Maria Friedman News

Broadway stars Lisa Brescia and Kristy Cates have been announced as artists for the upcoming New York Public Library Songbook Series, taking place November 30th. Additional casting includes Elizabeth Brackenbury, Deborah S. Craig, Autumn Hurlbert, Matt Lutz, Tracy McDowell, Brooke Sunny Moriber and Zachary Prince.

In big news from the U.K. today, Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton have teamed up to star in a new production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd at the Chichester Festival Theatre, prior to leading the show to the West End, according to a report from Baz Bamigboye in the U.K.'s Daily Mail.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located within The West Bank Café (407 West 42nd St.), is pleased to continue our Friday night soiree, THE AFTER PARTY. Now going strong it's third, THE AFTER PARTY is billed as 'a weekly schmoozefest for the theatrically inclined.'

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the full cast for Ordinary Days, a new musical with Music & Lyrics by Adam Gwon, directed by Marc Bruni. Ordinary Days will feature Lisa Brescia as 'Claire,' Hunter Foster as 'Jason,' Jared Gertner as 'Warren' and Kate Wetherhead as 'Deb.' This production marks the first musical presented in the Black Box Theatre.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the full cast for Ordinary Days, a new musical with Music & Lyrics by Adam Gwon, directed by Marc Bruni. Ordinary Days will feature Lisa Brescia as 'Claire,' Hunter Foster as 'Jason,' Jared Gertner as 'Warren' and Kate Wetherhead as 'Deb.' This production marks the first musical presented in the Black Box Theatre.

Matthew White is to direct Tamzin Outhwaite as Charity Hope Valentine in the Tony Award-winning musical Sweet Charity at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Sweet Charity previews from 21 November with press night on 02 December, and runs until 07 March 2010. The box office opens for general public bookings at noon on Thursday 17 September. With book by Neil Simon, music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, choreography is by Stephen Mear, set design by Tim Shortall, costume design by Matthew Wright, musical supervision and direction by Nigel Lilley, orchestrations by Chris Walker, lighting by David Howe and sound design by Gareth Owen.

Gerard Alessandrini (creator, writer and director) and Philip George (director) will bring their multi-award winning satirical musical, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, for a limited run only at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 25 June to 13 September, with press night on 02 July. The show, which last month wrapped up its record-breaking 27-year run in New York makes its first visit to London in 10 years.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the full cast for Ordinary Days, a new musical with Music & Lyrics by Adam Gwon, directed by Marc Bruni. Ordinary Days will feature Lisa Brescia as 'Claire,' Hunter Foster as 'Jason,' Jared Gertner as 'Warren' and Kate Wetherhead as 'Deb.' This production marks the first musical presented in the Black Box Theatre.

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY is a runaway hit at London's Menier Chocolate Factory, where the show opened for a twelve-week run on July 2 to raves and crowds. The legendary theatrical lampoon, which ended (at least for the time being) its 27-year New York run on March 1, has been retooled for London and restaged for the Menier Chocolate Factory by creator Gerard Alessandrini and long-time collaborator Phillip George.

Gerard Alessandrini (creator, writer and director) and Philip George (director) will bring their multi-award winning satirical musical, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, for a limited run only at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 25 June to 13 September, with press night on 02 July. The show, which last month wrapped up its record-breaking 27-year run in New York makes its first visit to London in 10 years.

How does the new lavish production fare on press night?

Raymond Gubbay and the Royal Albert Hall have announced a spectacular new fully staged in the round production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical The King and I. For a strictly limited season of only 20 performances the show will star one of the UK's best loved performers Maria Friedman, who appears alongside Daniel Dae Kim, star of the massive hit TV series Lost.

The Menier Chocolate Factory's hit production announces another 48 dates

Maria Friedman and Lost's Daniel Dae Kim star in the Rodgers and Hammerstein favourite

ROYAL ALBERT HALL June/July 2009 Listings Box Office: +44 (0)20 7589 8212 Open 7 days a week 9:00am - 9:00pm Online booking is available for most events. Please visit the website: www.royalalberthall.com

Gerard Alessandrini (creator, writer and director) and Philip George (director) will bring their multi-award winning satirical musical, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, for a limited run only at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 25 June to 13 September, with press night on 02 July. The show, which last month wrapped up its record-breaking 27-year run in New York makes its first visit to London in 10 years.

Stephen Sondheim, whose musical, A Little Night Music is currently playing in the West End at the Garrick Theatre in a production directed by Trevor Nunn, spoke to the UK's Times Online. The legendary composer spoke on a variety of subjects, including his celebrated body of work, his personal regrets and his joy at finding love, it is a candid interview and a must read for fans of musical theater.

Carrie Dunn talks to the actor and producer about The Last Five Years and tick...tick...BOOM!

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.

Gerard Alessandrini (creator, writer and director) and Philip George (director) will bring their multi-award winning satirical musical, Forbidden Broadway, for a limited run only at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 25 June to 13 September, with press night on 02 July. Tickets go on sale today. The show, which last month wrapped up its record-breaking 27-year run in New York makes its first visit to London in 10 years.