UK / West End Theatre + Broadway News

UK Arena Tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR to Star Tim Minchin, Mel C & Chris Moyles

(5/16/2012) The Really Useful Group and AEG Live today announced the first ever UK arena tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary rock classic Jesus Christ Superstar. Award-winning musical comedian Tim Minchin - also the co-writer of West End smash musical Matilda - is confirmed for the role of 'Judas Iscariot'. Three million album selling pop icon and former Spice Girl Melanie C will take the only female lead as 'Mary Magdalene', and BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles will make his major stage debut as 'King Herod', in what is set to be one of the biggest and most impressive arena tours to hit the UK.

Steven Berkoff Premieres 6 ACTORS IN SEARCH OF A DIRECTOR, Now thru June 23

(5/16/2012) Steven Berkoff is to direct the World Premiere of his latest play, 6 Actors in Search of a Director, a comedy set on a movie location set, for a West End season at Charing Cross Theatre from tonight 16th May - Saturday 23rd June. Six actors are on a movie set waiting for their call. Until then they are in limbo needing the director to bring them to life. He does this merely by using the one magic word - “Action!”

SMASH Star Raza Jaffrey Joins West End's CHICAGO, Now thru July 14

(5/16/2012) Life is imitating art for leading man Raza Jaffrey, as CHICAGO producer, Barry Weissler spotted him in the new Steven Spielberg TV series Smash, and immediately offered him the role of Billy Flynn in the West End production of the musical. He stars in CHICAGO at the Garrick Theatre from tonight, 16 May to 14 July, playing the role between present Billy, David Bedella, who left the cast on 12 May, and Olympian Robin Cousins, who joins on 17 July.

Anthony Rapp's WITHOUT YOU Gets Menier Chocolate Factory Production this August

(5/15/2012) In 1994 Anthony Rapp was working at a Starbucks and about to audition for Rent a new musical by a young guy named Jonathan Larson. An inspiring story about friends and artists struggling in New York’s Lower East Side, it was based loosely on Puccini’s La Bohème. Anthony got the part, but Jonathan died suddenly the night before the musical’s off-Broadway premiere.

ABIGAIL'S PARTY Starring Jill Halfpenny Transfers to Wyndham's Theatre from Tonight, May 15

(5/15/2012) Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Chocolate Factory Productions previously announced the transfer of Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party to Wyndham’s Theatre from tonight, 15th May.

Nina Conti Presents New Material at Menier Chocolate Factory, Now thru May 19

(5/15/2012) Following a sold out run in 2011, the Menier Chocolate Factory welcomes back groundbreaking ventriloquist Nina Conti, working on brand new material for her new show for 5 performances only, from tonight 15th – Saturday 19th May. This material will form the basis of Nina's new show, Dolly Mixtures at the Pleasance Dome 1st - 27th August as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

John Addison Joins Cast of The Landor Theatre's THE THING ABOUT MEN, Now thru June 9

(5/15/2012) John Addison was previously announced to play Sebastian and complete the cast for the London revival of The Thing About Men, due to open at The Landor Theatre tonight, 15th May 2012 for a strictly limited four week run. Theatrica Ltd have not been able to announce John until now, due to his placement and filming schedule for the latest ITV series, Superstar; dedicated to helping Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber find his next title role in Jesus Christ Superstar.

STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes of STARLIGHT EXPRESS UK Tour!

(5/14/2012) Bill Kenwright presents one of the best loved and longest running musicals in theatrical history, as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sensational Starlight Express explodes back onto the stage with a new production for 2012, set to take the UK by electrifying storm. Starlight Express just opened at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Go behind the scenes of the production below!

GHOST's Siobhan Dillon & Mark Evans to Release 'Unchained Melody' Single June 18

(5/14/2012) Siobhan Dillon and Mark Evans from GHOST: The Musical will release their cover of the Righteous Brothers song ‘Unchained Melody’ on the 11th of June on Sain Records. This is the first track to be lifted from Mark Evans debut English album ‘The Journey Home’, which will be released on June the 18th.

Dave Willetts & Marti Webb to Star in 42ND STREET UK Tour from June

(5/14/2012) West End stars Dave Willetts (Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Cats, Ragtime, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) and Marti Webb (Blood Brothers, Tell Me On a Sunday, Evita, Cats) will join forces to headline the legendary Broadway musical 42nd Street as it embarks on a national tour of the UK from 1st June 2012, playing 23 venues to the end of the year.

Andrew Lloyd Webber to Receive BASCA Fellowship at The Ivor Novello Awards, May 17

(5/14/2012) Andrew Lloyd Webber will receive a BASCA Fellowship at this year’s Ivor Novello Awards on Thursday 17 May. The BASCA Fellowship is the highest accolade which a composer can receive, bestowed by composers in the UK. It recognises unique creative talent in music writing together with iconic achievement for and on behalf of composers. BASCA Fellows are exceptional artists and ambassadors for the song-writing and composing profession and BASCA’s role within it.

Photo Flash: BILLY ELLIOT Set to Run Until December 2013

(5/14/2012) Billy Elliot the Musical, now in its eighth year, will release a further 640,000 tickets this week, taking booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre to 21 December 2013. Check out the production photographs below.

National Theatre of Scotland's Vicky Featherstone Becomes Artistic Director of The Royal Court in April 2013

(5/14/2012) Vicky Featherstone will replace Dominic Cooke as the Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre in London from April 2013.

Derren Brown Brings Olivier Award-Winning SVENGALI to The Novello for a Final July-August Run

(5/14/2012) Derren Brown’s 2012 Olivier award-winning show SVENGALI will take up residence at London’s Novello Theatre for 27 performances only, from July 12 – Aug 11. This is the last chance to see the live show that has performed in over 150 venues across Britain.

Nickelodeon's DORA THE EXPLORER LIVE! Set for West End August to September Then National Tour

(5/14/2012) Nickelodeon, Life Like Touring and Daniel Sparrow & Mike Walsh Productions will present the UK premiere of Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys, arriving at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue for a limited three week run from 28 August to 16 September 2012.

Harrison Dowzell Becomes 30th West End BILLY ELLIOT Today - Tix on Sale Until December 2013

(5/14/2012) Twelve year old Harrison Dowzell from Nottinghamshire is to become the thirtieth boy to play the title role of Billy Elliot in the West End. Harrison, who joins the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical today, 14 May 2012, will alternate the role of Billy with Harris Beattie (13 year old from Aberdeen, Scotland), Kaine Ward (13 years old from Hertfordshire), Ryan Collinson (13 years old from Southport) and Adam Vesperman (13 years old from Seattle, Washington, USA) He will be the 65th boy to play the role worldwide, including Jamie Bell who played Billy Elliot in the award-winning film.

WE WILL ROCK YOU Plays 10th Anniversary Performance Tonight, May 14

(5/14/2012) West End smash hit musical We Will Rock You's special tenth anniversary celebration show takes place at the Dominion Theatre, London, tonight, May 14.

MMD's A SONG CYCLE FOR SOHO Original Cast Recording Set for Release Today, May 14

(5/14/2012) Today, May 14, 2012 independent label SimG Records releases the Original Cast Recording of A Song Cycle For Soho, a project created for Mercury Musical Developments members to practice their song writing skills, followed by a showcase presented at Soho Theatre during Feb/March 2012.

BWW Interviews: Olivier Nominee Michael Xavier, Talking WONDERFUL TOWN

(5/13/2012) It's very rare that you see a touring production as large and as lavish as the current UK tour of Wonderful Town. "It's great!" says Michael Xavier, who plays the male lead Bob Baker.

Dave Willetts Talks About His New Album ONCE IN A LIFETIME

(5/13/2012) For over 25 years, Dave Willetts has been one of the UK's leading theatre musical stars, praised by critics and contemporaries alike for his worldwide performances in musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and Cats.

Stage Door's David Essex Back Catalogue, Feat. MUTINY!, FRIENDS and More, Opens for Digital Download Today, May 13

(5/13/2012) Stage Door Records in association with David Essex present the digital release of select theatrical titles from David Essex's musical back catalogue including MUTINY! and FRIENDS. Today May 13th, 2012 the following titles will be made available for digital download on iTunes, Amazon, eMusic and other digital e-tailers in all worldwide territories.

MAD ABOUT THE BOY Set for UK-Wide Tour Following London Launch Tonight, May 12

(5/12/2012) Iron Shoes previously announced the national tour dates for its production of Mad About the Boy. The production will receive its London première at the Unicorn Theatre tonight 12 May before embarking on a UK tour.

BWW TV Seattle Exclusive: Behind the Scenes of Kristin Chenoweth on Tour!

(5/11/2012) BroadwayWorld Seattle was granted EXCLUSIVE access to Kristin Chenoweth's debut performance of her new (and first ever) tour, which opened in Seattle on Wednesday night ... and received a whopping NINE standing ovations for a show unlike we had ever seen.

WICKED Announces Partnership With New UK Anti-Bullying Charity The Ben Cohen Standup Foundation

(5/11/2012) WICKED, the award-winning hit musical that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to announce its partnership with anti-bullying charity The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, which launched in the UK last night (Thursday 10 May).

STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek of STARLIGHT EXPRESS UK Tour!

(5/11/2012) Bill Kenwright presents one of the best loved and longest running musicals in theatrical history, as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sensational Starlight Express explodes back onto the stage with a new production for 2012, set to take the UK by electrifying storm. Starlight Express just opened at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Check out highlights below!

STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes of West End's THE BODYGUARD, Starring Heather Headley, in Rehearsal!

(5/11/2012) Starring Heather Headley as Rachel Marron and Lloyd Owen as Frank Farmer in the roles made famous on film by the late Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, tickets for THE BODYGUARD went on sale on May 1, taking bookings until 27 April 2013 for the production’s first booking period. Previews begin on 6 November 2012, twenty years after the release of the Oscar nominated film. Opening night is 5 December. Can't wait? Gossip blogger Perez Hilton went behind the scenes, and you can get a first look below!

Corrie's Craig Kelly Set for CHICKEN Premiere 25 June

(5/11/2012) The West-End premiere of the dark and devilish comedy CHICKEN arrives at the Trafalgar Studio 2 from Monday 25 June 2012, starring Craig Kelly - known from his roles as Luke Strong in Coronation Street and Vince Tyler in Queer as Folk - as Wendall. CHICKEN will play until Saturday 21 July 2012. The opening night is on Tuesday 26 June at 7pm.

Royal Court's POSH Plays Duke of York's Theatre, Now thru Aug 4; JUMPY Opens Aug 16

(5/11/2012) The Royal Court Theatre returns to its previous West End home, the Duke of York’s Theatre, with POSH and JUMPY - two of the biggest hits in its history. Ambassador Theatre Group joins forces with Royal Court Theatre Productions to present this 2012 West End season.

CURTAIN UP SHOW Launches on Resonance FM Today - Louise Dearman and Susan Vidler Guest

(5/11/2012) Tim McArthur hosts a brand new weekly theatreland chat show, launching on Resonance 104.4fm today, Friday 11 May 2012. The Curtain Up Show will take a light-hearted look at the current state of London theatre, showcasing established and up-and-coming talent, both on stage and behind the scenes.

Photo Flash: WIZARD OF OZ Celebrates 500th Performance!

(5/10/2012) THE WIZARD OF OZ, featuring Sophie Evans as Dorothy and Russell Grant as The Wizard, ust celebrated 500 performances at the London Palladium. Check out a photo of the cast on the big day, as featured on the show's official website!

Photo Flash: Inside Opening Night of West End's TOP HAT!

(5/10/2012) Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen take the lead roles of Jerry Travers and Dale Tremont in Top Hat which opened on Wednesday 9th May at the Aldwych Theatre in the West End where the show is currently booking until 26 January 2013. To celebrate the cast were treated to an evening of ballroom dancing and 1930’s glamour at the Waldorf Hotel, Aldwych. Check out photos from the big opening below!

Dave Clark's TIME now available on iTunes

(5/9/2012) In celebration of 25th anniversary, Dave Clark’s “TIME – The Album” now available on iTunes. This ground-breaking, critically-acclaimed 80s musical broke box office records, was seen by over 1 million and was the most technically advanced musical in London’s West end history.

TKTS to Offer Free Tickets to Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

(5/9/2012) To celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, TKTS, run by the Society of London Theatre, is offering a free ticket to a London show of choice for the first ten subjects to prove that they bear the majestic moniker of Elizabeth and the first ten who carry the noble name of Philip.

Confirmed: Des O'Connor to Star as The Wizard in THE WIZARD OF OZ from May 22; Show to Close in September

(5/9/2012) ollowing a staggering 1,200+ solo appearances at the London Palladium, Des O'Connor is set to star at the world renowned venue for the very first time in a stage musical. He will take over the iconic role of The Wizard in Andrew Lloyd Webber's reimagining of THE WIZARD OF OZ, presented by Bill Kenwright and The Really Useful Group, from Tuesday 22 May to the show's final season, booking through 2 September.

Stage Door Records to Release David Essex Back Catalogue Including MUTINY! and FRIENDS for Digital Download May 13

(5/9/2012) Stage Door Records in association with David Essex have announced the digital release of select theatrical titles from David Essex's musical back catalogue including MUTINY! and FRIENDS. On May 13th, 2012 the following titles will be made available for digital download on iTunes, Amazon, eMusic and other digital e-tailers in all worldwide territories.

Jason Manford to Make West-End Debut as Pirelli in SWEENY TODD, 2 – 27 July - 'Anything can happen!'

(5/9/2012) Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece, Sweeney Todd, stars Olivier Award winner Michael Ball as the infamous demon barber of Fleet Street and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton as his devoted accomplice Mrs. Lovett. Following sell-out success at Chichester Festival Theatre, the production transferred to London’s West End on 10 March, 2012 for a limited season only, and must end on 22 September, 2012. Comedian Jason Manford will join the company as “Italian” barber Pirelli for four weeks in July this year, covering for Robert Burt, who is scheduled to sing at Glyndebourne Festival 2012.

STAGE TUBE: Wendi Peters in Trailer for THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD

(5/9/2012) In preparation for it's opening at the Arts Theatre on May 18, the team of THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD have released this video trailer, featuring one of the songs from the show.

Neal Foster and Alison Fitzjohn Join Garrick's HORRIBLE HISTORIES: BARMY BRITAIN from Today, May 9

(5/9/2012) From today, May 9, Neal Foster and Alison Fitzjohn will take over the roles of Rex and Queenie in HORRIBLE HISTORIES – BARMY BRITAIN at the Garrick Theatre.

MMD's A SONG CYCLE FOR SOHO Original Cast Recording Set for Release May 14

(5/8/2012) On May 14, 2012 independent label SimG Records is set to release the Original Cast Recording of A Song Cycle For Soho, a project created for Mercury Musical Developments members to practice their song writing skills, followed by a showcase presented at Soho Theatre during Feb/March 2012.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gary Barlow Present Diamond Jubilee Song to the Queen

(5/8/2012) Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gary Barlow met with Queen Elizabeth II at the Windsor Castle today (May 8) and presented her with a special anthem they composed entitled "Sing," in honor of her Diamond Jubilee. The song celebrates the Queen's commitment to the Commonwealth. A download of the sheet music and lyrics will be available on Friday, May 18. To register for a free copy, click here.