Katy Lipson News

Founders of the Hope Aria Academy in Manchester, Katy Lipson, Joseph Houston and William Whelton, are delighted to announce that actress Hayley Tamaddon will be the Academy's Patron. Hayley has appeared in Closets the Musical at Hope Mill Theatre and sang at the theatre's recent third birthday celebrations. She is currently starring in Everyone's Talking About Jamie in London's West End. Hope Aria Academy is delighted to be partnering with Hayley and believes that her knowledge and experience will be a wonderful asset to the Academy students.

Based on George A. Romero's unparalleled 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, the first ever UK stage adaptation and the only officially authorised production will come to life at Pleasance, London from 9 April to 19 May 2019. Directed by Benji Sperring (The Toxic Avenger: The Musical; Shock Treatment, Valley Of Song), Night of the Living Dead Live will pay homage to the cult monochrome classic, skirting the line between the horrific and the hysterical as it resurrects the original zombie masterpiece. Casting will be announced in due course.

Olivier Award-winning actress Rebecca Trehearn will star as Rebecca in the UK premiere of a new version of the Stephen Schwartz musical RAGS from 2 March - 6 April, with a national press night on 5 March.

AN EVENING WITH STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, a showcase of the multi-award-winning American lyricist and composer's best loved repertoire, will occur on Sunday 17 February. A drinks and finger buffet will begin at 6pm, with the main event beginning at 7.30pm, including Schwartz's first ever UK panel discussion about his life and work.

Written between The Phantom of the Opera and Sunset Boulevard, Aspects of Love belongs to the pool of Andrew Lloyd Webber's neglected musical. Back in 1989 it launched the career of none other than Michael Ball, who wowed the audiences with 'Love Changes Everything', his character Alex's big song which, surprisingly, opens the show.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Cate Blanchett's UK stage debut to a reborn Andrew Lloyd Webber, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!

Theatre producer Katy Lipson - who is producing artistic director of the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, as well as being an independent producer and who has recently taken on the road shows such as The Addams Family - is bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1989 musical Aspects of Love to Southwark Playhouse which began at Hope Mill in August 2018. Here, we discuss what makes a good producer, her passion for theatre, and how the show resonates with the present times.

Full casting has been announced for the critically-acclaimed 50th anniversary production of Hair - The Musical. Leading the cast in this revolutionary, Grammy award-winning musical is: Dancing on Ice's 2018 champion Jake Quickenden as Berger, Hollyoaks' Daisy Wood-Davis as Sheila and X Factor 2011 finalist Marcus Collins as Hud.

Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment and Joseph Houston and William Whelton of Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester are delighted to announce Hope Aria Productions' 2019 Season. The Season will open on 2 March with the UK premiere of a new version of the Stephen Schwartz musical RAGS. From 27 September, Tracie Bennett will star in the title role in Jerry Herman's much loved musical MAME, and the season will be completed by a new musical, THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRATCHIT, from 22 November.

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre have announced the full cast for the London transfer of their production of Aspects of Love at Southwark Playhouse.

Katy Lipson, Joseph Houston and William Whelton are delighted to announce the launch of Hope Aria Academy, a new and exciting part-time drama course situated in Manchester. Founders Katy, Joseph and William recognised a need for more opportunities for Northern-based performers to specialise in musical theatre. All three founders have backgrounds in musical theatre training and are currently full-time producers and theatre owners, actively working in the industry:

Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester presents the musical revue Putting it Together. Putting it Together, which celebrates and showcases the songs of Stephen Sondheim, will be directed by Bronagh Lagan and runs from Wednesday 24 October to Saturday 24 November 2018.

Following the critically acclaimed season at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester this summer, Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre are delighted to announce the transfer of their production of Aspects of Love at Southwark Playhouse for a limited season from 7 January to 9 February 2019, with a national press night on Thursday 10 January. This will be the fourth London transfer from Hope Mill Theatre, following Yank!, Hair and Pippin, and the award-winning 50th anniversary production of Hair has recently announced a major UK tour in 2019.

Following the critically- acclaimed 50th anniversary production of Hair, The Musical at Hope Mill Theatre and sell-out transfer to The Vaults, London, the celebrated production will now embark on a nationwide tour - including a visit to the Edinburgh Playhouse from 22-27 June 2019.

The fifth in-house production of 2018 from Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester is the musical revue Putting it Together. Putting it Together, which celebrates and showcases the songs of Stephen Sondheim, will be directed by Bronagh Lagan and runs from Wednesday 24 October to Saturday 24 November 2018.

Following the critically-acclaimed 50th anniversary production of Hair - The Musical at Hope Mill Theatre and sell-out transfer to The Vaults, London, the celebrated production will now embark on a nationwide tour.

Casting has been confirmed for the fifth in-house production of 2018 from Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester: the musical revue Putting it Together. Putting it Together, which celebrates and showcases the songs of Stephen Sondheim, will be directed by Bronagh Lagan and runs from Wednesday 24 October to Saturday 24 November 2018.

The full line up of what's coming up at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester over the next few months has been announced. As well as in-house musicals and visiting productions, the critically acclaimed theatre has announced a fortnight of special shows and events to mark its forthcoming 3rd Birthday.

The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy is underway. The powerful all-female cast is made up of:Janet Fullerlove (Fortune's Fool, The Beggar's Opera) as Joy; Jodie Jacobs (Myth, Rock of Ages) as Rachel; Melanie Marshall (Guys and Dolls, Jane Eyre) as Lou; and Kelly Sweeney (Ronald William White Acting Through Song Prize Winner 2018) as Tamara.

The critically acclaimed Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester has announced a fortnight of special shows and events to mark its forthcoming 3rd Birthday.