Willy Russell News

Whatsonstage.com has confirmed that actor Con O'Neill will take over Matt Lucas' role of Kenneth Halliwell in the West End production of Simon Bent's Prick Up Your Ears at the Comedy Theatre on October 22. He will replace Matt Lucas, who left the production last week in the wake of the suicide of his ex-partner, Kevin McGee, as previously reported.

Ollie enjoys a great 'day out' at the Liverpool Royal Court.

The Nederlander Theatre box office opens today, August 31 at 10:00 AM for THE NEIL SIMON PLAYS, the first Broadway revivals of BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and BROADWAY BOUND. The box office will be open Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The Nederlander Theatre is located at 208 West 41st Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues.

The Nederlander Theatre box office opens Monday, August 31 at 10:00 AM for THE NEIL SIMON PLAYS, the first Broadway revivals of BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and BROADWAY BOUND. The box office will be open Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The Nederlander Theatre is located at 208 West 41st Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues.

The website for THE NEIL SIMON PLAYS, the Broadway revivals of BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and BROADWAY BOUND, is now live at www.TheNeilSimonPlays.com.

Gary Wilmot will continue in his starring role of ?Billy Flynn' in the UK National tour of the smash-hit musical 'CHICAGO' from Monday 23 November until Saturday 19 December 2009, with further dates and casting to be announced.

Florida Studio Theatre extends Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine into a sixth week at the Gompertz Theatre, through August 9, 2009. Shirley Valentine has been a hit with audiences and critics alike. Additional dates and times are Saturday August 1 at 8 PM, Saturday, August 8 at 8 PM & Sunday, August 9 at 3 PM.

Blood Brothers, one of the West End's longest-running shows, has opened a new eight-month booking period and is now taking bookings through to 31 July 2010.

The following is Gorilla Theatre's upcoming 2009-10 season. The Gorilla's 09-10 season in brief: a spine-chilling ghost story (The Woman in Black); a holiday play by Gorilla co-founder Susan Hussey (Christmas Trio); a sassy and heartwarming comedy (The Drunken City); Jean Anouilh's classic play about Joan of Arc (The Lark); the return of an audience favorite (Shirley Valentine); and the exciting and provocative Young Dramatists' Project.

Florida Studio Theatre extends Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine into a sixth week at the Gompertz Theatre, through August 9, 2009. Shirley Valentine has been a hit with audiences and critics alike. Additional dates and times are Saturday August 1 at 8 PM, Saturday, August 8 at 8 PM & Sunday, August 9 at 3 PM.

Florida Studio Theatre extends Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine into a fifth week at the Gompertz Theatre. Through July 30, 2009, Shirley Valentine was called 'a joyful, captivating piece of theatre' by the New York Daily News. Additional dates and times are; Sunday, July 26 at 3 PM & 7 PM, Tuesday, July 28 at 8 PM, Wednesday, July 29 at 8 PM and Thursday, July 30 at 8 PM.

Gary Wilmot will join the cast of the UK National tour of the smash-hit musical 'CHICAGO' to star as ?Billy Flynn' from Monday 15 June until Saturday 21 November 2009. Emma Barton will continue to star as ?Roxie Hart'.

Morgan's reputation in the Southeast Florida theatre community precedes her, and has become known for her masterful and powerful performances on the. That is evidenced by her place in the history of the Southeast Florida Carbonell Award (Southeast Florida's answer to the Tony). Her most recent wins include in 2006 for her portrayal of an afflicted mother of a murdered 10-year-old girl in Frozen, with GableStage in Coral Gables, and in 2007 for her legendary performance of Martha in Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? for Palm Beach Dramaworks.

Florida Studio Theatre kicks off its 2009 summer season with A Marvelous Party! The Noël Coward Celebration. Variety called it 'Energetic...Outstanding.' You are invited to a party! A dazzling evening of ravishing melody and witty repartee, A Marvelous Party draws from Noël coward's songs, plays, and journals in an effervescent revue. Songs include 'Mad About the Boy,' 'I'll Follow My Heart,' 'I've Been to a Marvelous Party' and more. A Marvelous Party! The Noël Coward Celebration begins June 3rd.

Gary Wilmot will join the cast of the UK National tour of the smash-hit musical 'CHICAGO' to star as ?Billy Flynn' from Monday 15 June until Saturday 21 November 2009. Emma Barton will continue to star as ?Roxie Hart'.

The Canadian Stage Company continues its 2008/2009 season with the revival of Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine. Reuniting with director Roy Surette, Nicola Cavendish (who originated the role of Shirley in Canada) reprises her tour de force performance in this heart-warming and touching story about one woman's journey of self-discovery.

London Calling with Champagne Charlie January 6th 2009

Producer Laura Coker has announced an added performance for Blood Brothers, the Olivier Award-winning, Tony-nominated musical drama by Willy Russell on Sunday, November 23 at 8 pm.

The Stage News is reporting that National Theatre Artistic Director Nicholas Hytner, actress Maria Friedman and Blood Brothers writer Willy Russell for the next round of the Shaw Theatre's SPOTLIGHT ON SERIES

What's on Stage is reporting that Niki Evans, a contestant on iTV's series 'X-Factor' will be playing Mrs. Johnson in West End production of Blood Brothers, running at the Pheoenix Theatre, starting November 3rd, 2008. The show recently extended its contract with the Pheonix where it has been running since 1991. Evans is expected to take on the role for six months.