All stories by Chris Wiegand on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Emma Gladstone, dancer and former artistic director of Dance Umbrella, dies aged 63 by Chris Wiegand

The Akram Khan Company said the death of the dancer, who shaped the art form as a programmer, was ‘an immense loss for the dance community’ Emma Gladstone, an accomplished dancer who hug…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:36AM
Monday, January 22, 2024

Disney’s Frozen musical to close in the West End – but open in UK schools by Chris Wiegand

The show’s run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane will end in September but British schools can then compete to stage it Since the summer of 2021 it has drawn waves of excited theatregoers wearin…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:12PM

Billy Crudup to make West End theatre debut as a conman in Harry Clarke by Chris Wiegand

The star of The Morning Show will bring David Cale’s award-winning one-man play to London in March Billy Crudup is to make his West End theatre debut portraying 19 characters in a solo sho…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:36AM
Friday, January 19, 2024

Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical review – peppy return of toxic teenage liaisons by Chris Wiegand

The Other Palace, LondonThere are some excellent performances in an uneven adaptation of the hit film, staged with songs by No Doubt, Ace of Base and Placebo After its hit with a sour bubble…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:36PM
Friday, January 5, 2024

Philip Hedley, former Theatre Royal Stratford East artistic director, dies aged 85 by Chris Wiegand

Clint Dyer leads tributes to director who ran the London venue for 25 years and was a ‘pioneer of diversity in British theatre’ Tributes have been paid to Philip Hedley, who spent a quar…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:24PM
Monday, January 1, 2024

The best theatre to stream this month: Kings of War, David Tennant’s Hamlet and more by Chris Wiegand

If you can’t get tickets to his Macbeth, Tennant’s acclaimed prince of Denmark is online, along with a spectacular take on three Shakespeare plays by Ivo van Hove Binge on Shakespeare’…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:18AM
Wednesday, December 20, 2023

A Town Called Christmas review – merry mission to restore festive spirit by Chris Wiegand

Playhouse, SheffieldElvi Piper’s show for over-threes has knockabout silliness, vintage styling, cracker jokes and appealing songs ‘Welcome to the happiest place on earth, kid,” snarls…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:06PM
Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Lost and Found review – catchy songs and breezy fun as Gruff Rhys steers Oliver Jeffers’ story by Chris Wiegand

Aviva Studios, ManchesterMusician-puppeteers help tell the tale of a boy and a penguin in this carefully crafted adaptation of the popular picture book There’s more than one super furry an…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:12PM
Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Ian McKellen reprises Hamlet for new film version by Chris Wiegand

Actor plays Shakespeare’s tragic prince in film shot at Theatre Royal Windsor, where he starred in a 2021 stage version Ian McKellen has reprised the role of Hamlet for a new film version …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:24PM

Michael Blakemore, venerable theatre director, dies aged 95 by Chris Wiegand

The double Tony-winning director staged acclaimed productions by Michael Frayn, Peter Nichols and many others in the West End and Broadway Michael Blakemore, the actor turned theatre direct…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:02AM
Tuesday, December 12, 2023

‘I experienced everyday sexism while reading Everyday Sexism’: how Katie Arnstein turns anger into laughs by Chris Wiegand

She started out doing panto tours of northern garden centres. But Arnstein is now emerging as a thrilling performer, turning the shocks of her life – sexual harassment, her mum’s cancer …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:36PM

Paws for applause: Paddington set to star in stage musical by Chris Wiegand

After two hit movies, the children’s books hero will lead a new theatre production from the company behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Paddington, Michael Bond’s “very rare sort …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:24AM
Monday, December 11, 2023

Wendy: A Peter Pan Story review – an awfully modern adventure by Chris Wiegand

The Egg theatre, BathGaming imagery blends with traditional adventure scenery in an exuberant present-day adaptation of JM Barrie’s novel Within a fortnight of Wendy’s birth, JM Barrie h…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:48AM
Friday, December 8, 2023

Midnight Mole review – puppet’s cheery takeover of Chekhov’s garden by Chris Wiegand

The Egg theatre, BathSet in the cherry orchard that Madame Ranevsky is preparing to leave, this story leads its young audience on a tactile adventure underground Our host is making a list an…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:06PM
Thursday, December 7, 2023

The Enormous Crocodile review – Roald Dahl’s dastardly reptile stalks the stage by Chris Wiegand

Leeds PlayhouseThis production for over-fours has clever touches, lively performances and splendid puppets but the songs and the story grow monotonous The ravenous, toothy croc in Roald Dahl…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:54AM

Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati to star in West End production of Waiting for Godot by Chris Wiegand

Actors to make ‘merry mischief’ in Samuel Beckett’s play at Theatre Royal Haymarket in September Ben Whishaw is to star in a new London production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for God…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:36AM
Tuesday, December 5, 2023

‘We’re in the now’: how Brussels theatre KVS keeps up to the minute by Chris Wiegand

The Flemish theatre run by Michael De Cock has its own ‘city dramaturg’, functions like a town square and stages shows that reflect a vibrant capital, says the dynamic artistic director …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:06AM

‘Look at the bloody tip!’: Jason Manford blasts messy theatre audiences by Chris Wiegand

The comedian posted a video of the ‘shocking’ amount of litter left behind after his performance in a panto, saying, ‘You wouldn’t treat your own home like that, would you?’ “It�…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:02AM
Thursday, November 30, 2023

The best theatre to stream this month: The Old Man and the Pool, Bedbound and more by Chris Wiegand

Watch Mike Birbiglia’s hit comedy about mortality, Colm and Brenda Meaney in Enda Walsh’s two-hander or choose from a flock of Swan Lakes Here’s Mike Birbiglia’s pitch for his Broad…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:06PM
Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Cinderella review – festive fairytale adds a sprinkling of socialism by Chris Wiegand

Derby theatreOur heroine is a straight-talker who is not bothered about the ball but still finds romance in Annie Siddons’ lively version In her fresh version of the bridal fairytale, Anni…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:18AM
Sunday, November 26, 2023

Cinderella review – pop-powered Hammersmith panto looks sharp by Chris Wiegand

Lyric Hammersmith, LondonVikki Stone’s playful fairytale is staged with fabulous costumes and high-energy songs but falls short of delirious comedy In 2021, Camila Cabello was a screen Cin…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:24AM
Friday, November 24, 2023

The Lightbulb Princess review – sparkling electrickery for kids by Chris Wiegand

Half Moon theatre, LondonSarah Punshon’s Christmas story for over-fours is about the importance of making – and saving – electricity Here’s a lively show that recognises how, in many…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:48AM
Thursday, November 23, 2023

The Snow Queen review – flurry of fun needs more sense of adventure by Chris Wiegand

Polka theatre, LondonWorking best as an origin story, this new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale is poignant but lacks danger Why is Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:24PM
Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Hamilton review – revolutionary musical hits the road with a blazing new cast by Chris Wiegand

Palace theatre, ManchesterThe new tour of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s blockbuster is delivered by an outstanding ensemble As this UK and Ireland tour is launched, it’s tempting to say that Hami…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:02AM
Monday, November 20, 2023

Dancefloor disaster: Ayelen Parolin masters the choreography of comedy by Chris Wiegand

The show must go on for the trio of hapless performers in Parolin’s new production Zonder, which finds the funny side in failure Contemporary dance and comedy don’t exactly go hand in ha…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:48AM
Friday, November 10, 2023

Hot Orange review – hoop dreams and true love in bittersweet teen drama by Chris Wiegand

Half Moon theatre, LondonAmal Khalidi and Tatenda Naomi Matsvai’s touring play for over-13s evokes two friends’ passions and pressures ‘Hot orange” is the name given to a basketball …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:54AM

Sheridan Smith to star in Rufus Wainwright musical Opening Night by Chris Wiegand

Ivo van Hove will direct the West End production based on John Cassavetes’ 1977 film about theatre Sheridan Smith is to star in a musical by Rufus Wainwright based on John Cassavetes’ 19…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:36AM
Thursday, November 9, 2023

The Box of Delights review – the RSC makes merry with Masefield’s fantasy by Chris Wiegand

Royal Shakespeare theatre, Stratford-upon-AvonThis is a well-crafted, brilliantly acted version of John Masefield’s novel about an orphan who travels through time Going small and swift are…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:32AM

Regent’s Park Open Air theatre appoints Drew McOnie as artistic director by Chris Wiegand

McOnie – who choreographed Jesus Christ Superstar, On the Town and Carousel – takes over from Tim Sheader Regent’s Park Open Air theatre in London has appointed Drew McOnie as its new …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:32AM
Friday, November 3, 2023

Lizzie review – ferocious rock opera revisits 1892 double murder case by Chris Wiegand

Southwark Playhouse Elephant, LondonStrong voices, polished direction and pop choreography boost this uneven account of Lizzie Borden, accused of killing her father and stepmother Reclaiming…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:06AM
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

The best theatre to stream this month: Cloud Gate, Best of Enemies and more by Chris Wiegand

The Taiwanese group’s compelling dance and William F Buckley Jr and Gore Vidal’s heated debates are among November’s offerings – plus an interactive theatrical quest Cloud Gate Dance…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:33AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards