'[Thank you] to an incredible cast of British and American actors who make the Atlantic look like a little creek you can just kind of pop across,' said Dame Helen Mirren upon receiving her 2015 Tony Award. The stage and screen star reprised her critically-acclaimed performance in THE AUDIENCE after a West End run in 2013, and she was just one of many to 'pop across' an ocean for a stab at Broadway. An unprecedented amount of British talent took over Broadway last year, bringing us such productions as THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, WOLF HALL: PARTS 1 & 2, and SKYLIGHT.
It doesn't seem like the trend is ending anytime soon.
This fall, Broadway will welcome a slew of British actors- some of whom will be making their US stage debuts in incoming productions. And it's not just performers. We're getting some complete British imports in shows like A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE and KING CHARLES III. Below, we're taking a moment to shine a spotlight on this season's British imports.
Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, October 18, 2015 - Sunday, October 18, 2015.
BWW:UK recently sat down for a chat with the stars of the new UK tour of Hairspray at the show's Birmingham press launch at the New Alexandra Theatre, where it is playing over the Christmas period. Here we speak to Claire Sweeney (Velma Von Tussle), Tony Maudsley (Edna), Peter Duncan (Wilbur) and Brenda Edwards (Motormouth Maybelle).
Broadway In Chicago just announced the upcoming 2016 season line-up. Broadway In Chicago's 2016 season will include the 2015 Tony Award®-Winning Best Musical FUN HOME, the Pre-Broadway World Premiere of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, 42ND STREET, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC and FINDING NEVERLAND. The 2016 Season will go on sale to the public November 8, 2015. To renew or purchase a new subscription, please visit BroadwayInChicago.com or call 312-977-1717. Subscriber benefits include savings of up to 50% off ticket prices, discounts on both parking and suite service, invitations to Broadway In Chicago exclusive events, free exchange privileges and more. The Broadway In Chicago 2016 Season line-up, including performance dates and venues, is as follows:
Just when you think you are Sleeping Beautied out, along comes another production. This one however, is being produced on the other side of the world by the Australian Ballet. That's a long way to travel to see something you've already encountered in 500 other productions. On the other hand, why not? I'd never been to Australia and needed a vacation. So a 27-hour flight didn't seem to faze me. Plus, I would see a company that was almost totally unknown to me. I'd seen them on You Tube and was highly impressed. I missed them in New York, so this would be my chance not only to see the company, but Australia! Of course, there were other reasons. Like a great love I had in college 40 years before and had left because he wanted me to move to Melbourne with him. And I was going to meet him again! So if you combine the meeting of a past love and a new Sleeping Beauty, the combination was almost irresistible, at least to me. (I'm told that my brain works in peculiar ways, and this was definitely one of them!) So I booked a flight and in two days I was transported to one of the loveliest cities imaginable. And I could have been there 40 years earlier!
The Old Vic has today announced casting for David Greig's adaptation of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, directed by Max Webster. Simon Lipkin will play the role of the Lorax, alongside puppeteers Laura Cubitt and Ben Thompson, whilst Simon Paisley Day takes the role of the Once-ler.
Merged Work Productions (Lead Producers) and Jack Thomas (Executive Producer) announced today that music-world icons and television stars Steven Van Zandt and Paul Shaffer, along with Maureen Van Zandt and Joe Grano (Jersey Boys), have joined the Broadway-bound musical Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story as lead producers. It was also announced that Mr. Van Zandt will serve as the show's musical director. Piece of My Heart will open on Broadway in 2016.
Next on the Main Stage, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett's drama, The Diary of Anne Frank, adapted by Wendy Kesselman and directed by Joseph Discher. Nearly 75 years ago in the Netherlands, a young girl received a diary for her 13th birthday. Today, Anne Frank's humor, strength, and innate goodness continue to shine forth from her words to inspire readers and audiences of all ages. The powerful story of her family's will to survive comes to unforgettable life for a new generation in this adaptation of the Pulitzer, Tony, and NY Drama Critic's Circle Award-winning play.
Just in time for the opening production of the Houston Ballet 2015-2016 season, the sensuous romance MANON, BroadwayWorld.com releases its discussion with Stanton Welch. In the interview, Welch talks family, career, and love. Family, career, and love at the Houston Ballet, of course.
Max Elliot Anderson grew up as a struggling reader. After surveying the market, he sensed the need for action-adventures and mysteries for readers 8 - 13, especially boys. He has several books in print for young readers and contracts for twenty-three additional titles.
Using his extensive experience in the production of dramatic motion pictures, videos, and television commercials, Mr. Anderson brings that same visual excitement and heart-pounding action to his stories. His books include different characters, settings, and plots as well as two traditional series. Young readers have reported that reading one of his books is like actually being in an exciting movie.
'It's true,' Mr. Anderson said, 'I didn't like to read as a child. My professional life has been immersed in the production of dramatic films, documentaries, video programs, and television commercials.'
Those many years of audiovisual experiences provided the background for most of his writing today. 'My production work has taken me all over the world where I've met lots of interesting people and made programs in exciting, sometimes dangerous locations.'
Mr. Anderson began writing for children in late 2001. 'It takes a long time to become an overnight success,' he says with a smile.
Today he has nearly twenty books in print and contracts for another twenty-three middle grade adventures and mysteries. His Sam Cooper Adventure series includes Lost Island Smugglers, Captain Jack's Treasure, River Rampage, This Property Is Condemned, At The Buzzer, and Ghosts In The Old Attic.
The first two books in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series have recently been released by Elk Lake Publishing. His Accidental Adventures Series, also from Elk Lake Publishing, includes Funny Money Mystery, The Cat Burglars, The Secret Of Grandmother's Grandfather Clock, Summer Camp Trouble, Danger Mountain, and Shadow Of The Fat Man.' These titles are set to begin releasing soon.
'All twelve manuscripts for both series have been delivered to the publisher,' Anderson said.
In addition to these twelve new books, another six titles are planned by Chestnut Publishing, an educational publisher in Toronto. Those titles include Third House On The Left, Midnight Shadows, The House Next Door, Rail Yard Bandits, The Secret Tunnel, and Forest Of Fear.
Study and activities materials have been developed for these six books by education specialist, Larry Swartz. Mr. Swartz is a native of Toronto, holds degrees from York University and the University of Toronto, where he earned his master and doctor of education degrees. He has been a classroom teacher, literacy consultant, and drama consultant for twenty-five years in the Peel District School Board, Mississauga, Ontario. He is currently an instructor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto and principal of continuing education courses and dramatic arts.
'The publisher of these books will sell them directly to schools and libraries through their own network of sales representatives,' Anderson said. 'Chestnut Publishing also plans to release my first short story collection for kids; Tree Fort, Pigtails, Pollywogs And More.'
In addition, Mr. Anderson has contracts with Comfort Publishing to release The Great Cave Caper, Mischief After Midnight, and Hidden Cabin.
Bestselling author, Jerry Jenkins says, 'Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries.'
And children's author, Bill Myers commented, 'Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!'
Max Elliot Anderson is currently featured on the July cover of Book Fun Magazine, including a feature interview, with a reach of over 480,000 readers.
'It's been an interesting journey, getting to this point,' Mr. Anderson said. 'My hope now is for teachers, parents, librarians, book stores, and middle grade readers to discover these books. Hopefully they will inspire a generation of kids to become excited about reading. And, as I like to remind them, readers are the leaders others follow.'
Blog http://booksandboys.blogspot.com
The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today Let Us Now Praise Famous Men: The Films of Pedro Costa, from July 17-23. The series precedes the opening of the Portuguese auteur's long-awaited, "hauntingly beautiful" (Variety) new film, Horse Money, which played last fall at the 52nd New York Film Festival and opens theatrically at the Film Society on July 18.
?La Jolla Playhouse, nationally-renowned for its commitment to the development of new work and new theatrical forms, is pleased to announce the projects and collaborators for its second Without Walls (WoW) Festival taking place October 9 - 11.
From July 9-19 Japan Society's renowned summer film festival presents 28 features never before seen in New York
The 2015 Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario is shaping up to be a great mix of Shavian classics, an American musical, Canadian premieres and cutting edge modern day drama. Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell will be leaving after the 2016 Season and is working hard to program an uniquely balanced season, while also hoping to fulfill all of her artistic desires before her tenure ends. The company mandate is: ' The Shaw Festival is a theatre company inspired by the work of Bernard Shaw. We produce plays from and about his era and contemporary plays that share Shaw's provocative exploration of society and celebration of humanity.'
College of DuPage (COD) College Theater presents Caryl Churchill's 'The Skriker,' directed by COD Professor of Theater Amelia Barrett at the McAninch Arts Center's Playhouse Theatre, tonight, April 16 to 26.
Martin Sheen and Mischa Barton, stars of the film, Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain, will be among the participants kicking off the Seventh Annual Kat Kramer's Films That Change The World cinema series highlighting socially significant films,
College of DuPage (COD) College Theater presents Caryl Churchill's "The Skriker," directed by COD Professor of Theater Amelia Barrett at the McAninch Arts Center's Playhouse Theatre, April 16 to 26. Preview is Thursday, April 16. This show contains strong language and subject matter that may not be suitable for younger or more sensitive theatergoers.
'All Gone West,' a new play by John Attanas, transports us to the New York jazz scene of the early 50's. An Army vet, in love with a secretary at CCNY, would win her by setting up a be-bop club on Ninth Avenue with the help of a black saxophonist he has befriended in the service and a couple of low-lives he has met along the way. The couple's story is one of dreams dashed and fulfilled; love denied and embraced. The play features a cast of six plus a live, four-piece jazz ensemble. Jonathan Fluck, former Executive Director of IRT Theatre, will produce and direct the play's world premiere run March 28 to April 18, 2015 at Teatro Circulo, 64 East 4th Street (East Village).
Performances begin tonight, Friday, March 20 and run through Sunday, April 12. Press night is scheduled for Opening Night Friday, March 27. Appropriate for ages 17 +. As a concert production, there will be no live nudity, though documentary photographs of the original production will be projected.
Paul McCartney and The Robin Hood Foundation today announced that McCartney and his band will be performing at Robin Hood's annual benefit, to be held May 12 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
The Public Theater announced additional casting today for the 2015 Free Shakespeare in the Park season, beginning Wednesday, May 27 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. This summer will feature Shakespeare's late romances with THE TEMPEST, directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, and CYMBELINE, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan. Jesse Tyler Ferguson will return to the Park this summer as Trinculo in THE TEMPEST, along with Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe teaming up again with Daniel Sullivan on CYMBELINE to play Posthumus Leonatus/Cloten and Imogen, respectively.
The Mom's Choice Awards has named children's book 'Treasures in the Winter Vault' - a thoughtful story about a boy learning about money and the importance of saving - as among the best in family-friendly media, products and services.
Kansas City Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Eric Rosen announced today the casting for HAIR: Retrospection, under his direction.
'All Gone West,' a new play by John Attanas, transports us to the New York jazz scene of the early 50's. An Army vet, in love with a secretary at CCNY, would win her by setting up a be-bop club on Ninth Avenue with the help of a black saxophonist he has befriended in the service and a couple of low-lives he has met along the way. The couple's story is one of dreams dashed and fulfilled; love denied and embraced. The play features a cast of six plus a live, four-piece jazz ensemble. Jonathan Fluck, former Executive Director of IRT Theatre, will produce and direct the play's world premiere run March 28 to April 18, 2015 at Teatro Circulo, 64 East 4th Street (East Village).
Artistic Director Mark Clements announced Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2015/16 Season last night to an enthusiastic group of Rep Subscribers and Donors.
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