Laurence Olivier News

As Eonline reports, Patrick Stewart officially became a knight today during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace performed by Queen Elizabeth II.

Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment, the producers of the hit musical comedy Sister Act currently playing at the London Palladium, are delighted to announce that leading international recording artist Simon Webbe is to join the cast of the show on Monday May 31.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Shakespeare's rollicking fantasy of ardent lovers, bumbling actors and conjuring fairies, will be recreated against the backdrop of social revolution and sensuality in 1959 New Orleans by the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) of Northwestern University.

Experience this unforgettable story of love and loss when Pittsburgh CLO presents the epic musical Miss Saigon, June 8- 20 at the Benedum Center in the heart of Pittsburgh's Cultural District. One of the most stunning Broadway productions of all time, Miss Saigon is a raw and uncompromising tale that has captivated audiences around the world.

The Orange County return of DISNEY'S THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center for a limited engagement of three weeks through Sunday, June 13.

The cast for the Tricycle's Women, Power and Politics - a season exploring the history and current role of women in politics in Great Britain - will comprise Simon Chandler, Oliver Chris, Claire Cox, Heather Craney, Niamh Cusack, Stella Gonet, John Hollingworth, Amy Loughton, Tom Mannion, Kika Markham, Lara Rossi and Felix Scott.

The WICKED Young Writers' Award is proud to announce Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall as its patron from April 2010. The Award is separated into five categories between the ages of 5-25 and allows young people from across the UK and Northern Ireland to enter a piece of writing on a theme or subject of their choice. The final date for entries is Saturday 31 July 2010. Schools and individuals can download entry forms and find tips on entering the WICKED Young Writers' Award at www.WickedYoungWriters.com.

Zoe Wanamaker and David Suchet will star in the Apollo Theatre's production of ALL MY SONS. The play, by Arthur Miller, will begin May 27th, 2010 and is directed by Olivier award winner Howard Davies. Davies won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director for his work on ALL MY SONS on the West End. Wanamaker will play Kate Keller, while Suchet will play the husband, Joe Keller. Additional casting is yet to be announced.

Disney's THE LION KING set new box office records in Madison during each week of its four-week premiere engagement which concluded on Sunday, May 23. THE LION KING is the highest grossing theatrical production to ever play Overture Center for the Arts where it grossed over $4.8 million and entertained more than 68,000 people.

Casting has been announced for the Orange County Performing Arts Center engagement of DISNEY'S THE LION KING. The stage production play on the Segerstrom Hall stage for three weeks from May 26 to June 13. The press opening night is May 28 at 7:30 PM. This engagement is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris and Las Vegas.

As previously announced, acclaimed Tony Award nominated actor Sir Patrick Stewart will return to Broadway in David Mamet's A LIFE IN THE THEATRE. Today, Variety reported that the production will play Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, following the exit of A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE June 6.

Emmy, Golden Globe and two time Academy Award winner Michael Douglas will be celebrated at the Film Society's 37th Annual Chaplin Award Gala on the evening of Monday May 24th at Alice Tully Hall. The limited ticket event will be attended by many of Douglas's most celebrated collaborators and friends, such as Danny Devito, Erika Christiansen, Milos Forman, Curtis Hanson, Tobey Maguire, Barbara Walters, as well as Douglas's wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and his father, the legendary Kirk Douglas, with a special performance by Michael's longtime-friend singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett, plus film clips commemorating Douglas's lauded career.

The Blank Theatre Company will end its run of Michael John LaChiusa's See What I Wanna See on May 23. The production is directed by The Blank's Artistic Director Daniel Henning, with musical direction by David O.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) will end its production of the famed British theater maker Alan Ayckbourn's hilarious rumination on love and marriage, Round and Round the Garden, directed by Tony Award winner John Rando (Urinetown, The Musical, The Wedding Singer on Broadway; Urinetown, Rich and Famous at A.C.T.) on May 23rd.

The West End production of LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL will receive its own cast recording, according to a post on the musical's Facebook page on May 21st. The show will be recorded live on June 12, 13, and 14 for a yet-to-be-announced release date.

Disney Theatrical Productions is delighted to announce the return of DISNEY'S THE LION KING to Toronto. The multi-award-winning, record-breaking musical comes back to the city where it had its Canadian premiere in April 2000 and played 1,560 performances (closing in January 2004).

From June 16 to July 17, Cath Farr for Good Night Out will present the UK premiere of Jack Hibberd's play A STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION at the Cock Tavern Theatre in London. The production will be directed by, designed by, and starring Mark Little.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Shakespeare's rollicking fantasy of ardent lovers, bumbling actors and conjuring fairies, will be recreated against the backdrop of social revolution and sensuality in 1959 New Orleans by the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) of Northwestern University.

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents the third annual collaboration of Mark Morris Dance Group with Seattle Symphony on May 21-23 at The Paramount Theatre. This year's engagement includes Seattle Symphony performing Haydn's Horn Concerto No. 2 in D major, A Lake; Bach's Jesu, Meine Freude; and Vivaldi's Gloria. The Tudor Choir will join Seattle Symphony for the Bach and Vivaldi pieces, and Gloria will feature special guest conductor, Seattle-native Mark Morris.

Olivier-winner Leanne Jones will be starring in a new production of Jonathan Larson's tick, tick...BOOM! at the Union Theatre in Southwark starting May 19. Jones, who originated the role of Tracy Turnblad in the West End premiere of Hairspray, will play Susan.