The New York Musical Theatre Festival, affectionately known as NYMF (pronounced ‘nymph’ as in ‘nymph errant’) among New York theatre folks, has announced the 11 invited shows that will stage full productions during its tenth annual festival, running July 8-28. The festival acts as a showcase for emerging creative talents in musical theatre, giving them […]
New York Musical Theatre Festival latest
The New York Musical Theatre Festival, affectionately known as NYMF (pronounced ‘nymph’ as in ‘nymph errant’) among New York theatre folks, has announced the 11 invited shows that will stage full productions during its tenth annual festival, running July 8-28. The festival acts as a showcase for emerging creative talents in musical theatre, giving them […]
Carnaby Street the Musical is labour of love
Hackney Empire, London, then touring until June 29. Since the back catalogue of The Beatles is already being hurtled through nightly over at the Savoy Theatre for Let it Be, there are no climactic ‘na-na-nah-nahs’ – indeed the Fab Four hardly get a look in here – in Carnaby Street the Musical, a jukebox musical which […]
Ghost the Musical begins tour
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, then touring until January 2014. Ghost the Musical is a theatrical masterclass in translating emotion, so be prepared to shed a few tears but still have a few laughs. Set in New York, the musical naturally sticks to the same story as the original film – for which the show’s lyricist/librettist […]
Sweeney Todd at West Yorkshire Playhouse
Headlining his first season of work as artistic director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse is James Brining’s own production of Stephen Sondheim’s and Hugh Wheeler’s musical Sweeney Todd, presented by WYP and the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester for the Quarry stage (26 September–26 October). Brining has challenged himself to revisit his TMA Award-winning production of […]
Matilda the Musical Arrives on Broadway
Opened April 11 at the Sam S. Shubert Theatre, New York, for an open-ended run. Bless her little heart! And her big brain, too. Matilda the Musical has landed on Broadway in a blaze of glory. This musicalisation of novelist Roald Dahl’s dark depiction of childhood fears – and how gumption, smarts and literacy can […]
Sondheim surprises Merrily We Roll Along cast
Rehearsals have begun for the West End transfer of the Menier Chocolate Factory production of Merrily We Roll Along and we hear a certain Mr Sondheim may have even popped in to surprise the cast yesterday. Directed by triple Olivier Award-winner Maria Friedman, previews begin at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 23 April. Opening night […]
Once
Opened 9 April at the Phoenix Theatre, London. “Hello,” Girl tentatively whispers to the piano before she starts playing it, as Guy gazes at her sheepishly before picking up his guitar to join in. “You must always say hello to the piano,” she instructs him sternly before they unite to create a wealth of raw, […]
Kinky Boots
Opened April 4 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York, for an open-ended run. La Cage Aux Folles comes to Northampton, England, a town filled with failing shoe factories, in Broadway’s new dazzler Kinky Boots. Based on a 2005 movie, the show tells how a flamboyant drag queen and her sextet of high-stepping pals of […]
The Billie Holiday Story
Playing at the Charing Cross Theatre, London until 25 May. More than 50 years after Billie Holiday’s tragic death, her life story continues to be a subject of film and theatrical performance. Holiday’s painful life of child prostitution, sexual abuse and violent partners is interpreted by Nina Kristofferson who takes a unique approach to the […]
Hands On a Hard Body is Broadway casualty
The first casualty of the spring musical theatre season on Broadway is Hands On a Hard Body. This tale of down-on-their-luck folks going through a gruelling competition to win a new truck will be riding into the sunset on April 13 after 28 previews and 28 regular performances. The show may not have had the flash, […]
Menzel and Morrison Perform at Olivier Awards
Matthew Morrison, Idina Menzel and Petula Clark will perform exclusively during this year’s Oliviers ceremony. Emmy, Tony, and Golden-Globe nominated Morrison is best known for his onstage leading roles in Hairspray, South Pacific and The Light In the Piazza, as well as for his role as Mr Schuester in the hit TV show Glee. His […]
