Michael Ball News

Does the biting wit and satire still have resonance?

As previously announced, the producers of 'HAIRSPRAY' are delighted to welcome Brian Conley to the role of larger-than-life ?Edna Turnblad' in the hit musical, currently playing at London's Shaftesbury Theatre. Brian is joined by Chloe Hart, taking over as big-haired big-hearted ?Tracy Turnblad' and Liam Tamne as heart-throb ?Link Larkin'.

Multi-talented, multi-award winning song and dance man Jon Peterson brings his extraordinary new show, Song Man, Dance Man: A one man show about the one man shows back to The Triad Cabaret Theater for four very special performances on Monday, May 4 at 7 pm, Tuesday, May 5 at 7 pm, Monday, May 18 at 9 pm and Wednesday, May 20 at 7 pm.

New casting finally confirmed for the Shaftesbury smash

WhatsOnStage.com reports that UK comedy star Brian Conley will make his return to the West End this summer when he takes over from Michael Ball as the 'Mama of all Mamas', Edna Turnblad in the multi award-winning Broadway import Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Nigel Planer and Verity Rushworth joined the cast of Hairspray the musical as Penny Pingleton and Wilbur Turnblad.

The producers of 'HAIRSPRAY' are delighted to announce that Nigel Planer and Verity Rushworth are to join the cast of the multi-award winning musical, beginning on Monday 2 February. Nigel takes over the role of 'Wilbur Turnblad', husband of larger than life 'Edna' played by Michael Ball.

Mumsnet.com, the UK's leading family website, is delighted to announce that, from Monday 5 January, kids will go free to the musical 'HAIRSPRAY' at the Shaftesbury Theatre. On Mondays, for every full paying adult buying a ticket, Mumsnet will give a child's ticket completely free. This offer is available at www.mumsnet.com/offer or by visiting www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk.

Baz Bamigboye in the UK Daily Mail spoke with the creative team of BILLY ELLIOT at the show's NY premiere and asked each about the prospect of the film-based stage show going BACK to the big screen.

The UK's Daily Mail Newspaper is reporting that Michael Ball is in very early talks to star in the upcoming West End Revival of Barnum. Rob Ashford is said to be directing and choreographing the show as well. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, the show is slated for 2010.

Multi-talented, multi-award winning song and dance man Jon Peterson brings his brand new show, Song Man, Dance Man to The Triad Theater for a one night only performance on Tuesday, November 25th at 9:00 pm. If theater is your thrill, then the rush that you get from that rare creature, the all-round entertainer, thrills you to bits! You are invited to join us for this very special one night only event that features one of today's most talented and dynamic forces -- Jon Peterson.

Happy Holidays Everyone! Well ... here it is ... our BIGGEST CD coverage EVER and just in time for some last minute 'stocking-stuffer' inspiration ... even though a few of these are better used as coal, if you know what I mean.

Mumsnet.com, the UK's leading family website, is delighted to announce that, from Monday 5 January, kids will go free to the musical 'HAIRSPRAY' at the Shaftesbury Theatre. On Mondays, for every full paying adult buying a ticket, Mumsnet will give a child's ticket completely free. This offer is available at www.mumsnet.com/offer or by visiting www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk.

Outrageous TV chat show king Graham Norton, comedienne Mel Giedroyc, 'Hairspray' leading man Michael Ball, opera diva Lesley Garrett and the stars of 'Jersey Boys' are to add glamour to the biggest and glitziest gathering of stars in the theatre year - the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards launch party.

Just announced! Multi-talented, multi-award winning song and dance man Jon Peterson brings his brand new show, Song Man, Dance Man to The Triad Theater for a one night only performance on Tuesday, November 25th at 9:00 pm. If theater is your thrill, then the rush that you get from that rare creature, the all-round entertainer, thrills you to bits! You are invited to join us for this very special one night only event that features one of today's most talented and dynamic forces -- Jon Peterson.

Harvey Fierstein returned to his Tony-winning role as the greatest Broadway mother of them all, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray on Tuesday, November 11th. BroadwayWorld was there to cheer our favorite 'Mama' on as he celebrated becoming a 'Hairhopper' again!

Harvey Fierstein will reprise his Tony-winning performance as Edna Turnblad beginning tonight!

Producers of HAIRSPRAY, the Tony winning Best Musical, have announced that the show will close on Jan. 4, 2009.

Polydor Records celebrates the 60th birthday of Andrew Lloyd Webber, indisputably the most successful composer of our time, with the release of '60'. This amazing 3 CD, 60 track set spans the whole of Andrew's illustrious career and includes hits from all of his most famous musicals - Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Starlight Express, Evita, Sunset Boulevard and of course The Phantom Of The Opera.

Michael Ball has extended his run playing the role of 'Edna Turnblad' in the smash hit award-winning musical 'HAIRSPRAY' by another six months. He will now be starring in the role until Saturday 25 April 2009, marking the longest continuing contract that Michael, one of the UK's leading stage stars, has ever performed.