Menier Chocolate Factory News

African-American director David Norwood will premiere a uniquely re-envisioned American version of TENDER NAPALM by renowned British playwright Philip Ridley (The Pitchfork Disney, Mercury Fur, The Fastest Clock in the Universe). This poetic two-hander originally premiered in London in 2011, before making a limited engagement Off-Broadway debut in 2012 to critical acclaim. Previews begin July 18 at HERE with opening set for July 24.

The Road Theatre Company announces that the fourth and final show of its 2018-2019 season, the Los Angeles premiere of AT THE TABLE, written by Michael Perlman and directed by Judith Moreland is EXTENDING through SATURDAY, JULY 20 at the Road Theatre on Lankershim, 5108 Lankershim Blvd.

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces the full company for the UK premiere of the musical of Robert James Waller's bestselling novel The Bridges of Madison County in a new staging by Trevor Nunn.

Broadway's David Burnham, YouTube musical theatre sensation Christina Bianco and Musical Director of the Year Todd Schroeder will appear on On the Rocks Radio Show Tuesday, June 11th at 7pmPST/10pmEST with host TV/radio personality Alexander Rodriguez for an in depth chat about life in the theatre, on the road and upcoming projects.

Get a peek inside rehearsal for the West End transfer of THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13¾ - THE MUSICAL, which opens at The Ambassadors Theatre on 15 June running until 12 October.

Two aftershow discussions are announced for the acclaimed West End transfer of Philip Ridley's Vincent River at Trafalgar Studios.

New York company Fiasco Theater has announced plans to expand its training programs beginning this fall. 

Take Note Theatre today, on Arthur Conan Doyle's birthday, announces the brand-new production of Sherlock Holmes and The Invisible Thing, to be staged at Rudolf Steiner Theatre - a stone's throw from Holmes' 221B Baker Street. Written by Greg Freeman and directed by David Phipps-Davis, the production opens on 25 July, with previews from 17 July, and runs until 18 August.

Of Mice and Men is the compelling story of two outsiders striving to find their place in an unforgiving world. Drifters in search of work, George and his simple-minded friend Lennie, have nothing in the world except each other and a dream, a dream that one day they will have some land of their own. Their hopes are doomed, as Lennie struggling against extreme cruelty and feelings of jealousy becomes a victim of his own strength.

Producers announced today the 2019-2020 North American tour of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE.  The tour will visit more than 30 cities, including New Orleans at the Mahalia Jackson Theater from Oct. 25-27, 2019.

The entirety of cult sitcom Friends - all 10 seasons and 236 episodes - in just one hour! The Edinburgh Fringe will host the world premiere of this new solo show from acclaimed comic actor Brendan Murphy, reimagining the TV classic through the eyes of barista Gunther, who will welcome audiences to a specially created coffee shop venue at Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Theatre Royal Bath Productions today announces a new production of Daphne du Maurier's psychological thriller My Cousin Rachel, starring Helen George (BBC One's Call The Midwife) in the titular role. Adapted by Joseph O'Connor and directed by Anthony Banks, the production will run in Theatre Royal Bath's Main House from 13 to 23 November with opening night for press on 20 November.

Theatr Clwyd's latest co-production with the Menier Chocolate Factory takes on Tennessee Williams' Orpheus Descending. Last seen in London at the Donmar Warehouse in 2000 starring Helen Mirren and directed by Nicholas Hytner, it's now presented by Tamara Harvey in slightly bizarre form.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), will host a conversation entitled 'Producing Theatre for an Ageless Audience', moderated by Linda Hartzell, SDC Foundation Trustee and Artistic Director Emerita of Seattle Children's Theatre, with luminary directors Mark Brokaw and Marcia Milgrom Dodge and playwright Timothy Allen McDonald on Monday May, 20, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 PM at SDC, 321 W. 44th St., Suite 804.

Producers announced today the 2019-2020 North American tour of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE. The tour will visit more than 30 cities, including New Orleans at the Mahalia Jackson Theater from Oct. 25-27, 2019.

The Green Room 42 presents the debut performance of New York City based band Stereo Dawn on Sunday, May 19th at 9:30pm. Standout performer on and off Broadway, Chris Dwan (Finding Neverland, Enter Laughing) and multi-talented music director/orchestrator, Will Van Dyke (Pretty Woman, Kinky Boots, RENT) make their Green Room 42 concert debut. Inspired by singer-songwriters of the 90s, boy bands of the 2000s and contemporary music of today, this duo will be joined by some of New York's best musicians to perform a set of all new, original tunes. After years of experience bringing new musicals to life on Broadway, regionally and across the world, there's new music on the horizon.

Christina Bianco, the 'girl of a thousand voices,' will make her Las Vegas debut with her hit show, Me, Myself And Everyone Else on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 at 8pm at The Space LV, 3460 Cavaretta Court, Las Vegas, NV.

With Orpheus Descending opening at the theatre, and Fiddler on the Roof playing at the Playhouse Theatre, the Menier Chocolate Factory today announces that Jenna Russell will lead the company for the UK premiere of the musical of Robert James Waller's bestselling novel The Bridges of Madison County in a new staging by Trevor Nunn. The production opens on 23 July, with previews from 13 July, and runs until 14 September. Public booking is now open.

Rehearsals begin today for Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾ - The Musical, which will open at the Ambassadors Theatre for a limited season from 15 June until 12 October 2019, with a Gala Night on Tuesday 2 July. The musical has book and lyrics by Jake Brunger, music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary and direction by Luke Sheppard.

The Donmar Warehouse today announces full casting for Artistic Director Michael Longhurst's inaugural Donmar production Europe by David Greig. Joining previously announced cast members Billy Howle (Berlin), Kevork Malikyan (Sava), Faye Marsay (Adele), Stephen Wight (Billy) and Shane Zaza (Morocco) will be Theo Barklem-Biggs as Horse, Ron Cook as Fret and Natalia Tena as Katia.