Willy Russell News

A multi-ethnic cast highlights stinging themes of class and poverty when Whitefire artistic director Bryan Rasmussen directs Blood Brothers, the Olivier Award-winning, Tony-nominated musical drama by Willy Russell (Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine). The tragic musical tale opens at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks on October 18 for a six-week run through November 23.

Get a true taste of NoHo at the second annual All-Day, All-Arts, All-NoHo 'NoHo Scene' on Sunday, October 5 from 11 am until 8 pm. Admission to all NoHo Scene events and activities is free.

The theatre's eleventh season features 8 plays that include 3 regional premieres, a Tony-winning Best Play and an American classic by one of the world's most beloved playwrights.

The theatre's eleventh season features 8 plays that include 3 regional premieres, a Tony-winning Best Play and an American classic by one of the world's most beloved playwrights.

The international comedy hit Defending the Caveman returns to San Francisco for a limited two-week engagement at the Marines Memorial Theatre in San Francisco.

New season subscription packages on sale today for CanStage's 2008/09 season. Doubt, Frost/Nixon and Blackbird, are among the highlights.

Legendary theatrical impresario Bill Kenwright takes time out of his busy schedule to discuss his new US production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down The Wind which he has masterfully directed as well as serving as the producer.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down the Wind will launch its first-ever U.S. National tour September 9 through 22 at Houston's Hobby Center for the Performing Arts as part of the 2007-08 Theatre Under the Stars season and then continue on to major cities across America including Seattle, Hartford and Sacramento

Toronto's Encore Entertainment presents a minimalist staging of Willy Russell's popular musical. * * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)

Willy Russell's timeless musical is celebrating 20 years in London's West End.

Encore Entertainment will be presenting Willy Russell's popular musical, Blood Brothers, at the Toronto Centre for the Arts (Studio Theatre), 5040 Yonge Street, from April 26 until May 6, 2007. All evening performances begin at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m.

A production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest starring 'Queer as Folk's Randy Harrison will be among the highlights of the Berkshire Theatre Festival, which will be held from June through October this year.

A number of West End musicals have announced starry cast changes; British pop star Antony Costa will join the cast of Blood Brothers, musical theatre veterans Louise Gold and Diane Langton will step into Mary Poppins, and Amra-Faye Wright and Luca Barbareschi will be welcomed into the cast of Chicago

Bill Kenwright and Marla Rubin announce that they will present the Almeida Theatre production of FESTEN, the hugely successful London play about a family with a dark secret, on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre (239 W. 45th St.), with performances beginning Thursday, March 23. Larry Bryggman, Michael Hayden, Ali MacGraw and Julianna Margulies have been cast in the Broadway production. Directed by Rufus Norris, in a dramatization by David Eldridge from the Danish 1998 film, FESTEN will have its official press opening on Sunday, April 9.

BLOOD BROTHERS opens successful run in Mississauga, Ontario. Though the show remains problematic at times, the production is first rate! * * * * (out of 5)

Bill Kenwright will bring two-time Academy Award-winning actress Jessica Lange back to Broadway in a new production of the Tennessee Williams' classic, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, for a limited engagement beginning previews Thursday, February 24, at 8pm at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47 Street). Opening night for THE GLASS MENAGERIE, which will feature Dallas Roberts, Sarah Paulson and Josh Lucas and which will be directed by David Leveaux, is Tuesday, March 15, at 6:45pm.