The Light in the Piazza is shaping up to be one of the summer’s most anticipated theatrical events–and we’ve got casting news for it. Find all the latest here in your weekly London theatre round-up.
Rob Houchen, Celinde Schoenmaker and Liam Tamne join The Light in the Piazza. Joining Renée Fleming and Dove Cameron in Southbank Centre’s upcoming production will be Rob Houchen (Eugenius, Les Miserables), Celinde Schoenmaker (The Phantom of the Opera), Liam Tamne (The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked), Marie MCLaughlin and Malcolm Sinclair. Other company members include Simbi Akande, Danny Becker, Nicholas Duncan, Chlöe Hart, Molly Lynch, Rhona McGregor, Tom Partridge, Monica Swayne and Matthew Woodyatt. The Light in the Piazza plays Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall from 14 June to 5 July.
Sweet Charity announces further casting. Along with Anne-Marie Duff and Arthur Darvill, the Donmar Warehouse production will star Lizzy Connolly, Lauren Drew, Jo Eaton-Kent, Will Haswell, Charlotte Jaconelli, Stephen Kennedy, Debbie Kurup, Martin Marquez, Ryan Reid, Amy Ellen Richardson, Danielle Steers and Shaq Taylor. Wayne McGregor will choreograph the production, which runs 6 April to 8 June. Tickets are on sale now, and if you’re 25 or under, you might be able to score free tickets by signing up for the Donmar Warehouse’s YOUNG+FREE mailing list.
The Prince of Egypt, a new stage musical based on the Dreamworks animated film, is in development. The show will hold a private reading this week in London, with director Scott Schwartz at the helm. The musical will feature songs from the film, plus several new numbers.
Gwendoline Christie joins the cast of Nicholas Hytner’s immersive A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Game of Thrones star will play Titania, opposite Oliver Chris as Oberon. Joining them will be David Moorst as Puck, with Hammed Animashaun as Bottom. The production runs from 3 June at the Bridge Theatre.
Six will hold a sing along performance on 6 June. For the 8:30 pm performance, the audience will be able to sing along to certain songs in the production. Costumes are encouraged–and the audience member with the winning costume will be crowned “Queen of the Night.”
Lucy May Barker will take a star turn as Sophie in Mamma Mia! (again). After Georgia Louise, who recently played Sophie Sheridan, was forced to leave the show for health reasons, Lucy May Barker will reprise her role from the UK and international tours of Mamma Mia! In fact, the West End stage will be the 35th venue on which Barker has performed in Mamma Mia! Dates have yet to be announced.
Almeida Theatre’s Three Sisters announces full casting. Joining Pearl Chanda (Ink) and Patsy-Ferran (Summer and Smoke) will be Lois Chimimba, Alexander Elliot, Annie Firbank, Elliot Levey, Eric MacLennan, Freddie Meredith, Peter McDonald, Sonny Poon Tip, Shubham Saraf, Akshay Sharan, Alan Williams and Ria Zmitrowicz. Rebecca Frecknall (Summer and Smoke) directs the production, which runs 8 April to 1 June. During the week of 27 May, the show will hold free performances.
Carrie Hope Fletcher will give a special concert with composer Jason Robert Brown at Theatre Royal Haymarket. The award-winning composer of The Bridges of Madison County, Parade and The Last Five Years will appear as part of the West End series “Sunday Encounters” on 31 March. He’ll be joined by Fletcher and other guests, who have yet to be announced. You can buy tickets for the event here.
Telly Leung, currently starring as Aladdin on Broadway, will give a one-night only concert in London. Leung, also known for appearing as Wes the Warbler in Glee, will present an intimate evening of music and personal anecdotes on 26 May for Live at Zédel.
Carl’s Story, a new comic drama about a newspaper journalist who’s also a control freak, will get its West End premiere in March. Written and directed by Gavin Miller, Carl’s Story plays at the Tabard Theatre 7 to 30 March. The cast includes Jenny Whiffen, Emma Bernbach, Tommy Carter and Lucia Dean.
Last but not least, happy opening to Come From Away! The show officially opened in on Monday, and we hear the critics are showing it lots of love.
