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All stories by George Francis on BroadwayStars

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Sunday, February 26, 2012

In the pit: The importance of the keyboard set up by George Francis

In a typical orchestra pit of a West End or professional touring show now, it’s usual to have three, sometimes four, keyboards, however it is rarely the case that pianos are used. My …

SOURCE: A Younger Theatre at 07:26AM
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

In the Pit: What happens when there’s no room for the band? by George Francis

Have you ever turned up to a musical and thought, where’s the band? Perhaps there was an empty pit, or no pit at all? No appearance on stage? They are probably in a cramped room somewhere …

SOURCE: A Younger Theatre at 05:34PM
Saturday, January 7, 2012

In the pit: An insight into the life of a panto Musical Director by George Francis

After catching up with panto drummer Nick Anderson in my last blog, I thought I would have a chat with a musical director as the panto season draws to a close. Dean Austin has been Musical D…

SOURCE: A Younger Theatre at 04:38PM
Monday, November 28, 2011

In the Pit: The trials and tribulations of drumming for pantomime by George Francis

This week I’ve been catching up with Nick Anderson, a 17-year-old Plymouth-based drummer who’s already making a living playing on shows such as Annie and Rent. As panto season approa…

SOURCE: A Younger Theatre at 09:18AM
Saturday, November 12, 2011

In the Pit: The countdown to panto season by George Francis

Without cracking too many terrible “oh no it isn’t” puns, it’s nearly time for panto season again! With not long to go until the clock strikes twelve for Cinderella, or Peter Pan tak…

SOURCE: A Younger Theatre at 12:38PM
Sunday, November 6, 2011

In the Pit: A week in the life of a music director by George Francis

Since the last blog I’ve been the busiest I’ve ever been. It’s been production week and the actual show of Scousers on the Rampage, so I’ve laid this week’s blog out in a diary for…

SOURCE: A Younger Theatre at 11:31AM
Friday, October 14, 2011

In the Pit: A musician’s preparation for opening night by George Francis

Since my last blog detailing my role as Music Director for the variety show Scousers on the Rampage, we’ve had a great and very productive week in preparation for the opening night. Wi…

SOURCE: A Younger Theatre at 04:10PM
Saturday, October 1, 2011

In the Pit: The forgotten part of the show by George Francis

Every time I go to the theatre, I buy a programme and the first thing I do is turn to the page where the musicians are listed. Musicians are often the forgotten part of the show, and when th…

SOURCE: A Younger Theatre at 11:13AM
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2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 22, 2023: Once Upon a One More Time - Marquis Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 20, 2023: Here Lies Love - Broadway Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Aug 03, 2023: Back to the Future - Winter Garden Theatre
Aug 10, 2023: The Shark Is Broken - John Golden Theatre
Sep 27, 2023: Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch - Music Box Theatre
Sep 28, 2023: Melissa Etheridge: My Window - Circle In The Square
Oct 03, 2023: Jaja's African Hair Braiding - Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Oct 10, 2023: Merrily We Roll Along - Hudson Theatre
Oct 12, 2023: Gutenberg! The Musical! - James Earl Jones Theatre
Nov 02, 2023: I Need That - American Airlines Theatre
Nov 13, 2023: Harmony - A New Musical - Ethel Barrymore Theatre
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 10, 2023: How to Dance in Ohio - Belasco Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Jan 09, 2024: Prayer For The French Republic - Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Jan 28, 2024: Days of Wine and Roses - Studio 54
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Mar 14, 2024: The Notebook - Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
Mar 18, 2024: An Enemy of the People - Circle In The Square
Mar 21, 2024: Water for Elephants - Imperial Theatre
Mar 28, 2024: The Who's Tommy - Nederlander Theatre
Apr 11, 2024: The Outsiders - Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 19, 2024: Stereophonic - John Golden Theatre
Apr 20, 2024: Hell's Kitchen - Shubert Theatre
Apr 21, 2024: Cabaret - August Wilson Theatre
Apr 22, 2024: The Heart of Rock and Roll - James Earl Jones Theatre
Apr 22, 2024: Patriots - Ethel Barrymore Theatre
Apr 23, 2024: Mary Jane - Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Apr 24, 2024: Uncle Vanya - Vivian Beaumont Theater
Apr 24, 2024: Illinoise - St. James Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: The Great Gatsby - Broadway Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Apr 25, 2024: Tony Awards eligibility cut-off date
Apr 30, 2024: Nominations for the 2024 Tony Awards
May 05, 2024: 39th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards
May 23, 2024: Outer Critics Circle Awards
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards
Jun 10, 2024: The Theatre World Awards
Jun 16, 2024: The 77th Annual Tony Awards - The David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

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