Broadway legend Mandy Patinkin’s short residency at the Lyric is a rare treat. The opportunity to see such a master of his craft live is not to be missed, and you’ll be wishing that 90 minutes could last forever.
Accompanied by Adam Ben-David on piano – their timing and understanding of each other is a delight – Patinkin takes the audience on an eclectic journey full of passion and wit. With an adept nonchalance that could fool the audience into thinking he is freewheeling through the show, Patinkin performs themed medleys including songs by Rogers and Hammerstein, Sondheim, Randy Newman, Lyle Lovett and even a stunning solo version of Bohemian Rhapsody. Patinkin’s smooth and powerful voice is still stunning, and he adds emotional heft to every song, even when clowning around performing Lovett’s If I Had A Boat.
Patinkin scatters anecdotes between songs – and whether talking about his family, his Jewish heritage or his Broadway career, he is equally fascinating and funny. There are no bells and whistles onstage, just some perfectly judged lighting changes as Patinkin’s magnetism makes it hard to tear your eyes of this expert performer. His version of Being Alive was incredible – Ben-David’s arrangements showcasing Patinkin’s voice perfectly. A few numbers had many around me tearing up – especially the emotive rendition of My Mom/Children Will Listen – and his switch from English to Yiddish in Somewhere Over The Rainbow after reminding the audience of Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg’s families flight from the pogroms was an emotional blow that made an unforgettable moment.
An unmissable masterclass of musical theatre – Mandy Patinkin in Concert is simply sublime.
Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne – until 18th November 2023
Reviewed by Sheila Storrar
5*****
After two successful runs at fringe theatre Laurels, in Whitley Bay, Jamie Eastlake’s play adapted from Jonathan Tulloch’s novel of 2000, “The Season Ticket”, transfers to Live Theatre. Set on Tyneside, it follows the quest of two teenagers trying to raise enough money to buy their dream: Newcastle United season tickets. The action has been updated from the book and later film, “Purely Belter”, by twenty or so years and now takes place against the backdrop of a Newcastle United under the controversial ownership of businessman Mike Ashley.
The cast of three local actors tell the story of Gerry (Dean Logan), a small but streetwise fifteen-year-old for whom school is irrelevant and his slightly older, unemployed best friend, Sewell (Jack Robertson), a larger and more simple soul, who dreams of owning a dog and having a girlfriend. Becky Clayburn takes the third role, or should I say roles, as she brilliantly plays all the other characters who inhabit the lives of Gerry and Sewell. These include family members, social workers, teachers, scrap dealers and a slightly menacing narrator/scene setter who prowls on the roof of a Metro train.
The set, a derelict Tyneside Metro train and graffitied station on an urban wasteland, is bleak. The play begins with driving rock music and audience participation demanded to create an army of flag waving football fans, which is perfectly evocative of the building atmosphere around St James’ Park on matchday. The story follows the pair over the course of a year, as they try sometimes hair-brained, often illegal schemes to collect the necessary cash together to achieve their dream.
With swearing throughout and issues of social deprivation, sexual abuse, suicide, alcoholism, drug abuse, and a recommended 15+ audience, it’s difficult to see how this play could be funny and ultimately uplifting, but it is both.
The dark subject matter is threaded throughout with moments of comedy and even slapstick as the pair try ever more ridiculous and ultimately desperate ways, to raise the money. There are laugh out loud moments and extremely poignant and tragic moments, which stun the audience into complete silence, as the bleak reality of Gerry and Sewell’s lives is told. A soundtrack including multiple Tyneside musical icons, from The Animals all the way to Sam Fender, is woven throughout the play which reinforces this as a very Geordie drama, although the themes are in no way exclusive to Tyneside. The message is that ultimately an accident of birth dictates one’s social situation and life chances, but everybody has hopes and dreams and in this play they parallel those of the fans following the changing fortunes of Newcastle United Football Club. Gerry and Sewell don’t want much out of life, just the hope of something better.
You don’t need to follow football or be a Geordie to appreciate and enjoy this play and I highly recommend this fantastic piece of theatre which closed to a standing ovation at Live Theatre.
Kings Theatre Portsmouth – until Saturday 11 November 2023
Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock
4****
CCADS theatre return with an amateur production of Kinky Boots, that is one to rival the professional West End cast!
John-Paul McCrohon excels as the troubled ‘Charlie Price’ who, after losing his father, becomes the owner of Price and Son shoe factory. After discovering that the factory is on its last legs and closure proceedings are in the process, he meets ‘Lola’(Ross Cobbold) and together, they discover a niche market of making heels for Drag Queens. Together, they embark on a journey to create these heels and with many twists, turns, breakups and a lot of singing, they eventually take their heels to Milan for the world to see.
This is a fantastic show and was so professionally performed that I couldn’t believe it was not a touring west end production. Directed by leading man McCrohon and choreographed by Charlotte Turnbull, this is a tough cookie to tackle, but they do so with gravitas and determination. As this is one of my favourite shows, I had high expectations and they were certainly met! The singing was superb, with Charlotte Thomas as ‘Lauren’, a factory worker in love with her boss, performing ‘The History of Wrong Guys’ with perfect enthusiasm and wit. Costumes and set, provided by Utopia Costumes and Scenic Solutions were on the money and tied the whole production together. A special mention to Thomas Dow and Christopher McCrohon as Young Lola and Simon, as they donned their heels and strutted their stuff across the stage without a hint of hesitation!
I couldn’t imagine a better night out-this is a show for all ages, tackling some hard hitting themes such as, not being accepted for who you are, bullying and learning to love yourself. To call this an ‘amateur production’ would be a disservice-this was truly professional!
WESSEX GROVE, GAVIN KALIN PRODUCTIONS AND PLAYFUL PRODUCTIONS PRESENT
THE WORLD PREMIERE
OF
A NEW MUSICAL
OPENING NIGHT
STARRING
SHERIDAN SMITH
BOOK BY IVO VAN HOVE
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
DIRECTED AND CONCEIVED BY IVO VAN HOVE
AT THE GIELGUD THEATRE IN LONDON’S WEST END
FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON FROM 6 MARCH TO 27 JULY 2024
TICKETS ON SALE TODAY, FRIDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2023 AT 10.00AM
Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Playful Productions are delighted to announce the World Premiere of John Cassavetes’ OPENING NIGHT, a new musical with book by Ivo van Hove and music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright.
Directed and conceived by Ivo van Hove and starring Sheridan Smith as Myrtle,it will play a strictly limited season at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End from 6 March to 27 July 2024. Further casting to be announced soon.
Tickets go on sale today, Friday 10 November 2023 at 10.00am. OpeningNightMusical.com
Based on John Cassavetes’ legendary film, OPENING NIGHT follows a theatre company’s preparations to stage a major new play on Broadway. But drama ignites behind the scenes when their leading lady is rocked by tragedy, and her personal turmoil forces everybody to deliver the performance of their lives.
Sheridan Smith said today “The chance to work with the musical genius that is Rufus Wainwright and one of the world’s greatest stage directors Ivo van Hove was a once in a life time opportunity, and quite frankly if they’d asked me to read out the back of a cereal packet I’d have been there! But, I couldn’t be more thrilled to be cast in this fantastic original musical and to play the complex and challenging character of Myrtle”.
Ivo van Hove said today “After the success of A Little Life I am thrilled to return to the West End together with Wessex Grove to create a new musical. It is a dream come true to collaborate with the wonderful Rufus Wainwright, whose work I have been a fan of for so many years. We connected over our shared love of the incredible John Casavettes film Opening Night and it has long been an ambition of ours to bring a musical version to the stage. Opening Night not only gives us an insight into the trials and tribulations behind the scenes of the theatre, but it is also the heartbreaking story of a woman fighting for hope and self-determination in a world that doesn’t want to listen”.
Rufus Wainwright said today, “For me John Cassavetes’s movie Opening Night has long been a shining beacon representing both excellence in cinema and the might of live theatre. An intense marriage of film and stage it is about a very personal mental and creative survival that I think we can all relate to on a very deep human level. I’ve been waiting for ages to write my first musical and with this fantastic story plus the incomparable Sheridan Smith, not to mention the incredible Ivo van Hove, I don’t think I could have aimed any higher”.
Producers Benjamin Lowy and Emily Vaughan-Barratt said today, “Deep in the early lockdowns of 2020, just after forming our company, we zoomed with Ivo and Rufus about turning Opening Night into a musical. It was a thrilling idea they had, and that conversation turned into the first commission Wessex Grove made. Rufus has written the most extraordinary original music and it is a joy for us to be reuniting with Ivo after the success of A Little Life earlier this year. Opening Night is a show about making theatre in all its forms; the heartbreaks, the turmoil, and the pure joy of it. We couldn’t be luckier to have one of our great theatrical stars, Sheridan Smith, leading the cast of this new musical”.
OPENING NIGHT has a Book by Ivo van Hove with Music and Lyrics by Rufus Wainwright. It is Directed and conceived by Ivo van Hove, has Set, Lighting and Video Design by Jan Versweyveld, Costume Design by An D’Huys and Sound Design by Tom Gibbons and Alex Twiselton. Orchestrations are by Rufus Wainwright, with Musical Supervision and Musical Direction by Nigel Lilley. Movement and Choreography is by Polly Bennett, Casting by Julia Horan CDG and the Associate Director is Daniel Raggett.
Top Musical Theatre Talent Cast for WORLD PREMIERE
Top musical theatre talent cast for the world premiere of new British musical CABLE STREET – opening at The Large, Southwark Playhouse Borough on Friday 16 February 2024 to Saturday 16 March 2024.
CABLE STREET is a topical and electrifying reimagining of one of London’s most momentous days – celebrating a community who came together with a call for action, as The Battle of Cable Street was fought and won. With racial tensions running high, people marched and took to the streets of London…. A timeless story, as powerful today as it was in 1936.
The cast of eleven plus full band includes: Danny Colligan (Dirty Dancing, Book of Mormon, Les Misérables), Sha Dessi (Les Misérables – nominated by Sir Cameron Mackintosh for the Stage 25 Awards 2022) and recent graduate Joshua Ginsberg – as the three young friends who passionately live their lives in the multi-cultural melting pot that is Cable Street. Joining them are: Debbie Chazen (Calendar Girls The Musical – Olivier Best Actress in a Musical nomination, Our Generation, Mother Clapp’s Molly House – RNT, TV: Doctor Who, Sherlock, Doctors – Best Actress Soap Award nomination); Sophia Ragavelas (Cats, The Lion King, Mama Mia, Les Misérables); Jade Johnson (Book of Mormon); Max Alexander-Taylor (The Lion – Southwark Playhouse); Aiofe Mac Namara (workshop Cable Street), Ethan Pascal Peters (Showstopper! The Improvised Musical).
It’s October 1936 in the heart of London’s East End. Sammy (Ginsberg), Mairead (Dessi) and Ron (Colligan) are carving out their own futures on Cable Street when Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists (Blackshirts) start to march on East London. Half a million Jews, Irish workers, trade unions, the labour and communist parties, women and children unite to blockade the road they all call home. As the people raise their voices and take a united stand against hatred, the lives of the streets’ residents are changed forever.
Discovering there were so many connections to The Battle of Cable Street still resonating today, composer/lyricist Tim Gilvin and playwright Alex Kanefsky decided that CABLE STREET must feature a contemporary score: bringing to life a vital part of London’s rich diversity and history.
In an extraordinary twist of fate, Joshua Ginsberg’s great-grandfather Isidor Baum fought at The Battle of Cable Street, returning home bleeding profusely but victorious – true life reflecting art. And researching their own families, several of the cast and production team emotionally find their own connection to the East End and the 4 October 1936: their ancestors also defended this diverse community from fascist intimidation at The Battle of Cable Street: with cries of They Shall Not Pass.
CABLE STREET creatives include:
The award-winning composer/lyricist Tim Gilvin (hit musical Unfortunate: the Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch – Underbelly + Southwark Playhouse Elephant – Dec 2023–Feb 2024 + national tour; Stay Awake Jake – Southwark Playhouse, Help! We Are Still Alive – Seven Dials Playhouse; orchestrations for Sarah Brightman’s A Starlight Symphony tour (2022) Tim is the first composer to have two shows produced back to back with Unfortunate at Southwark Playhouse Elephant and Cable Street at Southwark Playhouse Borough!
Writer Alex Kanefsky (writer, performer and storyteller; Artistic Director of Paper Balloon Theatre, Kaylosia Comedy collective and the V&A. Cable Street is his first full-length musical, and his first time working with Tim Gilvin. Now collaborating on The Great Moon Hoax.)
Director Adam Lenson (The Rink – Southwark Playhouse, Public Domain – Southwark Playhouse & Vaudeville Theatre. Founder of SIGNAL showcasing over 100 emerging writers.)
Musical Director Tamara Saringer (The Third Man – Menier, Identical – Lowry.)
Costume Designer Lu Herbert (Northern Stage, Opera North Festival,Help! We Are Still Alive – Seven Dials Playhouse.)
Lighting Designer Sam Waddington (Joy – Theatre Royal Stratford East, Superhero – Southwark Playhouse.)
Dramaturg – Olivia Mace (Dancing Shoes – Southwark Playhouse. TV: Sitting on the Hill.
Casting Director – Sarah Leung.
Artwork – Bob King (recipient of Olivier Special Recognition Award 2022; Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady, Beauty & The Beast, Frozen, Back to the Future, TINA: The Tina Turner, Leopoldstadt, Mary Poppins, Girl From The North Country, ART, Cirque du Soleil.
Set designer Yoav Segal (Sadler’s Wells, Bristol Old Vic) – Yoav’s grandfather was at the Battle of Cable Street. Yoav made a beautiful film with his grandfather before his death, shot on Cable Street – his family history of The Battle of Cable Street lives on.
Produced by Dylan Schlosberg’s 10 to 4 Productions – a production company dedicated to developing and investing in new musicals
Co-Produced by Neil Marcus (The A-Z of Mrs P – Southwark, The Buskers Opera – Park Theatre.)
New British musical CABLE STREET – with an urgent story for today’s audiences.
Royal Court, London – until Saturday 16 December 2023
Reviewed by Jan Brodie-Murphy
4****
Gosh I found you had to pay attention throughout this 2 hour and 15 minute production as if you took your foot off the pedal you missed essential dialogue of the story, in the build up to what became a hilarious play.
Very funny and lots of pertinent references to what is going on in the world today politically and otherwise.
Very taken with actor George Fouracres who brought such humour to the stage and was pivotal in creating the laughter from the audience.
Funny and fun to watch with a brilliant audience who really got behind the actors (Amy Booth-Steel, Natalie Dew, Karina Fernandez, George Fouracres, Laurie Kynaston, Philipp Mogilnitskiy and Fenella Woolgar) actually somehow becoming part of the play in this tiny unique theatre.
Really enjoyed the production and got me guffawing with laughter.
FOR TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023
Today, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization announced television, film and stage actor Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, 24, Lincoln Center Theater’s Broadway production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I); Tony Award®, GRAMMY® and Critics Choice Award® nominee Ashley Park (Netflix’s Emily in Paris, Lionsgate’s Joy Ride, Lincoln Center Theater’s Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I); and Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Apple TV+’s Schmigadoon!, Les Misérables film) will also headline the previously announced My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert.Owing to phenomenal public demand a matinee performance has been added; tickets are available from £40.
They join the previously announced Emmy®, two-time GRAMMYand six-time Tony Awardwinner Audra McDonald; Olivier Award® nominee Julian Ovenden; Olivier Award nominee Marisha Wallace; and two-time Tony, two-time Golden Globe® and Emmy Awardnominee Patrick Wilson.Additional headliners will be announced shortly.
Both Kim and Park starred, respectively, as the King of Siam and Tuptim in the most recent Broadway revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I at Lincoln Center Theater. In addition, Kim’s’s 3AD production company is currently working with Concord Originals and Janet Yang Productions on a new film re-imagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song.
Featuring a 40-piece orchestra, the gala will be presented for two performances only onTuesday, December 12, at London’s newly restored Theatre Royal Drury Lane – the same venue that premiered the original West End productions of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific and The King and I.
Directed and staged by Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Christopher Gattelli, the celebration of the historic partnership of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II will feature the Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert Orchestra, conducted by Simon Lee, along with a West End chamber choir, dance ensemble and surprise guest appearances. Artist lineup subject to change.
Presented by The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, the concert is produced by Concord Originals, Concord Theatricals, Kilimanjaro Live/JAS Theatricals and Trafalgar Entertainment.
BIOGRAPHIES
Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II
After long and highly distinguished careers with other collaborators, Richard Rodgers (Composer, 1902-79) and Oscar Hammerstein II (Librettist/Lyricist, 1895-1960) joined forces in 1943 to create the most successful partnership in American Musical Theatre. Prior to joining forces, Rodgers collaborated with lyricist Lorenz Hart on musical comedies that epitomized wit and sophistication (Pal Joey, On Your Toes, Babes In Arms and more), while Hammerstein brought new life to operetta and created the classic Show Boat with Jerome Kern. Oklahoma!, the first Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, introduced an integrated form that became known as “the musical play.” Their shows that followed included Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music. Collectively, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals have earned Tony, Oscar, GRAMMY, Emmy, Pulitzer, and Olivier Awards. The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is a Concord Company, www.concord.com.
Daniel Dae Kim is an actor, director, producer and social advocate widely known for his work in ABC’s “Lost,” CBS’s “Hawaii Five-O,” Netflix’s “Stowaway,” and Disney’s “Raya And The Last Dragon.” He is excited to be celebrating the legacy of Rodgers & Hammerstein, having last appeared as the King of Siam in Lincoln Center Theater’s 2017 production of The King and I.
Early next year, Kim will star as the villainous Fire Lord Ozai in the live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” for Netflix. Also in 2024, Daniel will head to South Korea to star in a new spy series that he and his company, 3AD, will produce for Amazon Studios. Currently, Kim can be seen on streaming platforms in BJ Novak’s FX series “The Premise,” Nat Geo’s “The Hot Zone: Anthrax,” and Apple TV+’s “Roar.” As a producer, Kim and 3AD executive produce the series “The Good Doctor,” set to enter its seventh season on ABC, as well as 2023’s multi-award-winning documentary feature film, Bad Axe.
His theater credits include the recent, critically acclaimed production of Peter Pan Goes Wrong at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles, as well as productions with London’s Royal Albert Hall, New York’s Public Theater, Theater For A New Audience, East West Players, Pan Asian Rep and NAATCO. New York is also where Daniel received his training, earning his MFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Kim’s advocacy for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is longstanding. His testimony in front of Congress helped lead to the passage of the “Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act,” and he currently serves on the White House’s Commission for Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. He also serves on the Board of Gold House, with whom he partners, along with the Asian American Foundation on the Sunrise Collective, the first ever official AAPI centered House at the Sundance Film Festival.
Ashley Park is a Tony Award nominated actress, currently starring as “Mindy” in the hit television series “Emily in Paris” opposite Lily Collins. The show, which received a 2021 Golden Globe Nomination and is helmed by Emmy-Award-winning creator Darren Star, is one of the most popular comedy series streaming on Netflix. Park previously received a Critics’ Choice Nomination for “Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series” for her performance, becoming the first Asian American Actress to receive a nomination in the category. In Season 2, Park covered BTS’ “Dynamite,” which garnered extremely favorable reactions from BTS members RM and V. She also collaborated with Freddy Wexler on an original song for the season’s finale, “Mon Soleil,” which amassed over 2M+ streams in the first two weeks of release. “Emily in Paris” season 3 was released on Netflix on December 21, 2022.
Park was seen earlier this year starring in Point Grey and Lionsgate’s feature film Joy Ride from director Adele Lim. The project follows four Asian American women as they travel through Asia in search of one of their birth mothers. Along the way, their experience becomes one of bonding, friendship, belonging, and no-holds-barred wild debauchery that reveals the universal truth of what it means to know and love who you are. The film premiered on Friday, March 17th at the 2023 SXSW festival and was released on July 7, 2023. Park received praise for her role in the film, with The Wrap calling her “a strong central lead” and The New York Times claiming “If there is any justice, Park will soon be a marquee name.”
This Spring, Park was seen in Netflix’s “Beef,” the Emmy nominated dramedy from Lee Sung Jin. Park appears opposite Steven Yeun, Ali Wong, David Choe and Patti Yasutake. The series follows two people who let a road rage incident burrow into their minds and slowly consume their every thought and action. “Beef” premiered at the 2023 SXSW Festival on Saturday, March 18 and was released on Netflix on Thursday, April 6. Park received a 2023 HCA Award Nomination for her role in the series.
Park was most recently seen in Season 3 of Hulu’s critically acclaimed “Only Murders in the Building,” in which she appeared as Kimber, a Broadway ingenue. Park appeared opposite Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Meryl Streep, Paul Rudd, and Jesse Williams. The season premiered on August 8, 2023 on Hulu.
Park will also appear in Paramount Pictures’ upcoming Mean Girls movie. The film directed by Arturo Perez and Samantha Jayne and written by Fey is based on Fey’s musical adaptation of the 2004 hit film.
In Summer 2022, Park appeared in Bleecker Street’s feature Mr. Malcolm’s List opposite Freida Pinto and Sopé Dirisu, based on Suzanne Allain’s novel of the same name. The film follows a young woman in 1800s England as she helps her friend get revenge on a suitor who rejected her for failing a requirement on his list of qualifications for a bride. The film was released on July 1, 2022.
On stage, Park is best known for originating the role of “Gretchen Wieners” in the Broadway production of Tina Fey’s Mean Girls. In addition to her Tony nomination, she received Drama League, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Chita Rivera Award nominations for her performance. In the same season, she garnered critical acclaim for starring as “Mwe” in KPOP, for which she won the esteemed Lucille Lortel Award for Lead Actress in a Musical and was nominated for her second Drama League and Drama Desk Awards of the season. Park starred as “Jess” opposite James Cromwell, Jane Alexander, and Michael Urie in the Broadway production of Bess Wohl’s Grand Horizons, directed by Leigh Silverman. She reprised the role she originated the previous summer at Williamstown Theatre Festival. After making her Broadway debut in the hit musical Mamma Mia!, she went on to originate the role of stepsister “Gabrielle” in the national tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella; starred as “Tuptim” opposite Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe in Lincoln Center Theater’s Tony-Award-winning revival of The King and I, which also received a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Musical Theater Album”; starred as “Marian” in the World Premiere production of Hood; and appeared opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford in the recent Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George.
On television, Park reunited with Tina Fey for Peacock’s hit series “Girls5eva” in a recurring role opposite Sara Bareilles, Renee Elise Goldsberry, and Busy Phillips. She was previously seen opposite Laura Linney and Ellen Page in the critically-acclaimed Netflix limited series “Tales of the City.” Other television credits include Apple TV+’s “Helpsters” and PopTV/Lionsgate Television’s “Nightcap.”
Park is the proud recipient of Actor Equity Association’s 2018 Clarence Derwent Award, and in 2019 was honored at the inaugural Marin Mazzie Award for Empowerment by the Cancer Support Community. Her outreach as a social activist and a cancer survivor has stayed important to her through her dedicated work and support of service organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the DoSomething organization, Prison Creative Arts Project, Michigan Performance Outreach Workshop, SeriousFun Camps for Kids, Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS.
Park graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA in Musical Theater.
Aaron Tveit is a Tony-winning American theatre, television and film actor. He earned a 74th Annual Tony Award leading the cast of the world premiere production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. A stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s critically acclaimed film, the GRAMMY-nominated show premiered on Broadway in the summer of 2019. Tveit also received an Outer Critics Circle honor for his performance.
In July 2021, he was seen in Apple TV+’s new series “Schmigadoon!” Also starring Cecily Strong, Keegan Michael-Key, Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth and more, the show follows a couple who on a backpacking trip designed to reinvigorate their relationship when they discover a magical town in which everyone acts as if they’re in a musical from the 1940s. They then discover that they can’t leave until they find “true love.” He also appears in Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Stories,” and Audible and Broadway Video’s podcast “Hit Job,” alongside Keke Palmer, Pete Davidson and more.
Television audiences know him from USA network series “Graceland”; the CBS comic-thriller “Braindead,” where he played the male lead of Gareth, opposite Mary Elizabeth Winstead; and the Emmy Award-winning television musical Grease: Live, where he played Danny Zuko opposite Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens. Most recently, Tveit was seen in Hallmark’s One Royal Holiday, opposite of fellow Broadway star Laura Osnes. He will next be seen in Apple TV+’s upcoming, untitled musical comedy series, produced by Lorne Michaels. He has also held numerous guest starring roles on “The Good Fight,” “Gossip Girl,” “The Good Wife,” “Ugly Betty” and “Law and Order: SVU.”
Tveit’s film credits include Les Misérables (where he was seen portraying the character Enjolras alongside Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe), Out of Blue, Created Equal, Better Off Single, Undrafted, Premium Rush, Howl and Ghost Town.
On Broadway, he starred in Catch Me If You Can, in the role of Frank Abagnale Jr., and also created the role of Gabe in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical Next to Normal, which he developed off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theatre and debuted on Broadway.
In addition to Wicked and Hairspray on Broadway, he starred in the national tours of Hairspray and Rent. He is featured on the cast recordings for Catch Me If You Can and Next to Normal, as well as his solo album The Radio in My Head: Live at 54 Below.
Tveit has received numerous honors for his work in theatre including the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance in Next to Normal and the Actors Equity Association Clarence Derwent Award for Most Promising Actor. Nominations include Distinguished Performance from the Drama League, Best Male Dancer from the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards, and Outstanding Featured Actor from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, all for his work in Catch Me If You Can.
Have we not all wondered what goes on in our nation’s royal palaces when the doors are closed? The global popularity of TV show The Crown has captivated viewers who yearn to see what goes on behind the closed doors of Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Clarence House. Given this theme’s success on screen, is it possible for it to work on stage as well?
Award-winning writer Marcelo Dos Santos’ latest comedy, Backstairs Billy, delves into the 50-year relationship between the late Queen Mother and her devoted servant, Page of the Backstairs, William “Billy” Tallon. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who is grieving the death of her husband, losing her crown, and having to leave Buckingham Palace, finds solace in the companionship of her new 15-year-old servant William Tallon.
Set in 1979, the Queen Mother is going about her everyday business while strikes and riots are breaking out outside Clarence House’s gates. The clear division between master and servant is brought to light when Billy’s less-than-royal antics confronts the Royal Household. Include some ‘boring’ guests and an extremely provocative looking sculpture that Billy’s “Cousin” Ian (Eloka Ivo – To Kill a Mockingbird) has created in the Queen Mother’s hands, things begin to spiral out of control.
Actor Luke Evans (Beauty & The Beast, The Hobbit, The Alienist) makes his stage comeback as Billy, after more than 15 years away. An appropriate part for this charming performer. As Billy, Evans is endearing and extraordinary camp, bringing sass and lots of double-entendres (there are a lot of suggestions to being “Well Hung”!). Throughout the entire show, there is reference to the ongoing joke that there are “Two Queen’s in Clarence House.” Audience laughter erupted when Evans gave a charming impression of the now-King Charles III at the start of the second act. Dame Penelope Wilton (Taken in Midnight, Downton Abbey, Exotic Marigold Hotel) co-stars with Evans as the Queen Mother, who is mostly endearing. The chemistry between them is exceptionally strong for such an unlikely couple, and I believe the play wouldn’t be as appealing without them. As Gwydion “Daff,” the new footman, Iwan Davies (The Corn is Green, National Theatre) is a welcome addition. His amusing facial expressions and timing were particularly noteworthy.
One would expect to find a garden room in a royal residence, like the one that was created by set designer Christopher Oram in The Duke of York Theatre. The Garden Room of Clarence House is a beautifully designed space with extraordinarily towering walls that are adorned with artwork, vintage furniture, and an abundance of flowers. Despite never changing, the set transitions between flashbacks with ease thanks to astute lighting design.
The writing is tolerable and offers a humorous perspective on life behind the palace walls. Wilton steals the show with her sharp sense of humour, charming demeanour, and capacity to reveal the Queen Mother’s vulnerable side. However, the manner in which she addressed Billy in her last scene, revealing her cruel and commanding side, left me with a very unpleasant taste in my mouth. Although I recognise that the purpose of this was to illustrate the hierarchy between a member of the Royal family and their staff, I thought this was unnecessary given the warm and loveable relationship that had been portrayed throughout. Overall, 3 ½ stars is awarded for this adequately pleasant, royally camp play featuring some well-loved faces, adorable corgi’s and some good laughs.
Southampton Mayflower – until Saturday 11 November 2023
Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock
3***
Simon Beaufoy and Michaeal Gyngell have collaborated on what is set to be a night of temptation, laughter and and a little bit of stripping!
We follow Gaz (Danny Hatchard) as he struggles to make ends meet whilst trying to pay child support, so together with his best friend Dave (Neil Hurst) they form a plan to beat the Chippendales – welcoming lots of women, and lots more cash!
Auditions take place and soon a troupe is formed. Followed by revelations, choreography and first night nerves, the group come together to present the ultimate show – The Full Monty!
With a line up including Bill Ward as Gerald, Jake Quickenden as Guy and Ben Onwukwe as Horse, this is a stellar feast!This is a great adaption of Fox’s original motion picture and stays true to the heart of the show.
The casting from Marc Frankum is superb, he has created a perfectly gelled group that have a fantastic rapport. Choreography from Ian West is outstanding and really puts you in the mood from the get go. What is spectacular about this show is that every member of the cast were involved with scene changes, expertly overseen by Stage Management team Lisa Briddon, Karen Habens and Matt Collins, to create smooth and effortless transitions at every stage.
The most difficult job (apart from the men undressing in front of an auditorium!) executed perfectly by lighting designer Andrew Exeter, is making sure the lights are timed at just the right moment for the when the men bare all! Much to the audience’s dismay this was spot on and the men stayed completely modest, but put on a fantastic show! If you are in need of a fun, frivolous night out – this is certainly the one for you!!!
Kiln Theatre today announces that their production of new British musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is extending until 20 January 2024 due to public demand. The show which has its first sold-out preview this evening, featuresDujonna Gift(Hamilton)and Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen – Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical).
This new Kiln production, completing the theatre’s current season, is written by Jim Barne and Kit Buchanand is directed and choreographed byTim Jackson. The production opens on 16 November and runs until 20 January 2024.
Kiln Theatre presents
TWO STRANGERS
(CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK)
By Jim Barne & Kit Buchan
Directed by Tim Jackson
9 November 2023 – 20 January 2024
Cast: Dujonna Gift (Robin) and Sam Tutty (Dougal)
Designer Soutra Gilmour; Lighting Designer Jack Knowles; Sound Designer Tony Gayle; Musical Director Sean Green; Orchestrated by Lux Pyramid; Casting Director Julia Horan CDG; Voice & Dialect Coach Daniele Lydon; Associate Director Claira Vaughan; Kiln-Mackintosh Resident Assistant Director Jessica Mensah
Dougal is a naive, impossibly upbeat Brit, flying to New York for his Dad’s second wedding. The Dad he’s never known.
Waiting for him at the airport is Robin, the sister of the bride. She’s a native New Yorker, she’s late for work, and she doesn’t have time to stop and see the sights.
Instant attraction? Definitely not.
But with an extravagant wedding approaching and the city at their feet – anything could happen.
A new British musical from writers Jim Barne and Kit Buchan.
Dujonna Gift plays Robin. For theatre, her work includes Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre), Motown: The Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre), Dear Evan Hansen (Noël Coward Theatre), and Caroline, Or Change (Playhouse Theatre). For film, her credits include the forthcoming Snow White.
Sam Tutty plays Dougal. For theatre, his work includes the title role in Dear Evan Hansen (Noël Coward Theatre – Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), and Once on This Island (Southwark Playhouse). His television work includes Hollyoaks; and for film, Four Minutes Warning and Romeo and Juliet.
Jim Barne is a composer and orchestrator. He has written music for films including Oscar-nominated Living (2022), The Ghost Trap (2023) and Worth (2021). He has won the London Chamber Orchestra’s young composer competition, and Best New Score at the Horrorhaus Film Festival.
Kit Buchan is a poet and journalist. His poems have been commended in the Poetry London and Ware Poets competitions and the Best British Poetry anthology. He works for the Observer New Review and the Woodland Trust.
Together they have won The Stage Debut Award and the Stiles and Drewe prize for new musical theatre. Their second musical Catastrophe Bay was performed at Bristol Old Vic in 2022. They also write songs for their pop band, I Said Yes.
Tim Jackson is a Director and Choreographer, and former Creative Associate of The Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch. Tim recently choreographed the critically acclaimed Broadway production of Merrily We Roll Along, with Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez, directed by Maria Friedman. As a director, his work includes the first UK revival of Kinky Boots (New Wolsey Theatre), The Hound of the Baskervilles (UK tour), Treasure Island (Bolton Octagon), The Season (Royal and Derngate and New Wolsey Theatre), The Oliviers in Concert (Royal Festival Hall). As an Associate Director, work includes High Society (The Old Vic), A Little Night Music (Tokyo), From Hackney to Hollywood (UK tour). As a choreographer, work includes Merrily We Roll Along (Hudson Theatre/New York Theatre Workshop/National Theatre Tokyo/Huntington Theatre/Harold Pinter Theatre/Menier Chocolate Factory), A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre), Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (Apollo Theatre), Stepping Out (Vaudeville Theatre), Saturday Night (Arts Theatre), Mouthful (Trafalgar Studios), Little Shop of Horrors (Manchester Royal Exchange), La Périchole (Garsington Opera), The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ (Curve Theatre), Parade (Southwark Playhouse), Dusty (Bath Theatre Royal/UK tour), and La Bohème (Middle East tour). Choreography for television includes four Olivier Awards Ceremonies, Doctor Who, Let’s Sing and Dance for Comic Relief, and BBC’s New Year’s Eve midnight celebration.
An earlier version of the musical was first produced by Royal & Derngate, Northampton and New Wolsey Ipswich when it was called The Season. This musical was developed through the Stiles and Drewe MTI Mentorship Award. Excerpts from that version were presented at BEAM2018, supported by Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network.
TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK): 9 November 2023 – 20 January 2024 Opening Night: 16 November
Access Perfs:
Audio Described – Thu 30 November, 7.30pm, preceded by Touch Tour
Relaxed – Sat 09 December, 2.30pm
Captioned – Mon 18 December – 7.30pm
Post show Q&A: Tues 28 November
Monday – Saturday, 7.30pm (Wed mats following press night)
All tickets to first preview £15 Tickets £15-£40
Under 26 – £10 (subject to availability)
Access, Over 65, Local, Student and Group rates available, for further details, please see the website.
Subsidised tickets
We offer free tickets and exclusive discounts to those who can’t afford to come. If you fit any of the below criteria, get in touch and we can help you get a ticket.
If you are homeless, out of work or receive Housing Benefits, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance (valid ID, statements or proof universal tax credit will be required when collecting tickets).
Employees of NHS, Police Force, Fire Brigade, Armed Forces, The Coastguard, RNLI, Prison Officers or Social Care Workers (valid ID payslip and name badges will be required when collecting tickets).
