Jessica Lewis - Page 182

After a hugely successful run at the Gielgud, the eternally popular musical Avenue Q will move to the Wyndham's (almost back to where it started at the Noel Coward in 2005). The 'Pant Wettingly Funny' show will continue performances at the Wyndham's from March 19, booking until the end of September 2010 - marking Avenue Q's fifth year in London's West End. Due to the change in theatre programming Stephen Daldry's multi award-winning production of An Inspector Calls will close a week early on Saturday 13 March to facilitate the transfer of Avenue Q to the Wyndham's.

Whoopi Goldberg confirmed yesterday on the Joy Behar show that she will be brining Sister Act, now playing at The London Palladium in the West End, to Broadway in 2011.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that come next month, Broadway's NEXT TO NORMAL may welcome a new, real life couple into the roles of Diana and Dan. Sarah Uriarte Berry (The Light in the Piazza, Taboo), is now preparing to understudy Diana when regular understudy Jessica Phillips is on vacation the week of February 15. The role of Diana will continue to be played by Tony-winner Alice Ripley. Her husband, Michael Berry, currently understudies Dan and Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine. If all aligns, the couple could appear opposite one another during that week.

As previously reported, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical will celebrate a year in the West End on 23 March 2010 having completed over 425 performances at the Palace Theatre since its opening last year. From 8 March Jason Donovan (Tick) and Oliver Thornton (Adam) will be joined by Don Gallagher as Bernadette, as booking for the show extends until 26 February 2011. Over the summer (6 June - 5 September 2010) there will be Sunday performances of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical at 3pm. The show is reportedly Broadway-bound thereafter in 2011.

Wonderland, the new musical adventure by Frank Wildhorn (The Civil War and Jekyll & Hyde), with lyrics by Jack Murphy and a book by Phoebe Hwang, is currently playing at Houston's Ally Theatre through February 14. BroadwayWorld brings you a look inside the production, directed by Gregory Boyd (also the Ally's Artistic Director).

Walt Disney has released the newest production photos from Tim Burton's upcoming Alice in Wonderland! The flick stars a host of big names including Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Mia Wasikowska as 19-year-old Alice, Matt Lucas -star of Little Britain - as both Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Helena Bonham Carter as Red Queen, Stephen Fry as The Cheshire Cat, stage and screen star Anne Hathaway as The White Queen, stage and screen star Alan Rickman as The caterpillar, and Crispin Glover as the Knave of Hearts.

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher are pleased to announce that Caroline Sheen will reprise the role of 'Mary Poppins' in the North American Tour of MARY POPPINS, after originating the title role in the critically acclaimed UK Tour. Sheen replaces Ashley Brown, who will play her final performance in Los Angeles at The Ahmanson Theatre on Sunday, February 7. Sheen joins the production in Tempe, AZ where performances begin at ASU Gammage Auditorium on Thursday, February 11 for a limited engagement of 3 weeks through Sunday, February 28, 2010. The opening night is Friday, February 12 at 7:30pm.

In an industry as unpredictable as show business, it is truly a unique experience to meet one of the longtime greats - a performer who has done everything from Broadway to off-Broadway, film, television, children's specials and variety circuits, who been everywhere from London to Abu Dhabi and back over the course of a nearly 45 year career. It is particularly exciting to be sitting next to this same someone, who I personally grew up watching on T.V. in shows and specials like the unforgettable 'Roots,' and who created some of the most famous roles in show business that have been copied thousands of times by professionals, amateurs and students alike, including 'Judas Iscariot' in Jesus Christ Superstar (Tony nomination), and 'Leading Player' in Pippin (Tony Award). This is a man who has made almost as much of a a name for himself on stage as he has off as an activist for diabetes awareness and arts in education, a motivational speaker, acting coach, mentor, and lecturer in black history (amongst other things) throughout the country.

The Aussielo Files of Entertainment Weekly today reveals the identity of the third Gleek addition debuting in Season 2. The Files reported earlier in the month that the first new character is an 'Eve Harrington-esque rival for Rachel,' while the second is a 'gay jock-slash-boyfriend for Kurt.'

According to a recent equity casting notice, Leap of Faith, the new musical based off of the 1992 Steve Martin Film, will make its premiere at the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles this summer.

In the wake of the media storm that has ensued as a result of comments run in the U.K. Daily Mail in which Elaine Paige - famous for her performances in EVITA and CATS in the West End - states that Susan Boyle was a 'virus,' Paige has just released the following statement to clarify her comments, which she asserts, were grossly misinterpreted and skewed. The pair had recently sung a duet together for an ITV special.

John Tartaglia's IMAGINOCEAN!, a new family musical set in the depths of the ocean, will make it's New York debut at New World Stages. Previews begin March 17, 2010, with an opening night set for March 31, 2010.

Whatsonstage.com is reporting that rumors have resurfaced surrounding the possible transfer of the most recent Broadway revival of Gypsy, starring Patti LuPone, to the West End.

Whatsonstage.com is reporting that the producers of the West End production of Hairspray have posted a show closing notice for March 28, 2010. The closing will proceed Hairspray's National Tour, which launches on March 30, 2010.

The new cast of Broadway's hottest comedy, the Tony Award-winning Best Play, GOD OF CARNAGE will star Tony nominee Dylan Baker (Mauritius) as ‘Alan,' original Broadway cast member and Tony nominee Jeff Daniels as ‘Michael,' Emmy nominee Lucy Liu (Charlie's Angels) as ‘Annette,' and Tony winner Janet McTeer (original cast member of West End production of God of Carnage) as ‘Veronica,' beginning Tuesday, March 2. GOD OF CARNAGE plays at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

Edie Falco, Charles Busch, James Barbour, Dee Hoty and Alexander Gemignani have been added to the star-studded roster of performers set to take part in The Drama League's 26th annual all-star gala, 'A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF BROADWAY.' This year's black-tie event, to be held Monday, February 8, 2010 at the Pierre New York (2 East 61st Street at 5th Avenue), will honor five-time Tony Award winner and entertainment icon Angela Lansbury.

Bristol Riverside Theatre presents a one-day Jewish Theatre Festival, in partnership with Theatre Ariel on Sunday, April 25. Highlights of the Festival, which will explore the contemporary Jewish experience as seen by Jewish performing artists, will be Tovah Feldshuh recreating her award-winning performance in Golda's Balcony and the only area performance of the Multi-Cultural Theatre of the Galilee performing Sofia's Drawings. In addition to a special performance of The 10 Imaginings of Sarah and Hagar by Theatre Ariel, there will also be an exhibit of the history of Jewish theater as well as smaller, family-oriented programming.

On October 15, 2010, The New York Pops orchestra - famous for presenting popular music with a symphony orchestra of the highest quality - will launch its 28th season; a Carnegie Hall series celebrating the stylistic diversity of some of popular music's greatest icons. Music Director Steven Reineke leads the orchestra in this electrifying season, which includes chart-topping pop hits, a tribute to the greatest living lyricist and composer of American musical theater, holiday favorites, sizzling Latin flair, and an evening of songbook classics associated with a legendary American icon. Reineke has been heralded by The New York Times as 'young and vigorous, with a playful attitude that has been a pops orchestral tradition since the heyday of Arthur Fiedler...a polished, welcoming host.'

Activist, talk show personality, comedian and stage and screen star Rosie O'Donnell will return to stand-up comedy at the Club Skirts Presents The Dinah® on Friday, April 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

The Hollywood Reporter reveals that former Broadway stars Julianne Moore (The Vertical Hour) and Christina Applegate (Sweet Charity), along with Maria Bello, Matt Dillion and Jason Isaacs Every are on the hot list for pilot season this year. All have been offered several shows.