This week: casting finally drops for the London production of Dear Evan Hansen, we now have a date and tickets on sale for Pretty Woman, and there’s a 101 Dalmatians musical in the works! And that’s not even all of the news this week! Happy Friday!
Pretty Woman announces dates for London production. The London transfer of Broadway’s Pretty Woman will open 14 February 2020 at the Piccadilly Theatre. Based on the romantic comedy, the musical features music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, with a book by Gary Marshall and J.F. Lawton. Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell directs. Casting for Pretty Woman will be announced soon.
Dear Evan Hansen announces full casting. Sam Tutty, who recently made his professional stage debut in Southwark Playhouse’s Once On This Island, will play Evan Hansen. Joining him is Rebecca McKinnis (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) as Heidi Hansen, Lauren Ward (Caroline, or Change) as Cynthia Murphy, Rupert Young (Merlin) as Larry Murphy, Jack Loxton (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) as Jared Kleinman and Nicole Raquel Dennis (Waitress) as Alana Beck, with Lucy Anderson as Zoe Murphy and Doug Colling as Connor Murphy. Dear Evan Hansen runs at the Noel Coward Theatre from 29 October.
The Phantom of the Opera welcomes new cast members. Australian performer and singer Josh Piterman stepped into the role of the Phantom on 9 September, with Britt Lenting joining the cast as Carlotta and Richard Woodford as Monsieur André. The production is now entering its 34th year in the West End.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical extends until 27 June 2020. The production is currently running at the Aldwych Theatre starring Nkeki Obi-Melekwe and Ashley Zhangazha.
The Play That Goes Wrong extends until 1 November 2020. The show just celebrated its 5th birthday in the West End. Mischief Theatre’s The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is also now booking until 1 November 2020.
Mamma Mia! extends until 19 September 2020. Currently starring Mazz Murray and Lucy May Barker, Mamma Mia! is now in its 21st year on the West End.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre announces its 2020 season. Productions will include a new 101 Dalmatians musical, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Rodgers’ and Hammerstein’s Carousel.
Dave Malloy’s Ghost Quartet announces casting. The production will star Carly Bawden, Niccolò Curradi, Maimuna Memon and Zubin Varla. Ghost Quartet runs at the Boulevard Theatre from 24 October 2019 to 4 January 2020, with an opening night on Halloween. The creative team behind the immersive London production of Sweeney Todd will helm Ghost Quartet, with Bill Buckhurst directing.
Sharon Osbourne and Danny Dyer will star in Nativity! The Musical. The production returns to London for its third year this December. Dyer returns as Harry Parker, with his daughter Dani Dyer as Polly Parker, Sharon Osbourne as Crystal Collins, Rylan Clark-Neal as the Critic and Simon Lipkin as Mr. Poppy. Scott Garnham returns as Mr. Maddens, with Ashleigh Gray as Jennifer Lore. Nativity! runs at the Eventim Apollo from 11 to 29 December.
Thriller Live will end its run at the Lyric while the theatre undergoes refurbishment. But never fear! Plans are in the works to transfer the show to another West End theatre, and in the meantime, the show is planning a number of events and star guests to celebrate its record-breaking 11-year run at the Lyric Theatre. Thriller Live will end its run at the Lyric Theatre on 26 April 2020.
The Duchess of Malfi, starring Lydia Wilson, is coming to the Almeida Theatre. Rebecca Frecknall’s new production of John Webster’s tragedy runs 10 December 2019 to 18 January 2020.
Park Theatre confirms casting for the world premiere of Eugene O’Hare’s black comedy Sydney & The Old Girl. The production will feature Miriam Margoyles, Mark Hadfield and Vivien Parry. Directed by Phillip Breen, Sydney & The Old Girl runs from 31 October to 30 November.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea returns to London this Christmas. Adapted by David Wood from Judith Kerr’s classic children’s book, the production stars Jocelyn Zackson, Stephanie Summers and David Scotland, and runs at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 9 December 2019 to 5 January 2020.
Dick Whittington and his Cat will star Tarinn Callender, Annette McLaughlin, Christina Tedders and Sue Kelvin. Callender, who debuted in the original London production of Hamilton, will play Dick Whittington. As previously announced, Clive Rowe will star as Sarah the Cook, with Kat B as Vincent the Cat and Tony Whittle as Alderma Fitzwarren. The production runs at Hackney Empire from 23 November 2019 to 5 January 2020.
And speaking of pantos, King’s Head Theatre announces this season’s panto production: The Nativity Panto – A Not-So Silent Night. The production will run from 29 November 2019 to 11 January 2020.
