Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Michelle Visage. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Michelle Visage. Sort by date Show all posts
Thursday, 31 October 2024
SCISSORHANDZ: A Musical Reinvented co-produced by Lance Bass Michelle Visage Set for European Premiere
The European premiere of Scissorhandz: A Musical Reinvented will hit London’s Southwark Playhouse Elephant on 23th January 2025 for a limited, exclusive 10-week engagement. After a highly successful and sold-out run in Hollywood, this fresh musical reimagining of Edward Scissorhands brings Bradley Bredeweg’s critically acclaimed vision to UK audiences, blending pop culture and an empowering message about individuality. With co-producers like Lance Bass and Michelle Visage on board, the show promises a vibrant journey celebrating the courage to be unique.
Michelle Visage shared her excitement, stating:
I am beyond excited to join the producing team for Scissorhandz! The energy, the message, the joy—it’s everything we need right now. In a world that feels a little upside down, this show is a celebration of life, individuality, and fierce self-expression...we’re not just creating a show; we’re creating a movement. Get ready, because it’s going to be an unforgettable ride!”
Lance Bass added:
Producing Scissorhandz has been one of the greatest pleasures of my career, and I can’t wait for London to experience this show! I think audiences in the UK will really embrace the show...It’s not just a musical—it’s a sensory journey...by the end, you’ll be on your feet, feeling like you’ve just experienced something truly unforgettable.”
This 90-minute pop-musical features hit songs from artists like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Alanis Morissette. It is a tribute and parody rolled into one, celebrating those who “dare to be different.” Bradley Bredeweg, the show’s writer and director, shared a personal connection to the original film, saying, “As a lonely quirky gay kid growing up in the 80s and 90s, this film meant the world to me because it spoke to anyone who felt like they didn’t quite fit in...Our thrill ride of a show is packed with joy and heart, and it’s about owning exactly who you are, even if you happen to have scissors for hands. In a world where people crave that kind of joy more than ever, I’m honoured to bring this story to a new audience in London.”
The Scissorhandz creative team includes choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, musical direction by Gregory Nabours, set design by James Pearse Connelly, costume design by Abby Clarke, lighting design by Adam King, sound design by Yvonne Gilbert, and casting by Harry Blumenau. Tickets for Scissorhandz are on sale now, with the official opening night set for 30 January. Prepare for a musical experience that is not only a show but a vibrant celebration of self-expression and the power of standing out.
Saturday, 17 February 2024
The Addams Family Concert at the London Palladium REVIEW | A Kooky Show with a Killer Cast
The Addams Family in Concert
London Palladium
Since premiering in the UK in 2017, The Addams Family has been somewhat of a regular feature on our theatre scene with a number of tours that garnered great reviews and a fanbase who couldn't help but be charmed by the kooky family. This week, the London Palladium housed the latest iteration with three concert versions of the show that told the wacky, romantic tale so many have grown to adore.
Witnessing their daughter Wednesday fall in love with a "normal" boy, the Addams family finds themselves grappling with the challenge of acceptance. In an effort to bridge the gap, Wednesday takes it upon herself to arrange a dinner party, inviting both families to come together. What unfolds is a delightful blend of hidden secrets, eccentricity, and a whirlwind of kooky chaos, showcasing the unique charm and humour of the Addams family universe.
As is the case with many "concert" versions, this was really an almost fully staged production, complete with costumes, sets, choreography and more. These sort of shows are always a real testament to the hard work of the entire team both onstage and backstage, to put together such sleek, well-rounded performances, with extremely limited rehearsal time.
This was a wonderfully sleek production, framed by Ben Cracknell's fantastically striking lighting and Diego Pitarch's suitably outlandish set and colour matched costumes. Taking most of the elements from the touring production, the whole concert embodied the vibes of the unconventional Addams family, highlighting the important parts of the storyline and making the whole thing feel much more elevated than a traditional concert. Having not had a permanent home, the show has had to create a design that fits within the confines of moving around the country every week so I do think if it were to find a permanent home in the West End, it could really lean into the lavish grandeur of the Addams Family, and perhaps bring Central Park to life a bit more, to really step things up and give it the wow factor.
In terms of casting this was a star studded affair. Ramin Karimloo took on the role of Gomez Addams, the suave protective father who just wants to do right by his family; giving a performance that was nothing short of wonderful. With hilarious line delivery and of course those smooth, powerful vocals we all know and love, Ramin showcased a hilarious side that I'd love to see more of. We must also mention the collective audience gasp when he took his blazer off, if you know, you know! As his partner in crime, Michelle Visage made Morticia Addams her own. Whilst her performance wasn't always the most exciting, with the dialogue being a little one note (even for Morticia), her look and the way she carried herself was perfect for the role. Just Around the Corner was a really brilliant theatrical moment and I think given time, Michelle could really develop and refine her Morticia.
As the love struck teens, Wednesday and Lucas, Chumisa Dornford-May and Ryan Kopel were wonderfully paired. Having only recently graduated Chumisa already has an impressive resume and it's certainly set to expand, given her absolutely out of this world vocals. She not only hit every note perfectly but her tone and diction were noticeably brilliant and everything sounded so healthy, I can't wait to see her succeed and shine! The role of Lucas isn't particularly developed but Ryan did a wonderful job of bringing him to life and created some lovely moments. Another stand out was Kara Lane who astounded as mother Alice Beineke, giving vocals that pretty much blew the roof off of the London Palladium. Sam Buttery was charming as Uncle Fester, Nicholas McLean a great addition as Pugsley and Dickon Gough a wonderful dose of comedy. The rest of the ensemble brought the other characters and ancestors to life really well and helped form the world of Addams.
Book wise I do think this is a show with flaws and the pacing isn't always perfect but it has heart, charm and a number of earworms that make it a really easy watch that you go back to again and again.
It's not the most sophisticated piece of theatre but, The Addams Family in Concert was a ghoulishly delightful experience. With outstanding performances, this concert truly captured the essence of the Addams Family legacy. Whether you were a die-hard fan or new to the Addams universe, this concert provided a spooky, kooky night of fun and paved the way for the show to continue enrapturing audiences.
★★★★
Reviewed on Tuesday 13th February by Olivia
Photo Credit: Pamela Raith
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Sunday, 3 November 2024
THEATRE NEWS ROUNDUP 27th October- 2nd November 2024
What a week for theatrical news! Lots of casting and show announcements, plus exciting concerts to look forward to next summer. Click the links below for the full stories!
The musical extends its UK tour due to high demand, adding extra dates in four cities and bringing its powerful, award-winning story to new audiences.
Celebrating 20 years, 13 Going on 30 comes to the stage with a musical adaptation premiering in Manchester, bringing Jenna Rink’s unforgettable journey to life for a new audience.
BBC Children in Need’s Challenge Squad brings an inspiring new story to life as Ethan prepares to take the stage in COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular for the 2024 appeal.
Virginia Gay’s award-winning Cyrano brings a bold, gender-flipped spin on Cyrano de Bergerac to London’s Park Theatre, combining modern humour, romance, and a fresh perspective on classic storytelling.
Clueless The Musical is set to make a stylish West End debut, capturing the wit, charm, and ’90s nostalgia of the beloved film with a fresh score by KT Tunstall and Glenn Slater.
Star-Studded Gala A Marvellous Party Celebrates Noël Coward with a Glittering Lineup
A Marvellous Party will honour Noël Coward with an all-star charity gala featuring performances from some of the UK’s brightest talents.
The sell-out production directed by Eline Arbo and based on Annie Ernaux’s Les Années, comes to London’s Harold Pinter Theatre for a limited run, offering an evocative portrayal of one woman’s life amid societal change.
The musical's original Australian cast album is now streaming in the UK, ahead of the musical’s highly anticipated UK stage premiere at Leicester’s Curve Theatre in April 2025.
Les Miserables West End and World Tour Casting News
Lucie Jones rejoins Les Misérables in the West End for a limited eight-week run as Fantine, while Katie Hall steps into the role for select cities on the Arena Spectacular World Tour before returning to London.
Co-produced by Lance Bass and Michelle Visage, the musical brings a fresh take on Edward Scissorhands to London’s Southwark Playhouse, celebrating individuality through music and heart.
The season brings new voices and powerful stories to the stage with world premieres and inclusive performances featuring top-tier talent.
The play brings Britain’s iconic comedy legends back to life in a nostalgic and hilarious new play set to run in London’s West End.
The highly anticipated Jo- The Little Women Musical concept album will be recorded at Abbey Road Studios
The musical celebrating Houdini’s life and legacy will launch with exclusive previews on Lake Como, Italy, in Spring 2025
The musical returns in 2024 with a star-studded UK & Ireland tour celebrating its 20th anniversary and iconic performances across major cities.
The gripping supernatural thriller, returns for an extensive UK tour in 2025, inviting audiences nationwide to experience its suspenseful, paranormal intrigue live on stage.
The Tony winner is set to headline BST Hyde Park 2025 with a thrilling performance of musical theatre classics and more on July 6.
See you next Sunday for another week of news!
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