Lisa Stevens News

​​​​​​​Walnut Street Theatre (WST) finishes its 214th season by transforming into a tropical paradise with Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville.

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center presents the musical Grease for three weeks, June 3-19 at the Vogel Auditorium. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the musical’s Broadway opening, this production of Grease is directed and choreographed by Lisa Stevens, whose resume includes the revivals of Chicago on Broadway and the West End and Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical. 

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center presents the musical Grease for three weeks, June 3-19 at the Vogel Auditorium. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the musical’s Broadway opening, this production of Grease is directed and choreographed by Lisa Stevens, whose resume includes the revivals of Chicago on Broadway and the West End and Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical. 

Stephen Sondheim's and Arthur Laurents 1964 political satire is given a modern spin by director Georgie Rankom in this high-energy production. Let's see what BWW's critic had to say...

An all new video has been released from inside rehearsal for the upcoming production Anyone Can Whistle! A political satire about conformity and the ostracisation of those considered ‘other’ in society, ‘Anyone Can Whistle’, directed by Georgie Rankcom, will play Southwark Playhouse, 1 April - 7 May, 2022.

BroadwayWorld has learned a new national tour of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 The Musical will launch later this year. The production currently has confirmed dates through 2023. Get the scoop here! 

Dolly Parton (Music and Lyrics) and Patricia Resnick’s (Book) musical adaptation of Resnick and Colin Higgins 1980’s ‘labour film’ 9 TO 5 bursts onto the Sydney stage with a fabulous and fun celebration of female empowerment. 

Claire joins the cast which includes Vivian Panka making her professional UK stage debut as ‘Judy Bernly’, Stephanie Chandos (9 to 5 The Musical – previously covering the role of ‘Doralee’, Hairspray and We Will Rock You,) as ‘Doralee Rhodes’, Sean Needham (Kinky Boots, Mamma Mia!, Wicked and Buddy) as ‘Franklin Hart Jr.’ - a role he played on many occasions in both the West End and on tour,  Julia J. Nagle (American in Paris, Aspects of Love, Dirty Dancing) as ‘Roz Keith’ and Russell Dickson (Evita) as ‘Joe’.

Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t love Dolly Parton? Even country music-haters know her tunes and appreciate her philanthropy. 9 To 5 The Musical debuted on stage in 2009 and is an entertaining adaptation of the revenge satire film, which saw Dolly, along with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda outwitting their awful and sexist male boss to gain female empowerment.

The Australian premiere of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 is premiering this winter at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. Tickets go on sale at the end of the month.

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center has announced its grand reopening beginning in October, after 18 months shuttered from the pandemic. Four main-stage musicals have been announced as well as a youth production from the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy. The concert schedule will be announced after Labor Day.

Joining the previously announced Louise Redknapp as 'Violet Newstead' will be Vivian Panka making her professional UK stage debut as 'Judy Bernly', Stephanie Chandos as 'Doralee Rhodes', Sean Needham as 'Franklin Hart Jr.',  Julia J. Nagle as 'Roz Keith' and Russell Dickson as 'Joe'.

Fresh from dazzling in the West End run of the show, Louise Redknapp will reprise her role as 'Violet Newstead' in the forthcoming UK tour of Dolly Parton's smash-hit 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL.

 Louise Redknapp will reprise her role as 'Violet Newstead' in the forthcoming UK tour of Dolly Parton's smash-hit 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL. Louise Redknapp played the role of 'Violet Newstead' to rave reviews from audiences and critics alike when 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL opened in the West End at the Savoy Theatre in 2019.

Showgirls Kyla Musselman and Jennifer Thiessen, hailing from Toronto and New York City respectively, are back with more banter for an epic third season of Tits and Teeth Podcast! 'It's a great privilege to be in our third season, and to have our reach grow,' says Thiessen. The podcast has not only been popular across Canada, but also internationally. 'We are so proud of all our guests, and it is wonderful to bring their voices to a growing audience each year'.

Dolly Parton's phenomenally successful 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL has released a West End Cast Recording, which is available to stream and download now. It can be found on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. https://slinky.to/9to5-TheMusical

that 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL will return for a second tour in 2020. The tour will play at The Bristol Hippodrome from 11 a?" 15 August 2020 and ATG TheatreCard tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday January 25th, followed by general tickets at 10am on Monday January 27th.

Louise Redknapp and Brian Conley will return to play Violet Newstead and Franklin Hart Jnr respectively in 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL at The Savoy Theatre from February 2020.

Following a sell-out 2019 tour that ends in Dublin this Saturday, Dolly Parton announced today that 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL will return for a second tour in 2020. The tour will open at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on 29 May 2020 where it will play until 6 June 2020, before visiting Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (9 a?" 13 June 2020), Nottingham Theatre Royal (16 a?" 20 June 2020), Southampton Mayflower (22 a?" 27 June 2020), Leeds Grand Theatre (29 June a?" 4 July 2020), Theatre Royal Plymouth (14 a?" 18 July 2020), Regent's Theatre Stoke on Trent (21 a?" 25 July 2020), Southend Cliff's Pavilion (28 July a?" 1 August 2020), Marlowe Theatre Canterbury (4 a?" 8 August 2020), Bristol Hippodrome (11 a?" 15 August 2020), Llandudno Venue Cymru (18 a?" 22 August 2020), Manchester Palace Theatre (25 a?" 29 August 2020), Eden Court Inverness (1 a?" 5 September 2020), King's Theatre Glasgow (8 a?" 12 September 2020) and Sheffield Lyceum (15 a?" 19 September 2020). Casting for the 2020 tour will be announced soon.

Caroline O'Connor, Marina Prior, Samantha Dodemaide and Erin Clare have been entrusted with the much-loved lead roles in Dolly Parton's 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL. Direct from London's West End, the hilarious smash-hit musical will have its Australian Premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in April 2020.