Marisha Wallace – Live in London (Westway Music, Center Stage Records). Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Marisha Wallace’s personable, conversational delivery and vocal quality are sublime as ever.
Tag Archives | Dreamgirls
Five Questions With: Tosh Wanogho-Maud
Fresh from starring in the West End premiere of Ain’t Too Proud at the Prince Edward Theatre, Tosh Wanogho-Maud has been performing a limited run of live solo shows, the latest of which is on Friday 5 January 2024 at London’s Piano Smithfield.
Tosh Wanogho-Maud: Songs + Stories – Piano Smithfield
Tosh Wanogho-Maud: Songs + Stories – Piano Smithfield, London (also 4 December 2023). Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you can leave a show having made a connection with a performer, knowing them a little better, have laughed and cried, heard music that made you want to dance, music that touched your heart and felt better about the world, then it’s a very special thing and Songs + Stories achieved all that and more.
Dreamgirls – Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham and Touring
Dreamgirls continues at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until 31 December 2022 before touring until 7 January 2023. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Black British Theatre Awards 2022 – nominees announced
The Royal Court’s production of For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy and Hope Mill Theatre’s production of The Wiz lead the way in the shortlist for the 2022 Black British Theatre Awards (BBTAs). Both productions have received six nominations, with Matthew Xia (The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre) and […]
The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals – A0 Arena, Manchester
The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals at A0 Arena, Manchester, broadcast on BBC1 and BBC Radio 2, also available via BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ Close your eyes, listen and you would swear it was Tina Turner belting out ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’, ‘Simply […]
Dreamgirls – Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring
Dreamgirls continues at the Milton Keynes Theatre until 5 February 2022 and then tours until 31 December 2022. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ However enjoyable, it doesn’t take long for some musicals to begin to feel a bit dated, but Dreamgirls (opened on Broadway in 1981) just seems to get better […]
Classic screen musicals feature in Charing Cross Theatre’s cinema season
Popular London venue Charing Cross Theatre will be transformed into a cinema for a three-week season celebrating classic movie entertainment. Running from 5-24 October 2021, Stage & Screen A Theatrical Film Season will showcase some of the silver screen’s best-loved musicals along with a selection of movie classics. The programme will include screenings of The […]
Full cast confirmed for Dreamgirls first UK tour
Sonia Friedman Productions has unveiled full casting for the long-awaited first UK tour of Broadway and West End hit Dreamgirls. As previously announced, Nicole Raquel Dennis (Dear Evan Hansen, Nöel Coward Theatre, Waitress, Adelphi Theatre) will revisit her chair-turning performance of ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ on ITV’s The Voice in 2019, […]
Musicals: The Greatest Show – BBC1 and BBC iPlayer
Musicals: The Greatest Show – BBC1 and BBC iPlayer (where it is available for a year). Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ As soon as the great Ramin Karimloo launched into a sublime ‘Music of the Night’, tears started rolling down cheeks and shivers tumbled like a waterfall down the spine. We […]
Dancing up a storm – Remembering Bob Avian
BOB AVIAN, the celebrated director, producer and choreographer, has died at the age of 83. Famed for his work on major productions of A Chorus Line, Ballroom, Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre, Follies, Sunset Boulevard and The Witches of Eastwick, he had become something of a Broadway legend. Michael Darvell looks back over a long and […]
Marisha Wallace releases new album Tomorrow and announces tour dates for 2021
At the same time as her new album ‘Tomorrow’ is released, West End and Broadway performer Marisha Wallace has announced an all-new UK tour for 2021. The musical powerhouse – who has dazzled both the Royal Variety Performance and Strictly Come Dancing in recent days – is heading out on a six-date tour next autumn. […]
Dreamgirls UK tour will star Nicole Raquel Dennis
Sonia Friedman Productions today announced that Nicole Raquel Dennis will play the role of Effie White in the first ever UK tour of Dreamgirls. A finalist on ITV’s The Voice in 2019, Nicole wowed viewers and judges at her blind audition, performing Dreamgirls mega-hit ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ alongside team mentor Jennifer […]
The Top 12 Olivier Awards Performances of the Last Ten Years
In lieu of an Olivier Awards ceremony this Sunday evening, ITV is broadcasting a compilation of their greatest performances instead. Just in case the choices don’t match yours, here are our top 12 favourite Olivier Awards performances of the last decade, in no particular order. With thanks to Ian Bowkett. 2019 – Jason Manford, Janie […]
Extra dates and venues for Dreamgirls tour announced
Sonia Friedman Productions have added further venues and 2021 dates to the eagerly-anticipated first UK tour of the multi-award-winning West End production of Dreamgirls. As previously announced, the touring version of the production which lit up London’s Savoy Theatre for over two years will launch at the Bristol Hippodrome from 12 September until 3 October, […]
Five Questions With: Marisha Wallace
MARISHA WALLACE, one of the West End and Broadway’s most instantly recognisable voices and beloved leading ladies, is heading out on her first ever UK tour, beginning at the Waterside Theatre, Sale on 8 March 2020. The star of such smash-hit shows as Dreamgirls, Waitress, Aladdin and The Book of Mormon will play a series of theatre shows before […]
First tour dates announced for UK tour of Dreamgirls
Just months after the critically acclaimed Dreamgirls took its final bow at the Savoy Theatre, Sonia Friedman Productions has announced the first details of the hit show’s first UK tour. Launching at the Bristol Hippodrome from 12 September until 3 October 2020, the touring version of the award-winning production which lit up London’s Savoy Theatre […]
Marisha Wallace announces debut UK tour
Marisha Wallace, one of the West End and Broadway’s most instantly recognisable voices and beloved leading ladies is heading out on her first ever UK tour. The star of such smash-hit shows as Dreamgirls, Waitress, Aladdin and The Book of Mormon and very soon Hairspray – will play a series of theatre shows in March […]
Auditions for MTAS’ show tune competition continue until 10 January 2019
Musical theatre aficionados with a penchant for performing songs from their favourite shows are being invited to apply for a chance to take part in The Musical Theatre Appreciation Society’s online competition. Organised by MTAS, the ten-week contest challenges competitors to produce singing videos in response to different themes suggested by leading West End performers. […]
Dreamgirls to end Savoy run before UK tour
The critically-acclaimed UK premiere run of Dreamgirls will give its final performance at the Savoy Theatre on Saturday 12 January 2019 ahead of a UK tour. Currently starring Marisha Wallace, Moya Angela and Karen Mav sharing the iconic role of Effie White, with Asmeret Ghebremichael as Lorrell Robinson and Brennyn Lark as Deena Jones, the award-winning production will end after lighting up the Savoy for […]
West End Eurovision – Shaftesbury Theatre
West End Eurovision at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London. Star rating: five stars ★★★★★ Kinky Boots, Mamma Mia!, Hamilton, Young Frankenstein, 42nd Street, Dreamgirls, The Phantom of the Opera and Aladdin. All musicals with a healthy dose of camp. Take a bunch of cast members, add some over the top creativity and some Eurovision songs, and you get […]
West End Eurovision returns to London in April
Sequin-spangled fundraiser West End Eurovision will return to the heart of London’s theatreland for the first time in four years next month. Inspired by the annual song contest, the show which raises funds for Make A Difference Trust, the UK-based charity involved in the fight against HIV and AIDS both at home and overseas, will […]
Mousetrap Theatre Projects marks 21 years with special event
Christopher Biggins and Harriet Thorpe will host a star-studded charity gala celebrating the 21st anniversary of Mousetrap Theatre Projects next month. The special event at the Prince of Wales Theatre on Sunday 18 March, will feature performances from guest stars including: David Suchet, Patricia Hodge, Michael Xavier, Samantha Spiro, Beau Dermott, Tyrone Huntley and Rachel […]
Winners revealed for The Curtain Up Show Album of the Year 2017
With over 17,000 votes cast, the winners have been announced for The Curtain Up Show Album of the Year 2017 in association with TodayTix. Dreamgirls, currently in its second year at the Savoy Theatre, wins Best UK Cast Recording, whilst Dear Evan Hansen, currently playing at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway, and rumoured to […]
Bat Out of Hell picks up best musical audience award at 2017 Evening Standard Theatre Awards
Bat Out of Hell was judged Best Musical by the public with Dreamgirls’ Amber Riley taking the prize for Best Musical Performance at the 2017 London Evening Standard Theatre Awards ceremony this weekend. Jim Steinman’s innovative rock musical collected the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical after winning the public vote, while Riley followed […]
Dreamgirls’ Marisha Wallace to play Christmas concerts
Dreamgirl Marisha Wallace will perform two intimate concerts at the Charing Cross Theatre in December just weeks after stepping permanently into the role of Effie White. The singer who had been alternating the demanding role with Karen Mav in support of the show’s launch Effie, Amber Riley, at the Savoy Theatre will follow her full-time […]
New Effies line up for Dreamgirls as Amber Riley bids the production farewell
From 20 November 2017, Moya Angela will join Marisha Wallace and Karen Mav to play the iconic role of Effie White in Dreamgirls. Booking for the run at the Savoy Theatre will also extend through to 2 June 2018. The three actresses will all share the role at different performances throughout the week. Award-winning Amber […]
Interview – Tyrone Huntley returns to his award-winning role as Judas in Jesus Chris Superstar
Evening Standard Emerging Talent Award-winning actor TYRONE HUNTLEY is reprising his role as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar in Timothy Sheader’s production at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre this summer. Fresh from appearing in the original London cast of Dreamgirls, where he played C.C White, he has rejoined the cast of the Andrew Lloyd Webber […]
London celebrates West End Live 2017
London theatre is celebrating following the triumphant West End LIVE 2017, which saw hundreds of thousands flock to Trafalgar Square [exclusive images form our official photographer Roy Tan]. Now in its 13th year, the event has become one of Europe’s largest free performing arts festivals. The event is organised by Westminster City Council and the […]
CD Review – Dreamgirls – Original London Cast
DREAMGIRLS – Original London Cast (Sony – 889854294922) Having taken London by storm at the Savoy Theatre, Sony has released a double live recording which simply sizzles with electricity and loads of atmosphere. Not only is it recorded live, but it also contains the full score, which is absolutely brilliant for all those Dreamgirls enthusiasts […]
Musical theatre wins big at The Mousetraps awards event
Musical theatre productions dominated the list of winners at the sixth annual awards ceremony for ‘The Mousetraps’. Presented by Mousetraps Theatre Projects’ Youth Forum, chosen by more than 500 young theatregoers (aged 15-23), nine out of the 12 awards went to musical theatre performers and productions. Dreamgirls’ Tyrone Huntley collected two awards, one for his own performance as […]
Dreamgirls West End cast recording – release details
Newly-crowned Olivier Award winners Amber Riley and Adam J Bernard feature on the highly anticipated Original London Cast Recording of the West End production of Dreamgirls which will be released by Sony Masterworks Broadway next month. Currently available to pre-order now via Amazon, the two CD set will be available via Amazon, iTunes and all […]
Olivier Awards 2017 – Groundhog Day wins Best New Musical, double acting prizes for Dreamgirls
While the biggest story of the Olivier Awards 2017 was the success of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which collected a record-breaking nine Olivier Awards (overtaking Matilda and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time as the most decorated production in the ceremony’s history), there was still plenty to celebrate in the musical […]
Olivier Awards – all the essential details for tuning in on Sunday
A glittering line-up of famous faces will take to the stage to present this year’s Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday (tomorrow). The presenters will include David Baddiel, Alfie Boe, John Boyega, Michaela Coel, Leanne Cope, Julian Clary, Robert Fairchild, Ben Forster, Phoebe Fox, Andrew Garfield, Denise Gough, Matt Henry, Ruthie Henshall, […]
Interview – Sharon D Clarke on a dream role in The Life and colour-blind casting
Revived at the Southwark Playhouse, The Life at is a revival of a Cy Coleman musical which has not been seen since its original Broadway production 20 years ago. Musical theatre star SHARON D. CLARKE, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list, plays Sonja, a prostitute in 1980s New York. Musical […]
Olivier Awards go primetime on ITV for the first time
UK television viewers will be able to watch highlights of this year’s Olivier Awards’ ceremony when the show is broadcast for the first time in a primetime slot on ITV on Tuesday 11 April from 8pm until 10pm. Following on from the prestigious event’s debut at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 9 April which […]
Dreamgirls – Asmeret Ghebremichael joins the cast
West End and Broadway actress Asmeret Ghebremichael has joined the cast of the critically-acclaimed UK premiere run of Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre. Best-known for her performances in The Book of Mormon on Broadway and in the West End, the American actress and singer takes over the role of Lorrell Robinson after Ibinabo Jack was […]
Olivier Awards 2017 – Groundhog Day receives eight nominations
Groundhog Day leads the musical theatre field in the list of nominations for this year’s Olivier Awards, revealed today by Kinky Boots star Matt Henry and fellow Olivier Award winner Denise Gough (People, Places and Things). The well-received show which makes its Broadway debut later this month picked up nominations in eight categories including the Mastercard Award […]
West End Dreamgirls – Original London Cast Recording to be released in April
The Original London Cast Recording of the West End production of musical Dreamgirls will be released on Sony Classical in mid-April and is available to pre-order today via Amazon. This brand new double album was recorded live last month at the Savoy Theatre. It captures the performances of the original London cast of Dreamgirls, the […]
WhatsOnStage Awards 2017 – Half a Sixpence celebrates triple win
The winners have been announced at the Prince of Wales Theatre for the 17th annual WhatsOnStage Awards, presented by Simon Lipkin and Vikki Stone, celebrating the best of the UK’s theatre over the past year. The awards are the only major theatre prizes to be voted for entirely by the audience. Half a Sixpence was […]
Musical Theatre 2016 – a reflection – what was your favourite?
Musical Theatre Review reflects on an incredibly busy year of theatre – in the West End, on the London Fringe, across the UK – and picks a selection of shows from each month that topped the FOUR and FIVE star ratings with our contributors. JANUARY Guys and Dolls – Savoy Theatre, London Star rating: five stars ★ […]
Dreamgirls – Savoy Theatre
Dreamgirls continues at the Savoy Theatre, London. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Dreamgirls first debuted on Broadway in 1981 and after a long 35-year wait, it finally has its London debut. As fans of the show will already know, the book throws the spotlight on the Dreamettes, a young, ambitious singing trio […]
Nominees for 2017 WhatsOnStage Awards revealed
Groundhog Day and Half a Sixpence lead the way in the musical theatre categories featured in the nomination list for the 17th annual WhatsOnStage Awards announced in London today (1 December). Half a Sixpence received eight nominations, while Groundhog Day was recognised in seven categories. The play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child topped the list with 11 nominations. The […]
Dreamgirls – a sneak peek at rehearsals and more tickets released
As more tickets were released for the long-awaited UK premiere of Dreamgirls (the new booking period will extend performances at the Savoy Theatre until 6 May 2017), Musical Theatre Review’s Tal Fox went along to rehearsals for a sneak peek: “It’s hard to believe that the cast of Dreamgirls is only into its second week of […]
Dreamgirls cast celebrates first day in rehearsals
The long-awaited UK premiere of Dreamgirls has preview performances at the Savoy Theatre from 19 November and opening night on Wednesday 14 December 2016. On Monday 3 October, Sonia Friedman Productions assembled the full company for the first day of rehearsals. American actress and singer Amber Riley will star as Effie White and is joined by Ibinabo Jack as Lorrell Robinson […]
Jennifer Holliday to join The Color Purple on Broadway
The original Dreamgirls showstopper, Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday, is heading back to Broadway to join the cast of The Color Purple. Holliday, the actress whose powerhouse performance as Effie White in the original production of Dreamgirls is the stuff of Broadway legend, will step into the role of Shug Avery in the Menier Chocolate Factory production […]
Video – first glimpse of Amber Riley singing ‘I Am Changing’ from Dreamgirls
An exclusive new video has been released in advance of the long-awaited UK premiere of Dreamgirls which will have preview performances at the Savoy Theatre from 19 November and opening night on Wednesday 14 December 2016. American actress and singer Amber Riley is joined in the video feature by Dreamgirls director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw as they discuss the joys and challenges […]
Dreamgirls UK premiere – Ibinabo Jack and Liisi LaFontaine join Amber Riley
Further casting has been announced for the long-awaited UK premiere of Dreamgirls which will have preview performances at the Savoy Theatre from 19 November and opening night on 14 December 2016. As previously confirmed, American actress and singer Amber Riley will star as Effie White. Riley will be joined by Ibinabo Jack as Lorrell Robinson and Liisi LaFontaine as Deena Jones, making up […]
Dreamgirls – Ruth Brown and Karen Mav standby for Amber Riley
Ruth Brown and Karen Mav will support Amber Riley in the role of soulful singer Effie White in Dreamgirls when the previously confirmed Riley is not scheduled to perform (Wednesday evenings). Riley will star in the role for seven performances per week when the Tony Award-winning musical has its UK premiere at the Savoy Theatre with preview performances from 19 […]
Dreamgirls in the West End – tickets go on sale this week
Sonia Friedman Productions has revealed today that tickets for the long-awaited UK premiere of Tony Award-winning musical Dreamgirls go on sale this week (already available to priority bookers with tickets going on general sale at 12 noon on Friday 1 April). The brand new production begins preview performances at the Savoy Theatre from 19 November with […]
