Sonia Friedman News

The West End transfer of Jessica Swale's new play NELL GWYNN, directed by Christopher Luscombe, opens tonight 12 February 2016.

As BroadwayWorld reported just two days ago, GLEE and THE WIZ LIVE! star Amber Riley will take on the role of 'Effie' when DREAMGIRLS makes its UK debut at London's Savoy Theatre this winter. And Riley is no stranger to the musical's challenging anthems.

Big news in the DREAMGIRLS world tonight! The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye just revealed the news that GLEE and THE WIZ LIVE! star Amber Riley will play 'Effie' when the musical makes its UK debut at London's Savoy Theatre this winter.

The West End transfer of Jessica Swale's new play NELL GWYNN, directed by Christopher Luscombe, begins tonight 4 February 2016.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne will receive its world premiere in London's West End at the Palace Theatre in the summer of 2016.  Check out a behind the scenes video that was posted on their official Twitter account here.

Acclaimed West End and Broadway producer, Sonia Friedman, has been named Producer of the Year for the second year running at The Stage Awards 2016 held today (29 January) at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.

A West End and Broadway sensation, the Almeida Theatre production of the 2015 Olivier Award winner for Best Play, King Charles III by Mike Bartlett, is presented by Sydney Theatre Company at Roslyn Packer Theatre from 31 March to 30 April 2016 (Opening Night: Saturday 2 April at 7.30pm).

FARINELLI AND THE KING, which just finished a West End run this autumn after originating at Shakespeare's Globe, has set its sights on New York City.

Sacha Wares will be returning to Almeida Theatre to direct the world premiere of Leo Butler's new play Boy, after her directorial success with the critically acclaimed production, Game, by Mike Bartlett, in 2015.  Boy will run at the Almeida Theatre from 5 April until 28 May 2016, with press night on 12 April 2016. Director Sacha Wares is joined by a formidable creative team, including two powerhouse contemporary designers, Miriam Buether for set design (Wild Swans, Sucker Punch, My Child, Generations), who worked with Sacha on Game at the Almeida in 2015, and Ultz for costume (Jerusalem, Hobson's Choice, Fallout, Pied Pier), who will be collaborating with Miriam, on design, for the very first time. Further creative credits include movement by Leon Baugh, lighting by Jack Knowles and sound by Gareth Fry.

Bend It Like Beckham The Musical recently extended booking at the Phoenix Theatre to 5 March 2016 when the show will then play its final performance at the end of the cast's year-long contract.  Rehearsals began for the critically acclaimed production in March 2015 with a company led by Natalie Dew as Jess and Lauren Samuels as Jules.  The Producers are currently finalising both national and international touring offers including a tour of India visiting multiple stadia.

BroadwayWorld is excited to report complete casting for the West End transfer of Jessica Swale's new play NELL GWYNN, directed by Christopher Luscombe.

Ambassador Theatre Group's Sir Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire OBE have topped the The Stage 100 for a record-breaking seventh consecutive year following a landmark year of international acquisitions and production investment. The announcement makes Panter and Squire the most successful entrants ever on the exclusive list which is compiled annually by the UK industry's leading newspaper, which ranks the powerhouses of British theatre.

Now, according to The Wall Street Journal, ATG plans to open a 'British-style club above the Hudson Theatre after it relaunches the historic venue for Broadway use.'

According to Variety, Broadway will be getting another theatre in the near future. The UK's Ambassador Theatre Group, which owns the recently renovated Lyric Theatre, will renovate the Hudson Theatre next. The venue, currently a part of the Millennium Hotel, will be turned back into a Broadway house. Currently used for various corporate events, the theatre hasn't been home to a Broadway show since 1968.

Pear Theatre continues its 2015/2016 season with the two-person, Olivier Award-winning play from Katori Hall, THE MOUNTAINTOP. Deeply moving, THE MOUNTAINTOP creatively imagines the last night in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, set in Memphis in April, 1968. King meets the attractive, spunky motel maid Camae, who arrives to provide room service - but we soon discover she is no ordinary chambermaid. The production features Michael Wayne Rice as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nathalie Autumn Bennett as Camae. Preview night is January 14th; Press and Opening Night is January 15th, with a champagne gala following the show. The run continues through January 31. All performances are held at the Pear Theatre's new space at 1110 La Avenida St., Mountain View. For tickets ($10-$35) and information the public may visit www.thepear.org or call (650) 254-1148.

Today (14 December) Jamie Muscato joins the cast of Bend It Like Beckham The Musical to play coach Joe alongside Natalie Dew as football crazy Jess and Lauren Samuels as Jules, a player with the Harriers, a local women's football team. Sophie-Louise Dann plays the role of Paula with Jamal Andreas as Jess' good friend Tony. Preeya Kalidas plays Pinky, Jess' sister, with Tony Jayawardena and Natasha Jayetileke as her parents, Mr and Mrs Bhamra.  

The critically-acclaimed, smash hit production of Annie Baker's 2014 Pulitzer Prize and Obie Award-winning drama, The Flick, which has been playing to packed houses since opening in May at the Barrow Street Theatre, will play its final performance on Sunday, January 10, 2016. 

As the West End multi Olivier award-winning hit musical continues to excite audiences into its second year, Sonia Friedman Productions and Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce the national tour of SUNNY AFTERNOON.Recipient of four awards at the 2015 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for Ray Davies, SUNNY AFTERNOON will open at the Manchester Opera House on Friday 19 August 2016.www.sunnyafternoonthemusical.com

Jessika Malone directs Actors Bridge Ensemble's 20th Anniversary Season's upcoming production of Jennifer Haley's The Nether, opening December 4 at the new Actors Bridge Studio at the Darkhorse Chapel, 4610 Charlotte Avenue (entrance on 47th Avenue).

From 14 December 2015 Jamie Muscato joins the cast of Bend It Like Beckham The Musical to play coach Joe alongside Natalie Dew as football crazy Jess and Lauren Samuels as Jules, a player with the Harriers, a local women's football team.Sophie-Louise Dann plays the role of Paula with Jamal Andreas as Jess' good friend Tony. Preeya Kalidas plays Pinky, Jess' sister, with Tony Jayawardena andNatasha Jayetileke as her parents, Mr and Mrs Bhamra.