Ruthie Henshall News

Full casting has been announced for Broadway to the Bay, an exclusive production showcasing the best in musical theatre to bring Wales Millennium Centre's tenth anniversary celebrations to a close.

Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY will soon be presented by Watch This at Fortyfivedownstairs. BWW had the opportunity to ask Director Kat Henry and cast Nick Simpson-Deeks (Robert) and Sally Bourne (Joanne) a few questions ahead of opening night.

Alexandra Silber talks to BWW:UK about her forthcoming solo shows at Crazy Coqs, plus the forthcoming FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - and why she wants to sing SHE LOVES ME at the Proms next year, please...

The replacement star. One of the trickiest and most problematic facets of any production facing an enterprising producer and director is casting a fitting replacement, particularly for a star role. Of course, John Kander and Fred Ebb's vaudeville-based performance opportunity extravaganza CHICAGO allows for a copious amount of star turns, so the likely candidates for filling the famous shoes of the roles of Roxie, Velma, Billy Flynn and Matron Mama Morton are nearly overwhelming to consider. Furthermore, August 8 marked the momentous day in Broadway history when legendary Broadway and Hollywood superstar Liza Minnelli famously stepped in for an ailing Gwen Verdon in the original Bob Fosse production of CHICAGO on Broadway. Now, with notable pop star Brandy Norwood as the current Roxie and reality competition show standout Rumer Willis poised to take over in early September giving a slew of fresh buzz to one of Broadway's longest-running musicals of all time, the 1996 revival of CHICAGO, now is an ideal time to consider some familiar faces who have excelled in the role in the past and could continue the tradition and keep the momentum going for a production that has now played nearly 8,000 performances on the Great White Way. Time may have marched on, but these ladies certainly still have the stuff!

Last week, I selected ten top picks for a major headliner to star as Norma Desmond in a potential future stage and/or screen version of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's Tony Award-winning Best Musical SUNSET BOULEVARD in honor of both the show's anniversary of its West End opening and recent news that Glenn Close is considering a return to her Tony-winning role in an upcoming revival. As a result of that column, BroadwayWorld readers took the title of this column to heart and sounded off on some of their ideal choices for a leading lady with major star quality to tackle the unforgettable role in a future production - and, what fabulous choices they are! Among the reader submissions, Ilene Argento posited, 'If not Patti Lupone, maybe Meryl Streep (with some more singing lessons!), but it should be Patti (although Patti plus ALW will probably never happen again).' while Brian Lipensky wrote, 'Glenn Close can still play her. That said, Meryl Streep can pull it off. We know she can sing and play characters with psychological problems. Susan Sarandon also. Maybe even Emma Thompson.' Furthermore, Jonathan Caplan offered, 'ANNIE LENNOX. Period. Well, if it can't be Elaine Paige, then absolutely, Annie Lennox. I said this before the musical ever opened, and I stand by it....ANNIE LENNOX!!!!!!' whereas David Macaluso relayed, 'Seriously. With a good director, in a film. LIZA! she could be AMAZING.' Other suggestions sure to inspire discussion included Cher, Lady Gaga, Ruthie Henshall, Donna Murphy and even Caitlyn Jenner. So, without further ado, here are ten more delectable choices for a new Norma Desmond for 2015.

Nat Sweeney, 12 years old from Birmingham, will make his West End stage debut this evening (3 July 2015) when he becomes the forty-first boy to play the title role in the iconic British musical Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Now in its eleventh year in the West End, the show recently extended booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre until 17 December 2016. In addition, the first UK and Ireland tour of Billy Elliot the Musical begins in February 2016 with tickets now on sale for performances at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

West End leading lady Imelda Staunton is among a list of stars lending support to a charity gala to honour Stephen Sondheim at London's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane this October. Staunton comments, This year, Stephen Sondheim turned 85, and some of his old friends here in London - and I'm sure a few young ones - feel that we'd like to do something to celebrate. But we need your help to make it happen.

Ruthie Henshall and Deka Walmsley today confirm they are to continue as Mrs Wilkinson and Dad respectively in the West End cast for Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre.  Also continuing in their role are Chris Grahamson as Tony, Gillian Elisa as Grandma, Howard Crossley as George and Claudia Bradley Dead Mum.   Phil Snowdon, in his new role, will play Mr Braithwaite and James Butcher joins the cast as Older Billy.  Ensemble members are Craig Armstrong, Richard Ashton, James Ballanger, David Bardsley, Paul Basleigh, Rachel Bingham, Lucinda Collins, Peter Cork, Scott Cripps, Robbie Durham, Ross Finnie, Lee Hoy, Ruri James, Ben Redfern, Charlotte Riby, Mike Scott, Sharon Sexton, Wendy Somerville, Spencer Stafford, David Stoller and Kerry Washington.

Tonight, 12 May 2015, the multi award-winning smash hit Billy Elliot the Musical celebrates ten years in the West End.  The musical received its world premiere at the Victoria Palace Theatre in March 2005 with the gala opening night taking place exactly 10 years ago today.   To coincide with the 10th birthday celebrations, Billy Elliot the Musical today announces an extension to the West End run, releasing over 600,000 tickets for sale, taking booking through to 17 December 2016.  In addition, the first UK and Ireland tour of Billy Elliot the Musical is also announced today, opening at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in February 2016.  Further tour dates and booking details will be announced shortly.

Catch up on the week's biggest stories from Broadway and beyond in BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures,' featuring coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights, and more. Highlights this week include coverage of the cast of FINDING NEVERLAND recording the original cast album, a first look at the Encores! production of ZORBA!, and Brandy Norwood joining the cast of CHICAGO, and more!

Check out Darren Bell's pictures of last week's gala concert of Follies! 

Enda Markey will present his acclaimed production of Willy Russell's Blood Brothers at Melbourne's brand new theatre complex - Alex Theatre St Kilda - for a strictly limited three-week season beginning 14 July, following an extended Sydney season early this year, which sold-out at every performance, with plaudits from critics and audiences making it the talk-of-the-town. Check out photos from the show below!

Get a backstage look at the new star-studded UK FOLLIES!

Betty Buckley, Lorna Luft, Charlotte Page, Peter Polycarpou, Amy Ellen Richardson and Jos Slovick complete the cast of Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, alongside ensemble members Sarah Bakker, CJ Field, Jennifer Davison, Emily Warner, Lucy James and Luke Fetherstone.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: The Tony noms are this morning, Brandy heads to CHICAGO, Porter returns to KINKY BOOTS, FOLLIES lights up Royal Albert Hall and more!

Get a backstage look at rehearsals for the new star-studded UK FOLLIES!

Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie, Legally Blonde, 2 Broke Girls), Alexander Hanson (Stephen Ward the Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Little Night Music) and Stefanie Powers (Hart to Hart, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E) with Alistair Brammer (Miss Saigon, War Horse, LES MISERABLES) and Laura Pitt-Pulford (The Sound Of Music, Marry Me A Little, The Light Princess) join Christine Baranski (Into The Woods, The Good Wife, Mamma Mia), Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Chicago) Anita Harris (Carry On Doctor & Follow That Camel, Cats), Ruthie Henshall (original Roxy in Chicago, Les Misérables), Roy Hudd (Fagan in Oliver!, Coronation Street, Good Old Days) and Russell Watson (the UK's best selling classical artist ever; winner of four Classical BRIT awards), in Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.