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News ... ... News ... ... News ... ... News ...
Elton
Premieres Rod Stewart Musical Tonight, 6 Nov
2nd June 2003
A new musical mining popular music's back catalogue is now confirmed for the West End this autumn. Joining Abba's Mamma Mia!, Queen's We Will Rock You and Madness' Our House, the new show - Tonight's the Night, fashioned around the greatest hits of British rocker Rod Stewart - will receive its world premiere at the Victoria Palace theatre on 6 November 2003, following previews from 15 October.
Full details of the show are still unannounced though, like the other band-inspired musicals mentioned, it will not be based on the life of Stewart. The original book - apparently loosely based on the legend of Faust, who sold his soul to the devil - is scripted by the ever busy comedian-turned novelist-turned playwright-turned musical writer Ben Elton, who also wrote the book for We Will Rock You as well as for Andrew Lloyd Webber's 2000 musical The Beautiful Game.
Born in London in 1945, Rod Stewart - aka the gravely-voiced, distinctly-coiffed 'Rod the Mod' - was one of the UK's biggest rock stars in the late 1960s and 1970s. In his early years, Stewart juggled his role as lead singer for the Faces with a burgeoning solo career, which eventually took over. His many hits over the years have included "Maggie May", "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy", "You Wear It Well", "Hot Legs", "The Killing of Georgie", "First Cut Is the Deepest", "You're in My Heart", and the show's title song, "Tonight's the Night".
Ragtime
posts early closing notices for 14 June 2003
1st June 2003
The musical Ragtime has posted early closing notices at the Piccadilly Theatre after a run of only 3 months! The last performance will be on 14 June 2003.
Although the show received good notices from the popular press when it opened in March 03, it has suffered, like many West End shows at the moment, by a poor box office. (editor: All these terror alerts are having a detrimental effect on tourism in London!!)
NICHOLAS DE JONGH for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Maria Friedman...sings with a rich, sinuous virtuosity." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, " Brisk, pacey, tuneful..touching." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Packs a considerable emotional punch." CHARLES SPENCER for DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "A show blessed with real heart, great songs and superb performances."
The musical, which had a run on Broadway from Dec 97 to Jan 00, is based on the novel by E.L Doctorow, book by Terrence McNally; music by Stephen Flaherty; lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.
It is directed by Stafford Arima, designed by Robert Jones with lighting by Howard Harrison and choreography by Candace Jennings.
This brand new production of Ragtime was freshly conceived and designed for its West End premiere and featured an orchestra of 20 and a cast of 38.
Modern
Millie Confirms West End Premiere, 21 Oct
5th June 2003
As previously tipped, the multi award-winning Broadway hit Thoroughly Modern Musical will receive its West End premiere this autumn. It is now confirmed to open at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 21 October 2003, following previews from 11 October.
Based on the 1967 film starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing, the nostalgic musical comedy is set in 1920s New York where recent arrival-from-Kansas Millie Dillmount is determined to bob her hair, dance to jazz, get a job and marry her boss - all in the modern fashion.
In addition to period tunes and songs from the film, Thoroughly Modern Musical features new numbers by Dick Scanlan (lyrics) and Jeanine Tesori (music), with a book by Scanlan and Richard Morris. The musical opened in April 2002 at Broadway's Marquis Theatre, where it continues to play, and was the big winner at the 2002 Tony Awards, taking home six trophies including Best Musical and Best Actress in a Musical for newcomer Sutton Foster in the title role.
Though London casting has not yet been confirmed, British television actress Amanda Holden - whose credits include the series Cutting It - is lined up to make her West End debut as Millie. The production will also reunite the original Broadway creative team, including director Michael Mayer and designer David Gallow.
Prior to the transfer of Thoroughly Modern Musical, the Shaftesbury Theatre will house the UK touring revival of Calamity Jane, starring Toyah Willcox. At the end of an extensive UK tour, the Wild West musical comedy opens on 26 June 2003 (previews 12 June) at the Shaftesbury, where it continues its limited season to 20 September.
Queer as
Folk Flaunts Musical Ambitions
5th June 2003
Channel 4's Queer as Folk provides the inspiration for a new musical that's touting for a West End premiere. Set in modern Manchester, the television drama serial follows the lives of three gay men as they cruise the clubs of Canal Street. The screen version starred Aidan Gillen, Craig Kelly and Charlie Hunnam. Last week at The Venue, the former home of Taboo, the Queer as Folk stage adaptation was given a workshop presentation, featuring Taboo's Euan Morton and Paul Baker (who won this year's Best Supporting Olivier for his turn as Philip Salon in the Boy George musical) as well as Contact's Michael Praed. The production is directed by former West Yorkshire Playhouse artistic director Jude Kelly.
Brent
Barrett Set to “Razzle Dazzle ’Em” Again in Chicago
2nd June 2003
Brent Barrett returns to the Broadway company of Chicago June 2.Barrett will portray slick lawyer Billy Flynn, a role he played to much acclaim when he was part of the Chicago company at the Shubert Theatre. Chicago now plays the Ambassador. Barrett replaces Gregory Harrison in the role originated in this revival by Tony winner James Naughton. Harrison departed the Broadway cast to join the new road company of Chicago, which kicks off in Washington, D.C. June 10.
The Broadway cast of Chicago currently stars Roxane Carrasco as Velma Kelly, Tracy Shayne as Roxie Hart, Angie Stone as Matron “Mama” Morton, D. Sabella as Mary Sunshine and P. J. Benjamin as Amos Hart. Screen actress Melanie Griffith joins the company as Roxie July 11-Sept. 28. This will mark Griffith's Broadway bow.
Brent Barrett received an Olivier Award nomination for his role in the London company of Kiss Me, Kate. His other theatrical credits include the Broadway productions of Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun and Candide. Barrett received a Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for his work in the L.A. production of Chicago and has been seen Off Broadway in Closer Than Ever, March of the Falsettos, The Death of Von Richtofen, The Time of the Cuckoo and Portrait of Jenny. His television and film appearances include "Hercules," "Longtime Companion," "All My Children," "Another World" and "Guiding Light."
Urban
Playboy: Matt Cavenaugh Expected as Jimmy in Millie Tour, Kaarina Is Miss
Dorothy; Rehearsals Start June 9
6th June 2003
The national touring company of Thoroughly Modern Millie starts rehearsals in New York City June 9 toward a July 15 launch, and Matt Cavenaugh of Urban Cowboy is expected to play Jimmy on the tour.
Sources in the theatre community say Cavenaugh will play the devil-may-care flapper-era playboy who sings composer Jeanine Tesori and lyricist Dick Scanlan's Gershwinesque "What Do I Need With Love?" and "I Turned the Corner." His Broadway debut was as Bud, the title character in the short-lived Urban Cowboy this spring. His casting in Millie has not been officially announced.
Diana Kaarina, who died on the barricades as Eponine in the final Broadway performance of Les Misérables May 18, will play winsome rich girl, Miss Dorothy, a foil to Millie, played by the previously-confirmed Darcie Roberts (Broadway's Aida, among other shows).
Chicago theatre star Hollis Resnik, whose shelves are weighted with Chicago Jeff Awards, will play evil Mrs. Meers and (in a change from Broadway) double as Miss Flannery, the salty-sweet typing pool leader (played memorably on Broadway by a bewigged Anne L. Nathan). Chicago actor Sean Krill will play Trevor, Tony nominee Pamela Isaacs from The Life is Muzzy, Darren Lee (a respected dancer-actor from Kiss Me, Kate) plays Bun Foo and Andrew Pang is Ching Ho.
The company includes Bradley Benjamin, Renee Monique Brown, Jeremy Davis, Troy Magino, Daniel May, Heather Parcells, Diane Phelan, Mia Price, Paul Schaeffer, Steven Wenslawski, Rachel Lafer, Mark Ledbetter, Joe Langworth, Laura Shoop and Tony Yazbeck.
Millie, based on the movie of the same name, but much altered with new songs and plotting, won the 2002 Tony Award for Best Musical, and snagged acting Tonys for newcomer Sutton Foster and featured actress Harriet Harris (who played the role of Mrs. Meers in Asian dragon lady drag). The libretto is by Scanlan and the late Richard Morris.
The show focuses on a Kansas girl who seeks adventure and a rich husband in the Oz-worthy, Jazz-Age New York City of 1922.
Tech and dress rehearsals are in Green Bay, WI, July 7- 12, followed by a July 15-20 launch at the Starlight Theater in Kansas City.
Little
Shop of Horrors Cancels Broadway Engagement
2nd June 2003
The eagerly awaited New York-bound production of Little Shop of Horrors has canceled its Broadway run, a production spokesman announced early June 2.The revival, which stars Alice Ripley and Hunter Foster, opened May 16 at the Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables. The New York production at the Virginia Theatre, which would have marked the musical's Broadway bow, was to have begun previews July 16 prior to an official opening Aug. 14.
Producer Marc Routh said in a statement, “We feel an obligation to everyone involved with Little Shop, and to the ticket-buying public, to insure that the work we present on Broadway represents the best work we can do. In spite of the great number of talented people involved, the elements of this production did not come together in the way we would have liked.”
The producers are currently in discussion regarding the possibility of "a newly conceived production" to open on Broadway later this year, with Jerry Zaks directing. The current director is Connie Grappo.
The continued involvement of choreographer Kathleen Marshall and the current cast remains an open question. Grappo and Lee Wilkof, who plays Mr. Mushnik in the Florida staging, are married.
The company was to have headed into the recording studio in late June. That session has been canceled.
Previews began May 7. The show will continue until June 15 in Florida. Those who purchased advance tickets for the Broadway engagement should call TeleCharge at (212) 239-6200 to obtain a refund. Refunds will not be given automatically.
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