Sonia Friedman News

Rosie O'Donnell further confirmed the longstanding rumor that a revival of Funny Girl is coming to Broadway with Rosie in the role of Mrs. Brice, Fanny Brice's mother.

Leading producer Sonia Friedman has commented on the UK Government's rescue package for the arts (announced last night) in an article for the Evening Standard - read the full piece here. Friedman says that 'this historic fiscal support recognises that the arts are not an added extra, but a national necessity that enrich all our lives in countless ways. We take them for granted at our peril.'

The Theatrical Guild today announced a new fundraising initiative spearheaded by a match funding £40,000 donation from Sir Ian McKellen to support backstage and front of house theatre workers to help with food bills, housing costs, mental health services and other basic essentials.

Pandemics can't stop Broadway Global Producer of the Year nominations!

The New York Times has reported that Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain, which was set to begin a run at London's Apollo Theater, will now be performed beginning July 4 in the parking lot of Powderham Castle, which technically makes it the only West End show still standing in the midst of the pandemic.

The National Theatre and Sonia Friedman Productions are joining a number of other UK arts organizations calling for government intervention to rescue the industry which Friedman describes as 'on the brink of total collapse.'

Writing in the Telegraph today, leading producer Sonia Friedman - responsible for numerous West End and international hit shows, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Ferryman, Dreamgirls, The Book of Mormon, Sunny Afternoon, King Charles III and Funny Girl -  warns that British theatre is 'is on the brink of total collapse', unless the Government intervenes to help the industry. 

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS announced today that it has sent $5 million from its COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund to The Actors Fund, ensuring thousands who work in theater and the performing arts receive vital, lifesaving support during and after this devastating pandemic.

The full original Off-Broadway cast of Jonathan Spector's play Eureka Day will reunite for a one-night only online charity reading, benefitting Colt Coeur and No Kid Hungry. Colt Coeur Founding Artistic Director Adrienne Campbell-Holt returns to direct the event, streaming Friday, May 22 at 8pm on play-perview.com.

WhatsOnStage today announces the Lockdown Playwriting Prize; a playwrighting competition launched in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The prize, in collaboration with The Turbine Theatre, is open to anyone over the age of 18, with any level of experience. Submissions must be titled Lockdown: Week Six, Day One, with a running time of 60-90 minutes without interval, and should not require more than six actors.

Robert Icke's Almeida Theatre production, The Doctor, will now be postponed until 2021. Juliet Stevenson will reprise her role as Professor Ruth Wolff as previously announced, with further casting to be confirmed in due course.

The Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers and national publications, today announced its plans for honoring the 2019-2020 season of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions.

Sonia Friedman Productions today announced that Nicole Raquel Dennis will play the role of Effie White in the first ever UK tour of Dreamgirls.

It has been announced that Jez Butterworth's Jerusalem will return next year. The production will star the play's original lead, Mark Rylance, in the role of Johnny 'Rooster' Byron!

A second group of Broadway producers have stepped up to match all new donations up to $1 million

The Olivier Awards today celebrated Stephen Jameson and Sarah Preece's achievements in relocating the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts from Wood Green in north London to Peckham in south-east London and for promoting accessibility and diversity.

 Award-winning theatre company Headlong, have today announced the appointment of critically acclaimed theatre and opera director Joe Hill-Gibbins as their new Artistic Director. Currently working as a freelance director, with a new production of The Marriage of Figaro opening at English National Opera this month, he joins Headlong in Summer 2020. Donna Munday has also been announced as the new Chair of the company's Board of Trustees and will succeed current chair Robin Paxton on the 18 March.

Cast and ticket details have been announced for the Canadian production of the record-breaking Tony and Olivier Award-Winning Best Play - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Performances begin October 23, 2020 at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre. The official media performance will be on Sunday, November 29, 2020.

Following the announcement of Baby Reindeer and The Shark Is Broken at the Ambassadors Theatre, Sonia Friedman Productions has announced a packed line-up of the most dynamic and entertaining stand-up, drag performers, cabaret stars and more. Performances begin at 9:30pm.

Further venues and dates have been announced for Dreamgirls' first ever UK tour. Following on from performances in 2020 in Bristol, Milton Keynes, Blackpool, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Birmingham, Dreamgirls will continue to tour in 2021 to Sunderland, Hull, Nottingham, Liverpool, Norwich, Canterbury and Leeds.