Menier Chocolate Factory News

Today's top stories: My Name is Lucy Barton officially opens tonight, and more!

Amazon Studios today announced the first group of series regulars set to star in the new Amazon Original series based on stories from the iconic 'The Lord of the Rings' novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. Newly revealed cast members including Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, and Daniel Weyman. Production will begin in February.

THE BOY FRIEND by Sandy Wilson will come direct to Toronto from an acclaimed, sell-out season at the prolific Menier Chocolate Factory in London and prior to a West End transfer, will have a new star. Stage and screen actor Kelsey Grammer will make his Canadian stage debut in this new production. THE BOY FRIEND will be performed March 29 to May 3, 2020 at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre. Mr. Grammer will star as Lord Brockhurst.

Crying in the Wilderness Productions (CITWP) today announce Conundrum, their debut production as Associate Company at the Young Vic, written and directed by CITWP Artistic Director Paul Anthony Morris.

This morning, Cynthia Erivo received to Oscar nominations for her starring role in Harriet. Erivo was nominated in the Best Actress category and in the Best Original Song category with Joshuah Brian Campbell for the song 'Stand Up' from the film.

Classic Stage Company (CSC; Artistic Director, John Doyle) has announced that Ethan Slater will join their John Doyle-directed upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's Assassins, as Lee Harvey Oswald/The Balladeer.

Cynthia Erivo opened up to Extra about why she declined an invitation to perform at the 2020 BAFTA Awards, after it was revealed that no actors of color were nominated in the major categories.

TROIKA Entertainment announced the 2019-20 North American tour of the Tony Award®-winning Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE. The tour will visit more than 30 cities, including Akron, at E.J. Thomas Hall February 11 & 12 as part of the 19-20 Broadway in Akron Series. To purchase tickets, visit broadwayinakron.com, call 330-253-2488 or visit the E.J. Thomas Hall Ticket Office. Group orders may be placed by calling 800-888-9941.

Imelda Staunton is set to take on the iconic role of Dolly Gallagher Levi in a new West End production of Jerry Herman's Hello, Dolly!

REPETITION by Doug Devita; directed by William Spinnato featuring Christopher DeSantis, Alex O'Shea, and Ellyn Stein; performing at Secret Theatre, 4402 23rd Street, Long Island City, NY on Saturday, February 1 at 3:00pm; Sunday, February 9 at 3:00pm; Sunday, February 16 at 7:00pm; Thursday, February 27 at 7:00pm. Tickets: $20 ($22 at the door) https://secrettheatre.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=75

Cynthia Erivo has taken home the Society of Composers and Lyricists Award for Outstanding Original Song for Visual Media for a?oeStand Upa?? from Harriet, according to Variety.

She's beautiful, and she's here! Today, January 8th, marks the birthday of Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo! To celebrate the powerhouse performer's special day, we're looking back at the opening night of her Broadway debut in The Color Purple! Check out the video to see Cynthia alongside Jennifer Hudson, Danielle Brooks, and more bringing the beloved show back to the Great White Way!

State Theatre New Jersey presents the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival The Color Purple for four performances from January 30 to February 1, 2020. Tickets range from $40-$98.

The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2020 season, which opens June 15 with Kander and Ebb's internationally-acclaimed Chicago. Among the talented list are a mix of Muny favorites and newcomers. In addition to casting, a comprehensive list of design teams for each production will be released later this spring. Telsey + Company is the official casting partner for Muny.

According to Variety, Tony winner Cynthia Erivo was asked to sing at the BAFTAs - despite the fact that the British awards show only nominated white actors in best leading and supporting actor categories.

My name is Lucy Barton is officially in previews on Broadway! Four-time Emmy winner, two-time Golden Globe winner, three-time Academy Award and four-time Tony nominee Laura Linney returns to Broadway in a haunting new solo play adapted by Rona Munro from the bestselling novel by Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout.

Casting has been announced for Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman's supernatural spectacular, Ghost Stories, which begins it's first ever UK tour at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham on 8th January 2020. After exhilarating audiences across the globe with record breaking, sell out productions and a smash hit film, the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre's production of Ghost Stories has this year played yet another successful run at it's original Hammersmith home and at is currently playing at the Ambassadors Theatre in London's West End, until Saturday 4th January. The show heads to Theatre Royal Brighton from Tuesday 11 - Saturday 15 February.

The Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE will be coming to the Washington Pavilion from January 14-16, 2020 for three performances.

Cynthia Erivo stopped by TODAY to discuss what it was like to play activist Harriet Tubman in the new film Harriet.

In 2019, I reviewed 30 shows for BroadwayWorld, but I actually wrote more interviews - around 50 articles on my count. Here's my attempt to pick out some highlights alongside the other pieces of theatre I saw this year.