Marie Hall News

The critically acclaimed production of The Grinning Man, directed by Tony award-winning Tom Morris (War Horse) and based on the classic Victor Hugo (Les Mis rables) novel, The Man Who Laughs, opens at the Trafalgar Studios tonight 6 December.

Full casting has been announced for the critically acclaimed production of The Grinning Man, directed by Tony award-winning Tom Morris (War Horse) and based on the classic Victor Hugo (Les Mis rables) novel, The Man Who Laughs, which opens at the Trafalgar Studios on 6 December.

Young Will Shakespeare has writer's block. The deadline for his new play is fast approaching, but he's in desperate need of inspiration - enter Viola. This beautiful young woman is Will's greatest admirer and will stop at nothing to appear in his next play. Set against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming, and backstage theatrics, Will's love for Viola quickly blossoms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece. Based on the beloved 1998 film of the same name, Shakespeare in Love is ultimate treat for both film and Shakespeare fans alike.

Best described as Golden Girls meets The Odd Couple, Ripcord is an uproarious new comedy by noted playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. Ripcord takes us to the Bristol Place Assisted Living Facility where foul-tempered Abby has just learned that she has to share her sunny top-floor room with newcomer Marilyn. Loathe to share her space, Abby challenges Marilyn to a seemingly harmless bet where the loser abandons the sunny top-floor room. The events that follow take the women on a ridiculous journey that reveals not only the tenacity of these worthy opponents but also some secrets they would rather remain hidden. Ripcord brings us the fight of the century, and after all, wouldn't they know?

Side Show parades onto the Theatre Memphis Lohrey Stage March 10, 2017, and struts its human cavalcade through April 2, 2017.

Side Show parades onto the Theatre Memphis Lohrey Stage March 10, 2017, and struts its human cavalcade through April 2, 2017. This musical is based on a true story, which is a spectacle in and of itself, focusing on the lives of conjoined twin women, Violet and Daisy Hilton, who became famous stage performers in the 1930's. Conflict eventually separates the two emotionally as one wants a husband and home and the other wants fame and fortune. Only heartbreak brings them back together as they move forward with their careers and lives.

Side Show parades onto the Theatre Memphis Lohrey Stage March 10, 2017, and struts its human cavalcade through April 2, 2017.

The Sorrows of Satan is written by musical theatre writing duo Bateman and Conley and directed by Adam Lenson (Songs for a New World, St. James Theatre) and runs at Tristan Bates for six weeks, opening on 21 February with previews from 14 February

The Sorrows of Satan delights from beginning to end, packing in witty songs, wonderful performances and a laughs per minute ratio as high as any in the West End.

Based on Marie Corelli's 1895 controversial bestseller, this new musical play reimagines the story of Faust in the heart of a corrupt 1920s London, where the elite are financially and emotionally bankrupt and one man has a big decision to make.

Side Show parades onto the Theatre Memphis Lohrey Stage March 10, 2017, and struts its human cavalcade through April 2, 2017. This musical is based on a true story, which is a spectacle in and of itself, focusing on the lives of conjoined twin women, Violet and Daisy Hilton, who became famous stage performers in the 1930's. Conflict eventually separates the two emotionally as one wants a husband and home and the other wants fame and fortune. Only heartbreak brings them back together as they move forward with their careers and lives.

Based on Marie Corelli's 1895 controversial bestseller, this new musical play reimagines the story of Faust in the heart of a corrupt 1920s London, where the elite are financially and emotionally bankrupt and one man has a big decision to make.

Casting announced for The Sorrows of Satan, a brand new musical play, based on one of the world's first bestselling novels.

A founding resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia (COP) announces Music Director Dirk Brosse has renewed his commitment as Music Director through the 2021-2022 season.

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS runs now through April 3, 2016, on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. This storybook fantasy is a musical journey with an original story based on several Brothers Grimm fairy tales. A childless baker and his wife set out on a mission to begin a family but must break a Witch's curse. Their travels bring them to interact with characters from Little Red Riding Hood, Jack & the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Cinderella and more. The show is a delightful romp with a dose of reality thrown in the mix that makes one question happily ever after. BroadwayWorld has a fresh set of production photos below!

Stephen Sondheim himself is kind of a 'GIANT,' if you think about it. Over the last decades he has been responsible for raising the (musical) bar in musical theater with lyrics and music that can take an audience far beyond Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'bright golden haze on the meadow.' SWEENEY TODD, FOLLIES, PACIFIC OVERTURES, COMPANY -- all of these entertain and even challenge an audience; and even though ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, the composer/lyricist isn't just satisfied with that. His INTO THE WOODS (one of my two or three favorite musicals of all time) is evidence of that. Had he only conceived that first act (with that amazing Book by James Lapine), INTO THE WOODS would have had a show complete unto itself: Familiar characters from children's literature -- Cinderella, the Baker and his Wife, Jack (sans his Beanstalk), Rapunzel, and Red Riding- hood -- come alive, and the story of each overlaps with another, all held together by a cohesive Narrator (performed here by the indispensable Joseph Lackie, himself a former 'Sweeney Todd'). If you walked out during intermission, you would have done so with an entirely pleasant level of satisfaction; however, it's that second act that catapults the musical onto an altogether higher plane. By the time the gorgeous 'No One Is Alone' closes the performance, audience members are moved to be reminded that 'sometimes people leave us / Half way through the woods.'

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS will open March 11 and run until April 3, 2016, on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. This storybook fantasy is a musical journey with an original story based on several Brothers Grimm fairy tales. A childless baker and his wife set out on a mission to begin a family but must break a Witch's curse. Their travels bring them to interact with characters from Little Red Riding Hood, Jack & the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Cinderella and more. The show is a delightful romp with a dose of reality thrown in the mix that makes one question happily ever after. Scroll down for a first look at the cast onstage!

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS will open March 11 and run until April 3, 2016, on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. This storybook fantasy is a musical journey with an original story based on several Brothers Grimm fairy tales. A childless baker and his wife set out on a mission to begin a family but must break a Witch's curse. Their travels bring them to interact with characters from Little Red Riding Hood, Jack & the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Cinderella and more. The show is a delightful romp with a dose of reality thrown in the mix that makes one question happily ever after. Scroll down for a first look at the cast onstage!

Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods will open March 11 and run until April 3, 2016, on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. This storybook fantasy is a musical journey with an original story based on several Brothers Grimm fairy tales. A childless baker and his wife set out on a mission to begin a family but must break a Witch's curse. Their travels bring them to interact with characters from Little Red Riding Hood, Jack & the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Cinderella and more. The show is a delightful romp with a dose of reality thrown in the mix that makes one question happily ever after.

Whether it's fruitcake or eggnog, people love their traditions during the Holiday Season -- and you'd better not disappoint. Memphians are accustomed to cranky 'Ebeneezer Scrooge' hoarding his coins at Theatre Memphis, and in midtown, we're resigned to A TUNA CHRISTMAS at Circuit and PETER PAN at Playhouse on the Square. Just last year, I had seen two -- yes, TWO -- productions of the latter: The version done live on NBC (with an off-center, almost 'sleep walking' Christopher Walken as 'Captain Hook') and the marvelous version directed and choreographed by Jordan Nichols and Travis Bradley at Playhouse. The Playhouse featured players were the unique Morgan Howard (as 'Peter') and the versatile David Foster (as a 'Jack Sparrow'-like 'Hook'); they were alternating the roles with Carly Crawford and Bill Andrews. I am happy to report that I finally was able to see Ms. Crawford and Mr. Andrews assay those roles, and they were equally inspired casting choices (but more about that later).