16.

The Saint Sebastian Players (SSP) conclude their 39th mainstage season with 1946 comedy Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin. Performances take place April 24-May 17, 2020 in the lower level of St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, Chicago (enter on Marshfield).

The Philharmonia announces its 2020/21 Season at Southbank Centre, which will be Esa-Pekka Salonen's 13th and last as Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor of the Orchestra. The highlight of Salonen's final season is a focus on music inspired by Greek myth. In Origin Stories: Greek Myth in Music, Salonen conducts Scriabin's Prometheus: The Poem of Fire with Yuja Wang as soloist (24 Sep 2020) and Strauss' Elektra with soprano soloists Irene Theorin and Lise Davidsen (7 Feb 2021). And to close the Season (10 Jun 2021), Salonen conducts Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe (complete) alongside the European premiere of his own work Gemini.

Raven Theatre has announced TAKE FLIGHT SUMMER CAMP 2020, featuring five training sessions in theatre arts for kids ages 6 - 16. Great for beginners looking to learn the basics of performance or more advanced actors looking to hone their skills, Raven's team of professional teaching artists will help kids feel the confidence to contribute to the artistic process and the courage to try something new.

Initial casting is announced today for the West End transfer of Laura Wade's The Watsons, following sold-out runs at both Chichester Festival Theatre and the Menier Chocolate Factory. Samuel West directs Sam Alexander (Robert Watson), Sally Bankes (Nanny), Jane Booker (Lady Osborne), Elaine Claxton (Mrs Edwards), Ralph Davis (Lord Osborne), Tim Delap (Mr Howard), Sophie Duval (Mrs Robert), Louise Ford (Laura), John Wilson Goddard (Mr Watson), Rhianna McGreevy (Margaret Watson), Grace Molony (Emma Watson a?" she was Evening Standard Award nominated for her performance), Elander Moore (Bertie), Paksie Vernon (Elizabeth Watson) and Cat White (Miss Osborne), who reprise their roles. Full casting will be announced shortly.

According to The Guardian, Sir Tom Stoppard may have written his last play. Britain's most celebrated living playwright opens Leopoldstadt in London's West End on 12 February. But he believes that this is all for him.

West End star Louise Dearman will perform in concert at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 31 May at 6.30pm, her biggest solo concert to date.

In 2019, I reviewed 30 shows for BroadwayWorld, but I actually wrote more interviews - around 50 articles on my count. Here's my attempt to pick out some highlights alongside the other pieces of theatre I saw this year.

Nevill Holt Opera has announced that Annie Lydford is to take up the post of Managing Director of NHO in January, succeeding Rosenna East.

Chicago Immersive marks its first full production with Grace and the Hanukkah Miracle by the team that created last year's hit show Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, December 1 – January 5, 2020 at Grace Lutheran Church, 1430 South Blvd. in Evanston. Grace and the Hanukkah Miracle is based on a concept by Anderson Lawfer, Nicole Bloomsmith, Becca Braun and Jacqueline Stone, with direction by Jacqueline Stone. Opening/Press performance is Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. The performance schedule is Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Please note: there is no show Sunday, Dec. 15. Tickets are $25 and are available at ChicagoImmersive.com or by calling the Chicago Immersive office, 773.236.2172.

A musical comedy noir, with book by Maureen Chadwick, co-creator of the original TV series, and music & lyrics by Kath Gotts (also co-creators of 'Bad Girls - The Musical'), 'Footballers' Wives - The Musical' is based around the first TV series, and follows the fall and rise of super-bitch Tanya Turner - captain's wife and old school femme fatale - as she struggles to keep her marriage afloat to footballer and lothario, Jason Turner, amidst groupies, meddling club chairmen, deception, betrayal and murder.