Ruth Jones News

The first image of the the Musical family has today been released, as full casting for Kay Mellor's new musical is unveiled. 

Emmerdale and The Royal star Natalie Anderson will join the cast of Fat Friends - The Musical. Natalie has appeared in numerous other television programmes including Wire in the Blood and The Biz.

Sam Bailey (X Factor, Chicago) and Jodie Prenger (I'd Do Anything, Shirley Valentine) star alongside Former England cricket captain, and star of Sky's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff in Fat Friends - The Musical at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield from Mon 12 - Sat 17 February. Tickets go on sale to members on Sat 8 July and on general sale on Sat 15 July.

Former England cricket captain, and star of SKY's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff will swap the cricket pitch to tread the boards as he joins an all star cast for the world premiere of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends - the Musical.

(mostly)musicals returned to the E Spot Lounge on Monday, May 22nd, for its 23rd edition, titled '*in dreams*.' BroadwayWorld has photos from the dreamy night below!

Number one recording artist Sam Bailey, who rose to fame winning the tenth series of The X Factor, will join the previously announced Jodie Prenger in the original British musical Fat Friends - The Musical. Sam will share the much loved role of Betty, originated on screen by Alison Steadman, with award-winning comedian and actress Elaine C Smith (Two Doors Down, Rab C Nesbitt). Elaine will step into the role during three Scottish dates in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. 

(mostly)musicals returned to the E Spot Lounge last night at for its 23nd edition, *in dreams*!

(mostly)musicals returns to the E Spot Lounge on Monday, May 22nd at 7:30pm for its 23rd edition, *in dreams*.

Theater for the New City Executive Director Crystal Field is presenting 'Josh: The Black Babe Ruth,' a critically acclaimed play by Michael A. Jones about one of the greatest players in the Negro Leagues.

Announcing the 12th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival, a Spring SoCal Tradition, Keeping the Blues Alive for a dozen consecutive years, taking place Saturday, April 29, 2017, at Studio Channel Islands, 2222 E. Ventura Blvd., in Camarillo. Gates open 10:00 am, music begins at 11:00 am. Tickets $30. (Pre-Sale), $40. (Day of Show). Kids 12 and under, free with paid Adult General Admission. V.I.P. Tickets $125. (online only). Festival proceeds benefits Food Share and other Ventura County area charities (please bring a food item to donate). Info: (805) 501-7122 or visit venturacountyblues.com/.

Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel are delighted to announce the premiere of an original British musical Fat Friends. The much loved TV drama has been adapted for the stage by prolific writer Kay Mellor and with original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, Fat Friends will open at Leeds Grand Theatre on 7 November 2017. 

Paines Plough, the UK's leading new writing company, is delighted to announce full cast and creative team for its Roundabout 2016 productions. Accomplished stage and screen actors Remy Beasley, Richard Corgan and Andy Rush will form an ensemble to perform the company's three new plays which will premiere from 5 to 28 August at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before touring the UK.  The productions will be directed by Paines Plough's Joint Artistic Director, George Perrin with Sound Designer Dom Kennedyand Lighting Designer Prema Mehta completing the creative team.

San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) continues their 2016 season with the musical comedy classic 42ND STREET today, May 27. This Tony Award-winning musical features music and lyrics by Harry Warren and Al Dubin, book by Michael Stewart (Hello Dolly, Bye Bye Birdie) and Mark Bramble (Barnum), directed by James Vasquez. Performances run through June 12, 2016 at the historic Spreckels Theatre. Press opening is Saturday, May 28th at 8:00PM.

San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) continues their 2016 season with the musical comedy classic 42ND STREET.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, April 24, 2016 - Sunday, April 24, 2016.

MATILDA's Tim Minchin stopped by Ruth Jones' Easter Treat, her seasonal chat show. Minchin was asked to perform a song, but because most of his songs are 5 minutes long and BBC prefers 3 minute songs, he came up with a little something new. Check out the video below!

Though that comedy device of rewritten song lyrics is (unfortunately) not utilized for the film's musical stage adaptation, still, much of the spirit and basic plot architecture of the original movie remains in SISTER ACT - THE MUSICAL, which features all-original songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater, as well as a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (with additional material contributed later by playwright Douglas Carter Beane). Currently, Musical Theatre West's admirable regional production of this Tony-nominated Broadway musical comedy is finishing out its final weekend of performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through April 24. Goofy and full of cutesy charm MTW's regional production definitely brings in the (joyful) noise and the funk to Long Beach. So what makes the show enjoyable? Well... for lack of a better phrase... it's all about the nuns.

Sister Act the Musical started out in 2006 at the Pasadena Playhouse, premiered in London's West End in 2009 and then underwent serious revisions before coming to Broadway in 2011. I remember liking the first mounting in 2006 with many reservations. Since I loved the 1992 film so much, I didn't feel that the stage version was particularly faithful...no pun intended. Well, with all the 2011 changes, MTW's revival of the Broadway version is tops, a joyful, tuneful, splashy romp that never lets down, with a tremendous cast, stellar direction from Michael Matthews and soulful choreography from Daniel Smith. Douglas Carter Beane, who penned the screenplay To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and the Tony nominated play The Little Dog Laughed, added new book material for the national tour, included here, and this contributes substantially to molding a sleek and unforgettable show.

Musical Theatre West (MTW) presents Sister Act, Broadway's feel-good musical comedy at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center April 8-24.  Based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg hit film, written by Joseph Howard, the five-time Tony nominated Broadway sensation features an award winning creative team with original score and music by composer Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Newsies, Little Shop Of Horrors), lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Tangled), book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (Cheers), additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, The Little Dog Laughed ).  The reinvented musical adaptation is filled with heavenly music with a disco beat, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story that will have audiences dancing in the aisles!  Tickets are now on sale at www.musical.org or by calling (562) 856-1999, ext. 4.  Tickets start at $20.