Andrew Lloyd Webber's new The Wizard of Oz promises to be the biggest theatre event of the year, combining all the much-loved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score with new songs. Now, the full cast for the much anticipated show has been revealed. Joining the previously announced MICHAEL CRAWFORD (Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz), DANIELLE HOPE (Dorothy), EDWARD BAKER-DULY (Hickory/Tin Man), DAVID GANLY (Zeke/Cowardly Lion), PAUL KEATING (Hunk/Scarecrow), EMILY TIERNEY (Glinda), and HANNAH WADDINGHAM (Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West) are: SOPHIE EVANS (Alternate Dorothy), STEPHEN SCOTT (Uncle Henry/Ensemble, first cover Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz), and HELEN WALSH (Aunt Em/Munchkin Barrister/Ensemble).
Talking to the UK Telegraph, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber tells the paper that The Wizard of Oz, which opens in February 2011 in London (and already has a $13+ million dollar advance) will play America next, with talks underway to do a television casting show for Dorothy as he's done in the UK. Britain's loss could be America's gain, however. 'A couple of the networks in the US have wanted to build something around what I do on TV, and I think with Oz something is definitely going to happen there. The X Factor juggernaut is going to be huge there next year but other networks are looking for something to go against it. Once we've found a Dorothy in the US, my instinct is to open the show in Kansas [Dorothy's home].'
EDWARD BAKER-DULY (Tin Man), DAVID GANLY (Lion), PAUL KEATING (Scarecrow), EMILY TIERNEY (Glinda) and HANNAH WADDINGHAM (Wicked Witch of the West) are to join Michael Crawford and Danielle Hope in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, opening at The London Palladium in February 2011.
Mike McLeish in 'The World is Winning', Wed 1 to Sun 5 December, shows at 9pm (8pm Sun)
Best known to Australian audiences for his portrayal of Paul Keating in the hugely successful Keating! The Musical, scaled the heights of Australian musical theatre on the back of this brilliant and joyous production. Two years after the final curtain fell on Keating!, Mike is now spending his nights donning silver, spandex pants and wearing lots of eye makeup. Mike is working at a theatre restaurant. And he is not happy.
Menier Chocolate Factory's hit revival of Little Shop of Horrors, which is playing an extended West End run at the Ambassadors Theatre after a stint at the Duke of York's, will close on September 8th
The Menier Chocolate Factory's hit revival of Little Shop of Horrors, which moved to the West End earlier this year, will switch from the Duke of York's to the Ambassadors Theatre (formerly the New Ambassadors).
The West End transfer of the Menier Chocolate Factory revival of Little Shop of Horrors begins previews March 6, and will officially open at London's Duke of York's Theatre March 12.
The Menier's revival offers a refreshing break from the barrage of blockbuster musicals currently playing in the West End, and even manages to surpass them for entertainment value.
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