CHICAGO, SISTER ACT & More Set for New Alexandra Theatre This Year

The internationally award-winning musical Chicago will be the Christmas show at the New Alexandra Theatre this year, it was announced today.

The legendary hit production, which is set in the roaring twenties and showcases hits such as All That Jazzand Razzle Dazzle, will be staged at the Station Street venue from Monday 12 to Saturday 31 December 2016.

Tickets go on sale today, Monday 4 April and star casting is yet to be announced.

The show is just one in a host of sensational new productions now on sale as part of the venue's Summer programme.

Season highlights also includes Sunny Afternoon, the story of The Kinks, That's Entertainment starringRuthie Henshall, Roddy Doyle's iconic The Commitments and Craig Revel Horwood directing Alexandra Burke in the smash-hit musical comedy Sister Act.

Also on the bill is a brand-new production of the Oscar-winning love story Ghost The Musical, the UK premiere of Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland and stage legend Tommy Steele in The Glenn Miller Story.

Sunny Afternoon tells the captivating tale of how one of Britain's greatest bands, The Kinks, rose to stardom.

Featuring the iconic hits, You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, All Day and All Of The Night, Lola, Sunny Afternoon and many more, the production runs from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 September 2016.

That's Entertainment, with special guest star Ruthie Henshall is billed as a dazzling song and dance extravaganza featuring the biggest hits of the '40s and '50s live on stage.

Ruthie Henshall's multi-award winning career has seen her star in the most popular West End musicals of the past thirty years including Billy Elliot, Miss Saigon, LES MISERABLES and Chicago. The show runs fromTuesday 19 to Saturday 23 July 2016.

Direct from a record-breaking West End run, Roddy Doyle's The Commitments is a triumphant celebration of soul based on the BAFTA award-winning film classic.

Taking to the stage from Monday 13 to Saturday 18 March 2017 it features songs such as Night Train, Try A Little Tenderness and River Deep, Mountain High.

Alexandra Burke stars in an all-new production of the Broadway and West End smash-hit musical comedySister Act from Monday 12 to Saturday 17 September 2016.

Directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, Sister Act is one of the funniest musical comedies featuring dazzling dance routines and songs inspired by Motown, Soul and Disco.

Sister Act is based on the smash-hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith.

Ghost The Musical which comes to the New Alexandra from Monday 19 to Saturday 24 September, sees the Oscar-winning love story live on stage in a brand new production.

Written by multi-Brit Award winner Dave Stewart and Grammy award-winning Glen Ballard, with a script byBruce Joel Rubin based on his Oscar-winning screenplay, Ghost brings all the romance and magic of the classic story to life with stunning music and illusions.

Meanwhile, Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland, which hits the stage from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 February 2017, is an enchanting musical adaptation of Lewis Caroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass.

Following sold-out seasons in Tampa, Texas and Tokyo, it receives its UK and European premiere in this brand new British production.

Tommy Steele returns to the stage in The Glenn Miller Story from Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 August 2016.

Featuring a spectacular 16-piece orchestra plus a full supporting company of sensational performers and dazzling choreography, Tommy's legendary career boasts countless hit singles, Hollywood movies and award-winning stage musicals such as Half-a-Sixpence, Hans Anderson and Singin' In The Rain at theLondon Palladium.

Gareth Gates and Maureen Nolan star in Footloose The Musical from Monday 4 to Saturday 9 July 2016, whilst former Blue singer Antony Costa appears in Save The Last Dance For Me from Monday 16 toSaturday 21 May 2016.

Amelia Lily and Newton Faulkner star in the explosive production of Green Day's American Idiot.

Direct from a critically-acclaimed London run it comes to Birmingham from Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 May 2016.

Travelling back to the 50s, X-Factor finalist Rydian Roberts stars in a new production of the cult classicLittle Shop of Horrors from Tuesday 27 September to Saturday 1 October 2016, whilst this years' New Alexandra Theatre Stage Experience presents the much-loved Grease The Musical from Wednesday 17to Saturday 20 August 2016.

Other brand new shows this year include Jackie The Musical starring Janet Dibley, from Tuesday 24 toSaturday 28 May, Tom, A Story of Tom Jones The Musical, from Wednesday 1 to Saturday 4 June 2016, and Birmingham's very own BMOS, with their production of Calamity Jane from Tuesday 14 toSaturday 18 June 2016.

Back by overwhelming demand is the Birmingham Stage Company's acclaimed production of David Walliam's Gangsta Granny, from Tuesday 28 June to Saturday 2 July, Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show, from Monday 10 to Saturday 15 October 2016, and Agatha Christie's timeless murder mystery The Mousetrap from Monday 31 October to Saturday 5 November 2016.

For the first time at the venue Birmingham Stage Company also present Roald Dahl's George's Marvellous Medicine, adapted by David Wood. It hits the stage from Tuesday 22 November to Saturday 3 December 2016.

One night shows also feature Tell Me On A Sunday starring Jodie Prenger on Sunday 24 April 2016,Samantha Barks on Monday 20 June 2016 and Jane McDonald, Making Memories on Sunday 9 October 2016.

Comedy highlights include Birmingham's very own Joe Lycett bringing his stand-up tour to the venue onSunday 10 July 2016. Ross Noble Brain Dump on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 October 2016 and an appearance by legendary entertainer Bobby Davro on Thursday 9 June 2016.

General Manager of the New Alexandra Theatre, Andrew Lister, said: "I am proud to announce today that Chicago will be the Christmas 2016 show at the New Alexandra Theatre.

"It is one of a plethora of fantastic new shows lined up over the next year here at the venue. With everything from musical theatre to comedy and family productions, there really is something for everyone."

For details on all shows at the New Alexandra Theatre and to book tickets visitatgtickets.com/birmingham or call 0844 871 3011. (Booking fees apply)

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