Summer Stages: BWW Top Picks for Summer Theater in West Virginia
by Johnna Leary - Jun 10, 2016
Opposite of many summer stock seasons offering Golden Age musicals and classic plays, theaters in West Virginia this summer will offer many new, thought-provoking premieres, modern twists on classic works of theater and contemporary musicals in some of the state's professional theaters. Listed below are four of the top picks for live theater shows this summer, but these are only a small offering of the many fantastic performances and live theater seasons occurring in West Virginia.
BWW Interview: Benjamin Eakeley Talks BROADWAY SWINGER, SHE LOVES ME, and Career
by David Clarke - Apr 29, 2016
This past January, Broadway performer Benjamin Eakeley charmed audiences at Feinstein's/54 Below with Broadway Swinger. In anticipation of the encore performance, BroadwayWorld chatted with Eakeley about his solo cabaret show; SHE LOVES ME, his current Broadway gig; and his 1960s musical heavy career.
Nashville's Theater Calendar 3/7/16
by Jeffrey Ellis - Mar 7, 2016
Sometimes it seems there is so much theater happening that it's difficult to keep track of it all. From personal experience, despite all the datebooks, smart phones, tablets, desktop computers and laptops...it's hard to keep everything straight in this wacky business of the show.
FUNNY GIRL Producers Issue Statement on Sheridan Smith's Absence
by Caryn Robbins - Mar 2, 2016
Sheridan Smith, star of the current West End production of FUNNY GIRL, turned to Twitter to announce that she would be unable to perform at last evening's performance. Today, producers of the musical issued the following statement on her absence
Nashville's Theater Calendar 2/29/16
by Jeffrey Ellis - Feb 29, 2016
Sometimes it seems there is so much theater happening that it's difficult to keep track of it all. From personal experience, despite all the datebooks, smart phones, tablets, desktop computers and laptops...it's hard to keep everything straight in this wacky business of the show.
Nashville Theater Calendar 2/22/16
by Jeffrey Ellis - Feb 22, 2016
Sometimes it seems there is so much theater happening that it's difficult to keep track of it all. From personal experience, despite all the datebooks, smart phones, tablets, desktop computers and laptops...it's hard to keep everything straight in this wacky business of the show.
Wow, Wow, Wow Fellas! Meet the Creative Team of Broadway-Bound HELLO, DOLLY!
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 19, 2016
As BroadwayWorld reported this morning, Bette Midler will indeed return to Broadway in one of the most cherished shows in musical theater history when she takes on the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi in Michael Stewart's (book) and Jerry Herman's (music and lyrics) masterpiece, Hello, Dolly!. Directed by four-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Zaks, Hello, Dolly! will begin performances on Broadway on March 13, 2017, with an official opening night of April 20, 2017. Rehearsals begin one year from today.
This new production of Hello, Dolly!, the first new production of this classic musical to appear on Broadway since it opened more than fifty years ago, will have at its helm Jerry Zaks as its director, and will feature choreography by Tony Award-winner Warren Carlyle. The new Dolly! will pay tribute to the original work of legendary director/choreographer Gower Champion, which has been hailed both then and now as one of the greatest stagings in musical theater history.
Below, reacquaint yourself with the creative team, old and new!
Sheridan Smith-Led FUNNY GIRL to Land on Broadway in 2017?
by Jessica Khan - Dec 3, 2015
Earlier today, BroadwayWorld reported that West End-bound FUNNY GIRL star Sheridan Smith would love to bring the musical to Broadway. Now the Daily Mail reveals rumors that director Michael Mayer and Smith could take the show to the Great White Way in 2017. The site's Baz Bamigboye writes that for now it's 'Purely rumour, at the moment, but a lot of people would like to see it happen.'
Sheridan Smith on Bringing Her FUNNY GIRL to Broadway: 'That's My Dream'
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 3, 2015
Fanny's back. Michael Mayer's Funny Girl just began its pre-West End run at Menier Chocolate Factory and star Sheridan Smith already has her sights on the show's life beyond London. When asked if she's like to bring the show to Broadway, she told the BBC: 'I'd be daft if I said no. I would love to, that's my dream. But would they take a Lincolnshire girl to do a New York-Brooklyn girl?
Review Roundup: FUNNY GIRL, Starring Sheridan Smith, Opens in London- UPDATED!
by Review Roundups - Feb 15, 2016
FUNNY GIRL returns to the London stage for the first time since its 1966 premiere in a sold-out run, led by Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith as 'Fanny Brice'. The multi award-winning Michael Mayer directs the production, opening tonight, 2 December, at Menier Chocolate Factory before a West End transfer. Let's see what the critics had to say...
FUNNY GIRL, Starring Sheridan Smith, Opens Tonight at Menier Chocolate Factory
by BWW News Desk - Dec 2, 2015
FUNNY GIRL returns to the London stage for the first time since its 1966 premiere. The sold-out run, led by Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith as 'Fanny Brice', will play through March 5, 2016 before transferring to the Savoy Theatre in the West End from 9 April. The multi award-winning Michael Mayer directs both productions; the first opens tonight 2 December 2015.
Jiehae Park's PEERLESS to Make World Premiere at Yale Rep This Fall
by BWW
News Desk - Nov 27, 2015
Yale Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of PEERLESS by Jiehae Park, directed by Margot Bordelon, November 27-December 19 at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street). Opening Night is Thursday, December 3. The cast of PEERLESS includes Teresa Avia Lim, Christopher Livingston, Caroline Neff, JD Taylor, and Tiffany Villarin.
FUNNY GIRL, Starring Sheridan Smith, Starts Tonight at Menier Chocolate Factory
by BWW News Desk - Nov 20, 2015
FUNNY GIRL returns to the London stage for the first time since its 1966 premiere tonight, November 20, 2016. The sold-out run, led by Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith as 'Fanny Brice', will play through March 5, 2016 before transferring to the Savoy Theatre in the West End from 9 April.
Photo Flash: Go Inside FUNNY GIRL Rehearsal, Starring Sheridan Smith
by Sally Henry Fuller - Nov 15, 2015
Due to unprecedented demand, the Menier Chocolate Factory Production of Funny Girl transfers to the Savoy Theatre in London's West End, following the sold out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory which begins later this month. Michael Mayer's production, starring Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice and with the cast from the Menier Chocolate Factory, will begin performances at the Savoy Theatre on 9 April 2016 for a strictly limited 12-week run until 2 July 2016. Check out first photos from the production below!
Jiehae Park's PEERLESS to Make World Premiere at Yale Rep This Fall
by BWW News Desk - Nov 3, 2015
Yale Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of PEERLESS by Jiehae Park, directed by Margot Bordelon, November 27-December 19 at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street). Opening Night is Thursday, December 3. The cast of PEERLESS includes Teresa Avia Lim, Christopher Livingston, Caroline Neff, JD Taylor, and Tiffany Villarin.
Harvey Fierstein on West End-Bound FUNNY GIRL: 'I've Edited It to Make It Stronger'
by Jessica Khan - Oct 30, 2015
Wondering how the classic has been updated now that it's back in London? Harvey Fierstein, who reworked the book for FUNNY GIRL's UK return, said he immediately cut 40 pages from the script. 'There was a diamond in there and it needed to be cut out,' he told the Mail. 'It's not that I've cut it to make it shorter -- I've edited it to make it stronger.' Fierstein added that he 'reshaped the show so it's all seen through Brice's eyes.'
Darius Campbell Confirmed To Star Opposite Sheridan Smith In FUNNY GIRL!
by Carrie Dunn - Oct 16, 2015
The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces full casting for their production of Funny Girl. Joining Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice are Valda Aviks (Mrs O'Malley), Natasha J Barnes (Emma/Mrs Meeker), Darius Campbell (Nick), Marilyn Cutts (Mrs Brice), Maurice Lane (Mr Keeney), Bruce Montague (Ziegfeld), Joel Montague (Eddie), Gay Soper (Mrs Strakosh); withEmma Caffrey, Matthew Croke, Joelle Dyson, Rebecca Fennelly, Luke Fetherston, Leah Harris, Kelly Homewood, Sammy Kelly and Stuart Ramsay completing the ensemble.