Michael Ball News

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, November 20, 2011 - Sunday, November 20, 2011.

Today, BroadwayWorld is extremely proud to present an extensive conversation with the modern master of the musical theatre himself, Stephen Sondheim, all about the incredibly revealing and thoroughly riveting second volume of his complete collected (and annotated) lyrics (covering 1981-2011) - following last year's superlative FINISHING THE HAT - titled LOOK, I MADE A HAT. With ample insights pertaining to the Pulitzer Prize-winning SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, INTO THE WOODS, ROAD SHOW, THE FROGS and many more, Sondheim and I also discuss some of his Hollywood endeavors - the proposed film adaptation of INTO THE WOODS, as well as the never-produced SINGING OUT LOUD and his Oscar-winning work for Warren Beatty's DICK TRACY - and his affection for - and process of adapting (in the case of WEST SIDE STORY, the CYMBELINE setting in THE FROGS and his recent scoring of the Public Theatre's production of KING LEAR starring Kevin Kline) - the works of William Shakespeare. Additionally, we discuss the upcoming Encores! revival of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, the currently-running revival of FOLLIES starring Bernadette Peters (as well as its brand new cast album), the West End transfer of the Michael Ball/Imelda Staunton-led SWEENEY TODD in the UK and much, much more!

MICHAEL BALL's recent UK concert tour has been captured on film by Universal and will be released on dvd on November 14th.

Following sell-out success at Chichester Festival Theatre, Jonathan Kent's acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd transfers to London's West End for a limited season from 10 March 2012. Widely acknowledged as Stephen Sondheim's musical masterpiece, Sweeney Todd stars distinguished musical performer Michael Ball as the eponymous demon barber of Fleet Street and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton as the devoted Mrs Lovett.

Michael Ball's recent UK concert tour has been captured on film by Universal and will be released on dvd on November 14th. The 28-track ‘HEROES LIVE' proves once again that Michael Ball, dynamic performer, platinum-selling recording artist and No. 1 Olivier Award-winning UK musical theatre star, is at the top of his game. ‘HEROES LIVE' was recorded at Birmingham Symphony Hall on June 11th when Michael performed his outstanding new show, Heroes, named after his Top 10 album in which he paid tribute to some of his favourite singers such as Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Scott Walker, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more. ‘HEROES LIVE' is a must-have for the loyal legions of Ball fans up and down the country who love to watch their hero in action and for the growing thousands of fans who tune in to ‘Michael Ball's Sunday Brunch' on BBC Radio 2. Check out a sneak peek of the DVD below!

Baz Bamigboye reports in today's UK Daily Mail that the hit production of the Chichester Festival Theatre's SWEENEY TODD, starring Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton will indeed, as rumored, transfer to the West End's Adelphi Theatre, beginning on March 10, 1012. The transfer is said to have been approved by Stephen Sondheim who saw the show last week, and delayed a return trip home to see the production a second time. The paper notes that 'he considers the Chichester Sweeney to be a landmark production and would like it, and its two stars, to go to New York.'

On Twitter Watch, Michael Ball wrote 'Mr. Sondheim, Sir Cameron and Richard and Judy in tonight!! Chichester is show biz central tonight. Where's Biggins? Chichester's Festival 2011 closes with Sweeney Todd, the musical commonly acknowledged to be Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, in a cast led by distinguished musical performer Michael Ball and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton. As previously reported, there has been lots of talk about if and when the show ill transfer to the West End, and according to Whatsonstage, it could happen soon. The show will likely open in February or March of 2012 at the Adelphi Theatre- the current home of One Man, Two Guvnors. Sweeney Todd is at Chichester Festival Theatre through 5 November, 7.30pm (except Press Night Thursday 6 October, 7.00pm), matinees 2.15pm. Tickets £10 - £28 (University of Chichester Previews), £13 - £33 (Previews/Press Night) and £14 - £38 (Evenings/Matinees) are available online at www.cft.org.uk or from the Box Office on 01243 781312 . '

Chichester's Festival 2011 closes with Sweeney Todd, the musical commonly acknowledged to be Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, in a cast led by distinguished musical performer Michael Ball and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton.

MICHAEL BALL's recent UK concert tour has been captured on film by Universal and will be released on dvd on November 14th. The 28-track ‘HEROES LIVE' proves once again that Michael Ball, dynamic performer, platinum-selling recording artist and No. 1 Olivier Award-winning UK musical theatre star, is at the top of his game.

West End theatres are likely to be at a premium next year, with the possibility of THE BOOK OF MORMON, SWEENEY TODD, VIVA FOREVER, THE BODYGUARD and more taking a bow.

These days, in the new age of social media revolution, the best source of information is YOU. Each day, fans of BroadwayWorld post tens of thousands of comments on our multiple message boards (main and local), weighing in on the latest news, rumors, reviews, stars and more. Each week, we find a few stand-out threads - those that have sparked particularly interesting discussion that we've decided to shine a light on each week in our newest feature: DID YOU KNOW...The 10 Most Interesting Message Board Topics of the Week, brought to you by YOU!

Chichester's Festival 2011 closes with Sweeney Todd, the musical commonly acknowledged to beStephen Sondheim's masterpiece, in a cast led by distinguished musical performer Michael Ball and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton.

The first London production for 90 years of St John Ervine's searing Belfast tragedy Mixed Marriage, first seen at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, plays for a four-week season beginning tonight (Press Night: Thursday, 6 October 2011 at 7.30pm) at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre.

Chichester's Festival 2011 closes with Sweeney Todd, the musical commonly acknowledged to be Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, in a cast led by distinguished musical performer Michael Ball and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton.

In honor of this Sunday's once-in-a-lifetime worldwide live movie theater showing of the 25th anniversary celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA by Fathom - the same company who recently brought us LES MISERABLES, Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY, and Shakespeare's Globe Series, among others - today we are going to take a look at many of the various aspects of the world's most successful entertainment as it swings like a wonton chandelier into cinemas worldwide direct from the Royal Albert Hall for the next two weeks. By going back and revisiting the hallowed origins of the haunting operatic musical - Hal Prince, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman included - as well as a look at the various iterations of the show since its inception - such as the 2004 film version, PHANTOM VEGAS and the musical sequel, LOVE NEVER DIES - perhaps we, too, can bring back the music and memories and magical moments of so many years ago - 25 to be exact - with this special spotlight of illumination on all aspects of what makes PHANTOM a sensation, now and forever.

Chichester's Festival 2011 closes with Sweeney Todd, the musical commonly acknowledged to be Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, in a cast led by distinguished musical performer Michael Ball and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: September 10-16!

Chichester's Festival 2011 closes with Sweeney Todd, the musical commonly acknowledged to be Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, in a cast led by distinguished musical performer Michael Ball and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton.

The first London production for 90 years of St John Ervine's searing Belfast tragedy Mixed Marriage, first seen at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, plays for a four-week season from Tuesday, 4 October 2011 at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre, with an outstanding cast including Daragh O'Malley (Sergeant Harper in ITV's Sharpe) and Nora-Jane Noone, the award-winning star of The Magdalene Sisters in her professional stage debut.

25 years after Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman opened the show in London, a box set celebrating the show's anniversary is being prepped for release.