Adam Blanshay Productions, Park Theatre, Playbill and The Theatre Café
The Theatre Channel announce a
Stephen Schwartz spectacular for Episode 8
New episode streaming from Friday 17th September 2021
Adam Blanshay Productions’ acclaimed web series The Theatre Channel returns with a show stopping musical spectacular to honour the legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked; Pippin; Godspell). Under the new direction of Olivier Award-nominated choreographer Fabian Aloise (Evita, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; Wicked, Germany) Schwartz’s modern masterpieces will come alive led by a sensational cast, including leading West End women Alice Fearn (Wicked; Come From Away), Louise Dearman (the only woman to play both Elphaba and Glinda – Wicked; Evita), and Christine Allado (The Prince of Egypt; Hamilton)
Further casting includes the incredible Stewart Clarke (Be More Chill; Fiddler on the Roof), Melanie La Barrie (Wicked; & Juliet), Cedric Neal (Back to the Future; Motown: The Musical) and the cast of the critically acclaimed revival of Pippin at the Charing Cross Theatre, with their fantastic rendition of ‘Magic To Do’. This marks the first time The Theatre Channel is doing a music video in collaboration with a production currently running in the West End, as they continue to evolve their concept.
The episode will be narrated by Stephen Schwartz himself, offering exclusive insights as he looks back over his career and the continual renovation of his work. With his numerous productions playing across London (Pippin, Charing Cross Theatre; The Prince of Egypt, Dominion Theatre; Wicked, Apollo Victoria), it is a testament to the craftsmanship of one of musical theatres muchloved talents. Schwartz will be joining The Café Five to perform an unforgettable finale.
Following their successful collaboration with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Theatre Channel will continue to partner with theatrical venues to celebrate the return of live entertainment. The new episode is an exciting co-production with Park Theatre, where Schwartz’s powerful musical Rags was a critical smash in early 2020.
Stephen Schwartz comments, I’m honoured to be collaborating with The Theatre Channel on Episode 8, featuring my theatre songs. I’ve very much enjoyed and admired the previous episodes, so I know I and my work are in very good hands. An MTV/VH1-meets-Musical Theatre hybrid, The Theatre Channel uses the skilful and imaginative videos they produce to offer new perspectives on musical theatre songs, rediscovering them through a new lens. With “my episode” –Episode 8 — we plan to give fresh and modern twists to some popular favourites and offer some “hidden gems” as well. As a certain Glinda once said: “I couldn’t be happier”.
The cast will once again be joined by resident ensemble ‘The Café Five,’ comprised of Anthony Starr (Guys & Dolls, Sheffield Crucible), Danny Becker (The Prince Of Egypt, Dominion Theatre), Kayleigh Thadani (Disney’s Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre), M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac (Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre) and Vicki Lee Taylor (A Chorus Line, London Palladium).
The previous episode, a Rodgers and Hammerstein special, featured the incredible talents of Michael D. Xavier (Sunset Boulevard (West End & Broadway); Into The Woods), Josefina
Gabrielle (Oklahoma! (West End & Broadway); Merrily We Roll Along) and Caroline Sheen (Mary Poppins; 9 to 5). It also included an exclusive sneak peek into Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Carousel, as part of an exciting collaboration with the venue
Producer Adam Blanshay comments, The Theatre Channel are delighted to continue our in-focus exploration of the anthology of a composer’s work with the incredible Stephen Schwartz. Spanning over six decades, Stephen’s work includes some of the most cherished musicals of all time. We are also incredibly grateful to Park Theatre for their collaboration with us on this episode. Their production of Rags was an immense success, and it’s an honor to bring the work of Stephen Schwartz back home to Finsbury Park.
Combining the thrill of stage and screen for an episodic musical revue of beloved classics, The Theatre Channel is an up close and intimate experience from the comfort of your home.
Previous episodes (1 – 7) of The Theatre Channel are available to purchase at Stream.Theatre to watch at your leisure.