Menier Chocolate Factory News

Menier Chocolate Factory's summer show WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? BACHARACH REIMAGINED has been refashioned into CLOSE TO YOU: BACHARACH REIMAGINED, set to run at the Criterion Theatre beginning October 3, 2015. The Daily Mail writes that the show, directed by Oliver Award-winner Steven Hoggett, will once again star Kyle Riabko.

Cassidy Janson, of London's WICKED, will take over the title role in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL from Katie Brayben, starting November 30, 2015 at the Aldwych Theatre. 

Check out these great shots from Liza Dawson of the new musical SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE in rehearsal!

Today Keen Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein announced the cast for the upcoming production of Graham Greene's Travels With My Aunt.

Curve today announces the full cast for Tennessee Williams' seminal work A Streetcar Named Desire which opens Nikolai Foster's inaugural season as Artistic Director.

McQUEEN, which received its world premiere in May at St. James Theatre, where it broke box office records, opens tonight, Thursday 27 August, in London's West End, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, for a strictly limited season until 7 November.

McQUEEN, which received its world premiere in May at St. James Theatre, where it broke box office records, opens tonight, Thursday 27 August, in London's West End, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, for a strictly limited season until 7 November.

InViolet Theater Company, under the direction of Founding Co-Artistic Directors Michael Henry Harris and Angela Razzano, In association with Melanie Maras, Bryan Tallevi and Andrea Kiefer have announced the off-off Broadway run of SOMMERFUGL, a new play written by Bixby Elliot inspired by the true story of Lili Elbe, the first person to have gender reassignment surgery in 1930. The production begins previews September 19 at the 4th Street Theater (83 East 4th Street) and will have its official opening on September 24. Stephen Brackett directs.  www.InViolettheater.com

Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo perform the title song from the upcoming Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE.

McQUEEN, which received its world premiere in May at St. James Theatre, where it broke box office records, will transfer to London's West End, opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Thursday 27 August, following previews from tonight 22 August, for a strictly limited season until 7 November.

The New Group presents the Off-Broadway premiere of Philip Ridley's Mercury Fur, which launched the company's 2015-16 season last night, August 19, 2015 (previews began August 5). MERCURY FUR by Philip Ridley is directed by Scott Elliott and runs at The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre (480 West 42nd Street).

As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, beginning Tuesday, September 15, West End alumna Rachel Tucker will join the Broadway company of WICKED in the role of Elphaba, alongside Jonah Platt, who will be making his Broadway debut in the role of Fiyero. In honor of the pair joining the New York company, BWW brings you a look back some of their past performances below!

Final casting is today announced for the World Premiere of Pure Imagination, which celebrates the songs of Leslie Bricusse, one of the most prolific and well loved film and musical theatre songwriters of our time.

Director Luke Sheppard today announces the full company for Harvey Fierstein's Casa Valentina. Sheppard directs Tamsin Carroll (Rita), Ben Deery (Miranda), Charlie Hayes (Eleanor), Bruce Montague (Terry), Robert Morgan (Amy), Matt Rixon (Bessie), Ashley Robinson (Gloria), Gareth Snook (Charlotte) and Edward Wolstenholme (Valentina). The production opens on 16 September, with previews from 10 September, and runs until 10 October.

The New Group presents the Off-Broadway premiere of Philip Ridley's Mercury Fur. The production launches the company's 2015-16 season, opening tonight, August 19, 2015 (previews began August 5).

BroadwayWorld has just learned that beginning Tuesday, September 15, West End alumna RACHEL TUCKER will join the Broadway company of WICKED in the role of Elphaba. After nearly three years and over 1,000 performances, Rachel holds the record for most consecutive performances as Elphaba in London's West End production. She made her Broadway debut last season as Meg Dawson in Sting's The Last Ship.

McQUEEN, which received its world premiere in May at St. James Theatre, where it broke box office records, will transfer to London's West End, opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Thursday 27 August, following previews from 22 August, for a strictly limited season until 7 November.

FUNNY GIRL returns to the London stage for the first time since its 1966 premiere November 20 - March 5. Led by Sheridan Smith, it is now completely sold out, with the possibility of a West End transfer.

Casting is announced today for Michael John LaChiusa's Off-Broadway hit See What I Wanna See, which will receive its London Premiere in a limited 4-week run at Jermyn Street Theatre from Tuesday 8 September to Saturday 3 October, with a press night on Friday 11 September, 7.30pm.

MACK & MABEL, currently playing Chichester Festival Theatre before heading out on a UK & Ireland Tour this autumn, is transferring to the West End later this year. And, according to the New York Post, if the musical -- starring Michael Ball and Rebecca LaChance -- does well in London, it could be moving to Broadway next season.