Stephen Mear News

One of the world's most famous cars has flown into the Birmingham Hippodrome this week, in the form of Ian Fleming's spectacular musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Based on the beloved film of the same name, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang sees struggling inventor Caractacus Potts swept away on an extraordinary adventure with his children, Jeremy and Jemima, and the beautiful Truly Scrumptious. 

Earlier this year it was announced that Emmy winner Derek Hough would soon be dancing through the rain-soaked streets of Broadway in an upcoming production of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. Now the show has been delayed indefinitely due to lack of available theatres. Hough writes: 

Music & Lyrics and West Yorkshire Playhouse are delighted to announce Charlotte Wakefield in the role of Truly Scrumptious and Jos Vantyler in the role of the Childcatcher in the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, when the production arrives in Edinburgh this October. The tour continues until 4 February 2017.

The Lexington Theatre Company is thrilled to present its second season production Disney & Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins,playing at The Lexington Opera House through July 17, Mary Poppins is presented by Variety Live at the Opera House, with Co-Producing Sponsor, KentuckyOne Health.

25 years after its original West End production, CHILDREN OF EDEN will return to London in a new production at the Union Theatre, opening on Friday 12 August with previews from Wednesday 10 August 2016.

The Lexington Theatre Company will present its second season production Disney & Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins. Set to play at The Lexington Opera House July 14-17, Mary Poppins is presented by Variety Live at the Opera House, with Co-Producing Sponsor, KentuckyOne Health.

Broadway is in sight for the West End revival of GYPSY, starring Imelda Staunton. Following earlier reports of a transfer, The Daily Mail hints that the musical will come to New York in 2018.

ATOMICUS ENTERTAINMENT produces the first show at the Union Theatre's brand new, state-of-the-art home: the triumphant return of Michael Strassen's critically acclaimed production of THE FIX.

Claire Sweeney will play the role of Baroness Bomburst in Music & Lyrics and West Yorkshire Playhouse's production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, from Wednesday 3 August 2016.  The production is touring across the UK and Ireland until February 2017. Michelle Collins, who currently plays Baroness Bomburst, leaves the production on 30 July 2016.

From August 3, Claire Sweeney will play the role of Baroness Bomburst in Music & Lyrics and West Yorkshire Playhouse's production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. The production is touring across the UK and Ireland until February 2017. Michelle Collins, who currently plays Baroness Bomburst, leaves the production on July 30.

AMERICAN PSYCHO, the American premiere of a new musical based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis -- which celebrates the 25th anniversary of its publication this March -- began performances on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street) on Thursday, March 24, 2016. Opening night is tonight, April 21, 2016. Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch highlights from the show!

The West End revival of Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton, which just took home four Olivier Awards on Sunday night, is still eying a Broadway run. According to the Wall Street Journal, a spokesperson for producers Michael Harrison and David Ian revealed that talks for a Broadway transfer are underway.

Glenn Close (Norma Desmond),Michael Xavier (Joe Gillis), Siobhan Dillon (Betty Shaefer) and Fred Johanson (Max Von Mayerling) were joined by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Christopher Hampton and Dan Black on stage following the opening night performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard (4 April 2016).  BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

The 34th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, which recognizes outstanding achievements in dance on Broadway and in film, takes place on Monday, May 16, 2016.

American composer Dana P. Rowe announced today the launch of his new podcast series TAKE IT FROM THE TOP: Life-Lessons from Creative Maestros to Awaken Your Artistic Soul. The first three episodes of TAKE IT FROM THE TOP are available for download on iTunes or at tiftt.com.

Here's a full list of Olivier Award nominees and winners - we updated this story LIVE throughout the ceremony. Winners are indicated in bold type. Who were you cheering for?

Just in! Glenn Close (Norma Desmond), Michael Xavier (Joe Gillis), Siobhan Dillon (Betty Shaefer) and Fred Johanson (Max Von Mayerling) star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard with Anna Woodside as Hedda Hopper, Emily Bull as Hedy Lamarr, Julian Forsyth as Cecil B DeMille, Mark Goldthorp as Sheldrake, Fenton Gray as Manfred, Haydn Oakley as Artie Green and James Patersonas Jonesy. Further company members include Carly Anderson, Michelle Bishop, Jacob Chapman, Nadeem Crowe, Cornelia Farnsworth, Ria Jones, Katie Kerr, Aaron Lee Lambert, Matthew McKenna, Jo Morris, Tanya Robb, Ashley Robinson, Vicki Lee Taylor, Gary Tushaw, Adam Vaughan and Stuart Winter.  BroadwayWorld has a first look below!

A hip hop dance show that stormed the West End is coming to Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre next month (April).