LAST UPDATED: February 22 2023

Upcoming openings in London, the regions, and on Broadway from February 20 onwards

THIS WEEK’S OPENINGS

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 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.” The cast features Leo Bill, Carly-Sophia Davies, Aurora Dawson-Hunte, Ioanna Kimbook, Nathan Laryea, Lydia Leonard, Alison Oliver and Lola Shalam. Press contact: Press contact: Didi Ralph at Emma Holland PR. didi@emmahollandpr.com 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/

OPENINGS FURTHER AHEAD

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, press night . 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, Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, September 21-October 7, press night September 26, then touring to High Wycombe, Malvern, Bromley, Cardiff and York to November 18, co-produced by Trafalgar Theatre Productions and Eilene Davidson Productions. 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/

• 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/

• Wednesday March 8

LONDON: Bonnie & Clyde (Garrick Theatre) March 4-May 20, opens May 8. 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, joined by George Maguire, Jodie Steele, Cleve September and Dom Hartley-Harris in other featured roles. Press contacts: Raw PR: Emily Webb emily@rawpr.co.uk  Simon Raw  simon@rawpr.co.uk. Website: https://bonnieandclydemusical.com/

• Thursday March 9

BROADWAY: A Doll’s House (Hudson Theatre) February 13 to June 4, opening night March 9. Jessica Chastain stars as Nora Helmer 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. Chastain is joined by joined by Arian Moayed (Stewy in TV’s Succession) as Torvald Helmer, Jesmille Darbouze as Kristine Linde, Tasha Lawrence as Anne-Marie,,Michael Patrick Thornton as Dr. Rank and Okieriete Onaodowan as Nils Krogstad. 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/

Farm Hall (Jermyn Street Theatre) March 9-April 8, press night March 14. Stephen Unwin directs the world premiere of Katherine Moor’s debut play, which dramatises the story of Operation Epsilon: one of the more fascinating and unexplored episodes of World War Two. The high-profile cast assembled includes such stage veterans as Alan Cox, David Yellan and Forbes Masson. Press c contact: David Burns, david@davidburnspr.com Website:  https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/farm-hall/

• 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@katemorleypr.com

Thursday March 16

LONDON: Further than the Furthest Thing (Young Vic) March 9-April 29, press night March 16. Zinnie Harris’s play, originally premiered at the Traverse Theatre in 1999 as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and subsequently transferring to the National, is revived in a new production directed by Genesis Fellow/Young Vic Associate DirectorJennifer Tang, with a cast led Jenna Russell, Cyril Nri and Archie Madekwe. Press contact: Su-Ann Chow-Seegoolam, Su-AnnChow-Seegoolam@youngvic.org, Karl-Lydie Jean-Baptiste, Karllydie@youngvic.org   Website: https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/further-than-the-furthest-thing

REGIONAL: Titanic The Musical (Churchill Theatre, Bromley) March 16-18, then touring to July 29. 10th anniversary revival of a production first launched at Southwark Playhouse, which will tour to Bromley, Blackpool, Newcastle, Southampton, Birmingham, Stoke, Norwich, Nottingham, High Wycombe, Hull, Truro, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Dartford, Salford, Woking, Sheffield and Liverpool. Thom Southerland directs a cast that includes Martin Allanson, Valda Avis and Graham Bickley. In a press statement, producer Danielle Tarento  has commented, “We are so excited to have our brilliant new cast together to begin rehearsals for this 10th anniversary production. After the couple of years that we’ve all lived through, to be able to mark this anniversary by revisiting some favourite venues from the last tour and also bringing the show to some wonderful new ones feels especially joyful”. Press contact: Nada Zakula at Storyhouse PR, nada.zakula@storyhouseprco.uk. Website: http://www.titanicthemusical.co.uk/

BROADWAY: Parade (Bernard B Jacobs Theatre) Previews from February 21, opening night March 16. Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond reprise their performances as Leo Frank and his wife in Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry’s 1998 musical that they first gave in Michael Arden’s revival at New York City Center in the autumn.In a press statement, Brown and Uhry have commented, “Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown said, “Twenty-five years ago, we were honored to bring the story of Leo Frank to the musical stage, guided by our visionary director, Hal Prince. It was an extraordinary gift to watch a whole new audience connect with Parade at City Center under the thrilling direction of a new visionary: Michael Arden. We couldn’t be more grateful that this production is now moving to Broadway where even more people will get to see Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond deliver phenomenal performances and lead this large and gifted cast.”  Press contacts:  Rick Miramontez / Aaron Meier / Amanda Meyer / Ellie Detweiler at O&M; rick@omdkc.com / aaron@omdkc.com / amanda@omdkc.com / ellie@omdkc.com.  Website: https://paradebroadway.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/

Tuesday March 21: 

LONDON: Black Superhero (Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Downstairs) March 14-April 29, press night March 21. Daniel Evans — soon to take over as joint artistic director of the RSC — directs Danny Lee Wynter’s debut play, in which Wynter also appears. It is described in press materials as “a brutal, unflinching and funny portrait of one man’s life spiraling out of control, in an age where our idols are Kings and our superheroes Gods.” The cast will also feature Ben Allen, Dyllón Burnside, Dominic Holmes, Eloka Ivo,, Ako Mitchell and Rochenda Sandall. Press contacts:  Maisie Lawrence Maisie@breadandbutterpr.uk, Amy Deering Amy@breadandbutterpr.uk , Ella Gold EllaGold@royalcourttheatre.com. Website: https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/black-superhero/

Wednesday March 22
LONDON: Killing the Cat (Riverside Studios) March 17-April 22.  World premiere of a musical by US composer Joshua Schmidt (The Adding Machine) and British lyricist and book writer Warner Brown. Jenny Easton directs a cast that comprises Madelena Alberto, Tom Rogers, Molly Lynch, Joaquin Pedro Vaides and Kluana Saunders. Press contact: Kevin Wilson, kevinwilsonpr@gmail.com. Website: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/killing-the-cat/

• 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/

• Wednesday March 22

LONDON: Killing the Cat (Riverside Studios) March 17-April 22.  World premiere of a musical by US composer Joshua Schmidt (The Adding Machine) and British lyricist and book writer Warner Brown. Jenny Easton directs a cast that comprises Madelena Alberto, Tim Rogers, Molly Lynch, Joaquin Pedro Vaides and Kluana Saunders. Press contact: Kevin Wilson, kevinwilsonpr@gmail.com. Website: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/killing-the-cat

• Sunday March 26 

BROADWAY: Sweeney Todd (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre) Previews from February 26, opening night March 26. Josh Groban plays the title role, with Annaleigh Ashford as Mrs Lovett, in a new Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s 1979 musical. It is directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton), with choreography by Steven Hoggett. Press contact: Matt Ross PR,  Matt@mattrosspr.com. Website: https://sweeneytoddbroadway.com/

• Thursday March 30

BROADWAY: Life of Pi (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre) Previews from March 9, opening night March 30. The hit West End stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s novel, written by Lolita Chakrabarti still running at Wyndham’s in a production directed by Max Webster, transfers to Broadway. It has sets and costumes by Tim Hatley, and puppetry and movement design by Finn Caldwell. Press contacts: Matt Polk / Wayne Wolfe / Lilly Claar / Nina Chae-Gordon at Polk and Co. Website: https://lifeofpibway.com/

• Saturday April 1

LONDON: A Little Life (Harold Pinter Theatre) March 25-June 18, press performances April 1 and 4, reviews embargoed to April 5, 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. The cast will be led by Gareth Gates as Squidward, Divina de Campo as Sheldon J. Plankton and Lewis Cornay as SpongeBob. 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/

• Saturday April 8

Blackout Songs (Hampstead Theatre) April 8-May 6. Joe White’s two-hander play about love, addiction and memory returns to Hampstead Theatre, where it premiered last year in the downstairs studio, for a run in the main house, with Alex Austin and Rebecca Humphries reprising their roles.  Press contact: Clare Jepson-Homer, ClareJH@hampsteadtheatre.com. Website: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2023/blackout-songs/

• 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

Wednesday April 12

Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial (Ambassadors) April 6-May 20, press night April 12. 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. The cast includes Lucy May Barker as Rebekah Vardy and Laura Dos Santos as Colleen Rooney, with Jonathan Broadbent as Hugh Tominson QC. Following its London run, it will tour to Woking, Liverpool, Southend, Salford and Brighton. Press contact: Chloe Pritchard-Gordon at About Grace PR, chloe@aboutgracepr.com; Website: https://wagathaplay.com/

BROADWAY: Fat Ham (American Airlines Theatre) Previews from March 21, opening night April 12. James Ijames’s 2022 Pulitzer Prize winning play based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet reaches Broadway after premiering at the Public Theater in 2022. Saheem Ali directs. Press contacts: Matt Polk, Jeffrey Fauver, Chaliece Dillon at Polk and Co. Website: https://www.fathambroadway.com/

• Thursday April 13

LONDON: Private Lives (Donmar Warehouse) April 7-May 27, press night April 13. The Donmar’s artistic director Michael Longhurst (who has also announced that he is stepping down in February 2024, when his current contract ends) directs Stephen Mangan and Rachael Stirling as Eliot and Amanda in Noel Coward’s comedy of ex-marital manners, with Laura Carmichael and Sargon Yelda as their respective new spouses Sibyl and Victor. Press contacts: Georgie Grant georgie@katemorleypr.com, Kate Morley  kate@katemorleypr.com Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/9202ABNPQMSDMSGHMKKPCHHVKGGHLGHLJ?_ga=2.157844666.1609915185.1674812781-60412746.1674812781

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/

Monday April 17:

BROADWAY: Room (James Earl Jones Theatre)  April 3-September 17, opening night April 17. Adrienne Warren (who played Tina Turner in the original London and Broadway productions of Tina) stars in the US premiere of Emma Donoghue’s play, based on her 2010 Booker prize nominated novel, that was first seen at Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2017. It revolves around a woman who was kidnapped as a teenage girl, and has been locked for seven years inside a purpose-built room in her captor’s garden. Her five-year-old son, Jack, has no concept of the world outside and happily exists inside Room with the help of his mother’s games and his vivid imagination where objects like Rug, Lamp and TV are his only friends. But for her, the time has come to escape and face their biggest challenge to date: the world outside Room. Press contact:  Shane Marshall Brown/Jim Byk/Nina M. Ward/Louisa Pancoast at the Press Room. Website: https://roombroadway.com/

Tuesday April 18

LONDON: Dancing at Lughnasa (National’s Olivier Theatre)  April 6-May 27, press night April 18. Josie Rourke directs a revival of Brian Friel’s 1990 play,, originally premiered at Dublin’s Abbey Theatre and subsequently transferring to the National in 1991 and then Broadway in 1992. It was last revived in London in a production at the Old Vic in 2011 that featured real-life sisters  Sorcha, Niamh and Sinéad Cusack as three of the unmarried five sisters at the heart of the play. The National’s new production will feature  Siobhán McSweeney, Louisa Harland, Bláithín Mac Gabhann, Justine Mitchell, Alison Oliver, Ardal O’Hanlon and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor. Choreography is by Wayne McGregor. Press contact: Louisa Terry at National Theatre, lterry@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/dancing-at-lughnasa

• 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

BROADWAY: Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Ethel Barrymore Theatre) Previews from March 17, opening night April 19. Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields’s version of JM Barrie’s play, first seen at London’s Pleasance Theatre in 2013 before Christmas West End runs in 2015 and 2016, makes its Broadway debut, with the authors co-starring along with other Mischief Theatre regulars. It is directed by Adam Meggido, and produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Kenny Wax, Stage Presence, and Catherine Schreiber. Press contacts: Adrian Bryan-Brown / Jackie Green / Angela Yamarone. Website: https://pangoeswrongbway.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/

• Monday April 24

BROADWAY: Good Night, Oscar (Belasco Theatre) Previews from April 7, opening night April 24. Sean Hayes stars as Oscar Levant — Hollywood actor, concert pianist, and the most subversive wit ever to appear on television during its Golden Age — in Doug Wright’s new play, directed by Lisa Petersen. Press contacts: Adrian Bryan-Brown /Jackie Green/ Faith Maciole at Boneau/Bryan Brown. Website: https://goodnightoscar.com/

Tuesday April 25

LONDON: Dixon and Daughters (National’s Dorfman Theatre) April 15-June 3, press night April 25.  Róisin McBrinn directs Deborah Bruce’s new play, co-produced by Clean Break, the ground-breaking company producing theatre with and about women affected by the criminal justice system.In the play, Mary has just been released from prison. She wants to come home and forget all about it, but Briana has other ideas. Over a tumultuous two days a family is forced to confront not just their past but themselves. Because even if you refuse to hear the truth, the truth doesn’t go away. The cast includes Alison Fitzjohn, Yazmin Kayani, Andrea Lowe, Posy Sterling and Liz White. Press contact: Camilla Dervan at National Theatre, CDervan@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/dixon-and-daughters

• Wednesday April 26

BROADWAY: New York, New York (St James Theatre) Previews from March 24, opening night April 26. Susan Stroman directs and choreographs a new musical, featuring the songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb written for the 1977 movie musical of the same name, with an original story by original story by David Thompson with Sharon Washington and additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Press contacts: Matt Polk / Colgan McNeil /Alex Seeley / Nicolette Carcaldi at Polk & Co. Website: https://newyorknewyorkbroadway.com/

LONDON: Retrograde (Kiln Theatre) April 20-May 27, press night April 26. Amit Sharma directs the world premiere of Ryan Calais Cameron’s new play based on a true event in the life of actor Sidney Poitier in 1960s Hollywood. Cameron’s last play  For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy has recently been announced to transfer to the West End for a run at the Apollo, opening on March 30 (see above).  IN a press statement, the playwright has said, “What drew me to writing a play about the Hollywood Blacklist is the intricacies around the idea of what it means to be Blacklisted and also Black. Retrograde tells the unheard story how Sidney Poitier, the cultural icon that we know and love, came to be and the huge decision he had to make. It explores what it feels to be an artist of colour, and the decisions and challenges we navigate on a day-to-day basis. It’s the right time to tell this story and ask these questions – the play explores what was, but also what is.” Casting is to be announced. Press contact: Kate Morley kate@katemorleypr.com. Website: https://kilntheatre.com/whats-on/retrograde/

Tuesday May 2

LONDON: The Motive and the Cue (National’s Lytttelton Theatre) April 20-June 10, press night May 2. Sam Mendes directs a new play by Jack Thorne, inspired by the making of Burton and Gielgud’s Hamlet. The cast includes Johnny Flynn as Burton, Mark Gatiss as Gielgud and Tuppence Middleton as Elizabeth Taylor. The cast also includes Allan Corduner, Ryan Ellsworth, Aysha Kala, Luke Norris, Michael Walters and Laurence Ubong Williams. The play is inspired by William Redfield’s Letters from an Actor and Richard L. Sterne’s John Gielgud Directs Richard Burton in Hamlet. It  was commissioned by Neal Street Productions and has been developed and co-produced by the National Theatre and Neal Street Productions.Press contact: Camilla Dervan at National Theatre, CDervan@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/the-motive-and-the-cue

• Thursday May 4

REGIONAL: The Vortex (Chichester Festival Theatre) April 28-May 20, press night May 4. This year’s Chichester Festival Theatre season launches with a revival of Noel Coward’s first great success, with mother and son Lia Williams and Joshua James playing a mother and son in a production directed by Daniel Raggett. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website:  https://www.cft.org.uk/events/the-vortex

• 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 (who are joined by Claire-Marie Hall and Jak Malone), 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 10

REGIONAL: 4000 Miles (Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva) May 4-June 10, press night May 10. Eileen Atkins stars with Sebastian Croft in Richard Eyre’s production of Amy Herzog’s 2012 play, which Atkins was originally announced to do with Timothée Chalamet at the Old Vic in 2020, but was derailed by the pandemic). Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/4000-miles

• 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. The cast will be led by Gabrielle Brooks as Ti Moune with Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as Daniel. 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 18

LONDON: Bleak Expectations (Criterion Theatre) Previews from May 3, opens May 18. Mark Evans’s Dickens mash-up, adapted from the BBC Radio 4 comedy of the same name, transfers from Newbury’s Watermill to the West End, where a special guest star will take on the role of the narrator every week. Guests so far confirmed include Tom Allen, Adjoa Andoh, Alexander Armstrong, Jo Brand, Jack Dee, Nish Kumar, Lee Mack, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miller and Sue Perkins. Press contact: Ben Chamberlain ben@breadandbutterpr.uk, Andrea Gillespie andrea@breadandbutterpr.uk. Website: https://bleakexpectations.com/

• 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. Meanwhile, his original role — who sings “Love Changes Everything” — will be played by Jamie Bogyo, who made his professional theatre debut in the lead role of Christian in the original London company of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Press contact: David Bloom at Storyhouse,  david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk.. Website: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/aspects-of-love/

• Friday May 26

LONDON: Rose (Ambassadors Theatre)  May 23-June 18, press night `May 26. Maureen Lipman reprises her role in Martin Sherman’s solo play that she previously performed at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre and London’s Park Theatre. The play, originally premiered at the National in 1999 with Olympia Dukakis, follows a woman whose tumultuous journey through anarchic times takes her from the devastation of Nazi- occupied Europe to the allure of the American dream. Through the life of one woman, Rosetells the story of a century where everything changed except the violence of the strong against the weak.  It is directed by Scott Le Crass. In a press statement, the playwright has commented,  “Maureen Lipman’s performance as Rose is the greatest gift a playwright could ever dream of. Performance is perhaps the wrong word; she totally inhabits the role, the woman, the space, the language, the times, the events. I’m so happy that her astonishing alchemy has the opportunity to be witnessed again, for four weeks (only!) at the Ambassadors Theatre.”  Press contact: Arabella Neville-Rolfe Arabella@anrpr.co.uk Website: http://roseonstage.co.uk/

• Tuesday May 30

BROADWAY: Grey House (Lyceum Theatre) April 29-September 3, opening night May 30. New York premiere for Levi Holloway’s thriller, previously seen in Chicago. Joe Mantello directs a cast that features Laurie Metcalf, Tatiana Maslany, Paul Sparks, Sophia Anne Caruso and Millicent Simmonds.  The play, which is the first new Broadway production of the 2023-24 season, is being produced by Tom Kirdahy and Robert Ahrens, who have commented, “The moment we encountered Levi Holloway’s Grey House, we knew we had to produce this exciting, sophisticated, and terrifying new play. We are thrilled to bring the horror genre to Broadway.” Press contacts: Matt Polk, Jeffrey Fauver, Alana Karpoff, Chaliece Dillon at Polk & Co. Website: https://greyhousebroadway.com/

• 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/

• Friday June 9

REGIONAL: Assassins (Chichester Festival Theatre) June 3-24, press night June 9. Polly Findlay directs a new production of Sondheim and Weidman’s modern classic about the men and women who’ve attempted or succeeded in assassinating presidents of the United States. The cast includes Danny Mac as John Wilkes Booth, Nick Holder as Jim Byck, Harry Hepple as Charles Guiteau, Amy Booth-Steel as Sara Jane Moore,  Carly Mercedes Dyer as Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, Luke Brady as Giuseppe Zangara, and Jack Shalloo as John Hinckley.  Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website:  https://www.cft.org.uk/events/assassins

• Tuesday June 13

LONDON: When Winston Went to War with the Wireless (Donmar Warehouse) June 2-July 29, press night June 13. Katy Rudd directs the world premiere of a play by Jack Thorne about the birth of the BBC. Press contacts: Georgie Grant georgie@katemorleypr.com, Kate Morley  kate@katemorleypr.com Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/10601APSKMRRDLKDGKBKNPNLTDRGCSHLR?_ga=2.121301384.1609915185.1674812781-60412746.1674812781

• Thursday June 15

LONDON: The Crucible (Gielgud Theatre) June 7-September 2, press night June 15. Lyndsey Turner’s revival of Arthur Miller’s play, first seen at the National Theatre last year, returns for a West End season at the Gielgud, where a previous RSC production — that time with Iain Glen — also transferred to in 2006. Casting to be announced. Press contacts: Clare McCormack & Holly Nicholls, Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/the-crucible/

• Tuesday June 20

LONDON: Dear England (National’s Olivier Theatre) June 10-August 11, press night June 20. Joseph Fiennes stars as England football manager Gareth Southgate in the world premiere of a play by James Graham. In a press statement, Graham has commented, “To tell this story of the national game on the stage of the National Theatre is just the greatest thrill, if an intimidating responsibility. The experience of working on This House at the National Theatre 10 years ago changed my life as an emerging writer. Now, with Dear England, to be given the opportunity to shine a light on another public institution in the form of the England men’s football team is, I know, an exciting opportunity.  What Gareth Southgate has attempted in his quiet cultural reform of England football I find epic and deeply moving. And I’m so grateful to be surrounded by some of British theatre’s most exciting creative talent to unite around this new show.” The play will be directed by Rupert Goold, who previously directed Graham’s Ink and Tammy Faye (both at the Almeida, where Goold is artistic director, and from where Ink subsequently transferred to the West End and Broadway).  Press contact: Louisa Terry, lterry@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/dear-england/

• Wednesday June 21

REGIONAL: Mom, How Did You Meet the Beatles?  (Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva)  June 16-July 8, press night June 21. Adrienne Kennedy, the 91-year-old playwright whose Ohio State Murders recently received its Broadway debut, and her son Adam P Kennedy’s play about her journey to London in the 60s to adapt John Lennon’s book “In His Own Write” for the stage. It will be directed by Dylan Zora, winner of the 2021 Genesis Futures Award. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/mom-how-did-you-meet-the-beatles

• 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: Diana Whitehead at Fourth Wall diana@fourthwallpr.co.uk

BROADWAY: Once Upon a One More Time (Marquis Theatre) Previews from May 13, opening night June 22. An original musical “empowered by the hits of Britney Spears”, scripted by Jon Hartmere. Press contact: Vivacity Media, hello@vivacityny.com. Website: https://onemoretimemusical.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

• Tuesday June 27

REGIONAL: As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) June 17-August 5, press night June 27. Omar Elerian’s production features a stage transformed into a simple rehearsal room, where the actors gather to conjure the memory of a long gone show, celebrating the magic of theatre and its unique power to make our imagination soar. kate.evans@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/as-you-like-it/

• 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/

REGIONAL: In Dreams (Leeds Playhouse’s Courtyard Theatre) July 3-August 5, press night to be announced. New musical structured around the back catalogue of Roy Orbison, written by David West Read, who also wrote the book for the Max Martin jukebox musical & Juliet, and reunites him with Luke Sheppard, who also directed & Juliet. According to the press release, the show explores legacy and how we would like to be remembered. Read has commented, “When I was growing up in Canada, the iconic music of Roy Orbison was playing on repeat in my household, and it has been a lifelong ambition of mine to build a contemporary musical around his classic songs. To bring this show to the Leeds audience, in this theatre, in this moment, is quite literally a dream come true.” Press contact: Rachel Marriner rachel.marriner@leedsplayhouse.org.uk. Website:  https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/events/in-dreams/

• 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. Initial casting includes Jason Manford as the Cowardly Lion and Ashley Banjo as the Tin Man. 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.”  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

• Monday July 17

REGIONAL: The Sound of Music (Chichester Festival Theatre) July 10-September 3, press night July 17. Gina Beck, who last starred as Nellie Forbush in Chichester’s South Pacific, returns to star as Maria von Trapp in another Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.  It will be directed by Adam Penfold, artistic director of Nottingham Playhouse. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website:  https://www.cft.org.uk/events/the-sound-of-music

Tuesday July 18

REGIONAL: The Empress (Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) July 7-November 18, press night July 18, with season at the Lyric Hammersmith fro October 4-28, press night October 10. Pooja Ghai, Artistic Director of Tamasha, directs the world premiere of a play by Tanika Gupta, set in 1887, as Queen Victoria celebrates her Golden Anniversary. Spanning 13 years over the ‘Golden Era’ of Empire, it blends the experiences of Indian ayahs and lascars who worked on the ships carrying trade goods, alongside the first Indian politician to be elected as a Member of Parliament. This epic story reveals how socially diverse the Asian presence was in nineteenth century Britain. Press contact: kate.evans@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-empress/

• Thursday July 20

BROADWAY: Here Lies Love (Broadway Theatre) Previews from June 17, opening night July 20. David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s immersive disco pop musical, first seen at the Public Theatre in 2013 and then receiving its UK premiere at the NT’s Dorfman, transfers to Broadway at last. Charting the rise and fall of Philippines’ first lady Imelda Marcos, it is directed by Alex Timbers and choreographed by Annie-B Parson. Jose Lllana will reprise his off-Broadway performance as Ferdinand Marcos, the 10th President of the Philippines who presided over a 20-year dictatorship there, with Conrad Ricamore also returning to reprise his performance as opposition leader Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, who was Marcos’s primary critic and was assassinated in 1983. It will transform the venue’s traditional proscenium floor space into a dance club environment, where audiences will stand and move with the actors. A wide variety of standing and seating options will be available throughout the theatre’s reconstructed space. Press contact: : Adrian Bryan-Brown / Michelle Farabaugh at Boneau/Bryan-Brown. Website: https://herelieslovebroadway.com/

• Friday July 21

REGIONAL: Annie Your Gun (Lavender Theatre, Epsom) July 17-August 5. A brand-new, purpose-built summer outdoor theatre, located on a lavender farm in Banstead, Surrey, is launched with a new production of the Irving Berlin classic musical, directed and choreographed by Simon Hardwick. Press contact: Press contact:  Kevin Wilson,  kevinwilsonpr@gmail.com. Website: http://lavendertheatre.com/

• Monday July 24

BROADWAY: The Cottage (Helen Hayes) July 7-October 29, opening night July 24. Jason Alexander makes his Broadway directorial debut with Sandy Rustin’s comedy, starring Eric McCormack, Laura Bell Bundy and Lilli Cooper. inspired by the works of Noel Coward, the play is set in the English countryside in 1923. It follows what happens when Sylvia decides to expose her affair to both her husband and to her lover’s wife. Alexander comments, “To be a Broadway director doing a new and delicious comedy with a team and cast I adore is the definition of a dream come true. I am incredibly excited to bring this hysterical play to an audience that is ready to laugh and have a fantastic time.”  Press contacts: Chris Boneau/Jackie Green/ Faith Maciolek at Boneau/Byan-Brown. Website: https://thecottageonbroadway.com/

• Monday July 31

REGIONAL Rock Follies (Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva)  July 24-August 26, press night July 31. Dominic Cooke directs a cast that includes Carly Bawden, Zizi Strallen, Samuel Barnett, Tamsin Carroll and Fred Haig in a new musical, with a a book by Chloë Moss and original songs from the ground-breaking TV series by Howard Schuman and Andy Mackay. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/rock-follies

• Thursday August 3

BROADWAY: Back to the Future: The Musical (Winter Garden Theatre) Previews from June 30, opening night August 3. The current West End hit stage version of the 1985 film, now running at the Adelphi, transfers to Broadway, in John Rando’s production. Press contacts: Matt Polk / Colgan McNeil / Alex Seeley / Nicolette Cacaldi at Polk & Co. Website: https://www.backtothefuturemusical.com/new-york/

• 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 15

REGIONAL: Falkland Sound (Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) August 5-September 16, press night August 15. Aaron Parsons directs Brad Birch’s new play about the invasion of the Falkland Islands, by Argentine forces, that tells the story of a small community plunged into the middle of an international crisis. It is described in press materials as “a play about empire, community, and what it means to live in someone else’s metaphor.” Press contact: kate.evans@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/falkland-sound

• Tuesday August 22

LONDON: Next to Normal (Donmar Warehouse) August 12-October 7, press night August 22. 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. The cast will be led by Caissie Levy, seen on Broadway playing the lead role of Anna in the original cast of Frozen and currently there in Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com; Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/9601AVDDJDNPPDCBTDGNSVVJSTBLBSPNQ?_ga=2.234789657.649449794.1665478808-973653908.1665478808

Wednesday August 30

REGIONAL: Macbeth (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) August 19-October 14, press night August 30. Wils Wilson, associate director at Edinburgh’s Lyceum, makes her RSC directorial debut. Press contact: kate.evans@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/macbeth/

• Wednesday September 6

REGIONAL: Never Have I Ever (Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva) September 1-30, press night September 6. Emma Butler directs Alexandra Roach, Greg Wise and Susan Wokoma in the world premiere of a play by Deborah Frances-White, the comedian, screenwriter and host of The Guilty Feminist podcast. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/never-have-i-ever

• Tuesday September 12

REGIONAL: A View From the Bridge (Octagon Theatre, Bolton) September 8-30, press night September 12; then at Chichester Festival Theatre, October 6-28, press night, October 10; and then Rose Theatre, Kingston, October 31-November 11. Headlong co-produce a revival of Arthur Miller’s play with Bolton’s Octagon, Chichester Festival Theatre and Kingston’s Rose. Jaz Woodstock-Stewart directs. Press contact: Kate Hassell at Bread and Butter PR: kate@breadandbutterpr.uk.  

• Friday 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

• Saturday September 16

LONDON: Sondheim’s Old Friends (Gielgud Theatre) September 16-January 6. The Sondheim celebration gala — staged last year at the Sondheim Theatre — returns for a limited run to the adjoining theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, the Gielgud, with a cast led by Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, with Christine Allado, Janie Dee, Bonnie Langford, Beatrice Penny-Toure, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb and Jack Yarrow among the cast. It is produced and devised by Cameron Mackintosh, and directed by Matthew Bourne, side by side with Julia McKenzie (one of the original quartet of Mackintosh’s first Sondheim revue, Side by Side by Sondheim, that he took to the West End and to Broadway). In a press sratement, Mackintosh has commented, “Steve was always a Broadway Baby at heart, so I’m delighted that I have been able to put together one last great hurrah for my old friend, containing many of the greatest songs ever written for the musical theatre, in one ‘great big Broadway show’ – just as he wanted.” Press contacts: Janine.shalom@premiercomms.com or Hayleigh.newman@premiercomms.com at Premier Communications. Website: https://sondheimoldfriends.com/

• Thursday September 28

REGIONAL: Quiz (Chichester Festival Theatre) September 22-30, press night September 28. James Graham’s play about the conviction of Charles Ingram, ‘the Coughing Major’, his wife Diana and accomplices, for duping the world’s most popular TV quiz show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, returns to Chichester, where it was originally premiered in 2017,  but this time to the main house ahead of a UK tour. It stars Rory Bremner as presenter Chris Tarrant; it is directed by Daniel Evans and Seán Linnen. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/quiz

• Tuesday October 17

REGIONAL: The Inquiry (Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva)  October 13-November 4, press night October 17. Harry Davies, a writer and investigative reporter for The Guardian, writes his first play, about an MP who is also Secretary of State for Justice, and a rising star of his party. But an inquiry is about to publish its findings about a public health disaster that happened on his watch as Environment minister. It is directed by Joanna Bowman, who directed Sing Yer Heart out for the Lads in the Minerva in 2022. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/the-inquiry

Tuesday October 24

REGIONAL: Cowbois (Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) October 14-November 18, press night October 24. A queer cowboy show written by Charlie Josephine, and co-directed by Josephine and Sean Holmes. kate.evans@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/cowbois

• Wednesday November 1

LONDON: The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical (Apollo Theatre) Previews from October 7, opens November 1. The world premiere production of a musical, seen at Chester’s Storyhouse last October, transfers to the West End, with its Chester leads David Hunter and Joanna Woodward reprising their performances. Based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger and the New Line Cinema film screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, it has a book by Lauren Gunderson, original music and lyrics by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart and additional music by Nick Finlow and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan. It is directed by Bill Buckhurst. Producer Colin Ingram comments, “After six years developing this show and an extremely successful try-out in Chester, we are so delighted to present the world premiere of a new British musical based on such a beloved book. This confident, clever and charming musical by British rock royalty Dave Stewart and Joss Stone shows off their musicianship and director Bill Buckhurst and his creative team have created an incredible world to tell this cherished story in the most powerful and emotional way.” Press contact: Amanda Malpass, amanda@amandamalpass.com. Website: http://timetravellerswife.com/