Menier Chocolate Factory News

A hit in the West End and on Broadway, End of the Rainbow will return in 2016, touring the UK in a brand new production opening at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester in February starring Lisa Maxwell as Judy Garland.

Cynthia Erivo gives an exemplary acting performance in Doyle's concert-like production.

The new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE opens tonight, December 10, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

The new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE opens tonight, December 10, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch highlights from the show!

The new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE opens tonight, December 10, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street).

The highly acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre revival of GUYS AND DOLLS, begins tonight, December 10, at the Savoy Theatre in the West End.

A first look at the new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE, now in previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street), has just been released. Check out highlights of the cast in action below!

A first look at the new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE, now in previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street), has just been released. Check out photos of the cast in action below!

?A hit in the West End and on Broadway, END OF THE RAINBOW will return to the stage in 2016, playing at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Mon 18 - Wed 20 April as part of a major new UK tour, starring Lisa Maxwell as Judy Garland. A hit in the West End and on Broadway, END OF THE RAINBOW will return to the stage in 2016, playing at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Mon 18 - Wed 20 April as part of a major new UK tour, starring Lisa Maxwell as Judy Garland.

Broadway's The Color Purple doesn't officially open until this Thursday, December 10, but New York Times theatre critic Ben Brantley couldn't wait to rave about the show. The writer teased his opinion before the big night in his 2015 'Best of' roundup.

The Union Theatre present the Phil Willmott Company in the first UK Production of ROAD SHOW.  Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | Book by John Weidman, 3rd FEBRUARY - 5th MARCH 2016; Tuesday - Saturday @ 7.30pm | Saturday/Sunday @ 2.30pm.  Tickets: £20 (Concessions £17)

On last night's LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT, Jennifer Hudson and the cast of Broadway's THE COLOR PURPLE performed the number 'Push Da Button'.

Today, Brooks speaks exclusively with BWW and explains why making her Broadway debut in this musical revival is truly a 'full-circle moment.'

Omar Sharif Jr. is the special guest as Urie and company dish and delight over this classic flick.

Internationally acclaimed actor Matthew Perry (Friends, The Odd Couple) leads the cast in the World Premiere of his playwriting debut, The End of Longing, at the Playhouse Theatre, London, from 2 February - 14 May 2016. This fast paced, and bittersweet comic new play, will be directed by the critically acclaimed and award-winning director, Lindsay Posner (Speed-the-Plow, Other Desert Cities) reuniting the pair, following their first West End collaboration on Sexual Perversity in Chicago at the Comedy Theatre in 2003.

Following a critically acclaimed opening at the Menier Chocolate Factory this week, the smash hit production of Funny Girl extends its booking period at the Savoy Theatre due to popular demand. Michael Mayer's "exhilarating embrace of a production - Independent" will now run until 10 September 2016 - marking the musical's 50th anniversary year. Tickets for the extended booking period production starring Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress and "phenomenal talent - Independent" Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice go on sale today.

Previous Olivier Award winners Michael Ball, Katie Brayben, John Dagleish, Elaine Paige and Clive Rowe are the latest performers to join the star-studded cast in The Oliviers In Concert, with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Earlier today, BroadwayWorld reported that West End-bound FUNNY GIRL star Sheridan Smith would love to bring the musical to Broadway. Now the Daily Mail reveals rumors that director Michael Mayer and Smith could take the show to the Great White Way in 2017. The site's Baz Bamigboye writes that for now it's 'Purely rumour, at the moment, but a lot of people would like to see it happen.'

At a ceremony held today at London's Café de Paris, Steve Furst announced the nominees for the 16th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards. The announcement of the nominations marks the opening of the final voting stage (closes 31 January), with winners announced at the annual Awards Concert held on 21 February 2016 at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Fanny's back. Michael Mayer's Funny Girl just began its pre-West End run at Menier Chocolate Factory and star Sheridan Smith already has her sights on the show's life beyond London. When asked if she's like to bring the show to Broadway, she told the BBC: 'I'd be daft if I said no. I would love to, that's my dream. But would they take a Lincolnshire girl to do a New York-Brooklyn girl?