CHRISTOPHER J ORTON AND JON ROBYNS THEN, NOW & NEXT
Paul ViridesProductions today announces the world première production of the heart-warming, original musical Then, Now & Next, written by Christopher J Orton (My Land’s Shore)and Jon Robyns (currently playing the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera)in a first-time collaboration for the pair.
Directed by Julie Atherton (Ordinary Days) and starring Alice Fearn (Come From Away, Wicked), with further casting to be announced, the production opens at Southwark Playhouse, Borough on 28 June, with previews from 23June, and runs until 29 July.
Christopher J Orton and Jon Robyns said today “We started work on early drafts of this show together almost ten years ago, and eagerly revisited it in April 2020. It got us both through lockdown with no expectation of the show turning into what it is today. We came out the other side with a piece that speaks to how we all feel now about moving forward and what it means to belong.
We are strong advocates of new, original British musicals, and are delighted to have our debut show produced at Southwark Playhouse; a proven breeding ground for new innovative writing. Alice Fearn has beautifully embodied the character of Alex Shaw through several workshops, and we’re extremely excited for audiences to see her bring this brand-new musical to the stage for the first time.”
Julie Atherton adds “I’m beyond excited and feeling very lucky to be working with such an innovative and passionate creative team on this beautiful moving story written by my old friends and colleagues, Jon & Chris. I just can’t wait to get in that rehearsal room.”
Paul Virides Productions presents:
Alice Fearn in
THEN, NOW & NEXT
by Christopher J Orton and Jon Robyns
Directed by Julie Atherton
Orchestrations, arrangements and musical supervision by Ben Goddard-Young
23 June – 29 July 2023
Cast: Alice Fearn
Musical director: Honor Halford-MacLeod; Movement director: Alexzandra Sarmiento;Set and costume designer: Bob Sterrett;Lighting designer: Adam King;Sound designer: Raffaela Pancucci; Production manager: Titch Gosling;Produced and general managed by Paul Virides Productions; Dramaturgy: Kate Golledge
Struggling with a difficult past, Alex Shaw is attempting to take steps forward. We follow her journey over twenty years, through two loves – young, adventurous idealist, Stephen, and the older, reliable and charming Peter – as she gathers the scattered chapters of her life, in the hope of re-building her story and asking if she will ever be more than just “fine”.
Through Alex’s experiences, her uplifting story questions how relationships can change over time and explores what it takes to truly heal.
Accept what was. Embrace what could be.
Christopher J Orton is an actor, composer, lyricist and writer. His writing credits include My Land’s Shore, Grace Notes, The Gory Story of Edward Polidori, Dracula, This Time Next Week, B.O.A.T.S, The Road to the Port of Barry, Elephant Juice and Are you Sitting F**king Comfortably?. As an actor his credits include Tom (UK tour), The Hired Man (Leicester Curve), Spamalot (UK tour and Playhouse Theatre) and Oliver! (Watermill Theatre).
Jon Robyns is an actor and writer. Then, Now & Next marks his debut project as a writer, and first collaboration with Christopher J Orton. As an actor, his credits include Les Misérables, Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q, RENT, Miss Saigon and many more. He has released 2 Albums, completing a sell-out UK tour of his most recent entitled Musical Direction.
Alice Fearn plays Alex Shaw. Her theatre credits include Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre), Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre), Oliver! (Watermill Theatre), Woman in White (Palace Theatre), Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), Into The Woods (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Shrek (Theatre Royal Drury Lane).
Julie Atherton directs. Her theatre credits include Ordinary Days (Cockpit Theatre), Well Behaved Women (Cadagon Hall), Club Mex (Hope Mill Theatre), Cinderella (Capitol), Made in Dagenham (Mack Theatre), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Bernie Grant Arts Centre), Girlfriends, Deed Not Words (Karamel Club), Legally Blonde (Laines Theatre Arts) and The Hello Girls (St Peter’s Arts Centre).
The show opens with two bodies laid out on stretchers in the street, immediately setting the scene for a tragic story that everyone in the audience knows is not going to end well.
Willie Russell’s tale of twin brothers separated at birth highlights how the two boys futures are determined by the circumstances of their upbringing, with Sean Jones and Joe Sleight brilliantly playing the two protagonists – Micky and Eddie.
Starting at ‘Seven Nearly Eight’, the children play those games that so many of us have done… Riding imaginary horses, shooting each other with pretend guns, and seeing who could spit the furthest. From there you see them grow into manhood, and they couldn’t take much more contrasting paths along the road of life.
The pair are watched over by their biological mum (Niki Collwell-Evans) and Eddie’s adopted mother (Paula Tappenden), the latter desperate to keep them apart despite fate having other ideas for them. As a result she gradually loses her grip on reality.
The ominous presence of the narrator, voiced by Richard Munday, increases the tension of this harrowing tale, and as the pair become ‘Blood Brothers’ they are constantly reminded that ‘the Devil’s got your number’. Their lives intertwine and they end up falling in love with the same girl, Linda (Olivia Sloyan) – an eventuality that inevitably leads to the story’s shocking climax.
Though sorrowful, Russell’s classic is at times full of joy, with typical northern humour and the Scouse ability to laugh at adversity. You can’t help but laugh at the antics of the young characters as they played in the street or tried to be clever with the local bobby, and it is fatastically played by the main cast.
Powerful renditions of the show’s now iconic songs were goosebump inducing, and there didn’t seem to be a dry eye in the house at the final scene as the case received the standing ovation that they so greatly deserved.
THE AWARD-WINNING SMASH HIT PLAY THE FULL MONTY BY SIMON BEAUFOY
OPENING AT THE
EVERYMAN THEATRE, CHELTENHAM
ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2023
Everyman Theatre Cheltenham & Buxton Opera House in association with Mark Goucher and David Pugh are delighted to announce that the UK Tour of Simon Beaufoy’s THE FULL MONTY will star Danny Hatchard as Gaz, Jake Quickenden as Guy, Bill Ward as Gerald, Neil Hurst as Dave, Ben Onwukwe as Horse and Nicholas Prasad as Lomper. THE FULL MONTY opens at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham on 14 September 2023. Full tour schedule below, with further casting to be announced. www.fullmontytheplay.com
Danny Hatchard is probably best known for his role as Lee Carter in BBC One’s EastEnders, and Gary in BBC One’s Not Going Out. His other television roles include Lee in BBC One’s Ridley Road and Private Rhett Charlton in BBC One’s Our Girl. His theatre credits include Aaron in Eyes Closed Ears Covered at The Bunker Theatre, for which he was nominated for an Off West End Theatre Award, as well as Tom Jenkins in Scrooge at Curve, Leicester, Jack Dawkins and Noah Claypole in Oliver Twist at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Ste in Beautiful Thing at The Arts Theatre and UK Tour and Valentin in Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Jake Quickenden’s theatre credits include the UK Tours of Hair, Footloose and Friendsical, as well as Peter Pan a Musical Adventure at Blackpool Opera House. On television Jake has previously appeared on ITV’s The X Factor, The Chart Show, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, Dancing On Ice, The Real Full Monty: On Ice and Channel 4’s Hollyoaks and Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins. Most recently, Jake has been presenting regularly for ITV shows such as Lorraine and Loose Women.
Bill Ward is probably best known for his roles as Charlie Stubbs in ITV’s Coronation Street and James Barton in ITV’s Emmerdale. His other television credits include ITV’s The Hunt for Raoul Moat, Vera, Midsomer Murders, Heartbeat and Footballers’ Wives, BBC’s Silent Witness, Jonathan Creek, Casualty and Holby City. His West End theatre credits include Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre, Viva Forever at the Piccadilly Theatre, Million Dollar Quartet at the Noel Coward Theatre, Spamalot at the Palace Theatre and Japes at Theatre Royal Haymarket.
Neil Hurst’s television credits include Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small, ITV’s Coronation Street and BBC’s Home from Home, Casualty, Doctors, The Syndicate and Moving On. His theatre credits include the UK Tour of Fat Friends the Musical, Early Doors Live UK Arena Tour, Evita at the Leeds Grand Theatre, and Jungle Book The Musical at the Oldham Coliseum.
Ben Onwukwe’s theatre credits include the UK tours of The Shawshank Redemption and Black Men Walking, The 47th at the Old Vic, New Nigerians at the Arcola Theatre, The Treatment at the Almeida Theatre and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh. Ben’s television credits include ITV’s Professor T, Coronation Street and Law & Order UK, Netflix’s Marcella and the BBC’s EastEnders, Doctors and Holby City.
Nicholas Prasad’s theatre credits include Around the World in 80 Days at Theatre by The Lake/Hull Truck, The Comedy of Errors with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Approaching Empty at the Kiln Theatre, Treasure Island at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Baghdad Wedding at the Soho Theatre. On television he has been seen in the BBC’s Doctors and EastEnders, and SyFy’s Krypton.
This fast and funny play is still very much of our time, as again we are hit by a cost of living crisis. Gaz and his mates are down on their luck and feel they have been thrown on the scrap heap, but they are determined to fight back and bare a little more than they ever thought they would have to.
As in the 1997 smash hit film, this brand new production is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, laughs and heartbreak.
THE FULL MONTY marks the first co-production and partnership between the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Buxton Opera House, which recently became an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation.
THE FULL MONTY is directed by Michael Gyngell, choreography and intimacy co-ordination is by Ian West, Set and Costume design is by Jasmine Swann with Lighting design by Andrew Exeter and Sound design by Chris Whybrow. The Casting Director is Marc Frankum.
Joseph Rowntree Theatre – until Saturday 29th April 2023
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
3 ½ ***
Last night I visited Joseph Rowntree Theatre in York, a local community theatre. It is fantastic that York has such a wealth of venues that cater for live theatre, we are so lucky. NE, a York am-dram group, is currently performing Into The Woods at this warm and welcoming theatre.
Into The Woods is a mishmash of characters from the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, it premiered on Broadway in 1987 before hitting the big screen with a Disney film in 2014. The main characters are taken from Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and Cinderella, the latter being my favourite fairy tale.
Before the show even started, we had elves running up and down the aisles, with birds flying through the air, setting the scene for what lay ahead. Narrated by Steve Tearle, who also plays the Mysterious Man and is the shows director, it follows the story of a baker (Chris Hagyard) and his wife (Perri Barley), who are desperate to have a child, but unbeknownst to them a witch (Pascha Turnbull) had placed a curse on them. For the spell to be reversed they are tasked gather a list of items – a blood-red cape, a milk-white cow, a slipper of gold and hair as yellow as corn. Off into the woods they venture to fulfil their quest.
Along the way they meet Cinderella (Rebecca Jackson), her Prince Charming (Sam Richardson), Rapunzel (Juliette Brenot), her Prince (Kristian Barley), Jack (Jack Hambleton) and Red Riding Hood (Missy Barnes, who shares the role with Molly Surgenor). The show gives us a condensed version of their stories that we all know so well. We see them fall in love, find their riches, defeat evil, but happily ever after that comes at the end of act one is not the end of this tale. Act two we soon come to expect the unexpected. You’ll have to get along to JRT to find out what happens next, though I will say we get to meet a lady giant (Helen Greeley)!
Tearle does a fabulous controlling the action, even with his wardrobe malfunction, trousers around ankles, which we spied at the side of the stage. He is very personable and comfortable to be at the helm of proceedings. He was certainly rocking those elf ears and costume.
Jackson as Cinderella gave a strong performance with her singing and just the right amount of sass. I was impressed with Hagyard and Hambleton’s vocals, both owning the stage whilst singing. Hambleton’s dealings with the milk-white cow, complete with her powder puff, were hilarious, and sometimes raised an eyebrow. I have seen Hambleton in a previous show, he shone then and I’m glad to say that shine has not diminished. I enjoyed the interaction between the two princes, and loved the camp, but not so charming Prince Charming.
The staging was inventive using camouflage netting, masses of it, large scaffolding towers on wheels, which were rotated by the ensemble cast to change scenes. The costumes, designed by Paul Shriek, were vibrant, accessorised by some very high sparkly shoes, and no expense was spared. You really felt you were in a fairy tale.
I must shout out to the musical director Scott Phillips. Not only was it great to hear a live band under his leadership, but the enthusiasm he showed whilst conducting was infectious. He was so resplendent in his colourful outfit and sparkly tiara.
On opening night there were a few hitches with the sound and the microphones delay in picking up some of the actors when they were speaking. This was quite evident when the giant was speaking, but this hiccup only added to the laughter. I’m sure that this will improve as the week goes on.
This had a large cast, the youngest being six, packing out the stage. It is always great to see so many adults and children wanting to share their love of theatre and I’m in awe of anyone who can get up on stage and perform to an audience. I must say hats off to NE for choosing Into The Woods to perform. It is an ambitious undertaking and though there were a few problems along the way they did the story proud. They all worked so hard to provide us with an entertaining evening, full of musical fantasy. Thank you to everyone involved.
‘RAVE ON – That is what Blackpool is in for when watching this spectacular performance of Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story’
I have never had the opportunity to watch this production and was pleased to hear that it would be returning to The Blackpool Grand Theatre as part of its 2023 UK Tour.
For me this was a true evening of pure entertainment and delight and was a change to the musicals that I have seen recently that have been adapted from books and movies. To tell the true story and I mean the true story (not a tribute concert) off an extraordinary talent was to me a real challenge and it is hats off to writer and producer Alan Janes, director Matt Salisbury and musical director Dean Elliott for producing something so spectacular.
The production depicts the true story of Buddy Hollys rise to fame from the moment in 1957 when ‘That’ll Be The Day’ hit the airways until his tragic death at just 22 less than two years later after his legendary final performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa on 3rd February 1959.
Buddy started out as a Country & Western singer in Lubbock, Texas with his two friends Joe and Jerry (‘The Crickets’) and with the support of ‘Hipockets’ Duncan a local radio DJ, their career in music began.
After a less than successful start at Decca Records in Nashville, Buddy and the Crickets meet Norman Petty an up-and-coming innovative record producer with whom they sign a contract and immediately start recording ‘That’ll Be The Day’. The record rockets up the charts reaching number one and within a matter of weeks Buddy Holly & the Crickets become one the hottest act in the country.
Now that they have become successful, they travel to New York where Buddy meets Maria Elena Santiago the receptionist to his music publisher whom he proposes marriage too after only 5 hours of courtship. Now that he is married, Buddy shifts his focus to New York which ends up finding him in the pursuit of a solo career after a rift between himself and the Crickets which causes the band to split.
Buddy joins the ‘Winter Dance Party 1959’ travelling by bus through the Midwest with his final performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, with Ritchie Valens (“La Bamba”) and the ‘Big Bopper’ J.P. Richardson (“Chantilly Lace”). After the concert, Buddy breaks his promise to his pregnant wife not to fly as he and the other two headliners board a small plane and fly off into the night for Moorhead, Minnesota, only to crash into a ploughed field shortly after take-off.
The tragedy snatches away the lives of three dynamic musical talents – Buddy Holly (22), Ritchie Valens (17) and the Big Bopper (28) – and as the legend says, it was “the day the music died.”
This production starred Christopher Weeks as Buddy Holly, Miguel Angel as Ritchie Valens, Christopher Chandler as the Big Bopper and Thomas Mitchells as Hickpockets Duncan with the support of an incredible cast. Their voices can only be described as out of this world and along with their acting talents created such a presence on stage with a standing ovation at the end.
The Buddy Holly Story features two terrific hours of the greatest songs ever written, including That’ll Be The Day, Oh Boy, Rave On, La Bamba, Chantilly Lace, Johnny B. Goode, Raining In My Heart, Everyday, Shout and many many more.
The production also needs special thanks to Pete Cox for the wonderful sound, Darren Coopland for the dazzling lighting and Miguel Angel for the streamlined choreograph
Writer Deborah Moggach has created a story of love, loneliness and finding your place to grow old. It opens the dialogue about the worthlessness older people feel in British society. No longer considered the responsibility of busy younger family members, before it is too late, you need to find a place to spend your later years. Somewhere you can feel comfortable, cared for and needed. It reflects how different it is in Indian culture and the weight of responsibility that young people feel there.
Nishad More gives his character Sonny Kapoor a frenetic energy that keeps the stage vibrant and active. The breadth and depth of emotion More (Sonny) goes through is impressive and looks exhausting! Mrs Kapoor (Rehka John-Cheriyan) plays with her son’s emotions, whilst clearly frightened she will end up like the new residents of the hotel. Through Sonny’s (More) clever thinking, they have all been sold a story of a cheap place to spend their final years in the warmth of the Indian sun and comfort of a luxury hotel. Dorothy (Paoloa Dionisotti) portrays a lost soul in search of her past. Dionisotti gives a touching performance of a fragile mind. The tale of finding love, whether old or young, is beautifully played out by Douglas (Paul Nicholas) and Evelyn (Tessa Peake-Jones), Sonny (More) and Sahani (Shila Iqbal). My favourite character has to be Madge (Belinda Lang), younger than you think and wiser than she looks! She adds another layer to this already humorous story. Both Madge (Lang) and Evelyn (Peake-Jones) give you some hope that we are moving past our British colonial mentally.
The set draws you in to the atmospheric, fairly dilapidated, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It has cleverly integrated different levels for different scenes, whilst providing space for the dynamic creation of the call centre and street scene. A good dose of joy is added by the choreography, especially in the final scene.
If you loved the film and have read the book it is based on ‘These Foolish Things’, you will not be disappointed.
International singing star, producer and director Earl Carpenter answered 20 questions. Fresh from highly successful 6 week return at the Phantom, in Andrew Lloyd Webbers Phantom of the Opera, Earl can be seen in Bournemouth on Saturday 29 April in Three Phantoms and supporting Claire Sweeney at the Cowes Fringe Festival on Sunday 28 May.
Let’s start with a few favourites
1. Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)?
Tanz de Vampire
2. Favourite book?
Arabia by Levison Wood
3. Favourite theatre?
The Esplanade, Singapore
4. Favourite song (any genre)?
20 Years by The Civil Wars
5. Favourite type of music?
Anything
6. Favourite food?
Stir Fry
7. Favourite line from any show?
“Isn’t though!” Gaston’s reply to Belle saying “Gaston, what a pleasant surprise!”
8. What is your favourite role so far?
Darryl van Horne in The Witches of Eastwick
9. What role would you really love to play?
Trunchball in Matilda
10. What was your first role?
Will Scarlet, Robin Prince of Sherwood – yup, it was a rock musical
11. If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be?
The younger me.
12. If you weren’t a brilliant singer what would you be?
The younger me. LOL
13. What advice would you give to 16 year old Earl?
Be more aware of how quickly time flies.
14. What was the last stage show you saw and enjoyed?
Tanz de Vampire in Vienna
15. What are the nicest/weirdest things you’ve ever received from fans?
I daren’t make this public!!
16. Would you like to do a straight play on stage rather than a musical?
Yes.
17. Would you consider bringing out a CD? The Best of Earl Carpenter?
Absolutely not. HAHAH
18. Madonna once said she gets bored singing “Like a Virgin” but knows she owes the song for her career. So she always changes it to a different type of performance. Do you ever want to change “Bring Him Home”or “Music of the Night”to something different? A reggae version or maybe rap? Or maybe a beatbox version?
No, and have never sang “Bring Him Home”. Ha. Would happily retire from singing – 30 years is a long time. But I wouldn’t change something that has been soooo successful.
19. Would you like to write your own musical?
Too many amazingly talented people out there who are able to do that.
The Almeida Theatre announces the full cast of Rebecca Frecknall’s production of Romeo and Juliet.
Joining the previously announced Isis Hainsworth and Toheeb Jimoh are Raphael Akuwudike,Jamie Ballard,Miles Barrow,Amanda Bright,Luke Cinque-White,James Cooney,Paul Higgins,Jyuddah Jaymes,Kieron Jecchinis,Jo McInnes,Daniel Phung,Jack Riddifordand Gideon Turner.
Following the recent success of her Olivier Award-winning production of A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Associate Director Rebecca Frecknall directs Romeo and Juliet. The production opens on Wednesday 14 June, with previews from Tuesday 6 June, and runs until Saturday 29 July.
ROMEO AND JULIET
by William Shakespeare Directed by Rebecca Frecknall
Designer: Chloe Lamford; Costume Designer: Debbie Duru;Lighting Designer: Lee Curran; Sound Designer: Gareth Fry; Casting Director: Julia Horan CDG;Fight Director: Jonathan Holby
Tuesday 6 June – Saturday 29 July 2023
“These violent delights have violent ends,
And in their triumph die like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume.”
Your family teaches you to hate.
You meet someone forbidden.
You act without thinking.
Verona is a powder keg of blood-lust and rage, with death threats proudly shouted in the streets.
As two families wage war, will a young couple become the next sacrifice of this brutal feud?
Following her “electrifying and revelatory” (New York Times) production of A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Associate Director Rebecca Frecknall (Cabaret) directs Isis Hainsworth (Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Emmy Award-nominee Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso, Nine Lessons and Carols: stories for a long winter) in this reimagining of Shakespeare‘s ferocious and bloody tragedy.
‘I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical’ A first UK workshop will take place in November 2023
The life and songs of 10-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Chaka Khan are being developed into a major new West End show – ‘I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical’.
The project is fully endorsed by Chaka Khan, who will attend a London workshop in November this year.
Chaka Khan is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians, with a rich musical legacy that includes 22 albums, 25 Billboard magazine charted songs, 7 gold singles, and 10 gold and platinum albums.
‘I’m Every Woman’ depicts Chaka’s life from her time in the Black Panther party to lead singer of the band Rufus, and onto the 10-time Grammy award-winning solo artist, who has tallied up over 100 million albums sold and downloads worldwide with hits such as ‘I Feel For You’, ‘Ain’t Nobody’, ‘This Is My Night’, ‘Through The Fire’ and ‘Eye to Eye’.
‘I’m Every Woman’ is produced by Adrian Grant, whose ‘Thriller Live’ ran for a record-breaking 12 years in the West End, and is being written by screenwriter Tina Andrews (‘Sally Hemings: An American Scandal’, ‘Why Do Fools Fall In Love?’), directed by Racky Plews (‘American Idiot’, ‘Footloose’ ‘Josephine Baker’) with Musical Director Ian Oakley (‘The Color Purple’, ‘The Lion King’ (UK Tours).
Chaka, who recently celebrated her 70th birthday and is enjoying her 50th anniversary in the music business, said, “London has a very special place in my heart, and I’m honoured that my life and music will be celebrated on a West End stage. Working with such a talented team, producer Adrian Grant, writer Tina Andrews and director Racky Plews, on my life story is a dream come true.” Adrian Grant said, “I’m thrilled to be producing a theatrical stage musical about the life of Chaka Khan. She has been an icon across many genres and decades, but I grew up in the 80s, and songs such as ‘Ain’t Nobody’ and ‘I Feel For You’ created an everlasting cultural imprint that will form a part of this show, with electric choreography and vocals that blow the roof off! We have an amazing creative team, and Tina (Andrews) and Chaka, who both hail from Chicago, have formed a great bond during the writing process. There’s a long way to go, but every day I wake up excited with the possibilities that lay ahead!”
‘I’m Every Woman’ will play a pre-West End engagement in Autumn 2024, with further casting and additional creative team members to be announced.
Chaka Khan – Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Activist Chaka Khan is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians, with a rich musical legacy. The 10-time GRAMMY® Award-winner is a songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist who has influenced generations of recording artists. She has the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical. Affectionately known around the world as Chaka, she is revered by millions of fans as well as her peers for her timeless, classic and unmatched signature music style and ability. The late, great Miles Davis often said, “She [Chaka] sings like my horn.” And the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin says, “[Chaka] is a one- of- a -kind, premier vocalist.”
Throughout her legendary career, Chaka has released 22 albums and racked up 10 #1 Billboard magazine charted songs, 7 RIAA certified gold singles and 10 RIAA certified gold and platinum albums. Chaka’s recorded music has produced over 2,000 catalogue song placements. “I am honoured and blessed to celebrate 50 years in music and entertainment,” says Chaka. “I am so humbled by the love, support, and gracious spirit of my fans worldwide and the continuous support my peers have shown over the years. Throughout my 50-year career, I have been through the fire a few times over and I’m still here as a living testament to God’s love and grace.”
Early on, she caught the attention of music icon Stevie Wonder, who penned her first smash hit with Rufus, ‘Tell Me Something Good’. The single from the group’s 1974 platinum-selling album, ‘Rags to Rufus’, earned Chaka her first GRAMMY® Award. With Chaka as the group’s dynamic center, Rufus became one of the most popular acts around selling out shows throughout the country and dominating the airwaves with hit after hit with songs such as ‘You Got the Love,’ which Chaka co-wrote, ‘Once You Get Started’, ‘Sweet Thing’, ‘Everlasting Love’, ‘Do You Love What You Feel?’ and ‘Ain’t Nobody’, Chaka’s second GRAMMY Award-winning song with Rufus. Rufus and Chaka Khan racked up five RIAA certified gold and platinum albums during their time together. ‘Once You Get Started’, ‘Sweet Thing’, ‘Everlasting Love’, ‘Do You Love What You Feel?’ and ‘Ain’t Nobody’, Chaka’s second GRAMMY Award-winning song with Rufus. Rufus and Chaka Khan racked up five RIAA certified gold and platinum albums during their time together.
It was inevitable that a singer with Chaka’s star power would eventually venture out on her own. In 1978, Chaka blazed onto the music scene as a solo artist with the release of the smash hit ‘I’m Every Woman’ written by Ashford & Simpson. Paired with the late producer extraordinaire, Arif Mardin (Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler), her catalogue grew even more impressive with hits such as ‘Clouds’, ‘Papillon’, and ‘What ‘Cha Gonna Do For Me?’. It was during this time that Chaka began pursuing her love of jazz. She and Arif brilliantly re-worked the classic song ‘Night in Tunisia’ with the song’s originator, Dizzy Gillespie, on trumpet. Chaka also recorded an album of jazz standards titled ‘Echoes of an Era’, which featured such luminaries as Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White. Her crowning achievement in jazz was the GRAMMY® Award-winning tune, ‘Be Bop Medley’. The song’s album, titled ‘Chaka Khan’, also won a GRAMMY® for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
However, the song that made Chaka Khan a household name and propelled her to superstardom the world over was ‘I Feel For You’, written and first performed by Prince. This chart-topping, GRAMMY® Award-winning song also made music history. Released in 1984, it was the first R&B song to feature a rap, which was performed by Grandmaster Melle Mel. Chaka also topped the charts with ‘This Is My Night’ and the instant classic, ‘Through The Fire’. Now in top demand, Chaka lent her voice and producer skills to two of the biggest hits of 1986, Steve Winwood’s ‘Higher Love’ and Robert Palmer’s ‘Addicted to Love’. Both were GRAMMY®-winning songs.
In 1995, she made her musical theatre debut on London’s West End, where she starred in ‘Mama I Want to Sing’. In 2002 she travelled to Las Vegas, where she starred in ‘Signed, Sealed Delivered’, a critically-acclaimed musical based on the music of Stevie Wonder. Her Broadway debut came in 2008 when she took over the role of Sofia in Oprah Winfrey’s musical ‘The Color Purple’.
Chaka’s autobiography, ‘Through the Fire’, was published by Rodale Books in 2003.
Adrian Grant – Producer Adrian Grant has worked in the entertainment and media industries for over 30 years, producing magazines, books, records, videos, television, concerts, and theatre shows. Adrian had an amazing 20-year working relationship with Michael Jackson which led him to create ‘Thriller Live’, a show seen by over five million people worldwide, and becoming the 12th longest-running West End musical of all-time. Adrian also produces the Visionary Arts Awards which celebrate inspirational culture, media and entertainment.
Racky Plews – Director Directing and Choreography credits include: ‘American Idiot’ (West End and UK Tour, (winner of Best New Musical in the West End Broadway World Awards, Best Director and Best Choreographer nomination What’s On Stage Awards), ‘Summer Holiday’ (UK Tour), ‘Knights of the Rose’ (West End), ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ (UK Tour & Canada), ‘Footloose’ (West End and UK Tour), ‘Vanities’ (Trafalgar Studios), ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ and ‘Into The Woods’ (The Gatehouse), ‘Respect La Diva’ (Garrick Theatre), ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ (UK Tour), ‘Josephine Baker’ (Off Broadway, New York), ‘Cougar’ (The Belgrade), ‘Denise Pearson – The Jackson’s World Tour’ (Arena Tour), ‘Bare – The Rock Musical’ (Best Choreography nomination Broadway World), ‘Effectors’ (Spectrum of the Seas), ‘Flight’ (Symphony of the Seas), ‘Columbus’ (Harmony of the Seas), ‘The 48hour Musicals – The BoyFriend’ (Her Majesty’s Theatre), ‘Crazy For You’ and ‘Me & My Girl’ (London Palladium).
Tina Andrews – Book Writer Tina Andrews is an international award-winning writer, producer, director, as well as author, playwright, and multi-media visual artist. Her non fiction book, ‘Sally Hemings An American Scandal: The Struggle to Tell The Controversial True Story’ (The Malibu Press), won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Achievement in Literary Nonfiction and the Literary Award of Excellence from the Memphis Writers Conference. The book was based on her award-winning CBS miniseries, ‘Sally Hemings: An American Scandal’ which she wrote and Executive Produced. It was the highest rated, most watched miniseries of its season garnering Tina the Writers Guild of America Award for Outstanding Long form Television, She is the first African American to win the award in Long form). She also won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding TV Movie, Miniseries or Special. CBS bought the miniseries based on her play ‘The Mistress of Monticello’, which Tina originally wrote and directed at the Chicago Dramatists Workshop. She also wrote the screenplay for the 1998 movie ‘Why Do Fools fall in Love?’. Tina’s work in film and television has led to other accolades, including a Proclamation from the City Council of New York. Her novel, ‘Charlotte Sophia’, told the story of Queen Charlotte of England’s concealed African Ancestry and was released as an audiobook voiced by ‘Bridgerton’ actress Adjoa Andoh. HBO Max recently acquired the novel, and Tina is working on the script.
Ian Oakley – Musical Director Ian Oakley is a London-based, multi-award-winning (including two Black British Theatre Awards) musical director, composer and arranger with more than 25 years’ experience in both the UK and the USA. Commended for his versatility, Ian has worked across the spectrum of the music industry – from the creative genesis of a project, to working with legendary Grammy Award-winning artists (Dionne Warwick, Take 6), to conducting orchestras (London Symphony Orchestra). Ian was the orchestrator for Stormzy’s 2017 performance of Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2. on the UK series of ‘X-Factor’ which wasviewed by over 6 million people. Theatre credits include: ‘The Color Purple’ (Birmingham Hippodrome), ‘On the Ropes’ (Park Theatre/The Production Exchange), ‘To The Streets’ (China Plate/Birmingham Hippodrome), ‘Playboy of the West Indies’ (Birmingham Rep), ‘Coming to England’ (Birmingham Rep), ‘Respect – The Aretha Franklin Songbook’ (UK Tour), ‘The Lion King’ (UK Tour).
London, Wednesday 26 April: Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are thrilled to announce that Georgina Onuorah will play the lead role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz this summer.
Georgina is currently playing Ado Annie in the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning production of Oklahoma! (Wyndham’s Theatre). She starred as Dorothy when The Wizard of Oz originally played at Curve, Leicester last year, and her other West End credits include Millennials (The Other Palace) and as Alternate Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella (Gillian Lynne Theatre).
Georgina graduated from The Arts Educational School in 2020, where she was awarded the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholarship.
Michael Harrison, the producer of the smash-hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, presents Curve’s brand-new production of one of the world’s most beloved musicals, beginning performances on Friday 23 June.
Georgina joins the previously announced principal cast of Jason Manford (who will play The Cowardly Lion), Ashley Banjo (The Tin Man), Dianne Pilkington (The Wicked Witch of the West), Louis Gaunt (The Scarecrow), Christina Bianco (Glinda The Good Witch) and Gary Wilmot as The Wizard/Professor Marvel.
The full cast is completed by Ben Thompson (as Toto), Annie Southall, Charlotte St.Croix, Claire O’Leary, Eamonn Cox, Emily Ann Potter, Geoff Aymer, Harrison Wilde, Jacqui Dubois, Jessica Daley, Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Lauren Stroud, Marley Fenton, Michael Lin and Sam Stones.
Michael Harrison said:
“It’s thrilling to announce today that Georgina will play Dorothy in our new production of The Wizard of Oz. She is a rare talent with great warmth. When she first played the role in Leicester last year, her soaring rendition of Over The Rainbow brought the whole house to their feet. She completes our casting, and along with Jason, Ashley, Dianne, Louis and Christina, is going to ensure it will be a summer to remember at the Palladium.”
Featuring the iconic original score from the Oscar-winning MGM film, including Over The Rainbow,Follow The Yellow Brick Road and We’re Off To See the Wizard – with additional songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice – this spectacular production will be a magical experience for all the family.
Directed by Nikolai Foster (Billy Elliot The Musical, A Chorus Line) The Wizard of Oz has choreography by Shay Barclay, Set Designer is Colin Richmond, Projection Designer is Douglas O’Connell,Costume and Puppet Designer is Rachael Canning, Lighting Designer is Ben Cracknell, Sound Designer is Adam Fisher, Creative Consultant is Mark Kaufman, Musical Director and Musical Supervisor is George Dyer, Casting Director is Kay MagsonCDG, Props Supervisor is Marcus Hall Props and Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer is Elizabeth Marini.
Follow the yellow brick road next summer to The London Palladium!
Michael Harrison, Gavin Kalin with David Mirvish, Crossroads Live, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Nick Thomas, Rupert Gavin, Mallory Factor & Playing Field by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited, present the Curve production of The Wizard of Oz.
