Blog / Casting
Check here for the latest musical news with links to all your #StageFaves performers, shows and theatres. Also look out for our regular #GetSocial features and contributions from our syndicate media partners including MyTheatreMates.com and the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society.
2019
The cast for the forthcoming production of LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at London's Royal Festival Hall is now complete and that cherry on top is the addition of Olivier Award-winner (and current BAFTA Nominee!) Alex Jennings...
Christie Prades starred in ON YOUR FEET on Broadway and is currently touring the US in the conga-fied bio-musical. She now brings her 'Gloria Estefan' to Leicester and London for the UK premiere. Full casting is now announced. Plus, have you watched the show's launch trailer yet?
2019
Just months after Michel Legrand passed away, at the age of 86 on 26 January 2019, his five-time Tony-nominated musical AMOUR receives its professional UK premiere at London's Charing Cross Theatre for a limited 12-week season. Gary Tushaw, Anna O'Byrne and Alisdair Harvey lead the cast. Who's joining them?
A second RuPaul's Drag Race star is racing into their West End debut care of Everybody's Talking About Jamie. After Michele Visage made her premiere last autumn playing Miss Hedge, Bianca Del Rio (aka Roy Haylock) makes his premiere as Hugo/Loco Chanelle this summer... Plus, have you watched Layton Williams in action yet?
Fresh from her success as a Strictly Come Dancing finalist, Steps star Faye Tozer is putting on those knockoff Jimmy Choos to play the part of Miss Hedge from 6 May to 3 August 2019 in the ever-popular London production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre. Will she be in a class of her own?
Is there a pattern emerging? First Michael Ball returns to Les Misérables to play Javert, now Jason Donovan will return to the London Palladium in the new production of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to star as the Pharaoh, 28 years after he triumphed in the title role at the same theatre. No loincloth this time though!
2019
Bringing sun, songs and 90s nostalgia, Summer Street – The Hilarious Aussie Soap Opera Musical! is heading to the Brighton Fringe before transferring to Waterloo East Theatre this May. As four Aussie soap stars try to resurrect their careers, there are hilarious and unexpected consequences – and, of course, plenty of songs to tap your foot to.
2019
Date is confirmed for a recovered Louise Redknapp to re-join the West End cast of 9 To 5 The Musical
That 9 To 5 The Musical clock has been ticking and now Louise Redknapp is ready to return to the Savoy Theatre, playing the role of Violet Newstead from 25 March to 29 June 2019. After suffering a nasty injury shortly before the West End opening, Louise was forced to withdraw for a few weeks to recover. In her absence Caroline Sheen stepped in last minute to play the sassy office supervisor. So here’s an excuse to see the show again!
First it was exciting that London audiences were going to finally get a chance to see a full staging of Craig Lucas and Adam Guettel’s The Light in the Piazza, starring Renée Fleming and Dove Cameron, no less. Now the anticipation has intensified with the news that Rob Houchen, Celinde Schoenmaker, Liam Tamne, Malcolm Sinclair and Olivier-nominated international soprano Marie McLaughlin have also been cast in the production which runs for just 20 performances from 14 June to 5 July 2019.
They are big shoes to fill but we have the feeling that Nkeki Obi-Melekwe is going to make her mark in her West End debut as Tina in the record-breaking run of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre. She joins the company on 15 April 2019, as does the new Ike Turner, Ashley Zhangazha. And as for original West End Tina Adrienne Warren, she is preparing to head off to NYC to lead the Broadway production in autumn 2019.
It’s going to be a Shakespeare-style tale with a twist featuring Max Martin tunes and there are now a stream of West End stars lining up alongside Miriam-Teak Lee (in the title role) for new musical & Juliet, including Cassidy Janson, Oliver Tompsett, Arun Blair-Mangat Melanie La Barrie, Jordan Luke Gage and Tim Mahendran. But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks…?
2019
Playing at London’s The Other Palace from 11 to 23 February 2019, the Taster Menu series – as part of the inaugural MT Fest UK – will showcase eight new musicals via 45-minute semi-staged stagings. So which performers are bringing these new works to life? Read on…
2019
Full casting has been confirmed for the UK tour of In The Willows – the explosive brand new musical retelling of The Wind In The Willows – from the award-winning Metta Theatre. Olivier award-winning actor Clive Rowe stars as Mr Badger will be teaming up with X Factor fave Seann Miley Moore (Duck), Let It Shine’s Matt Knight (Chief Weasel) and deaf street dancer Chris Fonseca (Otter). Will you be joining in the adventures?
2019
Could there be a better time for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Mary Poppins to return to the West End, with the movie sequel starring Emily Blunt having been such a hit? Now you can put the confirmed dates in your diary with news that the production starring Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp will open for previews at the Prince Edward Theatre from 23 October 2019 with opening night on 13 November. Are you booking your flight?
What a blow for Louise Redknapp who was due to play the role of Violet in Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5 The Musical but has had to temporarily withdraw after suffering a fall on the way to rehearsals. While she recovers, the show will go on, opening for previews at London’s Savoy Theatre on the same day – 28 January 2019 – as previously planned. Now we just await the news of who will stand in for the injured star.
Rehearsals are now underway for the West End production of Waitress ahead of performances beginning at the Adelphi Theatre on 8 February. Joining new addition Shaun Prendergast and US stars Katharine McPhee and Jack McBrayer are Laura Baldwin, Peter Hannah, David Hunter and Marisha Wallace. Pie anyone?
Following the announcement that at the end of January 2019 Layton Williams takes over the role of Jamie New & Shane Richie will play Hugo/Loco Chanelle in the West End production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at London’s Apollo Theatre, there is news today that Hayley Tamaddon is stepping into the role of Miss Hedge. Now we have a good excuse to plan a return visit!
2019
Following the critically-acclaimed Broadway hit run of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King & I and its record-breaking season at the London Palladium, Bartlett Sher’s production will head off on a major UK tour from spring 2019, starring Jose Llana and Annalene Beechey in the lead roles. Shall we dance along?
Get ready for the triumphant royal return of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’ hit musical Six at the Arts Theatre in January 2019. Fifty thousand seats are on sale for a 16-week season and many dates are already sold out so you had better get booking. Just don’t lose your head…
Kaisa Hammarlund must have enjoyed performing the work of Jeanine Tesori because she stars in Violet, having only recently appeared in the American composer’s Fun Home at the Young Vic. The award-winning musical, with book and lyrics by Brian Crawley, opens at the Charing Cross Theatre on 14 January 2019. Will you be joining Violet on her journey?