Menier Chocolate Factory News

Arguably one of the most complex and intriguing female characters ever written, HEDDA GABLER weaves a mesmerizing tale of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage who is driven by a need for power and freedom.

On this morning's TODAY, actress Cynthia Erivo and the cast of Broadway show THE COLOR PURPLE are in the studio just in time to celebrate the news that Erivo and the show itself have just received Tony nominations!

The Tony award-winning musical The Secret Garden, based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett with script and lyrics by Pulitzer prize and Tony award-winner Marsha Norman and music by Grammy award-winner Lucy Simon, is coming back to the West End for a summer season.

59E59 Theaters will host the US premiere of TOAST, written by Richard Bean and directed by Eleanor Rhode. Produced by Snapdragon Productions, in association with Jagged Fence Theatre for the 2016 Brits Off Broadway festival, TOAST begins performances today, April 20 for a limited engagement through Sunday, May 22.  Press opening is Today, April 27 at 7 PM. 

Scott Alan has been giving music theater performers vividly emotionally and stirring songs to perform ever since 2007. Cynthia Erivo captured the hearts of many as Celie in THE COLOR PURPLE. Oliver Tompsett is best known for playing Fieryo in the West End production of WICKED. The three artists joined forces for Alan's most spellbinding album yet, Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Tompsett Sing Scott Alan.

Still gushing over Lin-Manuel Miranda and Hamilton winning a Pulitzer Prize? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'

AMERICAN PSYCHO, the American premiere of a new musical based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis -- which celebrates the 25th anniversary of its publication this March -- began performances on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street) on Thursday, March 24, 2016. Opening night is tonight, April 21, 2016. Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch highlights from the show!

James Graham's critically acclaimed political drama THIS HOUSE will transfer to the Garrick Theatre, following its upcoming run at Chichester's Minerva Theatre.

Theatre in the West End. The transfer follows a sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and the show is booking until October 8. Smith takes on Barbra Streisand's iconic role of Fanny Brice, the Brooklyn singer and comedienne who became a Broadway sensation under producer Florenz Ziegfeld. The cast also features Darius Campbell as Nicky Arnstein, Marilyn Cutts as Mrs Brice,Maurice Lane as Mr Keeney, Valda Aviks as Mrs Meeker, Gay Soper as Mrs Strakosh, Natasha J Barnes as Emma/Mrs Nadler, Bruce Montague as Florenz Ziegfeld, and Joel Montague as Eddie Ryan.

Last night, the Sheridan Smith-starring revival of FUNNY GIRL opened at the Savoy Theatre in the West End. The transfer follows a sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and the show is booking until October 8. Smith takes on Barbra Streisand's iconic role of Fanny Brice, the Brooklyn singer and comedienne who became a Broadway sensation under producer Florenz Ziegfeld. The cast also features Darius Campbell as Nicky Arnstein, Marilyn Cutts as Mrs Brice, Maurice Lane as Mr Keeney, Valda Aviks as Mrs Meeker, Gay Soper as Mrs Strakosh, Natasha J Barnes as Emma/Mrs Nadler, Bruce Montague as Florenz Ziegfeld, and Joel Montague as Eddie Ryan.

59E59 Theaters hosts the US premiere of TOAST, written by Richard Bean and directed by Eleanor Rhode. Produced by Snapdragon Productions, in association with Jagged Fence Theatre for the 2016 Brits Off Broadway festival, TOAST begins performances today, April 20 for a limited engagement through Sunday, May 22. Press opening is Wednesday, April 27 at 7 PM.

?Hit musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors is back, and bringing everyone's favourite carnivorous plant to the King's Theatre Glasgow from Monday 14 until Saturday 19 November 2016 as part of a major new UK Tour.

Hit musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors is back, and bringing everyone's favourite carnivorous plant to the King's Theatre Glasgow from Monday 14 until Saturday 19 November 2016 as part of a major new UK Tour. 

This summer, Royal & Derngate Northampton and Hackney Empire will co-produce the world premiere of Soul, a new play by Roy Williams about the family life of soul legend Marvin Gaye. Directed by James Dacre and designed by Jon Bausor, Soul takes to Northampton's Royal stage from Friday 20 May to Saturday 11 June, before its run at Hackney Empire from Wednesday 15 June to Sunday 3 July.

Hit musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors is back, and bringing everyone's favourite carnivorous plant to the Belgrade Theatre Coventry from Wednesday 26 - Saturday 29 October 2016 as part of a major new UK Tour.

Daniel Evans' sell-out Sheffield Crucible production of Show Boat has transferred to the West End and is now in previews, with press night on Monday 25 April 2016.  Show Boat is booking at the New London Theatre to 7 January 2017.  BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Hit musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors is back, and bringing everyone's favourite carnivorous plant to theatres across the UK in a brand new tour for 2016, opening at Bournemouth Pavilion on Thursday 4 August 2016. Full tour schedule attached. There will be a press night at New Wimbledon Theatre on Tuesday 23 August.

With previews in full swing at the Savoy Theatre, director Michael Mayer continues to polish the new revival of FUNNY GIRL, starring Sheridan Smith, which premiered at Menier Chocolate Factory.

The Old Globe presents Nick Payne's Broadway hit play CONSTELLATIONS, directed by the Globe's own Richard Seer. Christian Coulson and Victoria Frings lead the two-person play, which runs now through May 8, 2016, in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is tonight, April 14 at 8:00 p.m.

Following a sold-out Menier Chocolate Factory run, Sheridan Smith leads Michael Mayer's production of FUNNY GIRL into the West End. The Broadway classic is now playing at the Savoy Theatre, booking until October 8. As well as Smith's Fanny Brice, it features Darius Campbell as Nicky Arnstein, Marilyn Cutts as Mrs Brice, Maurice Lane as Mr Keeney, Valda Aviks as Mrs Meeker, Gay Soper as Mrs Strakosh, Natasha J Barnes as Emma/Mrs Nadler, Bruce Montague as Florenz Ziegfeld, and Joel Montague as Eddie Ryan.