Harry Hepple, Ian Kelsey, Matt Rawle and Frances Ruffelle will be featured in the Menier Chocolate Factory's production of Pippin, a colourful, imaginative and darkly humorous coming-of-age story with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, The Baker's Wife, Godspell) and book by Roger O. Hirson.
Today, in an extension of the FLASH FRIDAY column, we are sharpening our focus on the six upcoming revivals of musicals that are soon to hit the boards in the next few months (post-FOLLIES) and battle it out for the Best Revival as the Broadway season heats up just when the weather begins to cool: the classic Jule Styne/Bob Merrill musical that originally starred that star-of-stars, Barbra Streisand - FUNNY GIRL; the groundbreaking rock opera that rewrote the theatrical rulebook thanks to young creators Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR; the hippie, flower child take on the Christ story covering some similar Biblical ground to that of SUPERSTAR, with this one being the composing debut of WICKED songwriter Stephen Schwartz - GODSPELL; another Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice collaboration that won seven Tony Awards and acted as the vehicle for Patti LuPone's blazing Broadway debut in a starring role - EVITA; the significantly reworked, revised and rewritten new version of the beautifully scored time-travel musical by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner, this time starring a male movie star crooner - ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER; and, the landmark American opera composed by the Gershwins with DuBose Haywerd - PORGY & BESS. While each and every one of these entities has a huge hit song or two that nearly everyone on the planet knows by heart - "Don't Rain On My Parade", "I Don't Know How To Love Him", "Day By Day", "Don't Cry For Me Argentina", "On A Clear Day…" and 'Summertime' included - each of these revivals also comes after a film version (or two) that, in more than a few of these cases, will be relatively difficult to top as far as expectations of many audience members undoubtedly will go. So, by taking a listen to the smash hit crossover songs from these musicals as well as looking at their respective film version's trailers - as well as a couple of surprises, too - perhaps we can glean some insight into what makes these generally pretty terrific properties so well worth reviving on Broadway, here, now, today, in 2011. Furthermore, all of this crystal ball commentary is not even taking into account the starry assortment of performers that have already been announced for these productions so far - especially with FUNNY GIRL's Lauren Ambrose and Bobby Cannavale, GODSPELL's Hunter Parrish, SUPERSTAR's lauded Josh Young, EVITA's Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris, PORGY's Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald, as well as the leading man in what was once a leading lady's role (that of Barbara Harris) in ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, Harry Connick, Jr.! What a tight race it is turning out to be for these new productions, particularly come Tony time in June! With rock to rhumba and borscht belt comedy to messianic hosannas and even full-out opera, seemingly every conceivable customer base is more than covered by this packed, potentially, well, awesome, season of shows - and many Broadway babies around BroadwayWorld are undoubtedly looking most forward to these six forthcoming revivals - with particularly good reason given the relative dearth of new musicals announced so far. So, let these revivals revive your flagging spirits as we leap into the 2011-2012 season with this comprehensive prospective and retrospective all about what makes them work so well in the first place and so worthy of another look!
We catch up with Kaisa Hammarlund for a quick chat and to discuss her latest role.
The Rose Theatre's first ever musical, co-produced by Broadway producer, Bud Martin, has now been fully cast for its Christmas run at the Rose from 27 November 2010 - 2 January 2011.
As BroadwayWorld announced this morning, having broken the news first on February 9 thanks to the site's international reach, EVITA is indeed headed back to Broadway in 2011 starring Olivier Award winner Elena Roger as Eva Peron. BroadwayWorld brings you a clip of the star performing 'Buenos Aires' with the London cast from the production circa 2006 on the televised Children in Need in the U.K.
BroadwayWorld.com had the news first on February 9, thanks to its International reach, but Michael Riedel has confirmed the news and provided more details this morning in the New York Post, that EVITA is indeed headed back to Broadway in 2011 starring Olivier Award winner Elena Roger as Eva Peron.
According to numerous published reports in Spanish media outlets, Olivier Award winning stage star Elena Roger may be bringing her famed Eva Peron to Broadway in Evita in the 2011 - 2012 season.
The winners are being announced as they happen for this year's Laurence Olivier Awards, London's equivalent of the Tonys. The awards, which were created in 1976 were given out on Sunday March 8, 2009 in a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
The winners in the ninth annual Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards, the only major UK theatre prize-giving decided by the public, were announced today (Sunday 15 February) at a glittering, star-studded evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
Nominations have been announced for this year's Laurence Olivier Awards, London's equivalent of the Tonys. The awards, which were created in 1976 will be given out on Sunday March 8, 2009 in a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
UK theatre website WhatsOnStage.com reports that a number of West End musical stars recorded a special edition of the BBC's Weakest Link quiz show, due for broadcast on New Year's Eve.
Tales from the Laughing Place Magazine - a magazine that covers the creativity of The Walt Disney Company will offer exclusive photo coverage of the rehearsals for The Music of Disney Concert that was held in London on December 8 and recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on December 26th.
Sensational international artist JOSH GROBAN will serve as host for the concert BBC RADIO 2 CELEBRATES THE MUSIC OF DISNEY.
Official London Theatre is reporting that the current production of Zorro running at the Garrick has extended its run until September 2009. The musical opened on July 15th, 2008 and was originally scheduled to run until January of 2009.
The current UK tour production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Charles Hart/Don Black musical, Aspects Of Love, graces the stage of Cardiff's New Theatre this week on its way to 15 other venues, ending at Nottingham on March 22, 2008. On the evidence of the Cardiff staging, director Nikolai Foster, aided by a stark and stunningly atmospheric set designed by Rob Jones, has succeeded in breathing new life into this 1980 show, which boasts what is perhaps Lord Lloyd Webber's most romantic score.
This summer the Watermill Theatre in Newbury will revisit the Boublil/Schonberg musical, 'Martin Guerre', which will play from July 11 to September 1. The show will be directed by Craig Revel-Horwood, who was at the helm of last summer's critically acclaimed staging of 'The Hot Mikado' in Newbury. Musical direction will be handled by Tony award winner, Sarah Travis, who - along with former Watermill guru, John Doyle - pioneered the actor/singer/musician style of musical theatre at the Watermill, notably with the production of Sondheim's 'Sweeney Todd', which eventually found its way to Broadway in 2005.
After a run of a little less than a year, the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's classic musical Evita will close this spring
Two London musical hits - the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita and the transfer of the Broadway hit Avenue Q - have extended their runs.
Having recently returned from London, Craig Brockman gives BroadwayWorld.com readers a report on his adventures overseas including Mary Poppins, Billy Ellliot, opening night of Wicked and more!
A deal that Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group has struck with Universal Music will put some of his songs--including ones from the new London cast recording of Evita--online
