BREAKING: LEGALLY BLONDE To Close At Savoy, April 7
by BWW

(Jan. 25 1:44 PM) - After almost 1000 West End manicures, perms and make-overs, Legally Blonde The Musical will have its final performance at the Savoy Theatre on Saturday 7 April 2012, when principal contracts end. The production now in its third year has transformed the Savoy Theatre into a pink haven for Elle and her sorority girlfriends. Legally Blonde The Musical opened in December 2009 to rave reviews and the show went on to win seven theatre awards including the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical. Legally Blonde The Musical continues its tour of the UK and plans are in place for an Australian production to open in Sydney later this year.

Photo Flash: THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA At Almeida Theatre
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 25 10:49 AM) - Bijan Sheibani directs Federico García Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba running at the Almeida Theatre from 19 January – 10 March 2012.

ALICE BY HEART, DETROIT, et al. Included in National Theatre's 2012 Plans
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 25 10:35 AM) - Highlights of the forthcoming productions at the National Theatre, announced today by Nicholas Hytner, include new plays by Alan Bennett, Stephen Beresford, Lisa D’Amour, James Graham and Lucy Prebble. There will be adaptations of Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Simon Stephens, and of The Count of Monte Cristo by Richard Bean. Enda Walsh’s Misterman receives its London premiere; classic revivals include Polly Findlay’s production of Sophocles’ Antigone, Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens directed by Nicholas Hytner, Bijan Sheibani’s staging of Damned for Despair by Tirso de Molina, and Nadia Fall’s production of Bernard Shaw’s The Doctor’s Dilemma.

Photo Coverage: HAY FEVER Rehearsal Shots
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 25 6:53 AM) - Howard Davies' production of Noël Coward's Hay Fever will run at the Noël Coward Theatre from 10 February - 2 June 2012 - and here are some rehearsal shots by Catherine Ashmore.

CRAZY FOR YOU Closes March 17th, 2012 at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 24 8:43 PM) - Timothy Sheader’s critically acclaimed production of George and Ira Gershwin’s musical comedy Crazy for You transferred from Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre to the Novello theatre on 8 October 2011. The six month season must come to an end on March 17th 2012.

BEHIND THE SCENES: The CHILDREN OF EDEN Gala Concert!
by Carrie Dunn

(Jan. 24 10:34 AM) - We go behind the scenes at the rehearsals for the Children of Eden gala event, featuring Oliver Thornton, Kerry Ellis, Louise Dearman and more...

EXCLUSIVE - BWW Interviews: Eddie Redmayne At The Critics' Circle Awards
by Carrie Dunn

(Jan. 24 8:58 AM) - Eddie Redmayne picked up the award for Best Shakespearean Performance at the Critics' Circle Awards today - we caught up with him...

Sheridan Smith and Eddie Redmayne Win at 2011 Critics' Circle Awards
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 24 8:57 AM) - Sheridan Smith, Benedict Cumberbatch and Eddie Redmayne all won awards at this afternoon's Critics' Circle Awards at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton to Host 2012 Olivier Awards; Will Coincide With NY Event
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 23 7:18 PM) - The most prestigious event in the UK’s theatrical calendar, the presentation of the 36th Olivier Awards with MasterCard will take place for the first time in its entirety at the Royal Opera House, London on Sunday 15 April 2012 when distinguished guests from London’s arts and cultural scene will join winners and celebrities at the glamorous red carpet event.

Ramin Karimloo's Album Release Moved to March 5
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 23 7:03 PM) - West End star Ramin Karimloo, who was just seen as the title character in the 25th Anniversary concert of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and will soon star as Jean Valjean in the London production of LES MISERABLES, will soon release a new album titled Ramin. According to the star's Twitter page, the release has been moved to February 6, 2012.

WICKED Extends Booking Through 2013
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 23 10:48 AM) - Wicked, the smash hit West End musical now in its sixth spellbinding year at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, is pleased to announce the opening of its 13th new booking period, with tickets now on sale until Saturday 27 April 2013.

Confirmed: Russell Grant Is West End's New WIZARD OF OZ!
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 23 5:23 AM) - As we exclusively reported on Friday, Russell Grant is to take over as The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium after Michael Crawford's departure next month.

Kevin Spacey, Kim Cattrall, Jeff Goldblum Lead Old Vic New York Benefit Gala Tonight; Stephen Fry Hosts
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 23 5:00 AM) - On January 23, 2012 The Old Vic will be hosting a Gala evening of entertainment, Old Vic New York, at Gotham Hall, New York City. Hosted by Stephen Fry, the evening will include a number of British and American personalities taking to the stage, as part of this one off theatrical extravaganza led by Kevin Spacey.

Tim Rice Opposes Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Tasteless' SUPERSTAR Reality Show
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 22 11:06 AM) - Lyricist Tim Rice is well-known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, including EVITA, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and THE WIZARD OF OZ, among many other projects. Rice describes Lloyd Webber's latest project, however, as "tasteless": a reality TV search for the next 'Jesus' in a SUPERSTAR arena tour.

MASTER CLASS Begins Its West End Run
by BWW News Desk

(Jan. 21 12:12 PM) - Stephen Wadsworth’s new production of Terrence McNally’s Master Class starring Tyne Daly as the legendary opera soprano Maria Callas has transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre following its critically acclaimed, sell-out run on Broadway. Joining Daly are Gerard Carey (Stagehand), Jeremy Cohen (Emmanuel Weinstock), Naomi O’Connell (Sharon Graham), Dianne Pilkington (Sophie De Palma) and Garrett Sorenson (Anthony Candolino).

BEHIND THE SCENES: Creating A New Musical With MY LAND'S SHORE, Featuring Sarah Lark and Jonathan Williams!
by Carrie Dunn

(Jan. 21 6:42 AM) - We've all got a little excited recently about the new British musical theatre composers edging through into the mainstream, with Stiles and Drewe's Betty Blue Eyes reaching the West End last year, and Grant Olding, Michael Bruce and Dougal Irvine all getting tons of critical acclaim. BWW:UK's own Robert Gould is the book writer and lyricist for new show My Land's Shore, which is about to have its cast recording released.

STAGE TUBE: Michael Crawford Celebrates Birthday at WIZARD OF OZ
by Stage Tube

(Jan. 20 3:42 PM) - Both Michael Crawford and Danielle Hope will both depart the West End production of THE WIZARD OF OZ on February 5, 2012. Both have been with the show since the beginning, and audiences had been following the yellow brick road over the rainbow to see Crawford (as the Wizard) and Danielle Hope (as Dorothy), winner of BBC TV's Over the Rainbow, at The London Palladium. But before they leave, the cast celebrated Crawford's 70th birthday at a recent curtain call.

Russell Grant To Take Over As THE WIZARD OF OZ After Departure Of Michael Crawford?
by Rialto Chatter

(Jan. 20 3:18 PM) - The Wizard of Oz's latest newsletter tells us that Michael Crawford's replacement will be announced shortly but until that time the casting is "strictly confidential" - so does that mean the Strictly Come Dancing star is in the frame to take over?