Sam Mendes News

SHREK THE MUSICAL, which plays the Orpheum Theatre December 1, 2010 through January 2, 2011, kicks off the 2010-2011 Best of Broadway series under the direction of Carole Shorenstein Hays. Tickets go on sale Sunday, October 3.

New York University's Program in Vocal Performance will produce THE FIX Sept. 30 through Oct. 4, 2010 at the Frederick Loewe Theatre at 35 West 4th Street. The show features book and lyrics by John Dempsey, music by Dana P. Rowe (writers of ZOMBIE PROM, THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK), and was originally produced by Cameron Mackintosh. John Simpkins directs. This production will feature a great many recent changes made to the script and score; the writers will be collaborating with Simpkins and the cast throughout the entire process.

Following sell out seasons at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival and the Summer Play Festival in New York, Dougal Irvine's hit musical comedy Departure Lounge comes to London for the first time, opening at London's newest off-West end venue; Waterloo East Theatre. Opening on 30 September 2010, with previews from 28 September, the show is set to be the standout new British musical of the year.

Following sell out seasons at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival and the Summer Play Festival in New York, Dougal Irvine's hit musical comedy Departure Lounge opens at London's Waterloo East Theatre on 30 September 2010, with previews from 28 September.

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! will welcome new principals Lisa Brescia, Liana Hunt, Corey Greenan and Clarke Thorell to the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway) on Friday, October 22, 2010.

Following sell out seasons at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival and the Summer Play Festival in New York, Dougal Irvine's hit musical comedy Departure Lounge comes to London for the first time, opening at London's newest off-West end venue; Waterloo East Theatre. Opening on 30 September 2010, with previews from 28 September, the show is set to be the standout new British musical of the year.

Composer Dana P. Rowe, Director John Simpkins, and Actor Stephen Bienskie (recipient of a Helen Hayes Award for his performance in the 1998 production) will be participating in a pre-show discussion prior to the 10/4 performance of The Fix. The event will take place at New York University's Frederick Loewe Theatre on Monday, October 4 at 6:30 pm and will be held in conjunction with that evening's 8 pm performance. The pre-show discussion has no additional admission price, but a ticket for the 8pm performance is required. That evening is also 'Industry Night' at NYU's production. The general public is welcome - but anyone attending that presents a theatrical union card will be admitted free for any or all of the evening.

Lead producers Margo Lion and Hal Luftig announced today that the new musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will open on Broadway Sunday, April 10, 2011 at a Nederlander theatre to be announced. This new musical, created by a team of Tony winners, features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, choreography by Jerry Mitchell and is directed by Jack O'Brien. Previews begin March 7, 2011. Casting and additional design team will be announced shortly.

Joining Gemma Arterton as Hilde Wangel and Stephen Dillane as Harvard Solness in the Almeida Theatre production of The Master Builder are Patrisk Godfrey as Knut Brovik, Emma Hamilton as Kaja Fosli, Anastasia Hille as Aline Solness, John Light as Ragnar Brovik and Jack Shepherd as Doctor Herdal.

Carmen Pavlovic, C.E.O. of Global Creatures, the company behind the phenomenal world-wide success, Walking with Dinosaurs - the Arena Spectacular, has announced that a creative team has been assembled and work has begun on KING KONG - Live on Stage, an entirely new production conceived for the Broadway stage. KING KONG - Live on Stage is authorized by the estate of Merian C. Cooper (Creator of KING KONG and director of the 1933 film).

Joining Gemma Arterton as Hilde Wangel and Stephen Dillane as Halvard Solness in the Almeida Theatre production of The Master Builder are Patrick Godfrey as Knut Brovik, Emma Hamilton as Kaja Fosli, Anastasia Hille as Aline Solness, John Light as Ragnar Brovik and Jack Shepherd as Doctor Herdal.

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are pleased to announce that David F. M. Vaughn has recently joined the National Tour of SHREK THE MUSICAL in the role of the vertically challenged villain Lord Farquaad. He is joined by Justin W. Shuffler, who will play the Big Bad Wolf.

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are pleased to announce that David F. M. Vaughn has recently joined the National Tour of SHREK THE MUSICAL in the role of the vertically challenged villain Lord Farquaad. He is joined by Justin W. Shuffler, who will play the Big Bad Wolf.

The U.K.'s Donmar Warehouse has announced that Spelling Bee, Harold Pinter's Moonlight, and Luise Miller have been added to the 2011 programming line-up.

According to a report by Mail Online, in addtion to Nigel Lindsay, who will be playing the title character, Nigel Harmen, Richard Blackwood, and Amanda Holden will be joining the upcoming London production of Shrek as Lord Farquaad, Donkey and Princess Fiona respectively.

Robert Foxworth plays King Lear and Bruce Turk the Fool in Shakespeare's tragedy, directed by Festival Artistic Director Adrian Noble. The crowns are swapped in Alan Bennett's The Madness of George III, also helmed by Noble, where Miles Anderson will play King George III and Foxworth will play Dr. Willis. The Festival also includes Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew directed by Ron Daniels with Jonno Roberts and Emily Swallow as the two sparring lovers.

Tony Award winner Kevin Spacey (A Moon for the Misbegotten, The Iceman Cometh), celebrated actor and Artistic Director of The Old Vic, will star in the title role of Richard III for the final season of The Bridge Project. Following two critically acclaimed years, The Bridge Project will again be directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes with whom Spacey worked on the film American Beauty, for which they both won BAFTA and Academy Awards. The Bridge Project is a unique three-year series of co-productions by BAM, The Old Vic, and Neal Street, devoted to producing large-scale, classical theater for international audiences.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast for its upcoming production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, playing in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre July 20 - August 22, 2010 (press opening: July 27 at 7:00 pm).

Following sell out seasons at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival and the Summer Play Festival in New York, Dougal Irvine's hit musical comedy Departure Lounge opens at London's Waterloo East Theatre on 30 September 2010, with previews from 28 September.

The Landor Theatre's acclaimed production of ‘Smokey Joe's Cafe' is to extend its record-breaking run by three weeks. The first major production of the musical since its West?End run at the?Prince of Wales Theatre in 1996, will now play until Sunday September 12. It had been booking to August 12.