Blog / Bob Merrill
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.
Just the titles ‘No Woman No Cry’, ‘Exodus’ and ‘3 Little Birds’ will remind you of the iconic artist Bob Marley and it is his musical genius that will be celebrated in new show Get Up, Stand Up! Featuring the talents of Arinzé Kene, the musical will start previews at London’s Lyric Theatre on 6 February 2021 (which would have been Marley’s 76th birthday).
2019
Great Scott! Time to meet the full cast for the world premiere of Back To The Future The Musical, opening at the Manchester Opera House on 20 February 2020 for a strictly limited 12-week season, prior to transferring to the West End.
2019
Rev up that flux capacitor because it’s time to find out more casting details for the world premiere production of Back to The Future The Musical with Hugh Coles as George McFly, Rosanna Hyland as Lorraine Baines and Cedric Neal as Goldie Wilson.They join the previously announced Olly Dobson as Marty McFly in the show which opens at the Manchester Opera House on 20 February 2020 before transferring to the West End. Plus have a listen Cedric’s rendition of new song, ‘Gotta Start Somewhere’.
Written and directed by Conor McPherson, with music and lyrics by Bob Dylan, Girl From The North Country won two Olivier Awards when it was last in the West End and was an all-round critical hit. Now the show is heading back to the West End, running at the Gielgud Theatre from 10 December 2019 to 1 February 2020, before transferring to Broadway.
Great Scott! It was and remains a classic movie from the 1980s and now it’s going to be reinvented as a stage musical. Grab your hoverboard because Back To The Future The Musical is introducing itself at the Manchester Opera House on 20 February 2020 for a 12-week season before the cast (including Olly Dobson as Marty) and crew squeeze into the DeLorean to travel to the West End.
It’s a dream come true for Caroline Flack as the former Strictly Come Dancing champion and Love Island host prepares to play Roxie Hart in Chicago at London’s Phoenix Theatre from 10 December 2018 until the end of the show’s run on 5 January 2019.
Todrick Hall may be a YouTube sensation, but he is also no stranger to Broadway, having played Billy Flynn in Chicago and Lola in Kinky Boots. Now he reprises the role of the slick, manipulative lawyer at the Phoenix Theatre from 19 November 2018 until 5 January 2019 when the show closes. That’s showbiz folks…
The West End‘s current Roxie Hart and Billy Flynn are proving popular, so Alexandra Burke and Duncan James have extended their stays in Chicago. In other news: Josefina Gabrielle returns to play Velma Kelly on 22 October 2018. And that’s showbiz...
There’s already plenty of pressure on a performer when looking out for the next West End role… but when Laura Tyrer tried out for the West End cast of Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre, it was also filmed for the brand new ITV series The Big Audition. Thank goodness it was a ‘Yes’ at the end of the day!
2018
The weather will just be fine on your parade if you catch this sneak peek of the cinema trailer for Funny Girl starring Sheridan Smith. The Menier Chocolate Factory production, which had a West End run followed by a tour, was filmed during the final week of its run at the Manchester Palace Theatre and is released on 24 October 2018. Not long now…
2018
Having previously played Roxie Hart to critical acclaim, star of stage and screen Denise Van Outen is taking the stand as Velma opposite Alexandra Burke in Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre from 24 September 2018.
There’s a new Mama in charge of Cook County Jail from 2 July as Mazz Murray takes over the role in Chicago at London’s Phoenix Theatre opposite another new addition, Martin Kemp as Billy Flynn.
Following in the footsteps of Cuba Gooding Jr, the actor & musician will be playing the smooth-talking, razzle-dazzling lawyer from 2 July until 1 September 2018. Now we’re wondering who is going to join him?
2018
What better in the run-up to the opening night for CHICAGO, back in the West End at London’s Phoenix Theatre, than a series of interviews from Caroline Hanks-Farmer with the show’s stars? We start with cellmates Sarah Soetaert (Roxie) and Josefina Gabrielle (Velma).
Paul Rider will join the previously announced Cuba Gooding Jr, Sarah Soetaert, Josefina Gabrielle and Ruthie Henshall in the multi award-winning Chicago at London’s Phoenix Theatre.
2018
Love Actually star and singer Martine McCutcheon, last seen on the musical stage in Trevor Nunn's 2001 revival of My Fair Lady at the National Theatre, and pop legend David Essex headline a supersized production of ELF, touring arenas in December 2018.
2018
Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O'Bree attending the West End opening of GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, which has transferred for a limited season at the Noel Coward Theatre following its lauded world premiere at the Old Vic. Can you name all the celebs Perry spotted on the red carpet? (Hint: They include Hollywood royalty Cate Blanchett!)
It's been a sell-out at the Old Vic, where it finishes this Saturday, now more theatregoers will have the chance to see Conor McPherson's amazing musical makeover of Bob Dylan classics in GIRL FROM THE COUNTRY. It transfers to the West End for a limited season from 29 December 2017. We've got the new show trailer to remind you just how stunning it is...