Blog / Michael Rice
Check here for the latest musical news with links to all your #StageFaves performers, shows and theatres. Also look out for our regular #GetSocial features and contributions from our syndicate media partners including MyTheatreMates.com and the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society.
It’s a family affair for Laura Pitt-Pulford as she takes on the role of Sheryl, the matriarch of the eccentric Hoover family, in Little Miss Sunshine, running at the Arcola Theatre from 21 March to 11 May 2019 before heading off on a UK tour. Among the other Hoovers she will be attempting to keep in check will be Gary Wilmot, Gabriel Vick, Paul Keating and Sev Keoshgerian. Happy travels…
2019
Mob Wife, A Mafia Comedy, Michael Mott and Corey Skaggs' criminally funny musical, receives a handful of developmental performances at Cockpit Theatre later this month. Get a flavour for the wiseguy-filled tale with these clips of a trio of songs being performed at New York's 54 Below.
2019
Starbuck Theatre Company is bringing Mob Wife, A Mafia Comedy, created by the team of Michael Mott and Corey Skaggs, to the UK later this month. The tale of marriage and mobsters will have a series of developmental performances at the Cockpit Theatre from 24 to 26 January 2019. Time to book your tickets!
2019
Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park’s awesome staging of Jesus Christ Superstar was a sell-out in 2016 and 2017. Now the iconic musical (Pope Francis is a fan) is on its way back, transferring to the Barbican Theatre for 60 performances from 4 July to 24 August 2019. So what do you think of the new trailer?
2018
Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O’Bree attending the West End opening of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE at the Playhouse Theatre, continuing in the West End to 9 February 2019 following sell-out seasons at Chichester and Hampstead. Perry was there at the after-party to catch up with several members of the cast including Sharon D Clarke (who “blew the roof off the Playhouse”), Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Alastair Brookshaw, Me’sha Bryan and Lauren Ward. It turned out to be quite an emotional night!
Fifty years after the release of the original concept album, a brand new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s first major musical collaboration, will be back in the West End in June 2019. So who do you want to wear the coat of many colours?
It premiered in the West End in 1978 and features a chart-topping score, now Jamie Lloyd will direct a brand new production of Evita which will bring Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s 2019 season to close. Could it be as big a hit as Superstar and who do you see picking up those iconic lead roles?
2018
Even after two hugely successful seasons in 2016 and 2017, it was still hard to say our farewells to Regent’s Park’s memorable staging of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Chris Superstar. Now we are looking forward to welcoming it back next year when it transfers to the Barbican Theatre for 60 performances from 4 July to 24 August.
Newbury’s Watermill Theatre will host Amélie The Musical, an adaptation of the much-loved 2001 French movie hit, from 11 April to 18 May 2019 before the production embarks on a major UK tour from 20 May. So who do you see playing the title role?
2018
Much-loved tenor Alfie Boe is returning to the solo spotlight with the release of his vibrant album As Time Goes By and the announcement of a 2019 tour. Will you be joining him on the road?
2018
There’s a star-studded bunch preparing to travel back in time for the world premiere tour of Michael Gyngell’s Club Tropicana The Musical, the 1980s answer to Love Island packed with pop classics from the era all performed live on stage. Have you got your shoulder pads & parachute pants ready?
Just as it’s getting a bit chilly, there’s some exciting news to warm us up as it’s revealed that James Lapine & William Finn’s quirky musical adaptation of the Oscar-winning movie Little Miss Sunshine will have its European premiere at the Arcola Theatre – in a brand new co-production with Selladoor – opening on 21 March 2019 for a seven-week season before hitting the road for a UK tour. Are you going to take the trip too?
2018
Following on from one final, sold-out show at the O2 arena, comes news that the musical Tainted, featuring the memorable sounds of Marc Almond and Soft Cell, will have its first-ever public performances in a special showcase at The Vaults on 24 October 2018, supported by an ambitious KickStarter campaign.
Following sell-out seasons at Chichester and Hampstead, Jeanine Tesori & Tony Kushner’s celebrated musical will run at London’s Playhouse Theatre from 20 November 2018 to 9 February 2019. Among the #StageFaves joining Sharon D Clarke are Alastair Brookshaw, Sue Kelvin, Keisha Amponsa Banson, Ako Mitchell, Teddy Kempner & Lauren Ward.
David Thaxton’s Arthur and Savannah Stevenson’s Guenevere will not only be joined by the likes of Celinde Schoenmaker, Emmanuel Kojo & Oliver Savile in London Musical Theatre Orchestra’s special forthcoming concert version of Camelot on 6 October 2018, internationally renowned opera star Charles Rice has also been cast as Lancelot. How can we resist?
2018
The weather will just be fine on your parade if you catch this sneak peek of the cinema trailer for Funny Girl starring Sheridan Smith. The Menier Chocolate Factory production, which had a West End run followed by a tour, was filmed during the final week of its run at the Manchester Palace Theatre and is released on 24 October 2018. Not long now…
2018
As rehearsals begin for Aria Entertainment’s prestigious festival of new musical theatre, From Page To Stage, returning for a sixth successful year and featuring seven new shows, we fill you in on everything you need to know – including all the full casting details.
2018
Did you miss out on seeing Sheridan Smith in Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory, in the West End or on tour? Well, don’t despair as the show will be broadcast in cinemas nationwide on 24 October 2018, as part of a worldwide release.
Have you watched the post-show Q&A that Faves founder Terri Paddock recently hosted at The Rise & Fall of Little Voice? She managed to coax a Cher impression out of the title star, Sarah Louise Hughes, while getting to grips with the Greek tragedy of Jim Cartwright's modern classic. You now have until 11 August 2018 to see Michael Strassen's production in Cirencester...
2018
Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Holly Mallett boarding The Barn Theatre bus for a trip to Cirencester and Michael Strassen's brand-new production of Jim Carwright's The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. Which cast members did she grab for selfies? And, most critically, what did Holly's mum think of the show?!