Universal Stage Productions News

The Muny presents Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn through July 12, 2015 - and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action!

The Muny presents Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, beginning tonight, July 6, and running through July 12, 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.

WICKED, the award-winning classic musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is proud to announce that the long-running West End production has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award. Now in its fifth year, the award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great reviews on TripAdvisor. Certificate of Excellence winners include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a superior customer experience. 

Original SMASH star and Broadway actress Megan Hilty, after mentioning last week that she would love to audition for the full production, told EW last night that reprising her role as 'Marilyn' 'would be amazing! We'll see, you never know.'

Megan Hilty is hoping that NBC will let her audition for the Broadway prodution. In an interview with Hollywood Life, Hilty expressed her hopes to be involved.

 Following the explosive and well-received Actors Fund benefit that featured the music of "Bombshell" from the NBC television series "Smash," Universal Stage Productions has begun development on "Bombshell" as a musical for the stage.

Earlier this month, BroadwayWorld.com sat down with the very busy dynamic duo of Craig Zadan and Neil Meron to discuss... well, everything.

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.

The Muny announced today the complete cast for its production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. Based on the 1942 film, Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn features music and lyrics by Irving Berlin with a book by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge. Greenberg will direct the Muny production with choreography by Denis Jones. Musical direction is by James Moore, vocal and dance arrangements are by Sam Davis with additional arrangements by Bruce Pomahac, and orchestrations by Larry Blank. The Muny's production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn is its second production worldwide.

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.

WICKED, the award-winning classic musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is delighted to announce that Steven Pinder, who is currently playing Doctor Dillamond and The Wizard to huge acclaim on the multi record-breaking UK Tour, will join the London production as Doctor Dillamond from Monday 10 August until Saturday 19 September 2015. 

Colin Donnell and Patti Murin, who recently starred opposite each other in Encores! LADY, BE GOOD, will return to the stage in Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN at The Muny in St. Louis beginning July 6, just one week after they tie the knot!

Asolo Repertory Theatre continues its groundbreaking 2014-15 season with the world premiere of Luck Be a Lady: The Iconic Music of Frank Loesser.

Thomas Hazelby, 10 years old from Doncaster, today (11 March 2015) joins the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical to play the title role. He becomes the fortieth boy to play the role in London, where in May the internationally award-winning musical celebrates its tenth anniversary. Also joining the cast today to play Billy's best friend Michael is 11 years old Nathan Jones from Prudhoe, Northumberland. Take a first look at the two (and more) in photos from the show below!

Thomas Hazelby, 10 years old from Doncaster, today (11 March 2015) joins the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical to play the title role. He becomes the fortieth boy to play the role in London, where in May the internationally award-winning musical celebrates its tenth anniversary. Also joining the cast today to play Billy's best friend Michael is 11 years old Nathan Jones from Prudhoe, Northumberland. Check out the video below!

WICKED, the classic West End musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is delighted to announce the opening of its 19th new booking period, on Monday 2 February 2015 at 10am, with 500,000 new tickets going on sale for performances until Saturday 30 April 2016.

'Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad' is in development as a stage musical from Broadway producer Tara Smith's Triptyk Studios, Brian LaRoda and Universal Stage Productions, with Wonder attached to provide the score.

NBC is bringing both the heartbreaking and uplifting stories during one of America's most tumultuous periods to television in adapting author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Betty DeRamus' acclaimed book “Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad” as an epic eight-hour miniseries titled “Freedom Run.”