Simon
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Stephen Sondheim's Company gets a female lead in West End run
Director says changing main character’s gender allows show to explore women’s lives today<p>Swapping the gender of the lead character in a new West End production of the Stephen Sondheim musical Company makes absolute sense, the show’s director has said.<p>Marianne Elliott said the show, first performed …
Same-Sex CouplesHal Prince at 90: ‘Musicals should be dangerous’
The man behind West Side Story and Cabaret has some notes for theatreland today: you’re playing it too safe<p>He is the renowned American producer-director who staged some of the most famous musicals of the 20th century, including <i>West Side Story</i>, <i>Cabaret</i> and <i>Fiddler on the Roof</i>, winning more Tony awards …
West Side StoryAndrew Lloyd Webber at 70: how a ruthless perfectionist became Mr Musical
He took the shonky British musical and made it a global phenomenon. As the composer celebrates his birthday with a new memoir, our theatre critic looks back at the hits – and flops<p>I first became aware of the global reach of Andrew Lloyd Webber, who hits 70 this week, one afternoon in Tbilisi in …
The ArtsUnmasked by Andrew Lloyd Webber – digested read
‘Beethoven telephoned to say that the key change in Don’t Cry for Me Argentina was like a message from God himself’<p>I had originally intended to write my autobiography as a single, slim volume. But then I remembered how marvellous I had been throughout my life and have ended up with a 500-page …
Andrew Lloyd WebberHamilton is creative and radical – in the proud tradition of musical theatre
Musicals have a reputation for being safe or stodgy. In fact, from Porgy and Bess to Cabaret, they are often daring in both subject and form<p>Even in a culture where publicity increasingly suffers from giganticism, the American musical Hamilton, which opened in London this month, has been massively …
West Side StoryHamilton review – revolutionary musical a thrilling salute to America's immigrants
<b>January 2015</b><p>Hamilton, a new musical written by and starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, has its first performances off-Broadway at the Public theater in New York. Its subject is the US founding father who was the first secretary of the Treasury.<p><b>February 2015</b><p>As the show opens officially, it wins praise from …
Michelle ObamaLin-Manuel Miranda: ‘Hamilton is an insane idea, but the story works’
As ‘the musical of the Obama era’ opens in London, its creator explains how the hip-hop life of an immigrant founding father can offer hope in the age of Trump<p>Lin-Manuel Miranda, the America-born, Puerto Rico-infused lyricist-performer-megastar, has a deep streak of Anglophilia. This reveals itself …
Donald TrumpThe Woman in White review – can this cast solve Lloyd Webber's musical mystery?
Charing Cross theatre, London A masterly set of actors leave their mark on a gothic revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 2004 misfire which flattens the spikier elements of the Victorian novel<p>Andrew Lloyd Webber and Charlotte Jones’ musical based on the Victorian blockbuster novel misfired in London’s …
BooksYoung Frankenstein review – glorious gags as Mel Brooks bolts together a monster hit
Garrick theatre, London The horror-movie spoof is gleefully reanimated for the stage with even more jokes, superb set-pieces and barnstorming parody songs that stick a pitchfork into good taste<p>Mel Brooks recently predicted how London critics would react to this musical version of his 1974 …
Box OfficeHow we made West Side Story
‘I wanted to be the first guy to use a four-letter word in a musical – but the line ended up as “krup you” instead’<p><b>Stephen Sondheim, lyricist</b><p>I was at a party with Arthur Laurents who was about to write a musical with Leonard Bernstein based on Romeo and Juliet. I asked who was doing the lyrics and …
West Side StoryFollies review – Sondheim's showbiz stunner returns in breathtaking style
National Theatre, London Imelda Staunton is unforgettable in Dominic Cooke’s ingenious revival of a musical that perfectly fuses splendour and poetic sadness<p>Although it has legions of admirers, Follies has often seemed a problematic show. Stephen Sondheim’s music and lyrics combine emotional pain …
The ArtsHamilton's London premiere delayed – leaving ticket holders in limbo
Overrunning building work means 16,000 people who had booked to see musical in first two weeks face wait for new dates<p>The London opening of smash US stage musical Hamilton has been delayed by a fortnight, leaving thousands of ticket holders unsure when they will see the record-breaking …
Michelle ObamaProms 2017 Oklahoma! review – all-dancing all-singing cowboys, a preposterous peddler and a convincing baddie
Royal Albert Hall, London The John Wilson Orchestra on their annual Proms visit did not disappoint with an impeccable performance of every last quaver of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical<p>The first of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s collaborations took Broadway by storm back in 1943. Over 70 years later …
Box OfficeGroundhog Day
The meta way to review <i>Groundhog Day</i> would be to repeat the same sarcastic, nit-picking paragraph three or four times before softening up and saying …
Bill Murray goes to see Groundhog Day – again
The star of the 1993 classic movie went to see the Broadway musical version on Tuesday and then returned Wednesday for another show<p>Tuesday: Bill Murray, star of Groundhog Day, a film famously about reliving the same day over and over, is spotted at the Broadway show based on that film.<p>Wednesday: …
Groundhog DayBandstand
<b>Theater review by Adam Feldman</b><p>The resonant original musical <i>Bandstand</i> dances a delicate line between nostalgia and disillusion. What it seems to …
Fiddler on the Roof review – Omid Djalili delivers the laughs as a terrific Tevye
Chichester Festival theatre Director Daniel Evans draws out the warmth, comedy and emotional honesty of a musical that is often underserved by sentimental productions<p>‘No smash, no blockbuster.” That was Variety’s verdict on Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick’s 1964 musical. But Fiddler on …
The ArtsLloyd Webber backs Tim Rice in row over ‘political’ change to musical
As he picks up a lifetime achievement award, Andrew Lloyd Webber reflects, in an exclusive interview, on his career and the censoring of a Dreamcoat lyric<p>Andrew Lloyd Webber has intervened in a row about his much-loved musical <i>Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat</i> and backed his former …
Dear Evan HansenThese Trees Are Made of Blood review – Argentina's dirty war becomes a cabaret
Arcola, London A satire set in a seedy nightclub turns a revealing spotlight on the evil trickery of the 1970s junta and the scandal of the ‘disappeared’<p>During Argentina’s rightwing dictatorship, which lasted from 1976 to 1983, thousands of people disappeared, murdered by the military. Women who …
The ArtsBat Out of Hell review – Meat Loaf musical thunders through the hits
Coliseum, London Jim Steinman’s perky lyrics are often overpowered in this musical juggernaut, but his roaring choruses and fairytale plot are built for the ENO’s stage<p>Several of the songs on Meat Loaf’s 43m-selling album Bat Out of Hell were left over from composer Jim Steinman’s abandoned attempt …
The ArtsHouse of bad jokes: Kevin Spacey wins the Tony award for worst host
The House of Cards actor offered outdated Johnny Carson impressions, a Bobby Darin number and a misfiring gag about Hillary Clinton’s emails on a night of occasional shock and unforgivable schtick<p> 2017 Tony awards winners: full list 2017 Tony awards: red carpet and ceremony - in pictures<p>This …
Entertainment2017 Tony awards winners: full list
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 led the way with 12 nominations, but it was Dear Evan Hansen’s night – here is our complete list of winners<p><b>Best musical</b><p>Come from Away<b><br>WINNER: Dear Evan Hansen</b><br>Groundhog Day the Musical<br>Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812<p><b>Best revival of a …
Dear Evan HansenThe 30 best Tony Awards performances
The Tonys are not just a celebration of excellence in Broadway theater, but also a national showcase and public record of performances that are …
Broadway review: Dear Evan Hansen is lit by a dazzling star turn
What does it look like when a star is born? In the case of Ben Platt, the astonishing young actor who plays the title role in <i>Dear Evan Hansen</i>, it’s a …
Top 5 Performances From The 2017 Tony Awards
<i>Photo Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions</i><p>The 2017 Tony Awards featured multiple eye-popping performances from some of the …
Dear Evan HansenWhat More Can I Say? Broadway's Falsettos to Appear in Movie Theaters Across the Country
Great news for those tearing up from the Tony Awards performance of William Finn and James Lapine's musical <i>Falsettos.</i> Live from Lincoln Center's …
The ArtsDear Evan Hansen's Ben Platt Wins His First Tony Award
Ben Platt has won his first Tony! He garnered the award in Best Leading Actor in a Musical category for his emotional performance in <i>Dear Evan Hansen</i>. …
Dear Evan HansenHello, Dolly!'s Bette Midler Wins the Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Musical
Divine, indeed! Bette Midler has garnered the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her powerhouse performance in <i>Hello, Dolly!</i> The win …
Bette MidlerDear Evan Hansen & Hello, Dolly! Top 2017 Tony Award Winners
The timely new musical <i>Dear Evan Hansen</i> and a gorgeous revival of <i>Hello, Dolly!</i> triumphed at the 2017 Tony Awards, in a ceremony hosted by Kevin …
Dear Evan HansenDr. Jill Biden Receives Standing Ovation At Tony Awards
Dr. Jill Biden was an unlikely star of the 2017 Tony Awards.<p>When she took the stage on Sunday night, Biden earned a round of applause before she even began her tribute to America’s veterans. The short speech, in which she outlined the difficulties veterans face in adapting to civilian life, was …
Joe Biden