Beautiful Thing - 2023 - West End Articles Page 4

​​​​​​​In today’s culture, it is hard to find anyone who doesn’t have some experience with the story of Peter Pan. For many, their first exposure to the “boy who refused to grow up” was through Walt Disney’s classic 1953 animated film. Others first journeyed off to Neverland with Peter and Wendy by reading the original 1904 play by J.M. Barrie. And in between (and beyond) have come many different iterations of this timeless adventure. But for musical theatre fans, there is just one PETER PAN – the classic 1954 stage musical which starred Mary Martin and was captured for posterity through a 1955 NBC broadcast. So how does one take a story with its beautiful score but also some troublesome stereotypes and bring it to an audience in 2025? That is just what Larissa FastHorse and the team bringing PETER PAN to life on the stage at the fabulous Fox Theatre have done – taken a classic and updated it for a new generation. And in the role of Tiger Lily, Bailey Frankenberg has a front row seat to what makes this story so magical. I had the chance to catch up with Bailey and hear all about her career and what it is like to play an iconic (but updated) heroine as well as serve as Fight and Flight captain for the show.

Jonathan Harvey's acclaimed 90s play, Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club, is set to captivate audiences with its raw and poignant portrayal of complex brotherly bonds.

It's been one hell of year for James Scully. Following a critically acclaimed performance off-Broadway last year, the actor made his Broadway debut in July in the cast of the hottest (and funniest) play of the season- Oh, Mary! This little show that could started as a limited engagement before it extended... and extended again, and again, and again. James has been along for the ride, and following a brief time away this winter, he has returned to the cast for the show's final months on Broadway. ​

Asolo Repertory Theatre has announced complete casting for the epic closing of the 2024 – 2025 Season, Jesus Christ Superstar, which begins previews on May 14, 2025. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Tim Rice and directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Jesus Christ Superstar runs May 14 – June 15. 

What did our critic think of SISTER ACT at Center Stage Community? On March 14 and 15, Center Stage Community (Censtacom) staged their latest production, Sister Act, at Graha Bhakti Budaya in Jakarta.

Mountain Theatre Company has revealed the two star studded casts for its 87th season opener, featuring two beloved musicals playing in repertory: The Marvelous Wonderettes and Forever Plaid. Learn more!

BroadwayWorld chats with director Jennifer Chang about her production of 'The Heart Sellers,' Lloyd Suh's humorous and heartwarming play running at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley April 2 to 27 in Mountain View, CA.

Bristol Old Vic has announced the full casting for the new production of The Beautiful Future Is Coming, a bold new play set to begin in May. Learn more about the show here!

OFC Creations Theatre has announced the 2025-2026 Broadway in Brighton Series, back for a third year, after last season's lineup featured Tony and Emmy nominated actors from Hollywood and Broadway.

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater will present a full slate of nightly performances all April long. See the full lineup, including Nicole Henry and more, and learn how to purchase tickets.

Established in 1976,

Established in 1976, the Olivier Awards celebrate the world-class status of London theatre, and are Britain’s most prestigious stage honours. Leading the way this year is Tom Scutt's Fiddler on the Roof which matches Hamilton's record-breaking 13 nominations, represented in every acting and creative category.

Next month, 54 BELOW will presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Lorna Luft and Andrea McArdle, Marilyn Maye, and many more. See the full lineup here!

The musical community Jaksical held their latest production, Kapan Nikah? (“When Are You Getting Married?”) on February 21-23 2025 at Teater Salihara. This is the second installment in the ‘Kapan?’ series, which started with Kapan Resign? (“When Are You Resigning?”) in 2023.

On March 28, 2025, Deutsche Grammophon releases Finnish-Cuban pianist Anton Mejias' first solo album, The Art of Memory, featuring the world premiere recording of Philip Lasser's Twelve Preludes: The Art of Memory, a companion piece to Book II of J.S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier.

For its third year, Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival returns to its beachfront location at Sandy Point State Park along the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland, on Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21, 2025.

Life of Pi, the new play based on the book of the same name, is being hosted at the Wharton Center from March 11th to 16th. Life of Pi opened in the West End in 2022, amassing 5 Olivier Awards (including Best New Play). It had a short stint on Broadway in 2023, where it ended up winning Best Scenic Design, Best Sound Design and Best Lighting Design at the Tony Awards. 

Recently, we had the chance to talk with Ryan Whittle, who is playing the role of Harry Kane after playing Eric Dier in the last two runs of Dear England. We discussed his journey to the stage, what it’s like returning to the world of football for the third time and how his university degree relates to the show.

Texas Performing Arts’ 2025-2026 Broadway in Austin Season will include Tony Award–winning Best Musicals, five Austin premieres and the return of fan favorites. Learn more about the full season here!

Brittney Johnson who plays Agnes in Gypsy on Broadway took us backstage at the Majestic Theatre to share some of her favorite backstage routines, moments, must-haves and more.

Goldie's alter ego Rufige Kru (with SubMotive) has returned. The iconic breakbeat project Rufige Kru will release the brand new album 'Alpha Omega' on May 16. A new single featuring CASISDEAD, taken from the forthcoming album, is out now. Listen to it here.

Gulfshore Playhouse has revealed the complete 2025-2026 season. Performances begin October 21, 2025. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

The Stratford Festival is welcoming seven new participants to the Birmingham Conservatory for the 2025/2026 season. Learn more about the participants here!

Discover the star-studded cast of Broadway's OTHELLO as previews launch tonight, February 24, 2025, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Premiere set for March 23.

 Theatre Asylum will present The King & I, and Paul, a fast-paced comedy filled with passion, chaos, and one grave mistake, for one night only this February.