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    30 views84 pages

    Musicals Issue 03 2023

    Uploaded by

    Γιάννος Κυριάκου

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    The World of Musical Theatre from the West End to Broadway and beyond MUSICALS MusicalsMagazine.com I Ss _ We talk to Titanic The LUT eel N LOTSA (= hueanenase eigen \ Why 2023 is shaping up CaN TA a pe Rte Shiicked, Bad Cinderella ‘and Operation Mincemeat erin Cord eae Cae et A Nese ag Secs (oT Te) EM Meuricurt a L ee ae a ed | rr 7A} WESTWAY aaa a Dra ea ae Cea CO meee ty Pron oS , a. Va er RACHEL JOHN - FROM MY LIPS TO GOD'S EAR fea ey Peer rer icy Pace CCC aU Seas Ue LLU LL) ae SL a ee WESTWAYMUSIC.COM @@WESTWAYMUSICLABEL G@WESTWAVMUSIC © @MUSICWESTWAY MUSICALS raat (Sener ‘Sar bager tga new as (MA Music Leisure & Travel Mark Allen ‘tenttattgenar M Welcome Why audiences always need to put the performers first herds been alot of coverage recently about audience behaviour, fllowing a performance ‘of The Bodyguar in Manchester thats to Eleanor Burgess, there is stil to be done we mustrt underestimate its power ‘huge amount of 4M Musial sue S MusicalsMagazine com Live Shows, UK (Our expert writers travel the length and breadth of the country to rin depth, the most exciting ew and revived productions, including The Secret Life of Bees, Operation Mincemeat, Ain't Too Proud, The SpongeBob Musical Glory Ride and The Lost Spells Live Shows, US major productions n Broadway and beyond, 9 White Girl in Danger ictured abovel, Bad Cinderella Camelot, New York, New York Shucked and Sweeney Todd Recordings ete eaten eters Musical Theatre releases, including Parade (pictured below), Almost Famous, Scots, Some Like It Hot South Pacific. KPOP and Treason Show Listings Your comprehensive guide to heatte shows across the internationally rormances including access My Musicals Star of the new Roman Holiday ‘musical Michael D Xavier reveals the shows that shaped him from Grease and Mise Saigon to into the Woods at Regents Pa MusialsMagazine.com Curtain Up! M News Curtain Up! The latest Musical Theatre news, plus exclu: e interviews, reports and competitions Panel revealed for Mamma Mia! casting show The winner takes itallon ITV Mamma Mal | Have a Dream, The channels new televised theatrical competion sees batch of hopefuls whisked away toabeautit Greek sland ~ and two ucky performers will be cast asthe next Sophie and Sky in the hit Weet End ABBA musical, TTV has now unveiled the team who wil be guiding these super-rouper contestants. Radio and TV's Zoe Balls hosting the show, while the judging panel wit bbe made up of comedian Alan Carr singer-songwriter Jessie Wire, and two West End leading ladies: Amber Filey an Olver inner for Dreamsis, and Samantha Barks, star of Frozen Together, hey willbe looking for te perfect par to take ‘a chance on, OF course that requires plenty of sizing chemistry, but the feel-good musicals also deceptively challenging you can get the inside scoop on that from Mazz Muray. curently Donna In the Wast End, on page 22) Guest industry stars wil offer mentoring throughout the process 35 will Mamma Mia) producer Judy Craymer, who has commented that she's excites to find the stars of he future forthe production’ landmark 25th year: Riley enthused ‘Musical Theatre has played such an integral ole inmy growth as a performer. am alltoo happy to share what Ive leamed ~ Mamma Mia, ere we go!" Barks noted that it would be 2 really hardjourney'forthe contestants, but added: Ive been there before and I can walt to guide them and challenge them So get ready to ayall yourlove lon this dancing queen showdown later on his year For details, vist manna-mia.com Alice Fearn to lead world premiere Then, Now & Next ‘ThssummerSouthwatk Playhouse ‘shosting ane, original musical boyChristopher Orton and onficbyrs. Then, Now Next flows Alex Shaw uring the couse f20yearsondvia twovery diferent relationships one wit snadertrc young ‘dealt another whan ler morerelableman, Theshou ses Aer econing ithe pastinordertorebuldher stor hea and moveintothe future Suchanitrospectve wok il tkely beabeautife match forthe intimate 6 M4 Musial ssue 5 SeuthaakPayhouse—athoughit's Alsoworth remembering thatthe smal but mighty venue as championed musalsthat, havegone ontomajor West End success Thwenit hurt that thispreniereis ledby anestblished West End star, lie Fearn-mostrecertly seenas Beverly Basin London's Come rom Avay. She's als gone greens iphabain Wicked andstared inthe sti cast recording of Focbales Wives The Musical reviewed nou Ap Ma issue Then, Now 6Nexthas serious West End pdigesinitsrting tam, Musica fan wil know renowned actor Robyn hereakinghiswtng debut, from Les Misérates amiton and, catenty, The Phantom of the Opera Robynshasteamed.up with Orton, whos credisinclude My Lan’s Shore and Gace Note, forths new production The pairs Were extremely excited for adiecesto see ‘ce bring tis brand-new musicalto thestagerthefrstime! Then Now 6 Nextisbookng at the Southmark Playhouse rom 25duneto 29duly 2025 vist southwonkglayhouse cok KIMBERLY AKIMBO IS GOING ON TOUR The acclaimed musical by Jeanine Tesoriand Davi Lindsay Asie, outa gi withararemedical Centon that causes api ageing, wil tour North Ameria in 2028, launching in Denver in September. You canrevdallaboutthe show's Tony rominationsin att Wolfs Broadway Bulletin seepage 1) Formore information vst Kimberiyatimbothemusicalcom Birmingham Hippodrome tonurture new musicals The UK urgently needs more developmental support for emerging artists and their work, whichis why i’ thrilto hear that Biemingham Hippodrome isestablishing an in-house department for new musicals, led bya top professional, The theatre wil also support talent via ts \irters Lab anda dedicated studio space, supplying a year-round home for new work ~ and helping te encourage new auelences, The plans have been made in Consultation with producer Vicky Graham, whose musical successes inckide Flowers for Mre Haris. “The venue's artistic cliector and £0 Jon Gilchrist sad: Our fst fully Hippodrome-produced ‘musical wil be staged in the Patrick Studio in 2024 For more information, vst bieminghamhippodrome com ‘MusicalsMagazine com Ramin Karimloo releases Fans of eading man Ramin Kariloo wil be delighted to hear ‘thatthe performer has releases the fourth and final EPin his populae “The RoadTo Find Out series on ‘Westway Titled The Road To Find (Out Wert: the EP features sik tracks {om Karimioo and his bond in wnat he terms thelr 'Brondgass' style. ‘Ashe explains, Broadarassis ‘a unique, reotsy sound breathing some bluegrass into Broadway ‘and bringing some drama into bluegrass’ The series beganin 2034 with The Road To Find Out Eas folowed by South’ in 2016 and North in 2022. Kotimloo added:"Broadgracs hae ‘grown organicaly with our sound {and shows. These songs have toured withus, be they originals or ‘urinterpretations of great songs, ‘with experience comes grow and thatis evident in these tacks land how we play together as ‘bane on this"Road to Find Out The latest instalment includes three new totally reinvented his final ‘Broadgrass’ EP Interpretations of well-known Musial Theatre songs: Feed the Bird trom Mary Poppins Hshabye Mountar from Chitty Chety Bang Bang and Bring Hin Home’ from Les Misérables. arimloo has hime appeared inthe West End and Broadway productions of Les Mis as Jean Vallean, among numerous leading roles such 2s playing Nick Aenstein in Funny Giron Broadway and Joe Gills in Sunset Boulevard at the Royal Aber Hal Speaking exclusively to Musicals ‘magazine, Karimloo sac: Tm so excited thatthe final EP in the series isout I's been such a great project and recording some of these songs in our unique Broadrass style has been fascinating, On The Road “ToFind Out West: you can hear the gorgeous “Bring Him Home’ lke youve never heard it before, even with banjo accompaniment! hope you loveit To order The Road To Find Out West. vist westwaymusie com “The Ros To Find Out West ithe ral istalmentin Ramin Kain Stars set for the Palladium panto ‘Ohno they havent! Oh yes they have! restoads Pantomime: have nounced the lead castor ther ‘hth annua Palladium panto, This Israliably the most extravagant (Chats reat in he and attracting big names ~ and 2025 mo exception, Leading this year offering, Peter Pa, isthe absolutely fabulous ennifer Saunders ae Captain Hook, ‘She commented could not be more eight tobe doing my ist panto ‘ver atthe Palladium. wouldn't wwantto be in eter Pans tiny sft shoes, etm tell you, because am ‘eing to give Hokey a” Saunders joined by Palla panto regulars Julian Clary as Seaman ‘Soe, Paul Zerdin a Starkey, Nigel Haversas Pirate Nigel. Gary Wilmot 2 Mrs Henrietta Hook, and back for issecond year, Rob Madgeas Tink Further easing wil Including which Musical Theatre starsarejoining the show previous Palladium pantoshave featured none other than Beverly Knight, Eine Paige and Jac Yarrow) PeterPanis booking trom ‘December to 18 January 2024— st polliiumpantomine.com Third Man leads musicals at the Menier ‘on The Third Ma Bs an orchesttr, Iimmosiycaledentorescoreoler Londons Mente Chocolate Factory settostagethre very diferent musicals thisyear Fist up isan adaptation of Graham Greene tiling Viene-st The Third Man by George Fenton Christopher Hampton aon lak, irc by Tevor Nunn 10 June ~ 9 September) Thats folowedby Ben tons Close Up The Twiggy Musial (08 Sptember~18 November, and areivao Stephen Sondheim and {ohne Pace Overtures (25 Noverber~24Februxy 2028, ‘Masa contivtr son Cae gave usthssneakpreview of his work MusialsMagazine.com shows fornen productions sits realy cxcting tohaveafistcrackat anew score, especialy one fromsuch wel respected compose. Tebeen meeting with George to gre on theinstramenation ight musicians nd to make sure we share thesame pons of reference, bute’ ‘caging meplenycfroom ta bring ny eperience of musiastobea ‘There's of underscoring think Seen) and coure good helping of fsto-Genman cabaret To book eke oral tree productions vit menerchocoliteactorycom News M Curtain Up! Interval Chatter ‘The Nationals 1988 Okahoma! with Hugh acknan coming nema on 16nd 19 July. The ba screenings celebrate the show s 80th anniversary Musical Conis back with over 70 special guess the West End’ ofcial Mical Theatre fan convention turns tothe ExCeL London on 2-22 October Some Like ItHot the most-nominate Broadway show ofthe Tory season, wslltour Noth Americ ext autur, Thenew musical comedy is curenty Playing Broadway s Shubert Theate AASpotight On-anew seaming service string ighton these who makes theatre posible has launched, ‘Over 00 hour of content are onctfer Jonathan Groft Frozen, Haiton) wil guest star on TVs Doctor Who, “Thisisanincredible coup! said showrunner Russell Davies Prepare tore-entr the underwor The Tony-wining Hadestown, which madeits UK premiere atthe National ili the West Endin February 2028 Ben Etonismaking his stage acting et inhi ona We Wilt Rock You Elton plays The Rebel Leader atthe London Cleum from 2June ‘The upcoming premiere of Mer Lies Lowe wil etureEroaeways fist, al Filpin cas. The sical tls the story of Fist Lady nea Marcos The Turbine Teste ishosting two new musical this summer univers Stalls TY parody Faking Bad Starter for Ten premieres at sto (ld icin February. The musiais acd on Dai Nichols novel Musial sve 5 7 Curtain Up! M News Countdown to... Opening Night Carly Mercedes Dyer is nervous-excited about her forthcoming role in Sondheim's Assassins Closing Night Courtney Bowman says a fond farewell to Pretty Woman: The Musical in the West End How id you get therole oflynete Squeaky’ Fromme in Assasin? hada rely busy week wih thre audios, then onthe Friday evening Igotanemaiaying Assassins was atin, Fdalays wanted todo Sondheim musical, but when saw what deed tolear forthe audition, Fromme der latof taking! Sit, I went or iu andbecause my brain vasa capacity and wasrealy ed vas much morenervousthan Iusuallyam.lremember Cary Mercedes Oyerin earl as Lynette Fromme going inand saying: Tm petilied’ But actually thatintense energy maybe suite the part. Ihis butitsasoquite | Erma She wasajoy sel There'svideo The Olivier namination footage soleanseewhat fet solucy, but Iept hese Andie hiking: How did get How have the therearethe facts the anomiaton?m onlin Feheasalsbeen going? showisalonotreat so theshow forabout wo Itsimense.Nlovetodo asanactoryoucantring _ minutesand one of my thingsthatare hard, patsofyouselftothe inesis"Caw au, cau things fear otherwise rol. stealyrelevant—_caw”..mafaud! dont fet the bring rightnow. Rather than thatedge toi Butts scingtashistory thnk oware you on timelike: Have _peoplewillseeitasabout opening nights? Iitenofmorethan _whatshappeningnow — Wsalnayscamage. andwhatcouldhappen, _ There'sneverary tine, ‘so, our concepts yourehoping you Justunbeevable. ts remember everyting, completely diferent wile peopleae getting towhatpeopleknow. _ intouchsayngtheyre coming to see you Teanchew? Everyone issoimeliget and theshow srealy complex ts nt nto the Woods its ntl. Itsunsetting Everyone Imnotgcingtoave hadto do presentation anythinganay.lwork _ alvaystytokeep shouttheirchaacter, _muchbetterasasuprise. _ stessand panic out andaftervards| thought the day otherwise Ineedashower,|need Youwerenominatedfor _itcan getaway rom towatchsome Disney’ amOlverforyourlast you. Butbeforeyou show, playing Emain know tyoure onstage, Isitodd playing Anything Goes. and thenyou feel someonewhoisnotonly Idontthinkthisrole completly fee. real butalsostilaive? couldbefurhertrom Astoldto Tim Bane Stephen Sonahein's Assassin sat Chichester Festival Theatre rom 5-24 June for information and tickets, iste org.uk/eventlssassns 8M Musial sues What have youtoved most about playing Kite Luca? Ie had so much un ver the ast sirmonths. Kite nota serious characte: she comesin, she'sa bls of ney, she leaves! They velet imehave tee ten tofind ny interpretation and just eack on witht and Te ad four dtferent peopepaying Vivian [Ward is best ina and{elow sex worker toounce oft Thats ‘the best thing about ie theatre it diferent everstine, Happy Man,wastesing | mixed-aceactress Howhasitbeenwith meaboutt Wegethen Kitsastrong sexy. ‘tive Tompsettcoming pate. allsors. Ive badass businesswoman: InasEdwardLewistor —neverknown anything she)usis. Sol gotto the finalweeks? eit represent again the dd in and Legal Blonde What wil you missmost oust be norma’ about the show? woman up there saying Tmgoingtobesadto _Yes,Imseryto, he couldsingthescore leave sucha great group inhissleepitsuttery _ ofpeopleitstbe fidiculous, But he'such afar, and we have acaringpessontoo, _—_abigpartytogether tit alead, thejob pool onstage "imissthe gets smaller. 'dlove to Ute bits of banter you play anther parthat on'thavethat bond you .doesntradionally caritpulltogethertotell look ke me, Anda astoryAndtvelexnt realy lketodoanen fromsome of those Bish musical maybe feelthat feeling again. wilderaudiences how to _ celebrate working Then Byun Adams’s——heepmy focus through classtries.lactally rnusicisjustincredble~allthe distractions. audoned orginally Iimsereaming at the top of my range Last ight somebody found me really ilarius, which imademe augh oo, Andy Batke who plays Hebroughtarealy refreshing energy. Ole isjustadeamboat, on and ofstage and What’ coming up Youtelle! Onceyou How have audiences responded? The fimiso onic peoplewartiocome inan hear hoz ines, for Standing tthe S's What else wilyoutake Fee souho knows! fromthisexperience? also going to teat lsbeen amazing playing _ myself toa nice oly thisroleinaVies End Astoldto Show as2plussize, - Marianka Sua Pretty Woman: The Musical ens its London run on 18 June then tours the Ueland trom 47 October - vist london pettywomanthemusicalcom ‘MusicalsMagazine com SUBSCRIBE TO MUSICALS MAGAZINE Musicals is the new magazine celebrating the world of Musical Theatre, from the West End to Broadway and beyond ee mes Subscribe today and (=m ee le oon Visit magsubscriptions.com/musicals ------------- Call: 0800 137201 (UK) or +44 (0)1722 716997 (Overseas) Curtain Up! M News C\ Bring Back That Show! Cy Coleman's City of Angels ‘On 5 March 2020, the longranticipated West End trancfer of Josie Rourke's production of City of Angels ~ an Olver Award-winning hit atthe Donmar Warehouse in 2014 - opened fat London's Garrick Theatre, Joining performers trom the orginal Donmar production, Rosalie Craig, Hadley Fraser and Rebecca Tiehearn, were Nicola Roberts of Gils Aloud, American singer and ‘actor Vanessa Willams, movie star Theo ‘James, and stage and screen actor Jonathan Slinger Itseemedt destined to repeat that earlier success, Sadly it was not to be. The pandernic brought the curtain down on West End shows ‘on 16 March and when lockdown continued {or weeks on end, the producers had no choice but o cancel the rest of the run. But Surely, row that theatre is back at ull strength it deserves another chance? Thie gorgeous musical love letter to vintage Hollywood glamour and lm noir Features two stories. cleverly paralleled in Larry Getbar’s sophisticated book. nthe colour lone, we see successful author Stine srugging {o.adapt is atest novel into a move: inthe black-and-white version, we are transported into the world of that fim, led by fetional tective Stone, ‘Cy Coleman and David Zippel provide one memorable bluesy jazz number after another for these characters, 3s wel s for the tong-surtering women In ther les, such as Gabby/Bodbi and Donns/Colie. Most ofthe Leading actors, aside from those playing Stine {and Stone, take on two parallel roles, one in ‘each plotline ‘The Donmar's 2014 production of City of Angels Directed by Michael Blakemore, City of Angels premiered at Broadway’ Viginia Theatre on 11 December 1989, winning ix “Tony Awards and running for 879 performances and 24 previews. Greag Edelman played Stine opposite James Naughton as Stone. Blakemore was again in charge when the Wiest End production opened atthe Prince lof Wales Theatre in March 1995. Despite great reviews ana stellar cast ~ featuring Roger Alam, Matin Smit, Fiona Hendley ang Haydn Gwynne (who ascusses her experience on the back page ofthe AprilMay issue of Musicals) ~ the un ended just four ‘months later When the show was named Best Neer Musical a the Olivier Awardsin 1994, the win was btersweet, Perhaps, n 2014, Rourke needed to revisit Itina more intimate space to breathe new life into this underrated piece ~ although i meant that not many people got to see that trlumphant revival, hich why the loss of the 2020 transfer feltz0 cruel. City of Angele deserves its full West End ran’ would be a crime i that was the last we saw oft Ovenue Foeus Regent's Park Open Air Theatre Where? in Queen Mary's Gardens in Regents Park, one of London's Royal Paks. Significant dates Opened in 1932 with one production running for four dates. In 1974, the makeshift semi-circular seating became the fixed, amphitheatre-style ‘altri we know today In £2000, the Robert atkins Studlo was bul as part of a £2 millon refurbishment. In 2014, the {auditorium seating was replaced Architect The steeply raked ‘ueltoriam was designed by Regent's Park Open Air Theatr’ fairy-tale setting 10 Mt Muscas issue 8 Howe Kili Partridge and Amis Haworth Tompkins collaborated with landscape architect Carlin Lonsdale on the refurbishment, and Reed Watts handled the latest adations, Capacity .240 [About The summer seasons of ‘ama, Musial Theatre, childrens shows and comedy at Regents Park Open Air Theatre are played ut in beautiful fairy-tale wood land surroundings, Thestregoers ctten picnic on the lawn or dink andl dine athe atmospherically lt restaurants and bar Ends New Theatre the folowing year. asthe Witch) ‘Auglences have tobe prepared for all weather. Bu, even f there’ short downpour the plucky Ital began in 1982, when a disastrous play by Italian dictator ‘Mussolin closed early at the West 1oW the Noel Coward), Director Robert atkins and impresario Syiney Carroll's replacement show there, a staging of Twelth Night, was so successful that transfered toa makeshift theatre in Regent’s Park. atkins took charge ofthe fst ful season What makes the theatre so distinctive f the unpredetable utdoors setting: along with the accompanying villi, tsa vital playerin each production, Imagine watching Sondheim ito the Woods as the sun s setting - of se the storm crowds are rong in Uneidentaly, that legendary 2010, Sondheim revival featured Ted Lazeo star Hannan Waddingham team usually just watit out and then ctack on withthe show. Into the Woods was directed by Timothy Sheader, artistic director since 2007, He folowed in the footsteps of te great lan Talbot, ‘who can be credited for properly Introducing Musical Theatre to the space ~ nowa staple of the venue, particularly its revelatory revival. (Over the past decade, Open Air productions have clocked up seven Olver Awards, In fact. twas Sheaders Oiver-winning Jesus CChvist Superstar that reopened the theatre during the pandemic, Launching the 2023 season is the musical Once On This sand, which features Caribbean sun and topical storms. Can the Englih weather come up trumps? Its big ask, but then Regent's Park always holds a kind of magic ead our Rising Star interview with Once On This lela star Gabriele Brooks on page 16 ‘MusicalsMagazine com | t 4 ‘The buzz generated by Chris Bush and Rchard Hawley’ Standing at the Sky's Edge atthe National Theatre ~ the standing vations, the teary social media posts, the multiple retum vss (to "ay nothing of the space devoted toi inthis magazine) - was Unusual not to say extremely rare, fora piece of conternporary Musical Theatre, So, what wae it ‘about thi show, which went on towin Best New Musical at the 2023 Olver Awards, an has ‘ance announced a West End wanster? What exactly captured the public's imagination and drew ‘Wiel, the fusion of words and musi is, we know, a potentially potent force, whatever style ‘might assume, but when words ‘and music collude as they eid here with such good humour and emotional force you are ‘reminded how comparatively rarely this symblosis takes place ‘You might call Sky's Edge a play with songs ~ partly on account fof iow Richard Hawley’ pop anthems are more often than ‘nota commentary on, 35 ‘opposed to an integral part, theaction. Butthe bottom line inthis instance was that the play was the thing and Che Bush's book’ could almost sana alone inits quality ‘And 20 begins again the age-old debate about the Importance of books in ‘musials. When | as asked some years backto compile alist of shows that might qualify fora London equivalent ofthe New York ity Centers Encores! series, shows Uniiely might or couls be revived in their esting forms, ‘MusicatsMagazinecom 4 From the Green Room A first-class book can be hugely significant in the success of a musical: just look at the award-winning Standing at the Sky’s Edge. The play's the thing, suggests Edward Seckerson ‘Above Standing atthe S's Edges performance atthe Olver wats Right Cart anc creative celebrate winning Best New Muscat Below The show’: much-prased there was absolutelyno shortage! a dramatic framework in and fofwondertu scores - scores around music. His book for revered for one reason ot Carousel for instance, takes another but recognised were ay whose central thrusts strung aroun poor, dated. or | domestic violence and somehow ‘what might now be considered = finds a hopeful resolution int. paltcally incorrect books. You could argue his sentimental think of Rodgers and udging’ ofthe issue diminshes Hammerstein's Flower Drum itsimportance. But times change, Song whichIsawasabey and = socialatitudes changa, and we have adored ever since. k= should perhaps accept that even ‘2 uintage Richard Rodgers score | the greatest examples ofa genre Containing one of the realy great ke Musical Theatre remain of ‘Musical Theatre ballads theirtime. You can reimagine Love, LookAway = but | them = as Daniel Fish dso While the Book by Oscar electréyingly with Okahoma! Hammerstein and inthe recent revival without Joseph Fields might have = changing a word of text ~ but the passed musterin 1959, plenic basket auction in Act Two in 2028 tis toAmerica’ | is stil hard to swallow for those ‘Chinese communties who seeIt and they do} as what Seven Brides “sexist noncense! forSaven Brothers Timeless classics like Guy isto female {Dols ~sensabonalyrevvedat__ no mistake: Sonaheim would ‘emancipation The | the Bridge Theave remains stllbe the fist fo say the play's ouch fecorisoff = because oftheir broadly drawn thething: M thescale ‘an yet Hammerstein The bottom line with Standing at the roe Sky's Edge is that Chris Bush's ‘book’ zing when could almost stand alone in its quality came to fashioning Nows M Curtain Up! ‘wit and the abilty to laugh atthe very things they are parodying, And a show tie Gypsy iste evocation ofan era, vith a central character, Mama Rose. who only fully gets revealed in the closing scene llonee spent a fascinating hour in the company ofits book wart, Arthur Laurents (also Wiest Side Story of course), and he told me that ‘Rose's Tur ~ in every sense the climax of the show - was the starting point for him. twas always going to be a show about the mother of all, mothers. The show's lyri, Stephen Sonaheim, concurred, Which brings me tothe ‘chemistry’ between book writer and composer Its interesting that Laurente and Sondheim didn't reunite after the troubled and ‘ramaticallyfawea Anyone Can Wiiste. Laurens claimed he was offered Passion but passed on the basis that he thoughtit should have Been rettled Obsession methinks he missed the point ana Assasins, seems, battled him. He asked me what twas about "Guns said No one was more respectful oftheir collaborators (or more seamless in their collision) than Sondheim. Inthe final scene of Assassins he steps out ofthe rame altogether and ets the words do ther thing, Then again, the reverse is true in Sweeney Todd, which some stil think i through-sung. No, there i just alot of music in The book, by Hugh Wheeler, weaves itself in and around the ‘musical melodrama, But make musicals sue 5 MA NG tit 4 cS just as talented as those who can affo to go to university wouldn’t be able get in the room. - Miriam-Teak Lee Ae NR m TEN a MLL TALL Help Musicians offer Avo ele hell lah-larelI mle] (ere a-\ Maa MATS helpmusicians. Fi Cree a eM Help Musicians isthe working name of the Musicians Cerne News M Curtain Up! Elaine’s Page Hamilton Musical Theatre legend Elaine Paige continues her series on groundbreaking musicals, with Lin-Manuel Miranda's electrifying hip-hop history show Hamilton amiton isa show that realy ‘made the world i up, lookand listen, Itproves that Musical Theatre isnot only surviving but evolving in the mest exciting way Imaginable- The show was ‘conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was, upto that point, best known for his Tony Award-winning Broadway ‘musical nthe Heights. had played several tracks from inthe, Heights on my BBC Radio 2 show, Elaine Paige On Sunciy, but hadnt actually $n itive, $0 Hlamiton was a fstin that regard Loosely basea on Ron CChernows biography, Miranda’ Hamiton tele the story of ‘America's forgotten Founding Father An immigrant orphan from ‘the Caribbean, he foughtin the Revolutionary War, helped draft te US Constitution, ond was the founder and chief architect ofthe nations financial system Hamiton premiered on 17 February 2015 atthe Pubic Theater, then transferred that ‘August othe Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway. was lucky lenaughnto see the show twice on Broadway: when i fst opened, Aandlin the original cas’ final ‘week in 2016, when | was ‘parting onthe Tony Awards for sy rai show. “The production was nominated fora whopping 16 Tonys, and took home it including Best ‘Musical and Miandas fst win for Best Book ofa Musical. Noone canforget his very emotional acceptance speech, the entirety ‘ofwhicn was in verse I especialy loved the bit where ne mentioned his dad’ "You think about your father and how scared he must have been / When he came to New York ity and he didn't speak the language, / So you give MusiealsMagazine com chart success ~ another rantyin theatre Its the highest-charting cast album since the ariginal cast recording of Hair back in 1969, Tow because Iwas tere! It's 0 exciting to see Musical Theatre being part of the popular music conversation again. It reminds me of when Jesus Christ Superstar fnta and Chess were al released a5 concept albums well ahead of the stage shows and made chart impact atthe time Hamton opened in the UK on 21 December 2017 a the Victor Palace Theatre| went to ae it Hamiton crestor Lin-Manuel Mrands also staredin the rginal production duringthe original London cast's final week Itwas hard to Hamitan allofhishunger genius {Leste Odom Jr who originaled compare it to the Broadway andangush /Andyouvancuish — therole of Hamiton'snemesis production; having seen an self-doubtby perfecting your Aaron Bur, was electrifying when _ all-American castteling an lines of text. Then you call hhesang aboutionging to bein American story, the latter had the Icitector) Tommy Kal and you say = “The Room Where Happens. edge forme. But Giles Terera, the "What's next?” IRspoketo the moment then and West Ends frst Aaron Burr, rightly Nothing can describe the thrill stil speaks to usnow. Hamilton won an Olver Award for hs Cf seeing the original compary- | isalving masterpiece. Ithas wonderful performance especially theshows author everything: drama, comedy, ‘The Bish production had playing the leacing role and character study, spectacle, different energy, but the ‘brimming with understated romance. Itsalso a warstoryand choreography, orchestrations and biliance, You could eel the buzz a historlographicalcrtique. design ll ved up to my memory fenthe treet, inthe foyer and What makes it even more of being an audience member in feverywhere youturned. twas exceptional is that Miranda wrote New York. Infact. visting Invigorating and intoxicating the musi. the yries and the ‘made me appreciate some of the Tdnotfeltthatexcitementfrom book! Only Stephen Sondheim rhyming couplets even more anausience in years could have ciaimed a= much, Ifyou haventtyet seen it Iustlovehow Hamiton blends but none of hs shows were | suggest getting hold of the ifferent musical styles: hiphop. such blockbusters, Mirand's Original Broadway Cast |, ROB and Broadway Itworks _ yrce are deaying: he rhymes Recording and familarsing so well because Miranda Socrates’ with mediocries, yourself with the show before Understands whata mainstream beforelinking ‘manurmission, you: go. And then, I promise you, audience likes about hip hop, 'olition ‘and ammunition: the wow’ factor wil really hi. ‘what lies about Musical I’smoder Shakespeare, This sa production that wal Theate, ond how to erat Not only that, but Hamilton's forever redefine what comes after amagniicent hybrid ofthe two. castrecording was a massive it You wont be dsappointed! M The lmed version of the fia | ; onignt Brosdway production Hamilton isa living masterpiece. It of Hamitonaalable to watch has drama, comedy, character study, 2377 dacs” spectacle, romance, and awar story 21pm folowheron twtr atone paige Muscat lesue S M13 Curtain Up! M News “> Broadway Bulletin With the Tony Awards beckoning, Matt Wolf assesses the nominees and weighs up how previous winners are represented at the newly opened Museum of Broadway It's summertime on Broadway, wich can only mean one thing the Tony Awards! ut before we get to this years contenders, its worth fagging a recent arrival to the theatre alstnct where you can immerse yourself nal things Tony-reated ~ and otherwise, ‘The Museum of Broadway ‘opened last November in the heart of theatalanc: te 45th Stet address is minutes from the lyceum Theatre. And though you pay to enter a ifyou were attending 3 show ~ albert at not early so great cost = you can lingerasiong as you tke fal on the various displays. mary of them interactive asi hurting down memory ane. And though my own association with Broaaway doesn't date back to 1752(), where the Museum timeline begins it wasting to be reminded of the musicals that shaped my theatre education ~ and, fear not, devotees of plays vl find plenty of note, too Musicals, though are the ‘commercial engine of New York theatre. asin London and you canhardly imagine a better way to follow the growth of that art form. There's programme rom the orignal production of show Boat, the 1927 te that brought the musical into the 20th century, both structurally and thematically, followed by a neat history of the Broadvay musicals Golden Age’ ~ Rodgers and Hammerstein loomlarge, as, of course, does Guysand Dots My own interest was doubly piqued with the showcase for A.Chorus Line, which sawn ts original 1975 production as ‘teenager: behold the red dress inwhieh Donna MeKechnie’s cera-defining Cassie danced “The Music and the Mirco ‘You can dance along to the score of WestSide Story next toafacsimie of Docs Drugstore, the Jets hangout. And devotees fof that 1957 shows then-fledaling 14M Musicals issue 3 ‘Above J Harrison Ghee as Daphne (ight in Some Like It Het Right Ales NewellinShucked ~ both are Tory-naminateg Iyrcist Stephen Sondheim wil meeting. (One fhrilto aninteractive Sondheim of my proudest puzzle asbeftsamanwhooved | possessions is Such things, as well asthe 23 Hirschfeld bithday balloons for Bobble trom drawing of the the gender-fipped Company. | Lincoln Center Theres also alovelyletter penned Theater production of to Sondheim by Rent creator Wiring for Godot with Steve Jonathan Larson who as we Marin and Robin Willams Fewer know wasto die tragicaly before | people were more synonymous bis mein 1996, aged just 3. with Broadway during the 20th ‘The dgplays remindus of such century than Also if you've been Tony season smackdowns as ‘wondering when to vst the [Nine vs Dreamgiisin 1982 and museum, | would go now. Fentvs Bring in‘da Noise, Bring Rnd wat ofthis years line-up? in da Furkin 1996 The ecord- Who arnong the fresh set cf setting 12 Tonys won by The Contenders for the 6th annua Producers in 2001 get their own Tony Awards will merit place room, anda sprightly assemblage onthe museums walls before Cefvenve puppets brings to to0Long? in terms of showbiz ‘ind that show's David ve Goliath | éclat, the biggest musicale of the ‘win for Best Musical in 2004, ‘cutent season have been Some wast the ceremonies that year Like It Hot and New York New Inpersonand stil remember the York though neither wowed the ‘asp in the auditorium, cries and both wit want a major ‘Asa specal avacton, the win r two ~ ora grabby, ‘museum through 21 June is nationally televised dance hostingnine decades of work | number - to boost ticket sales. from the venerable artist ana The rica favounte isthe caricatustALHirschfeld, who | small-scale Kimber Akimbo, ‘ed in 2008 aged 99 and whom which manyliked more than | had the enormous pevilege of | Awinforthis transfer from A Best Musical win for the small-scale Kimberly Akimbo would follow other Cinderella stories like Fun Home (Off Broadway would followin the tradition of such previous Cinderela stories as Fun Home ‘and Dear Evan Hansen, whose TTony-winning leading man, Ben Pats n contention again ths year for his starring rte inthe Michael Arden-directed revival ‘of Parade, (Avenue Q began Off Broadway backin the dey 00) 1s fr Bad Cinderela, now to ‘lose on 4 June, the Andrew Lloye Webber musica’s London stand managed alone Olivier nod fr Vitoria Hamiton-Barit) in 2022, but cameup entirely empty- handed atthe SJ Toms = and at F ene atin weeks ofthe closing on Broadway after 35 years of The Phantom lof he Opera: aseismic ‘change ina landscape once ruled by Britain's leading theatrical lord, But looking forward, t's ‘exciting to see to non-binary Performers among the leading {and featured actor contenders: ‘ Hareson Ghee and Alex Newell for Some Like t Hot and the ‘comedic Shucked, respectively ~ both considered frontrunners in theircategories. And the Musical Revival quartet pits two Sondheim heavy-niters ~ Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd ~ against Parade and Camelot, with Parade thought by many tobe theikaly winner ‘Why? Because Sondheim isa {004 as definite to be back in contention next year forthe imminent Broadway transfer of the OfF-Broaaway Merry We Rot Along. And Mara Friedman's production ishalf as dynamic ‘and poignant uptown as it was in the East Vilage. the 2024 Tonys wil be very merry and moving. indeed. Read reviews of many of these shows in our US section on pages 57-65 MusicalsMagazinecom AL ~ All That Dazzles London-based blogger Daz Gale picks his personal hightights from an action-packed few weeks of attending Musical Theatre shows, concerts and events News M Curtain Up! oée MARCH 2023 NadalenaAberoted the worl remit of King The cat at Riverside Studios However intalang the age-old scence s fat debt and adding romance them this ew | gm APRIL Brtsh aulences starving fora bite of Stes and Drewe's Betty Blue Eyes were infor attex wena eval opened the Union Theatre caso 19 fatastie perfomesaswelas.a ph had audiences sorting vith aught, bt itwas the musta stole the show, vith Sam Kiting dele of The Kind of Man An patel sirng, Tank not making pe outa show hats soled by asl ut mighy audience, ths was ne production that ru brought omethe acon, a aitcoldang inaccessible to most Whe most wert of he fatastitaleton han, was gy redeemed by Maly lynch s beaut rendion ctl DeedPoets Te show needs tof tghenng up the ‘restore dont athe tbe al MARCH Londons newest theatre, Souther Playhouse Elephant, hosed brandnew ruil aborthe former aan Prime iit: Bertascon, than incredible cas wot West End stars he Sly Are pl. and Ea Hatton, whose ig solo number ‘Sects and Lies wasa ightght there was ple tobe excited bou buts conse one meant never delveredon [some With some beaut musa umber ths isenetowatch though; witha Bit of tweaking tcould becomesomething speci APRIL eh remutining an Ove Anat for Mat Cole's incedbechoreoraphy. andahed ofa cast change Newses hls speci goa performance atthe ‘Troubadour Wembley Prk Theatre Ashow immerlatey fl nove wih ast year, the epet vit hada diferentneadine it featured George Crewford inthe ead role of ack ely a phenomena perform anda shining example of why swings and aerate are ‘oval the use Youhve until ly to wath those nensies crying the banner APRIL Freshtom breoing the internet ith er BAFTAC ‘ap Oscarwinner Arana Detore brought show ‘Authenctyto London forone rightony. Anecectc sett am umber rom her Bosna Cres Harton an alongside pop casiesand 2 rte to egends whe thePalladlum borer bit. water senztonl Somewhere” from Wes Side toy tat aly wowed Thisexceptional tiple theathad the audiencen the palmotherhandas she ella way dthething MusialsMagazine.com ae = How do you male the Evison Song Contest even moe fabulous? Combine with Musical Theat, of ‘ours! Londoris Wonder was one ofthe ee ications including a venuein Enon hos cy ieroclpreserting Tim McArthur Eurovision (Your Decision in which four prfrmersrecete pactenties and congetetobecomethe audience’ favourte Tnktheweiest ements of Eurovision ramped uptoharouly absurd levels Wiha quest performance om the sneaionsl Line Be, the einely scored ‘douzepoints rom me Fellow Al That zl Tite nstgramand Facebook ~@ATDazzesandeepupwith lhe tet reviews atalhtzes cok 5 Curtain Up! M News A Rising Star Gabrielle Brooks This summer, the talented performer is leading musical Once On This Island at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre The fcts Gable Brookeis 358-yearldacress who made her debutagd sevenin Anew oy Webber's ile Down the nd ter staying athe Lverpoolnstut for erforing Aarts (UPA she consructedan impessiely aed carer ising lays and Musical Theatre ad even combining thin ‘musa version of Teh aha te Young Vic She'snow thlledtobeinashow which ‘mean sichalott the lace theatrecommuniy,andinthe magical seting of Regents Park whee youesigingandyou erbids ching Disney ves? Beginnings Brooks wasborn inHemse, north Londen. Her ‘mumisrom amsica and he ads rom Guyana They telly insiledinme the importance of education’ says Brooks. There vat aloaltofmisicinthe house: regae Motoun, gospel Jind my ster sanginaband, ke any nnoying younger sibing vied to emulate er Child stardom elit the arts- people dont beeve that aughs Brooks. Thadan ‘overacvimaginaton, 50 Mum entmetoan afterschool ama cla, The teacher ning in startedachite'sagency, twenty fest oudton atsicyeas ol She ed out forAmiistand cid get ‘olundestoodréecon But She i get itl Downe Wind Wielka extended late. loved beingon tage that cut-obody euphoria Training Books parent saved her wags ang putthem towards herunversty education But she srt sure what she would ty appar our sndcreatve iting courses asuellasdramaschool and leh tofateThenloatin. everywhere! But else was ran to acting However, Brooks ound staying at UPA shock lla suden at placingudgement on what was doing instead cf just perfrming paedecay ere rel my shell Abo deft home and sonefrom somewhere diverse ‘oa moot. emirnment uit teach me altint just acing buthow tobea good han being ‘Audion Tatas another tearing experienc, sys Brooks, meeting diferentretve people andficuing outhow she warpercived. Very ety on Ieealsed was desperate notto be pigeonhole. Sowhen do play atthe Donmaranthen ‘asin the Vest nd ve chosen that lovetaland ant to prove leandoita Fighting iscrninati However Brooks has lo experienced rustationin having toprovehersl constantly tan scot of cou When played Derthy The Wiad of Ua ase vasa dvesty hie Yes thingsare changing butsome mind reclosed of - sped with ces tadionaly playecy wht peop or ‘pecitoBtehhictory he Shakespeare Thats what made Tel Nigh parity pect itcombined Brooks wo gest loves Musical Teste andthe ard'lcuddrtbeevehow lucy was twas the someone had opened upthedoortomy actual dream’ Paying Rta Marley Brooks says she dnever sen omany Black people intheauinceasthey haat Get Up Stand Up! Te Bob Mare Musa the West En. She wes Obie nomintd for her perfomance asthe singe’ we: Rwasthemost mong ceperenceofy ie Paying Ra specalyadakstned woman whe adn teling her story of uty and honor and ive Even beter Rial chien cameo the Show and tld Brooks that she's one thee mum oud, Park ie The Hitt Once On Thslandhasspeciatmeaing for recs. When as at fama schoo and wasnt ste Thadaplacein the inst, my teacher suggested lingaseng fromitformy assessment the Regent Pak production ‘Were net shying aay fom theroot ofthe story. whichis about cloialsy, acsmand Celerim isacelebratry al butalsos cautionary oneifwe oncontnuetohave those eversaions and make change: Shecantwat for auenesto her thescore"Sca clos, reggae alte great msc that lack people hae criginatedin ‘one show atta (Once On Ths land at Regent's Park Open Air Thetreruns unl 10 June 202% For more information and to book tickets, vst opensitthetre com/production/once-on-tis-land 16 M Musicals issue 3 ‘A musical version of Markus Zsa plobal bestselling novel The Book Thefiscoming to Coveney and Leicester tis autuma, The September and October un follows anit presentation n Bolton last year after which twas nominated {ora WnatsOnStage Best Regional Production Award The adaption ish enowned author Joi Picoult and Roa Dahadaptor Timothy Allen McDonald with musicand Iyies by Kate Anderson and Essa Samsel Said Picoultand McDonal:'natime when history seemsintenton repeating itself—when hate crimes throw spotght onthe differences between us; when words are Being used to ham, rather than hea when iesare beng used to fueLawar—wefelthat this ‘story smore relevant and power than eve: (Celebrated writer Zusak described the adaptionas “a revelation and ajoy continuing Everyone involved has respected the novel beyond my expectations, anv loved watchingitgrom: The Book Thief uns at Belgrade Theatre Coventy rom {1.16 September and a Leicester Curve from 29 September {0 14 October - st belgrade coukandcurveontnecouk Broadway SIX CD release SX: Live on Opening Night's being released on €O. The Grammy-nominated cording — the rst Ofigial Broadway Cast Recording eve recorded We on opening ight ~ was rleasedon 6 May 2022 n searing and gal formats an has to date, been steamed over 47 milion tes, The CD ‘wilbe released on 23 June avalale to buy one ane at selected etal, The creators ofthe show. “Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss sald: We continue to be absolutely bated by and raiculousy grate for everyone who listening to this lum, and 0 deightes that the physical CD wilenean canbe hearaby even more people Tobuy the CD, wat shonbrozanaycom Learn from Sir Tim Rice about Musical Theatre SirTim Rees the atestrame to join BC Maes, pad-or ‘online plattonm that offers backstage acest the word of Musial Theat, songwriting and performance Iman online couse spanning 20esons avaiable later ‘his summer the legendary yc behind Evita, Jess Christ Superstar ané The ion Hing willshare his creative proces. tom theintaldeato the final performance. Those who the ‘Wall snail from there, They signed th wndtrack, pitch itto thie composition onded some demos and help 1nd movie companies’ Atthe he was approaching the ie Tin 16,1¥e got time" So decided tol form. Then Universal sid: "I thisintoa movie-mascal, who would be you el Iboth said sa Spielberg. m cal it We were lke, “Sure, OK, lets throw that ‘name int the ring, never going to happen Land behold, the next director?” And Tor a, we lag had a video saference call from Lond Steven Spicer She and Tom sat in along boardroom wit other film bigwigs pitching their ideas. She lly as they pat of ther pitch, but ha ap the idea i i I IfI'mtaking positives Lice CU 's that | know | can withstand a lotmore: than | expected at the last minute when they realised the vieleo-conferencing technology wast good ‘enough. But the pitch went well and soon Spielberg’ asistant rang, offering toy the ‘ut to New York to meet him in person, "Heil hed this litle oom above a random litle black box these in New York and we spent sixor seven hours with him, jus pitching this musical It was jus Jovely afternoon! The next couple of years sav development workshops and rewrites unt lintel ited to nothing, But in the long stretches of time ‘where she was just at hme with no school no job and nothing ese to do, Hetcher started filming herself going about her daily life and uploading the vidoos to YouTube. There were ‘others ike her, doing this thing called ‘logging ‘and soon they Were altracting viewing Figures in thetens of thousands eont tn afte mot mas came afferent kindof success Italso lec indirectly to her breakin Musical Theatre, ‘When workon the misial had stopped one of the producers, Mark Samuelson, said to Fletcher one day. ‘What happens next? What ddoyou want todo? “Tsai relly want to be in musicals. But at this point Twas 1, Ie missed the boston applying for drama schools that year and if Tent to drama school I knew that [ould be ali bit older than ll ofthe people starting, ‘and he sid: "Well, Te got afew contacts at agencies, les et up some meetings” So for S60 ‘weeks I went to 12 oF 13 diferent agents’ offices, meeting with people who were like,"Who i this gil? She’ got zero experience al she hasis a YoriTube channel and what even that” ‘One agency, Cutis Brown, tooka chance. They asked Fletcher what her dream part would be. ‘said Eponine in Les Mis was my ly grail, and they took really bgrisk becase they put me up for the role instead of puting me up foe first cover or ensemble, Four auditions late, Tanded the role. [couldaitbeieve my ck etcher became the ist person ever to ply both young and older Eponine MusialsMagazine com Carrie Hope Ftcher M Feature So forthe past decade or so, the backstage vlog offering insight into the life ofa Musial Theatre performer, as well s Fletcher life more generally have gone hand in hand with an increasingly Juicy series of onstage roles. The last ew years ave sen her na UK tour of The Addams Fans the West End production of cult favourite Heathers, an Jef Wayne’ War of the Words, hen came the big announcement in February 2020: there was to bea new Andrew Llye ‘Webber musical, it would open inthe West End, and Fletcher would be the lad, Is any performer's dream, He had seen her in Heathers and knew shel be perfect for Cine Eveand Promising a aswel never scen her befor’ in a feminist take on the traditional tory by Yung Woman write Emerald Fenel ‘But they had one workshop, and along came Covi. There was nothing they could do; the whole show was shut down, While Lloyd Webber worked hard to get theatres back open, fronting campaigns and lobbying the government, eventually ater several delayed openings and fale starts, the show opened on 18 August 202... And closed agin les than a year ltr. Reviews were lakewarm The cast continued to rehearse after the show had begun, meaning Jong gruelling days Andit culminated in an abrupt closure with alter by Loy Webber read ‘out onstage by the show’ director Laurence Connor calling costly mistake There were boos from the audience, and Lloyd Webber apologised fr the clumsy wording. How does Fletcher look backon it now? 1 dohave fond memories because twas relly exciting time, especially coming out of Covi, With all ots shortcoming, anal ofthe backstage drama it was an incredible building Full ‘of wonderfl people. The resident director and MD in Cinderella are now the director and MD ‘on ry tou, 0 Tvweended up with lifelong fiends frm that show, But everytime lookback at it Lchange my mind, Im taking any positives fom Cinderella its the fact that know Lean Withstand alot more than I expects. Everything from this point onwards wil probably be cases, ‘or tbe better equipped to know howto deal with ficult situations in the future Fetch felt prestue, she sys asthe tite character, Sheil she was expected to take ‘or make statements which werent within her power to make. ‘Alf the actors would get together, oftentimes in my dressing room, or quel in the wings beorea show, going, “How do we dea with this situation?" Decisions were being made that affected everyone in the building, but didnt necessarily affect the people who were making the decisions. Everyone was exhausted, ‘We were trying to integrate changes that were rehearse inthe afternoon into the shave that ‘evening, all while bat Covid. People think that actors have way more say than Weactually dla. wish we had as mach power as everyone thinks we da, because then weil be able to make some postive change? hat about audience behaviout which hasbeen a taking point in newspapers and online recently, wih incidents like the bral that broke out at The Badyguard in Manchester. is she noticed it getting worse? unnily enough; says Fletcher, the only time where Ive witnesed audience behaviour being so bad that they had to stop the shave was The Bodyguard in Londen. fight broke ut because there was a group of people singing very loudly, anda group of people next to them who didat ‘enjoy it. and they red punching ech other. fs weed that twas the same show. It seems to Musca ue § W127 Feature M Carne Hope Fletcher bbethe musicals where the music is ally famous Ifyou he 4 Whitney Houston songon the radio, you sing along in your carat the top of your lags, but people cat detach themselves {rom that. They dont go, “Oh, but my environments diferent, Uaerefore this place where Tin just going to listen op songs big nights ou, drinking... a dangerous concoction’ says Hletche. But she's ‘hanklly ad few of these incidents while performing hersl, save the odd audience member ‘opening a pizza box and proceeding to much the whole thing on the front ros, What worries ber more what happens afer the show Since the age of 19 i show, her a hes perform nlne following have known where to find her sk nightsa week for months at time 5 Je door everynight. Iwas used to quietly making videos in my bedroom, Its avery 1a T went into Les Misit was shock othe system seing hundreds of people at ‘overwhelming experienc, and for the most parla postive one, because for the most part, people are lovely in ecent years though, there been a sense of entitlement that’ crept in too, tha people across the industry have noticed Iecameto ahead in 2020 when she was inthe concert version of Les Misérables atthe Gielgud Theatre and started receiving anonymous abusive letters. At first she felt terrified and folated. Soon it became clear that this person had been scrding notes to ther performers to, including her bet rind Scott Paige. After long proc ‘the man was finally charged and ale. ively every fe But stil now, certain reprehensible gossip sites post obse bout Fletcher, and just few days before our conversation, she received aknockat her front door. Her husband answered toa young woman asking i (Carre Hope Fletcher lived there. Fletcher went tothe door and asked who the ‘woman was She said shel found the adres online and had comm to warn her aecaus oer people might not have such good intentions "Was that threat? sys Fletcher. ‘What did that even mean? fled the {teraction and I reported tothe police, but the sid “Well you know you should expect thi rom what you do fs just part and parcel of being very present online” So what if she turns up at my house again and ths time she ing todo semething basa knife? What f she stabs me? Are you then about it? 1 sary she says, and she’ had counseling to deal withthe darker side ‘of being well known Bt fr now, sheis dwelling onthe positives. After the solo tour comes something completly diferent, as she returns to the West Endin a straight play called The Crown Jeels written by Simon Nye, ‘Lmet the director Sean Foley en Zoom an he sai "Do you ay any questions 28 M musta ssue 3 [Above In Les Misérables as Fantine and, eal, as Eponine ~ her big break Below As Martha Percy in Treason (see our view the sounctrack on page 75 for me?" I replied: “T have to ak, how the hell i my name come up with that cast It stars Al Murray, Neil Morrissey, Mel Giedeoye... Who put Carrie Hope Fletcher in that line-up?" But he said hel seen Cinderela and thought I would bea good it. Isa comedy, go an cast and Tm very excite Besides, this st Fletcher’ fist foray nto straight theatre: last year she was cast in Bertolt Brecht’ The Caucasian Chalk Circle at the Rose Theatre in Kingston ~ although she reckons ita ighly under false pretences. ‘twas pitched to me asa play batt was absolutely & musical. Christopher yon [the director will hate me for sing that. He kept saying: isa play with music” I waslike, “Ws absolutely not. There are 38 songs it" tad ‘more songs init than Les Mi And then, after The Crown Jewels who ons ‘Tm 30 years ol he says. Te just gotlen marie I fet like theres ‘personal part of my life which has ‘opened up, which doesnt have anything todo with my career. Ksalesson that Trebeen taught bythe pandemic, ann very much by Gide, that you cannot make your ja the be-all and end-all of everything that you do, Regardless of whatever my prociuctvity ison any given day, Frisia human being and Tm sill worthy of love and respect Carrie Hope Fletcher: An Open Book tours across the UK until Tone 2023 ~ for tickets, vis ffeandtaylrcom MusialsMagazine com PICCADILLY TH yal} Pra a ae ceo INES fe es se Buy your show tickets at www.MusicalsMagazine.com Tap requires the stamina of an athlete yet can convey emotion more effectively than words, while a big tap number can lift the spirits in hard times. With 42nd Street and Crazy for You both headed for London, David Jays speaks to some of the performers and creatives behind the shows to understand the dance form's inherent power = roar M RUT ESN CRM Uit malea acd — 9 Tou musicalsMagazine com spark and really worked. And hete we are! Sint with me: she walked out therea chorus girl and came backa str [suppose there must be bashful tp dancers, but I meet some charming scene-stelers Baisden admits she came late to tap, aged nine oF 10, after seving a friend get a solo with sparky tap shoes. thought, im missinga trick here! Tap abit lke maths: it either clicks for you o it doesn. Tome, the chythms made sens. Carle Stemp is another charismatic hoofer: new production ofthe Gershvsin musical Ciazy For Yous ‘opening in the West End after rave reviews in Chichester last year, and was built around his uniquely limber talents “Tas always craving some form of attention - middle chill, child of divorce’ he says, which has worked out quite ‘wal for me! When castas Arthus Kipps, the naive hero of Chichester’ production of Halfa Sixpence in 2016 he drove the story and ital clicked into place. I pushed me on to this new adventure of Crazy For You, the hardest thing Ive ever clone, I dont realy leave the stage, That attention seeking child Iwas a a kids living his best dream’ Rehearsal for Czy For You haat yt begun when Stamp ‘was chatting on Zoom ~ swaying in astripey hammock, the picture of sunny relaxation, Meanvile, the 42rd Stret company was already grinding away in a London chusch hall caught bit ofthe sot-shoe sauce of Shuffle OfF to Bufale with its roguish chorinesskittering around a sesper tran, A dance rehearsal ill counts and claps and clicking fingers ~ and the joy when the choreographer’ fist terse response (‘Not bad’) gradually warms (1 coming and ends on "Thats great. Baisden watched frm these. She caught the public’ attention in the tp-happy post lockdown hit Anything Goes, bat mainly for her silvery soprano in swooning numbers like ‘ts De-lovely"I dit even get to wear a par of tap shoes! she laments, ‘or punters and performers alike, tap musicals can be uddctve. Nathan James irs saw 42d Street when he ‘was just nine. Apparently I didi stop dancing al the way down Drury Lane’ he sas, and immediately started tap 32M muscate sue 5 lessons! That led toa performing carer including 4 now teaching and writing In Musical Theatre, he notes, tp firs flourished in the 1020s, ‘Tewas predominantly bail around chorus girls and chorus dancing, so was very regimented and repetitive Seen dance could be more innovative:"With Pred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, dance was away ‘of establishing a romantic relationship. In the ist four or five fl, they dit even kiss, They didit need to ~ the dance sa ll that was needed! Yethe regres that ‘tap gets the shortest straw ofall the dance forms, because people just think of itas very frivolous ‘entertainment. Only in the ate 20¢h century did t shine again onstage, wih the great Black American dancer Gregory Hines and in Gower version of 2nd Street, Strikingly, tap musicals lourish in bard limes. After the Depression years ofthe hampions 1980 1930s they revive during the Thatcherite 1980s, and now return to cheer us through ‘our cost-of living crisis. What connects the wot The crite Victoria Radin, reviewing 4 something reassuring about slamming your Steet in 1984, suggested there is foot on the ground, even asit threatens to move from under you. In 2nd Stet itsl MusicalsMagazine com Tap dancing We Feature “umber ike “Were inthe Money” ate about the Depression’ Deamer says, and ‘well be going there! Dear also acknowledges the truth of this portrait of hardscrabble hooters, Tve en on that audition line, so Lknow how hard it is he says ~ and this production ueitioned 900 dancers for an ensemble of js 18, As Baisden says ‘The desperation ‘of wanting to get a job, its ral - and situation that lot of peopl can reat to “These stories feed an audience craving escapism - its no surprise that Kathleen Marshalls buoyant production of Cole Porter's Anything Goes, initially le by the inlfatigable Sutton Foster, was adored by audiences stumbling out of repeated lockdowns, Weil forgotten what a good tm fet ik, Theres no secret about what we get fom a ig number ~ the applause tells its own story. ‘You just feel the energy from the audience! James says. “Tap has that dynamic electri energy that n0 ‘other dance form has. Isthere depth and seriousness in i? Possibly no, but tap heights the vensory experience, and no other dance can do that “Tadore watching an audience! Deamer ‘grins "When you se them go with the choreographic gear changes, thats very heartening! So how does he orchestrate those moments that take the root off? ‘has to come from a truth ort doessit work. These songs ae timeless, they all have thei own magi. Ifyou honour that, you can goanywhere Previous page Chats Stomp dances pa ston in Crazy for You Above Arytning Goes raised sot, ‘hanks to Sutton Foster end company [Jette secre pecs the score as wellas the spectacle. These are pretty much the percussion section "For the people that have knack fri it exatly the same da ‘apis Dra Kran Shecompo wodareger in Cy For Yau Theailty ofan arta the him. Myhappyb nda my hat wileomplement at the aps BEB cig and reve te patorm er them Tap’sa bit like Kane ind Stempel ect a choreogsapher Susan Sranan in cea maths: it either for Gy For You. Cate temp clicks for you eating bespoke music tohighiight his or it doesn't. To unique talents In practice, that means pleting Ser amazing git of me, the rhythms speed within his move made sense a ea Stroman will devise a series of teps.or MusialsMagazine com Musial eve 5 4 33, ala tats CAUSE LCOS RSS murals) of The Westway Sessions! STO ROTA CE LS ACCRUES 8 One y Mae ee eed Ue e LT PVT a Tenet et eMC eee eee cd A Fair¥ tale. ‘hot a SR aa | | } ‘Above Tom Chambers leads a 2012 ap dancing ME Feature Susan Stroman will devise s of steps or ideas for Charlie, and | will find music to lift and propel him forward David Krane every show that you want people to remember, something that they've never seen before} she has sid. always want to make itbelivable when a character launches into song, and dance, so fn The Producers] Max Bialystock would lance very differently from Leo Bloom, and you work these ‘things out through motivation and character ‘When e think about tap on virtuosity often seas itself in the mind, But musicals demand strama ~ is teas, L wonder, to tap in character? ‘tall comes clown to intention Step consider. ‘When Twas playing Arthur Kipps in Halfa Sixpence, it ‘mani carefree enjoyment. Whe al about this young sy For You, been able to uly express sin C Bobby’ more mature but has himself, Both characters havea sense of not knowing how to express themselves, so the dancing takes over. Anytime wee tapping, itsas if we ares full of emation tha totale about it couldalt possibly beenough’ Baisden thinks similarly about Pegay Sawyer’ journey through 42nd Strec.‘s Nicole doinga step or is Peggy?” sheasks ‘One thing Ive learned from ill Deamer is that ‘everything comes from thought - you dont just do a step far the sake of doing it Its an extension ofthe scene thats just happened or ofthe musi - ther always reason which makes ithe character's own movement For James, tapping in character must be very specific: He deseribes the young Gene Kellys breakthrough Broadway’ roles He made his name playing a dovn-at-hee hoof in The Time of Your Lif, Wiliam Saroyan's 1939 play where tap was it the bars elusive ambitions, "That then Right Hai’ Supance star Chatle Stem tape is troubles way spilled into Pal oe james continues, ideas for Charlie, ana Twill find music to Iiftand propel him forward? Forall their bounce andi, the Geshorin songs in Crazy For You werent original ‘written as extended dance numbers, which is where Krane comes in, allt musical tailoring! he say. "We create ‘number oat of bvo-minte Gershwin song, In‘TGot Rhythnt one ofthe greatest numbers ofall time that closes the First Act, ‘everyone makes percussion instruments ‘out of coal-mining objects ike axes and rubbish-can covers, That becomes the

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