As we’ve watched for the past year many Broadway, Off-Broadway, and West End productions fall silent as the coronavirus pandemic closed the door on many theaters, producers from the West End production of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical have announced that the show is anticipating a summer return on June 3rd, 2021 in the event the U.K government easing up on restrictions.

Aisha Jawando and Jammy Kasongo were set to step into the roles of Tina and Ike Turner on March 17, a day after the show abruptly closed during the shutdown.

 

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Tina was written by Katori Hall along with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, and choreographed by Anthony van Laast. Set and costume designs by Mark Thompson, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Bruno Poet, sound by Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Jeff Sugg, and orchestrations by Ethan Popp. set and costume designs by Mark Thompson, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Bruno Poet, sound by Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Jeff Sugg, and orchestrations by Ethan Popp.

Due to the pandemic, Tina is also on pause at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway where Tony nominee Adrienne Warren currently leads the company in the role of Tina Turner.

The post London’s TINA Anticipates June 2021 Return! appeared first on Broadway Black.

De Bois Band’s back on Friday 28 May

And… you can now book & Juliet tickets for 2022!

For more details and information about existing bookings and safety measures, visit https://t.co/50Ydvwdntt pic.twitter.com/JHqm36cYrA

— & Juliet (@julietmusical) January 5, 2021

In a statement released, they said, “We are thrilled to be able to let you know that we will be returning to the Shaftesbury Theatre on Friday 28 May – and we have extended bookings into 2022! This may be a little later than we had all hoped, but we would like to thank you for your ongoing patience and support and look forward to welcoming you back to theatreland in the spring.”

The show is a twist on the original star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. However, it begs to question, “what if Juliet’s famous ending was really just her beginning? What if she decided to choose her own fate? This is Juliet’s story now. So don’t tell her how it ends…”

 

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”And Juliet’s cast includes Miriam-Teak Lee, Arun Blair-Mangat , Melanie La Barrie, Jocasta Almgill, Ivan De Freitas, Danielle Fiamanya, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Antoine Murray-Straughan , Billy Nevers, and Kerri Norville.

Tickets may be purchased on the Shaftesbury Theatre’s website.

The post West End’s And Juliet Announces May 2021 Reopen Date appeared first on Broadway Black.

On Saturday, December 5, the cast and crew of Six the Musical in London’s West End reopened to an audience at half capacity due to government restrictions and safety protocols surrounding COVID. Their Instagram account posted a curtain call in celebration of successfully reopening the show since it’s closure earlier this year due to the pandemic.

 

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Although there are joy and celebration from their audience and followers online, the partially empty theatre is a reminder that we are still in a pandemic. It brings into question, outside of the steps the Nimax Theatres has put into place, which includes face masks, contactless ticketing, and limited capacity, what additional safety measures are in place and how successful they will be in keeping the cast and crew safe?

We need theatre, theatre is important. Art enriches our lives and provides us with a moment of comfort when there is nowhere to go, but at what cost? Don’t be confused. No one is going to sit here and lie and pretend like they are perfect. Here is hoping we are past the part of the pandemic where we constantly judge the choices that are being made based on the little we see or know. No one has been without fault and every mistake has varying degrees of costs. Some we get away with, others not so much.

COVID doesn’t leave you alone when you’re eating at a restaurant. COVID does not respect boundaries, plans, or families. A negative test today does not guarantee that you’ll remain negative the next. It simply means that at that time it could not be detected. Every contact we make with the outside, we are at risk. COVID is outside, y’all and there are people out here literally raw dogging the air while others quarantine their mail and wash their groceries. I am “others”.

The worst part is that we have choices to make. If we can’t do our jobs if we cannot perform, how do we pay rent, mortgages, feed ourselves, and our families? Not to mention the mental health toll on a community without art and a world where we are only able to come together through a device.

…all of this we already know. So, for now, we make a choice and ask ourselves if it’s worth it. Only hindsight will tell.

 

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The post Six the Musical Reopens on West End appeared first on Broadway Black.

BB: So is this a good transition for you into the theatre community?

AR: Yes. (laughs) I already knew you were gonna ask me that. 

BB: Is there an ideal role that you have?

AR: Yes there is and I can’t talk about it yet. 

BB: For another time?

AR: (Still laughing) Yes for another time. 

The post Amber Riley Will Play Effie in ‘Dreamgirls’ on the West End appeared first on Broadway Black.

“We are thrilled and deeply honored to be bringing Kinky Boots back home to British shores, where this inspirational story is set,” said producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig in a statement.

Based on the film of the same name, and inspired by true events, the show tells the story of a struggling Northampton shoe factory that turns its fortunes around by catering to drag queens.

Struggling with changes in fashion and competition from abroad, Charlie (Killian Donnelly) starts to look for new markets and is persuaded by Lola (Matt Henry) to consider an expansion into “kinky boots” — women’s shoes in men’s sizes for transgender people and crossdressers.

Henry recently competed as a finalist in the UK edition of television’s “The Voice.” Some of his theatre credits include Avenue Q (National Tour), The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (Northampton), and The Harder They Come (Theatre Royal Stratford East).

At the 2013 Tony Awards, Kinky Boots won Best Musical and Best Original Score for its writer, pop star Cyndi Lauper. The New York Times referred to it as “a shameless emotional button pusher,” but praised its “zip and zeal”.

In the original film, based on the BBC documentary, Trouble at the Top: The Kinky Boot Factory, Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the drag queen who forms an unlikely business relationship with the owner of a shoe factory.

Kinky Boots will run from August 21 to September 14 at the Adelphi Theatre.

The post Kinky Boots Struts To The UK appeared first on Broadway Black.

Beverly will be the third performer to assume the role in this ongoing show following Nicole Scherzinger and Kerry Ellis. Presently she is starring in Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre until July. Knight also received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre.  This revival of CATS has a limited 10 week run at the Palladium following its explosive return last year.

CATS first hit the stage at the New London Theatre in 1981 and set new records with its run of more than 20 years. The story is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats, and tells the story that takes place over one night of the Jellicle Ball. On this one night of the year the sage leader of the cats, Old Deuteronomy, chooses which cat will enter the Heaviside Layer and have the privilege of being born into a new Jellicle life.

Knight said, “To be asked to join the company of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s historic show was so exciting and totally unexpected as, vocally, I am so different to the many incredible women who have sung the classic ‘Memory’ over the years. To follow in their footsteps is something to truly relish! I am really looking forward to transforming into Grizabella with her fabulous costume and amazing makeup and to be playing the role at the London Palladium. Working with Andrew will be a real privilege.”
You can find and purchase tickets for Knight’s performance in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS at The Palladium Theatre ticket site. She takes the stage on October 23, 2015.

The post Beverly Knight To Take Over Role Of Grizabella In CATS At The Palladium In London appeared first on Broadway Black.

Based on the successful Radio 4 series, this funny and touching comedy is set in an old reggae record shop in Birmingham.

Owned by the irrepressible Rudy Sharpe (Larrington Walker – Human Traffic, Lamb), reluctantly helped out by his long-suffering son Adam (Lenny Henry ), the shop is stacked with vinyl. With Rudy’s chaotic approach of “if it ain’t on the shelf, it’s on the floor” clashing with Adam’s need for calm and order, the record shop becomes a battleground of bickering, snickering, breaking-up and making-up played out to the shop’s foot-tapping soundtrack. However, when the threat of developers looms, father and son must put their differences aside as they battle to keep the music alive.

Featuring music by Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, Bob Marley and the Sugarhill Gang – all played live by an onstage band.

Lenny Henry is of the country’s best-loved personalities and foremost talents and has established himself as a formidable actor. He won the Evening Standard Best Newcomer Award for his portrayal of Othello for Northern Broadsides and completed an acclaimed tour and West End season in August Wilson’s award-winning Fences. Lenny will be joined by other members of the radio cast.

The post Across The Pond: Rudy’s Rare Records Premieres at Birmingham Rep appeared first on Broadway Black.