LAST UPDATED: December 11 2022

Upcoming openings in London, the regions, and on Broadway from December 5 onwards

This week’s openings

• Monday December 5

LONDON: Orlando (Gielgud Theatre) November 25-February 25, press night December 5. Michael Grandage directs Emma Corrin in the title role of Neil Bartlett’s new stage version of Virginia Woolf’s novel.  Corrin recently appeared in Grandage’s new film My Policeman for Amazon.  Also in the cast are Deborah Findlay, Jessica Alade, Debra Baker, Akuc Bol, Lucy Briers, Richard Cant, Melissa Lowe, Jodie McNee, Oliver Wickham, and Millicent Wong. Continuing their commitment to accessible ticket prices across their productions, MGC will have over 10,000 £10 tickets available across the run. Press contract: Kate Morley PR, kate@katemorleypr.com. Website: https://www.michaelgrandagecompany.com/

• Tuesday December 6

LONDON: Hex (National’s Olivier Theatre) November 26-January 14, 2023, press night December 6. Rufus Norris’s production — whose press night in 2021 was twice postponed before being abandoned entirely — returns for this Christmas, with a mostly new cast. A re-telling of Sleeping Beauty that goes beyond the waking kiss,  it is a family affair with a book by Tanya Ronder (Norris’s wife) and lyrics by Norris, with music by Jim Fortune. The original concept is by Katrina Lindsay (who also designs) and Norris. Michael Elcock returns to the cast as Bert, alongside the newly cast Rosie Graham as Princess Rose, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Queenie and Lisa Lambe as Fairy. Press contact: Louisa Terry: lterry@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/hex

LONDON: A Christmas Carol (Bridge Theatre) December 6-31. Nicholas Hytner’s 2020 production returns with Simon Russell Beale reprising his performance in the show whose original run was cut short by the coronavirus lockdown. He is joined bay original cast member Eben Figueriedo, along with Lyndsey Marshal newly joining the company. Press contacts: Janine Shalom/Grace Barber at Premier Communications, Janine.shalom@premiercomms.com, Grace.barber@premiercomms.com Website: https://bridgetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/a-christmas-carol/

• Wednesday December 7

LONDON: Kerry Jackson (National’s Dorfman Theatre). November 30-January 21, press night December 7. A new play by April de Angelis is directed by Indhu Rubasingham, with the cast led by Fay Ripley as Kerry, owner of a new restaurant in fashionable Walthamstow. Wearing her working-class roots as a badge of honour, she navigates the local characters in a bid to make the tapas restaurant a success – without losing herself in the process.Press contact: Louise Terry at National Theatre, lterry@nationaltheatre.org.uk; Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/kerry-jackson

LONDON: Bugsy Malone (Alexandra Palace Theatre) December 3-January 15, press night December 7. Alan Parker’s film is brought to the stage in a production directed by Sean Holmes and choreographed by Drew McOnie that was first seen at Lyric Hammersmith in 2015, and now returns to London as part of a national tour. Press contact: Helen Snell helen@helensnell.com; Website: https://bugsymalonethemusical.com/

• Thursday December 8

LONDON: Mandela (Young Vic) November 28-February 4, 2021, press night December 8. World premiere of a biographical musical ab out the late Nelson Mandela, presented “in proud partnership” with the Mandela family. With a book by Lalona Michelle and music and lyrics by Greg Dean Borowsky and Shaun Borowsky, Nandi Mandela — granddaughter of Mandela — comments, “As my grandfather once said, music has the power to free us to dream, to unite people as one voice, and we hope that our musical will do just that. We are so proud to be bringing his story to the stage, with our brilliant creative team led by Greg and Shaun Borowsky, Laiona Michelle, Bongi Duma, Gregory Maqoma and Schele Williams in a way that honours and celebrates Madiba, for who he was – a grandfather, a father, a man who tried to do the best that he could during his journey on earth. We hope that my grandfather’s story, of a man from humble beginnings who pulled himself up by his bootstraps, will resonate with audiences far and wide, and communicate his message of hope – that we are all capable of doing great things, as long as we are true and authentic to ourselves.” The title role is played by Michael Luwoye, with Danielle Fiamanya as Winnie Mandela.  Press contacts: Kate Hassell, Interim Head of Press kate@breadandbutterpr.uk; Karl-Lydie Jean-Baptiste, Press Officer KarlLydie@youngvic.org. Website: https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/mandela

LONDON: Disney’s Newsies (Troubadour Wembley Park), from November 28, press night December 8. Matt Cole directs and choreographs the UK professional premiere of the stage version of the Disney live-action film. It was originally seen on Broadway in 2012; it received its British premiere in a student production at ArtsEd that starred Jac Yarrow in 2019; he went on to make his professional debut in the title role of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium later the same year!  Cast as Jack Kelly now is Michael Akomka-Lindsay, with Bronté Barbé as Katherine Plumber. Press contact: Alexandra Buchanan alex@amandamalpass.com Website: https://newsiesthemusical.co.uk/

BROADWAY: Ohio State Murders (James Earl Jones Theatre, formerly the Cort) Previews from November 11, opens December 8. Kenny Leon directs a cast led by Audra McDonald in the Broadway premiere of Adrienne Kennedy’s play.  It plays at the newly re-named and renovated James Earl Jones Theatre (formerly the 110-year-old Cort). McDonald plays writer Suzanne Alexander who returns to her alma mater as a guest speaker. As she explores the violence in her works, a dark mystery unravels. Press contact: Polk & Co, Matt Polk / Alana Karpoff / Alex Seeley / Nicolette Carcaldi. Website: https://ohiostatemurdersbroadway.com/

• Sunday December 11

BROADWAY: Some Like It Hot (Shubert Theatre) Previews from November 1, opens December 11. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, who previously turned Hairspray into a hit Broadway musical, now write the score for another famous film featuring cross-dressing leads, Billy Wilder’s 1959 Some Like It Hot for the stage. The book is by Matthew López and Amber Ruffin; it is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). Press contact: Polk & Co, Matt Polk / Jessica Johnson / Lilly Claar / Nina Chae-Gordon. Website: https://somelikeithotmusical.com/

OPENINGS FURTHER AHEAD

• Monday December 12

LONDON: Sons of Prophet (Hampstead Theatre) December 2-January 14, press night December 12. Binjan Sheibani directs the European premiere of Stephen Karam’s Pulitzer nominated 2012 play, which was named the best play that year by the New York Drama Critics Circle. In 2018 Hampstead presented the UK premiere of Karam’s The Humans. Press contact: Clare McCormack at Hampstead ClareM@hampsteadtheatre.com. Website: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2022/sons-of-the-prophet/

OFF-BROADWAY: Merrily We Roll Along (New York Theatre Workshop) Maria Friedman directs a New York return for Sondheim’s flop 1981 Broadway musical Merrily We Roll Along that she originally directed a well-received production of at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory in 2012, before it transferred to the West End’s Harold Pinter in 2013. The production will star Daniel Radcliffe as Charley Kringas, with Jonathan Groff as Franklin Shepard and Lindsay Mendez as Mary Flynn.  Press contact: NYTW@mattrosspr.com. Website: https://www.nytw.org/show/merrily-we-roll-along/

• Tuesday December 13

Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol  (Queen Elizabeth Hall) December 8-January 8, press night December 13. Robert Bathurst stars as Scrooge in the European premiere of a musical version of A Christmas Carol, set in the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, where Scrooge is the owner of a mining company town, adapted by David H. Bell (who also wrote the book), Paul T Couch and Curt Wallan, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed and choreographed by Alison Pollard. Press contacts: Simon Raw, Emily Webb or Daniel O’Carroll simon@rawpr.co.uk, emily@rawpr.co.uk, daniel@rawpr.co.uk. Website: https://smokymountainchristmascarol.com/

• Wednesday December 14

LONDON: Jack and the Beanstalk (London Palladium) December 10-January 15, press night December 14. Michael Harrison once again produces and directs the annual Palladium panto, with Palladium regulars Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot joined by Dawn French, Alexandra Burke, Louis Gaunt, Rob Madge and Natalie McQueen. Press contact: Premier PR, janine.shalom@premiercomms.com or grace.barber@premiercomms.com. Website:  https://palladiumpantomime.com/

Liz Klingsman: One Woman Show (Ambassadors Theatre) December 14-January 21, 2023. Liz Klingman brings her Edinburgh show – subsequently seen at Soho Theatre — to the West End for a six week season. It is directed by Adam Brace. In a press statement, she has said: “No one is more surprised than I am that the theatre community continue to take this prank at face value. In saying that, I am beyond excited to bring the show to London’s West End. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier.” Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com Website: https://onewomanshow.co.uk/

LONDON: As You Like It (@sohoplace) December 6-January 28, press night December 14. Josie Rourke, former artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse, directs a new production of Shakespeare’s comedy, starring Leah Harvey as Rosalind, Rose Ayling-Ellis as Celia, Alfred Enoch as Orlando and Martha Plimpton as  Jaques. In a press statement, Rourke has commented, Nica Burns has built a beautiful and vibrant new theatre for London and I’m proud to be part of her opening session. When I saw the new auditorium, saying “yes” to directing on that wonderful stage was one of the quickest answers I’ve ever given. I remember well from opening the new Bush Theatre the peculiar struggles and challenges of opening the doors on a new theatre and I’m honoured to be part of this important endeavour. As things feel tough, Nica has doubled down on theatre’s future in the capital and I’m want to support her and her team’s courage by creating a joyful and celebratory show for one of theatre’s most and intimate, welcoming new homes, @sohoplace.” Press contacts: Kitty Greenleaf kitty@joallanpr.com, Jo Allan Jo@joallanpr.com, Freya Cowdry freya@joallanpr.com. Website: https://sohoplace.org/whats-on/as-you-like-it

• Thursday December 15

LONDON: Watch on the Rhine (Donmar Warehouse) December 9-February 4, press night December 15. Ellen McDougall directs a cast that includes Kate Duchêne, Caitlin FitzGerald and Patricia Hodge in Lillian Hellman’s 1941 play, set in the summer of that year, in which a Washington DC mother anxiously awaits the return of her daughter and her German husband as they flee Europe with their children. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com; Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/8601AVPPNNBTVGDHCLBCTPRSLGQPDSBRD?_ga=2.229014427.649449794.1665478808-973653908.166547880

2023

• Thursday January 12

LONDON: A Streetcar Named Desire (Almeida Theatre) December 17-February 4, press night January 12 (postponed from December 20). Rebecca Frecknall, whose production of Tennessee Williams’s Summer and Smoke transferred from the Almeida to the West End, returns to Islington to direct another Williams play, starring Patsy Ferran (replacing the originally announced Lydia Wilson) as Blanche, with Paul Mescal as Stanley, Anjana Vasan as Stella and Dwane Walcott as Mitch.Press contact: Alexander Milward, amilard@almeida.co.uk Website: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/a-streetcar-named-desire/10-dec-2022-4-feb-2023

* Tuesday January 17

LONDON: George Takei’s Allegiance (Charing Cross Theatre) January 7-April 8, press night January 17. The Star Trek star George Takei (famous for playing Mr Sulu) stars in the London premiere of the 2015 Broadway musical inspired by his own true childhood experience, when as a child he and his family were placed in internment camps along with 120,000 other Japanese Americans, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour during the Second World War. Takei reprises his Broadway role, as does Telly Leung (best known as Wee from Glee), who plays Takei’s character’s younger self, in this entirely new production, specially conceived for the Charing Cross Theatre, directed and choreographed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson. The musical has a book by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo and Lorenzo Thione with music and lyrics by Jay Kuo. In a press statement, Takei has commented,  “Allegiance is a story from America’s past, but it has great relevance today. Once again, fascism is on the march, and whole communities are under attack. Again, the freedoms so many take for granted are gravely imperilled. Allegiance is my legacy. We must learn the lessons of our past so that we may never repeat them. That’s why we tell our story. That’s why I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring we collectively honour the commitment, ‘Never again’.”  Press contact:  Kevin Wilson,  kevinwilsonpr@gmail.com Website: https://allegiancemusical.com/

• Wednesday January 18

LONDON: Alex Edelman — Just for Us (Menier Chocolate Factory) January 11-February 26, press night January 18. Transfer from Off-Broadway, where it premiered at the Cherry Lane Theatre last year, this solo autobiographical show is directed by Adam Brace. After a string of anti-Semitic abuse is directed at Edelman online, he decides to covertly attend a gathering of White Nationalists in New York City and comes face-to-face with the people behind the keyboards. The result is a hair-raising encounter that gives Just For Us its title and final, jaw-dropping twist. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com

• Thursday January 19:

LONDON: The Unfriend (Criterion Theatre) January 15-April 16, press night January 19. Steven Moffatt’s dark comedy transfers from Chichester’s Minerva Theatre, where it played earlier this summer, in a production directed by Mark Gatiss (Moffat’s co-writer on TV’s Sherlock and Dracula) that reunites the original Chichester cast led by Reece Shearsmith, Amanda Abbington and Frances Barber, and also featuring Michael Simkins, Marcus Onilude, Gabriel Howell and Maddie Holliday. Press contacts: Samantha Montague samantha@breadandbutterpr.uk and Ben Chamberlain ben@breadandbutterpr.uk. Website: https://theunfriend.com/

• Saturday January 21

LONDON: 2.22 A Ghost Story (Lyric Theatre) January 21-April 23. Danny Robins’ play transfers to its 4th West End address (after originally opening at the Coward, it played the Gielgud and Criterion in turn), with Cheryl Cole making her West End stage debut, joined by Hugo Chegwin, Louise Ford and Scott Karim. Press contacts: Bread and Butter PR — Clair Chamberlain clair@breadandbutterpr.uk, Ben Chamberlain ben@breadandbutterpr.uk. Website: https://222aghoststory.com

• Wednesday January 25

LONDON: Noises Off (Phoenix Theatre) January 19-March 11, press night January 25. The current 40th anniversary production of Michael Frayn’s backstage farce transfers to the West End for a limited eight week season. The cast comprises Felicity Kendal as Dotty Otley, Matthew Kelly as Selsdon Mowbray and Joseph Millson as Garry Lejeune (pictured above), and also Tracy-Ann Oberman as Belinda Blair, Alexander Hanson as Lloyd Dallas, Sasha Frost as Brooke Ashton, Pepter Lunkuse as Poppy Norton Taylor and Jonathan Coy as Fredrick Fellows. It is directed by Lindsay Posner, who also directed the last London revival at the Old Vic. Press contact: Lewis Jenkind at Storehouse PR, lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk; Website: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/noises-off/phoenix-theatre/

• Saturday January 28

REGIONAL: The Bodyguard (King’s Theatre, Glasgow) January 28-February 4, then touring. Melody Thornton – formerly with The Pussycat Dolls — is set to play Rachel Marron in a new tour for the stage version of the hit film, kicking off in Glasgow. She has previously played the role when the show toured China. Press contacts: Simon Raw, Emily Webb or Daniel O’Carroll at Raw PR, simon@rawpr.co.uk, emily@rawpr.co.uk, daniel@rawpr.co.uk. Full tour dates: https://www.thebodyguardmusical.com/uk-tour-dates/

• Tuesday January 31

LONDON: Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons (Harold Pinter Theatre) January 18-March 18, press night January 31, then at Manchester Opera House and Brighton Theatre Royal. Jenna Coleman and Aidan Turner star in the West End premiere of Manchester-born playwright Sam Steiner’s Edinburgh fringe hit. Described as romantic comedy about what we say, how we say it, and what happens when we can’t say anything anymore., it is directed by Josie Rourke, former artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse.  Press contact: Laura Myers at About Grace, laura@aboutgracepr.com. Website: https://lemonstheplay.co.uk/

• Wednesday February 1:

REGIONAL: Spitting Image Live: Featuring The Liar King (Birmingham Rep) February 1-March 12. Sean Foley, artistic director at Birmingham Rep, directs and co-writen with Al Murray and Matt Forde, a new live show based on the Spitting Image puppets. According to the press release, “Join the circle of lies and see the puppets live on stage for the first time ever. Witness a monstrous cast of stars including The Liar King himself, Boris Johnson. Plus Tom Cruise & Michael Gove (together on stage for the very first time), Adele, Tyson Fury, Harry and Meghan, Stormzy, Beyoncé, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, and many more.” Press contact: Ben Wooldridge  ben.Wooldridge@birmingham-rep.co.uk. Website: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/spitting-image-live/

• Thursday February 2:

REGIONAL: The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) January 26-March 4, press night February 2. Alex Kingston plays Prospero, with Jessica Rhodes as Miranda and Jamie Ballard as Antonio, in the RSC’s new production of The Tempest, directed by Elizabeth Freestone. Press contact: Bethany Arnold bethany.arnold@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-tempest/

Wednesday February 8

LONDON: The Lehman Trilogy (Gillian Lynne Theatre) January 24-May 20, press night February 8. Sam Mendes’s production of Stefano Massini play, adapted by Ben Power, returns to London, after originally premiering at the National and transferring to Broadway.  The new company will star Michael Balogun, Hadley Fraser and Nigel Lindsay as the Lehman brothers. Press contact: Clare McCormack via cmccormack@nationaltheatre.org.uk Website: http://thelehmantrilogy.com/

• Thursday February 9

LONDON: Phaedra (National’s Lyttelton Theatre) February 1-April 8, press night February 9 . Simon Stone, whose work has mostly been seen in the UK at the Young Vic, makes his NT debut with his own play Phaedra, after Euripides, Seneca and Racine. Janet McTeer plays the title role, with Assaad Bouab and Mackenzie Davis also featured. Press contact: Louisa Terry lterry@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/phaedra

LONDON: Standing at the Sky’s Edge (National’s Olivier Theatre) February 9-March 25, press night to be announced. Originally premiered at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in 2019, Richard Hawley and Chris Bush’s musical, set on Sheffield’s Park Hill Estate, transfers to the National. Directed by Sheffield Theatres’ artistic director Robert Hastie, it is described as a love letter to Sheffield, charting the hopes and dreams of three generations over the course of six tumultuous decades. The cast includes Darragh Cowley, Ahmed Hamad, Samuel Jordan, Bobbie Little, Robert Lonsdale, David McKechnie, Maimuna Memon, Baker Mukasa, Alastair Natkiel, Faith Omole, Adam Price, Nicola Sloane, Jake Small, Deborah Tracey, Rachael Wooding and Alex Young. Press contact: Ruth Greenwood, rgreenwood@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/standing-at-the-skys-edge

• Monday February 20

LONDON: Trouble in Butetown (Donmar Warehouse) February 10-March 25, press night February 20.  Tinuke Craig directs the world premiere of Diana Nneka Atuona’s play set in an illegal boarding house in Cardiff’s Button, during the Second World War. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com; Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/9201AHVHRSJHSLBLCDVNMMJTBCSRGGTMK?_ga=2.261643146.649449794.1665478808-973653908.1665478808

• Tuesday February 14

LONDON: Sylvia (Old Vic) January 27-April 1, press night February 14. Beverley Knight (pictured above) stars as Emeline Pankhurst in the world premiere of a hip-hop musical, directed and choreographed by Kate Prince, that was previously presented in workshop form at the theatre four years ago. It is co-produced by the Old Vic and Zoo Nation, in association with Sadler’s Wells. Prince has also written the lyrics and co-written the book with Priya Parmar; the music is by Josh Cohen and DJ Walde. In a press statement, Old Vic artistic director Matthew Warchus commented, “At long last, we are delighted to deliver the completed version of this hugely uplifting show, which first appeared at The Old Vic in an embryonic workshop version four years ago. Even then, this thrillingly kinetic, fun and emotional show was a giant hit with audiences and I’d urge you not to miss the much-anticipated finished article.” Prince states, “As ZooNation celebrates our 20th anniversary this month, I’m incredibly grateful to be able to announce, together with The Old Vic, the premiere of our musical Sylvia, celebrating the story of Sylvia Pankhurst and the Suffragette movement – five years after I first started writing it, and four years after it was first shared with audiences as a ‘work in progress’. I’m particularly grateful for this second chance and to be able to finish what has been the most extraordinary creative challenge yet of my life! I’m over the moon that Beverley Knight is returning to the role of Emmeline Pankhurst and that Sharon Rose will be joining the cast as her daughter Sylvia. The musicians, performers and creatives collaborating together on Sylvia are all extraordinary. They inspire me every day. I’m truly excited to finally share this work and Sylvia’s wonderful, inspiring story.” Press contacts: Katie Marsh katie.marsh@oldvictheatre.com, Armani Ur-Rub armani.ur-rub@oldvictheatre.com     

• Friday February 17

LONDON: Medea (@sohoplace) February 11-April 22, press night February17. Dominic Cooke directs his second production for his new independent theatre company Fictionhouse which he co-founded with producer Kate Horton, following Good (currently running at the Harold Pinter Theatre). Sophie Okonedo and Ben Daniels, two actors he has regularly worked with, will star. In a press statement, Cooke has said, “I have been friends with Sophie Okonedo since we were in our teens. We’ve worked together many times including on Arabian Nights at the Young Vic in 1998 and The Hollow Crown: Wars of the Roses for the BBC in 2015. Sophie is one of our most visceral, emotionally connected actors and I have long thought she’d be a brilliant Medea. I am over the moon that it’s now happening as the second West End production for Fictionhouse, run by Kate Horton and myself. I’m also really looking forward to working again with the super talented Ben Daniels after our hugely fulfilling collaboration on The Normal Heart at the National Theatre. Ben and Sophie have been an explosive onstage partnership in the past and I can’t wait to see them playing these iconic roles together in Nica Burns’ thrilling new auditorium @sohoplace.” Press contacts: Kitty Greenleaf kitty@joallanpr.com, Jo Allan Jo@joallanpr.com, Freya Cowdry freya@joallanpr.com. Website: https://sohoplace.org/whats-on/medea

LONDON: Bat out of Hell – The Musical (Peacock Theatre) February 17-April 1, 2023. Previously seen in London at the Coliseum and Dominion Theatres in 2017-2019, Bat out of Hell returns to London as part of its current UK and Ireland tour that began in September 2021. This tour is dedicated to the memory of its composer Jim Steinman, who sadly passed away on April 19 2021, and its original star Meat Loaf, who passed away on January 20, 2022.  The production is directed by Jay Scheib, with choreography adapted by Xena Gusthart, and set and costume design by Jon Bausor. Press contact: Sarah Wharton at Amanda Malpass PR, sarah@amandamalpass.com. Website: https://www.batoutofhellmusical.com/uk-tour

Tuesday February 21

LONDON: Romeo and Julie (National’s Dorfman Theatre) February 14-April 1, press night February 9. Rachel O’Riordan directs a new play by Gary Owen, inspired by Romeo and Juliet. It is co-produced with Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre, where Owen and O’Riordan previously collaborated on Iphigenia in Splott (currently being revived at Lyric Hammersmith, which O’Riordan now runs. The cast is led by Callum Scott Howells and Rosie Sheehy in the title roles, joined by Catrin Aaron, Paul Brennen and Anita Reynold. Press contact: Ruth Greenwood, rgreenwood@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website:  https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/romeo-and-julie

• Wednesday February 22

LONDON: Women, Beware the Devil (Almeida Theatre) February 11-March 25, press night February 22. Rupert Goold directs the world premiere of a play by Lulu Raczka, described as a “deadly new play of treachery and trickery.” Press contact: Alexander Milward, amilard@almeida.co.uk Website:  https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/women-beware-the-devil/11-feb-2023-25-mar-2023

• Friday February 24

LONDON: The Walworth Farce (Southwark Playhouse Elephant, February 17-March 18, press night February 24. The first major new production at the brand-new Southwark Playhouse Elephant, following two community shows, is a revival of Enda Walsh’s play, directed by Nicky Allpress. Walworth Road, where the play is set, is on the theatre’s doorstep. Located on Dante Place in SE11, it houses two spaces: a reconfigurable auditorium that seats up to 310 people; and a youth and community space, exclusively for the use of Southwark Playhouse’s extensive community and participation work. The new theatre will run concurrently with its existing venue, renamed Southwark Playhouse Borough, on Newington Causeway SE1. Press contact: Jessica Clot jessica.clot@southwarkplayhouse.co.uk. Website: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/the-walworth-farce/

Tuesday February 28

LONDON: Oklahoma! (Wyndham’s Theatre) February 16-September 2, press night February 28. Daniel Fish’s Tony winning Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, re-orchestrated and re-imagined for the 21st century, transfers to the West End, after previously having a sell-out run at the Young Vic in May 2022. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com Website: https://www.Oklaoklahomawestend.com/

• Wednesday March 1

LONDON: Shirley Valentine (Duke of York’s) February 16-May 6. Sheridan Smith returns to the West End in the title role of Willy Russell’s 1986 play that was premiered in Liverpool and subsequently opened in the West End (with Pauline Collins taking over the title role, that she subsequently also played on Broadway and in the 1989 film version). It was last seen in London in a production at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2010 starring Meera Syal that also transferred to the West End.  This new production is directed by Matthew Dunster and produced by David Pugh. Press contact: Simon Raw, Emily Webb, Daniel O’Carroll at Raw PR, simon@rawpr.co.uk,   emily@rawpr.co.uk,  daniel@rawpr.co.uk. Website: https://shirleyvalentineonstage.com/

• Thursday March 2

The Merchant of Venice (1936) (Watford Palace Theatre) February 27-March 11, press night March 2, then Home, Manchester, March 15-25, press night March 16. Tracy-Ann Oberman and Brigid Larmour’s re-imagining of Shakespeare’s play, relocating the action to London’s East End in the 1930s, receives its world premiere, with Oberman playing Shylock and Hannah Morrish as Portia. Press contact: Flavia Fraser-Cannon at Mobius, flavia@mobiusindustries.com; Websites: Watford https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/events/the-merchant-of-venice-1936/; Manchester https://homemcr.org/prodTracuction/the-merchant-of-venice-1936/

• Saturday March 4

LONDON: Bonnie & Clyde (Garrick Theatre) March 4-May 20. Frank Wildhorn’s short-lived 2011 Broadway musical — which ran for just one month then — gets an extended life in London, transferring after its recent Arts Theatre run to the Garrick around the corner for an 11-week season, in Nick Winston’s production that was originally staged as a one-nighter at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Frances Mayli McCann and Jordan Luke Gage will reprise the title roles that they previously played at the Arts. Press contacts: Raw PR: Emily Webb emily@rawpr.co.uk  Simon Raw  simon@rawpr.co.uk. Website: https://bonnieandclydemusical.com/

• Monday March 6

LONDON: The Great British Bake Off Musical (Noel Coward Theatre) February 25-May 13, press night March 6. The TV baking show comes to the stage in a musical first seen at Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre in August, starring John Owen Jones as Phil Hollinghurst, the esteemed blue-eyed, silver-fox judge, joined by Haydn Gwynn as a fellow judge. The presenters are played by Scott Paige and Zoe Birkett, with Claire Moore, Catriana Sandison, Charlotte Wakefield, Damian Humbley, Jay Saighal, Michael Cahill, Aharon Rayner and Grace Mouat as the contestants. Rachel Kavanaugh directs the show, which is written by Jake Brunger (book and lyrics) and Pippa Cleary (music and lyrics). Press contact: George Franks george@borkowski.co.uk, Dee McCourt dee@borkowski.co.uk,  Website: https://bakeoffthemusical.com/

• Thursday March 9

BROADWAY: A Doll’s House (Hudson Theatre) February to June 4, opening night March 9. Jessica Chastain stars in Jamie Lloyd’s new production of Ibsen’s play, presented in a new version  by Amy Herzog, that was originally due to premiere in London in 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic. It now opens on Broadway instead. The Jamie Lloyd Company production is co-produced on Broadway by Ambassador Theatre Group, Gavin Kalin Productions, and Wessex Grove, Press contacts: Rick Miramontez / Aaron Meier / Briana Sanchez / Timmy Boyko rick@omdkc.com / aaron@omdkc.com / briana@omdkc.com / timmy@omdkc.com Website: https://adollshousebroadway.com/ 

• Tuesday March 14

LONDON: Guys and Dolls (Bridge Theatre) March 3-September 2, 2023, press night March 14. Nicholas Hytner directs a new “immersive” production of the Broadway classic Guys and Dolls, based on Damon Runyon’s stories and characters, with a score by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. The production is choreographed by Arlene Phillips, with designs by Bunny Christie. The cast is led by Daniel Mays (as Nathan Detroit), Andrew Richardson (Sky Masterson), Celinde Schoenmaker (Sarah Brown) and Marisha Wallace (Miss Adelaide). Press contacts: Janine Shalom/Grace Barber at Premier Communications. Janine.shalom@premiercomms.com or Grace.barber@premiercomms.com  Website: https://bridgetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/guys-and-dolls/

• Wednesday March 15

LONDON: Marjorie Prime (Menier Chocolate Factory) March 9-May 6, press night March 15. UK premiere for Jordan Harrison’s 2015 Pulitzer Prize finalist, premiered at LA’s Mark Taper Forum in2 014 and subsequently seen at Off-Broadway’s Playwrights’ Horizons. The play explores the mysteries of human identity and the limits — if any — of what technology can replace. It’s the age of artificial intelligence, and 85-year-old Marjorie — a jumble of disparate, fading memories — has a handsome new companion who’s programmed to feed the story of her life back to her. What would we remember, and what would we forget, if given the chance? Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@kateJormorleypr.com

• Sunday March 19

BROADWAY: Dancin’ (Music Box Theatre). Previews from March 2, opening March 19. The dance revue celebrating the work of choreographer Bob Fosse that was originally premiered ion Broadway in 1978, returns, with one of the stars of the original production Wayne Cilento, now directing, re-imagined for the 21st century. It recently played at San Diego’s Old Globe.  Press contact: Rick Miramontez / Gerilyn Shur / Evie Freeman at O&M,  rick@omdkc.com / gerilyn@omdkc.com / evie@omdkc.com. Website: https://dancinbway.com/

Thursday March 23

BROADWAY: Bad Cinderella (Imperial Theatre) Previews from February 17, opening night March 23. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cinderella that had a troubled West End gestation and shortened run at the Gillian Lynne Theatre that saw a replacement cast for the original company dismissed before they began rehearsals earlier this year now transfers to Broadway, re-titled Bad Cinderella. It will star newcomer Linedy Genao, replacing Carrie Hope Fletcher in the title role. It is being brought to Broadway by producers he musical is produced on Broadway by No Guarantees (Christine Schwarzman, President; Darren Johnston, Executive Vice President) and Really Useful Group, with Wagner Johnson Productions serving as Executive Producers. In a press statement,  Mrs. Schwarzman commented, “We are honored to be introducing this modern Cinderella story to Broadway, and it is a dream come true to work with Andrew Lloyd Webber, especially on a score that sits among his very best. Working with this extraordinary creative team, we’ve created a new Cinderella for today’s audience. It’s so joyful and unique; we can’t wait to share it!” Lloyd Webber adds: “We have been working hard on a few new songs for our Broadway opening and, with such brilliant team, led by the spectacular Linedy, I know this is going to be really special.” Press contacts: Rick Miramontez / Marie Bshara / Kendall Edwards rick@omdkc.com / marie@omdkc.com / kendall@omdkc.com. Website: https://badcinderellabroadway.com/

• Thursday March 30

LONDON: A Little Life (Harold Pinter Theatre) March 25-June 18, press night March 30, following a run at Richmond Theatre, March 24-28. Ivo van Hove brings his stage version of Hanya Hanagihara’s novel to London, re-staged with a British cast in the play’s English language premiere, after previously presenting his original Dutch production at the Edinburgh International Festival in the summer.  The cast is led by James Norton as Jude St Francis, the lawyer whose traumatic past the play uncovers. Also in cast are Luke Thompson, Omari Douglas, Zach Wyatt, Elliot Cowan, Zubin Varla, Nathalie Armin and Emilio Doorgasingh. The lead producers are Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Playful Productions.  Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com. Website: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/a-little-life/

• Tuesday April 4

LONDON: The Secret Life of Bees (Almeida Theatre) April 4-May 27, press night to be announced. UK premiere of a musical, originally premiered at New York’s Atlantic Theatre, with a book by Lynn Nottage, music by Duncan Sheik, and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, based on the novel by Sue Monk Kidd. Set in South Carolina in 1964, it is about a group of women ignited by rebellion and longing for acceptance. It will be directed by Whitney White. Press contact: Alexander Milward, amilard@almeida.co.uk Website: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/the-secret-life-of-bees/4-apr-2023-27-may-2023

BROADWAY: Shucked (Nederlander Theatre) Previews from March 8, opening April 4. New original musical comedy, with a book by Tony winner Robert Horn (Tootsie) and score by Nashville songwriting team Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, will be directed by Jack O’Brien and feature John Behlmann, Kevin Cahoon, Andrew Durand, Caroline Innerbichler, Ashley D. Kelley and Alex Newell in the cast. In a joint statement, Horn, Clark and McAnally have commented, “Shucked is a passion project. There was something about this idea, this style of humor and this music, that kept this little engine going. What will be on stage at the Nederlander is a story about how we all have the gift of heroism inside us, and about learning to open our hearts to those who are different than us so that growth can happen… and of course, about corn… because the basic thing that unity and acceptance need for survival, is a kernel of truth.” Press contact: Rick Miramontez / Aaron Meier / Briana Sanchez / Timmy Boyko at O&M,  rick@omdkc.com / aaron@omdkc.com / briana@omdkc.com / timmy@omdkc.com. 

• Wednesday April 5

REGIONAL: The SpongeBob Musical (Mayflower Theatre, Southampton), April 5-8,  then touring, including London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, July 26-August 26. The 2017 Broadway musical based on the Nickelodeon TV series launches a UK tour. Written by Kyle Jarrow and conceived by Tina Landau, it features original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I. Press contacts: Raw PR simon@rawpr.co.uk, emily@rawpr.co.uk, daniel@rawpr.co.uk. Website:  https://www.spongebobstage.com/

Thursday April 6

Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial (Ambassadors) April 6-May 20. Transfer of the verabatim play from Wyndham’s, where it has been playing a limited run of once-a-week performances on the dark night of Life of Pi, for a longer  run. Adapted from seven days of High Court transcripts by Liv Hennessy (finalist in the Paines Plough’s Women’s Prize for Playwriting) and directed by Lisa Spirling (Artistic Director of Theatre503), it is produced by Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Eileen Davidson Productions. Press contact; Chloe Pritchard-Gordon at About Grace PR, chloe@aboutgracepr.com; Website: https://wagathaplay.com/

• Tuesday April 11

REGIONAL: Richard III (Liverpool Playhouse) April 6-22, press night April 11, then Rose Theatre, Kingston, April 26-May 13, press night April 27. Adjoa Andoh directs and plays the title role in a co-production between Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Kingston’s Rose Theatre. According to the press release, “Reflecting on her own childhood in rural England in the 1960s, Adjoa Andoh sets out to explore how pathologising the body and ascribing evil intent due to a person’s physical appearance can wear away at the soul.” She has commented, “Richard is a character I have loved since childhood. Growing up in a tiny Cotswold village in the 1960s & 70s, I immediately felt a connection to someone singled out because of their appearance. On first reading Shakespeare’s play as a child, I was outraged at the way Richard was portrayed, but now appreciate one of the questions Shakespeare posits – what happens to a person and their sense of self, if throughout their life bad intentions are ascribed to them based solely on their appearance? I call this body pathologising. It happens to many people in many circumstances across the world to this day, and in this production, I want to explore the story, and that question through the lens of race.” Press contacts: for Liverpool, Martin Shippen shippen.martin@gmail.com; for the Rose, Freya Cowdry freya@joallanpr.com. Website: Liverpool, https://www.everymanplayhouse.com/whats-on/richard-iii; Kingston, https://rosetheatre.org/whats-on/richard-iii

• Thursday April 13:

BROADWAY: Camelot (Vivian Beaumont Theatre) Previews from March 9, opening April 13. Lincoln Center Theatre presents a revival of Lerner and Loewe’s 1960 musical, starring Andrew Burnap (Tony winner as Best Actor in a Play for The Inheritance in 2021) as King Arthur, Phillipa Soo as Guinevere and Jordan Donica as Lancelot Du Lac, directed by Bartlett Sher and presented in a new version by Aaron Sorkin. A 30-piece orchestra will perform the original orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett and Philip J. Lang. Press contact: Nick Buchholtz Nick.Buchholz@lct.org. Website: https://www.lct.org/shows/camelot/

• Wednesday April 19

LONDON: Village Idiot (Theatre Royal Stratford East) April 13-May 6, press night April 19. Nadia Fall directs Samson Hawkins’s play, set in a South Northamptonshire village, about family feuds. It is co-produced with Nottingham Playhouse and Ramps on the Moon. Press contact: Freya Cowdry, freya@joallanpr.com

• Thursday April 20

LONDON: Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of The Temptations (Prince Edward Theatre) Previews from March 31, opens April 20. Des McAnuff’s Broadway production transfers to the West End, reuniting the creative team that includes choreography by Sergio Trujilio that won him the 2019 Tony Award. In a press statement, Otis Williams, the group’s founding member and an executive producer of the show said, “The UK has always loved our music and embraces it as much today as it did 60 years ago. All of us involved with the show can’t wait to share this very production with you all.” Press contact: Simon Raw, Emily Webb or Daniel O Carroll simon@rawpr.co.uk; emily@rawpr.co.uk; daniel@rawpr.co.uk. Website: https://www.princeedwardtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/aint-too-proud

LONDON: The Meaning of Zong (Barbican Theatre) April 20-23. Actor-turned-playwright Giles Terera’s debut play, originally premiered at Bristol Old Vic, comes to London, with Terera reprising his own performance in it which recently won him the 2022 UK Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Play. Based on real-life events of a massacre aboard a slave ship that led the abolition movement in the UK, it is co-directed by Tom Morris and Terera. Press contact: Anna Arthur anna@annaarthurpr.com. Website: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2023/event/the-meaning-of-zong-giles-terera

• Sunday April 23

BROADWAY: Prima Facie (Golden Theatre) Previews from April 11, opening April 23. Jodie Comer reprises her West End star turn in Susie Miller’s solo play, directed by Justin Martin, for a limited 10 week run. In a press statement, Comer has commented,  “I cannot wait to continue the journey with Prima Facie on Broadway this coming spring. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine having the opportunity to play on Broadway with a story as unique and thought provoking as this one. I’m honored that a theatre as rich in history as the Golden Theatre will be home to it.” Press contacts:  Jim Byk/Kelly Guiod/Louisa Pancoast/Nina M. Ward at the Press Room. Website: https://primafacieplay.com/

• Tuesday May 9

LONDON: Operation Mincemeat (Fortune Theatre) March 29-July 8, press night May 9. SpitLip theatre company, comprising David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoe Roberts, bring their fringe hit, originally premiered at the New Diorama before going on to extended runs at Southwark Playhouse and then Riverside Studios earlier this year, to the West End, newly directed by Rob Hastie and choreographed by Jenny Arnold.  It is presented in the West End by Avalon in association with SpitLip. In press materials, the show is described thus: “The year is 1943 and we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse.  Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Noel Coward meets Noel Fielding, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II. The question is, how did a well-dressed corpse wrong-foot Hitler?” Press contact: Victoria Wedderburn at Avalon, VWedderburgn@avalonuk.com. Website: https://www.operationmincemeat.com/

• Wednesday May 17

LONDON: Once on this Island (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park) May 10-June 10, press night May 17. Ahrens and Flaherty’s 1990 Broadway musical based on Rosa Guy’s novel My Love, My Love is revived in a new production by director Ola Ince to open this year’s summer season at Regent’s Park. Press contact; James Lever, james@joallanpr.com. Website: https://openairtheatre.com/production/once-on-this-island

42nd Street (Curve, Leicester) May 17-June 3, then Sadler’s Wells, June 7-July 2, then touring. Jonathan Church will direct a new production of the Broadway classic, co-produced by Curve and Sadler’s Wells. Choreography will be by Bill Deamer, with design by Rob Jones. Press contact: Simon Raw, Emily Webb, Daniel O’Carroll simon@rawpr.co.uk, emily@rawpr.co.uk, daniel@rawpr.co.uk

• Thursday May 25

LONDON: Aspects of Love (Lyric Theatre) Previews from May 12, press night May 25. Michael Ball reunites with director Jonathan Kent, who previously collaborated on a Chichester revival of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, for a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1989 musical Aspects of Love, based on the novel by David Garnett and featuring lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart. Ball starred in the original production as the young romantic lead Alex; now he will play the older man George. In a press statement, he asks: “We are just at the start of our journey so the big question is will I be singing my favourite song Love Changes Everything – what do you think? All will be revealed soon…”. Press contact: David Bloom at Storyhouse,  david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk.. Website: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/aspects-of-love/

• Friday June 2

LONDON: We will Rock You (London Coliseum) June 2-August 27. The jukebox musical constructed out of the back catalogue of Queen, featuring some 24 of their greatest hits and a script by Ben Elton which ran for over 12 years at the Dominion from 2002, returns to London for a summer season. Press contact: Emma Harlen at Neil Reading PR Emma@neilreadingpr.com; Website:  https://wewillrockyoulondon.co.uk/

• Tuesday June 6

LONDON: Patriots (Noel Coward Theatre) May 26-June 19, press night June 6. Peter Morgan’s play, originally premiered at the Almeida, transfers to the West End, with Rupert Goold directing a cast that has Tom Hollander reprising his performance as Boris Berezovsky, the ‘kingmaker’ behind Vladimir Putin, with Will Keen also returning to play Putin and Luke Thallon as Abramovich. Press contact: Emma Holland, emma@emmahollandpr.com. Website: http://patriotstheplay.com/

• Thursday June 8

LONDON: Groundhog Day (Old Vic Theatre) May 20-August 12, press night June 8. The 2017 musical based on the 1993 film returns to the London theatre where it originally premiered before transferring to Broadway in 2018. With music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Danny Rubin, who also wrote the original film, it is directed by Matthew Warchus, and will have Andy Karl reprising his Olivier Award winning performance as Pittsburgh television weatherman Phil Connors. Press contact: Armani r-Rub at Old Vic, armani.ur-rub@oldvictheatre.com, Katie Marsh, katie.marsh@oldvictheatre.com Website: https://www.oldvictheatre.com/

• Thursday June 22

LONDON: Mrs Doubtfire (Shaftesbury Theatre) Previews from May 12, opens June 22. The fast Broadway flop version of the 1993 film comes to the West End, after a try-out at Manchester’s Opera House earlier this year, with Gabriel Vick starring in the Robin Williams role of Daniel Hillard, who — engaged in a custody battle with his ex-wife — disguises himself as a Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire to stay in his children’s lives.  The cast will also feature Carla Dixon-Hernandez, Cameron Blakely, Marcus Collins and Ian Talbot, under the direction of Jerry Zaks. Press contact: Lewis Jenkins at Storehouse, lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk Website: https://www.mrsdoubtfiremusical.co.uk/

LONDON: Tambo & Bones (Theatre Royal Stratford East) June 16-July 15, 2023, press night June 22. Matthew Xia directs the UK premiere of Dave Harris’s off-Broadway play about two characters trapped in a minstrel show, co-produced by Stratford East with Actors Touring Company that Xia leads. According to the press release, the play – part distorted clown-show, part spectacular hip-hop concert, part absurdist Afro-futuristic lecture (with robots!) – interrogates the commodification and commercialisation of Black pain in a satirical roller coaster of a show. Press contact: Freya Cowdry, freya@joallanpr.com

• Friday June 23

LONDON: Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-Written (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park) June 17-July 22, press night June 23. Melly Still directs Carl Grose’s new take on the classic tale, told (according to the press release) with epic storytelling, stirring songs, and absolutely no green tights (well, maybe just a flash). Press contact; James Lever, james@joallanpr.com. Website: https://openairtheatre.com/production/robin-hood

• Monday July 3

LONDON: Crazy for You (Gillian Lynne Theatre) Previews from June 24, press night July 3. Last summer’s Chichester Festival Theatre revival of the Gershwin musical makeover transfers to the West End, with its Chichester stars Charlie Stemp, Carly Anderson and Tom Edden reprising their roles. The production is directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, who was also the show’s original choreographer. In a press statement, its co-producers Joey Parnes, Sally Horchow and Michael Harrison commented, “Susan Stroman’s exuberant production of Crazy For You was the most infectiously joyful show of the year. Charlie and Carly’s performances brought both great romance and spectacle to its heart, and Tom Edden was absolutely hilarious! We are so thrilled that London audiences will now be able to experience this dazzling musical in the superb setting of the Gillian Lynne Theatre.” Press contact: David Bloom/ Lewis Jenkins at Storehouse PR, david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk,  lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk. Website: https://crazyforyoumusical.com/

• Thursday July 6

LONDON: The Wizard Of Oz (London Palladium) Previews from June 23, opens July 6. The 2011 stage version of the iconic film that was originally premiered at the London Palladium, featuring additional new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, returns to the venue, in a new production directed by Nikolai Foster that is currently premiering at Curve in Leicester (where Foster is artistic director) as their Christmas attraction. Co-produced by Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group, who have recently announced a creative partnership, Harrison has commented, “The London Palladium is the home of the summer blockbuster musical, and there really will be no place like the Palladium for Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, as they embark on their journey down the Yellow Brick Road. Nikolai Foster and his team have created a new and magical production of this beloved musical, and we can’t wait to open the doors to audiences from next June.” Casting is still be announced.  Press contacts: David Bloom david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk and Rebecca Byers rebecca.byers@storyhousepr.co.uk Website: https://wizardofozmusical.com/

• Thursday July 13

REGIONAL: Miss Saigon (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield) July 8-August 12, press night July 13. First regional non-replica production of the 1989 Boublil and Schönberg’s musical retelling of Madame Butterfly set during the Vietnam war, originally produced by Cameron Mackintosh and premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where it ran for a decade. This new production is reimagined by Crucible artistic director Robert Hastie and RTYDS Associate Director Anthony Lau. It will star Jonanna Ampil, who previously played the role of Kim in the West End, Australia and on a UK tour, will play the Engineer. In a press statement, Anthony Lau has commented, “Robert Hastie and I are thrilled to be directing a new version of the musical, Miss Saigon. With one of the most extraordinary scores in musical theatre history, we are looking forward to offering a fresh perspective on a musical that so many people have an opinion on. We want this project to ignite conversation and Cameron [Mackintosh] has encouraged us to be bold and original in our approach. The subject matter compels us to delve sensitively and deeply into the complications of two cultures entwined. At a time when it feels like there is more division than ever in society, epic stories like this give us the opportunity to embrace nuance and complexity in exploring the human experience.” Press contacts: James Lever  james@joallanpr.com, Kitty Greenleaf kitty@joallanpr.com, Jo Allan jo@joallanpr.com. Website: https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/Mis miss-saigon

• Tuesday August 8

LONDON: La Cage Aux Folles (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park) July 29-September 16, press night August 8. Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman’s 1983 musical, based on the play by Jean Poiret, is revived at Regent’s Park by artistic director Timothy Sheader.  Press contact: James Lever, james@joallanpr.com. Website: https://openairtheatre.com/production/la-cage-aux-folles

• Tuesday August 22

LONDON: Next to Normal (Donmar Warehouse) Donmar artistic director Michael Longhurst directs the UK premiere of Tom Kitt and Michael Yorkey’s 2009 Broadway musical, which won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, that revolves around a suburban wife and mother living with bipolar disorder. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com; Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/9601AVDDJDNPPDCBTDGNSVVJSTBLBSPNQ?_ga=2.234789657.649449794.1665478808-973653908.1665478808

• Thursday September 15

REGIONAL: Boys from the Backstuff (Royal Court, Liverpool) September 15 to October 28. 40 years on from Alan Bleadale’s ground-breaking TV series, James Graham adapts it for the stage in a new production that will be directed by Stockroom artistic director Kate Wasserberg. In a press statement, Graham has commented, “Alan Bleasdale is one of the reasons I became a writer. Watching his work as I was growing up, hearing those voices and seeing those worlds, meant a lot to someone from my background. I could never have dared dream that years later I would be working with him, and on his most famous, heartbreaking, hilarious masterpiece. But Alan is the most generous and supportive of collaborators and it’s been one of the honours of my writing life thus far to work on this show.” Press contact: David Burns, david@davidburnspr.com