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- The Ferryman announces US National Tour following 9 Tony Awards nominations | Sonia Friedman
Back to News & Press The Ferryman announces US National Tour following 9 Tony Awards nominations Tuesday, 30 April 2019 Winner of the Olivier Award and Evening Standard Award for Best New Play and Best Direction in London, the Broadway production has just been nominated for nine Tony Awards including Best Play. The show’s producers Sonia Friedman and Caro Newling have confirmed that discussions are underway for engagements in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Hartford, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, San Francisco, Schenectady, Seattle, Tampa, Toronto, Washington and other markets. They have also confirmed that advanced discussions are underway for an Australian production. The Ferryman is playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W. 45th Street) on Broadway through July 7, 2019. It has received the following nominations: 9 Tony Award Nominations: Best Play Best Direction of a Play – Sam Mendes Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play – Paddy Considine Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play – Laura Donnelly Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play – Fionnula Flanagan Best Scenic Design of a Play – Rob Howell Best Costume Design of a Play – Rob Howell Best Lighting Design of a Play – Peter Mumford Best Sound Design of a Play – Nick Powell 4 Drama Desk Award Nominations: Outstanding Play Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play – Tom Glynn-Carney Outstanding Director of a Play – Sam Mendes Outstanding Sound Design in a Play – Nick Powell 5 Outer Critics Award Nominations: Outstanding New Broadway Play Outstanding Director of a Play – Sam Mendes Outstanding Scenic Design (Play or Musical) – Rob Howell Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) – Rob Howell Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play – Fionnula Flanagan 2 Drama League Award Nominations: Outstanding Production of a Play Paddy Considine – Distinguished Performance Award A New York Times’ Critics Pick, Ben Brantley called the show “The Broadway production of the year” and said, ‘This astonishing, glorious, magnificent drama takes your breath away. The Ferryman is an endlessly vibrant work, directed with sweeping passion and meticulous care by Sam Mendes . This is theater as charged and expansive as life itself.’ The New Yorker’s Cynthia Zarin said, ‘This play is that rare thing: as you sit in the audience, you know you are watching theatre history happen.’ The Daily Beast’s Tim Teeman wrote, ‘The Ferryman sets a gold standard for Broadway plays. A rollicking, moving masterpiece, and an emphatic herald of the strength and power of original playwriting on Broadway. Rarely is theater so beautifully written, brilliantly acted and brilliantly directed. Do whatever you can to see it.’ Peter Marks of The Washington Post called it ‘A riveting work of art. The evening is a meticulous unfolding of plot and character that builds to one of the most ferociously rewarding climaxes of my playgoing experience. This explosive, exhilarating drama is what a theater lover lives for.’ The Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones said ‘Epic and extraordinary, with a howling roar of cacophonous humanity. You feel like you’re watching human destiny play out before your eyes.’ David Rooney in The Hollywood Reporter wrote, ‘A gloriously entertaining new work that positively thrums with life and love and leaves you shocked and breathless. The Ferryman is a crackling thriller that will shake up the Broadway season with tornado-like force.’ The Ferryman is set in rural Northern Ireland in 1981. The Carney farmhouse is a hive of activity with preparations for the annual harvest. A day of hard work on the land and a traditional night of feasting and celebrations lie ahead. But this year they will be interrupted by a visitor. The Ferryman is produced on Broadway by Sonia Friedman Productions & Neal Street Productions with Ronald Frankel, Gavin Kalin Productions, Roy Furman/Benjamin Lowy, Scott M. Delman, Stephanie P. McClelland, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Ron Kastner, Starry Night Entertainment, Kallish Weinstein Creative, Scott Landis, Steve Traxler, Richard Winkler, Rona Delves Broughton/Bill Damaschke, 1001 Nights, Burnt Umber Productions, Rupert Gavin, Scott Rudin, Jamie deRoy/Catherine Adler, Sam Levy/Lauren Stevens, and Ramin Sabi/Christopher Ketner. Up Up
- King Charles III full UK Tour announced | Sonia Friedman
Back to News & Press King Charles III full UK Tour announced Tuesday, 21 July 2015 Following critically acclaimed sell-out runs at the Almeida Theatre and in the West End, King Charles III embarks on a UK tour this autumn. Robert Powell will take on the role of King Charles. The production opens at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and then visits Richmond Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Milton Keynes Theatre, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Canterbury Marlowe Theatre, Malvern Festival Theatre, Guildford Yvonne Arnaud, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Bath Theatre Royal, Chichester Festival Theatre and Plymouth Theatre Royal. The Queen is dead: after a lifetime of waiting, Prince Charles ascends the throne. A future of power. But how to rule? Mike Bartlett's play explores the people underneath the crowns, the unwritten rules of our democracy, and the conscience of Britain's most famous family. Directed by the Almeida Theatre’s artistic director Rupert Goold with Whitney Mosery, King Charles III is designed by Tom Scutt, with music composed by Jocelyn Pook, lighting by Jon Clark and sound by Paul Arditti. The King Charles III tour is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Stuart Thompson Productions, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Charles Diamond and the Almeida Theatre in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre and by arrangement with Lee Dean. King Charles III 2015 UK Tour 4 – 19 September 2015 Birmingham Repertory Theatre 21 – 26 September 2015 Richmond Theatre 28 September – 3 October 2015 Newcastle Theatre Royal 5 – 10 October 2015 Nottingham Theatre Royal 12 – 17 October 2015 Milton Keynes Theatre 19 – 24 October 2015 Cambridge Arts Theatre 27 – 31 October 2015 Canterbury Marlowe Theatre 2 – 7 November 2015 Malvern Festival Theatre 9 – 14 November 2015 Guildford Yvonne Arnaud 16 – 21 November 2015 Edinburgh Festival Theatre 23 – 28 November 2015 Bath Theatre Royal 30 November – 5 December 2015 Chichester Festival Theatre 7 – 12 December 2015 Plymouth Theatre Royal Up Up
- Nice Fish, starring Mark Rylance, to transfer to the West End from New York | Sonia Friedman
Back to News & Press Nice Fish, starring Mark Rylance, to transfer to the West End from New York Thursday, 7 July 2016 Sonia Friedman Productions is delighted to announce the West End transfer of Mark Rylance and Louis Jenkins ’ critically-acclaimed new comic play Nice Fish . Direct from sold out seasons at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University in Cambridge and St Ann’s Warehouse in New York, Academy and Bafta Award-winner Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies , The BFG , Jerusalem , Farinelli and the King ) will return to the West End to perform in the production, directed by Claire van Kampen (Farinelli and the King ). The West End production will open in November 2016 for a strictly limited season at the Harold Pinter Theatre, with a press night on Friday 25 November. Tickets go on sale to priority bookers today and the Box Office opens for general on-sale on Sunday 10 July at 10am. In a unique collaboration with critically-acclaimed Minnesotan contemporary prose poet Louis Jenkins , Mark Rylance draws on his teenage years in the frozen winters and culture of the American Midwest. This beguiling new play follows an ice fishing expedition where the ordinary and extraordinary collide in a sublimely playful and profound way. On a frozen Minnesota lake, the ice is beginning to creak and groan. It’s the end of the fishing season and on the frostbitten, unforgiving landscape, two old friends are out on the ice and they are angling for something big, something down there that is pure need, something that, had it the wherewithal, would swallow them whole. Keen to hook a ticket? Then come dressed as a fish or fisherman (with your fishing rod), and get yourself a complimentary ticket in a private box. Available on a first come first served basis from 6pm on the night of the performance (1.30pm for matinees). One ticket available per person. Don’t be shellfish, bring a friend!The full New York cast will transfer to London for the limited season. Ron (Mark Rylance ) and Erik (Jim Lichtscheidl ) play old friends whose ordinary lives are comically exposed during the trip. They are joined by Kayli Carter , Bob Davis and Raye Birk . Mark Rylance last appeared in the West End in Claire van Kampen ’s Olivier Award-winning Farinelli and the King (Shakespeare’s Globe, West End). Prior to that he appeared in Tim Carroll's hugely lauded sell-out productions of Twelfth Night and Richard III (Shakespeare’s Globe, West End, Broadway). All three productions were produced by Sonia Friedman Productions. Mark’s other recent theatre credits include Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron in Jez Butterworth's Jerusalem , (Royal Court, West End, Broadway). In 2015 he starred as Thomas Cromwell in the BAFTA-winning BBC2 adaptation of Hilary Mantel's Booker Prize-winning novel Wolf Hall and gave an Academy Award-winning performance in Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies . Later this year Mark will play the title role in Steven Spielberg’s new feature film of Roald Dahl’s The BFG . Louis Jenkins has 17 collections of poetry and has been published in a number of literary magazines and anthologies. His work has won him multiple awards, including two Bush Foundation Fellowships for poetry, a Loft-McKnight fellowship, and the George Morrison Award. In 2008 Louis started working with Mark Rylance on the stage production of Nice Fish , based on Louis’ poetry. Later this year he will be publishing a new collection of poems. Claire van Kampen ’s critically-acclaimed Farinelli and the King was a sell-out success in the West End in 2015 after transferring from Shakespeare’s Globe. Claire began her theatre career with the RSC and the National Theatre, becoming the first female musical director with either company. She was Associate Artistic Director at Shakespeare's Globe as well as the founding Director of Theatre Music, and created music for more than 45 of the Globe's productions. Other theatre work incudes Twelfth Night and Richard III (Shakespeare's Globe, West End Broadway) and original scores for Matthew Warchus’ productions of Boeing-Boeing (West End and Broadway) and La Bête (Broadway and West End). Claire’s television and film credits include Peter Kosminsky’s Wolf Hall , Roland Emmerich’s Anonymous and Christian Camargo's Days and Nights . Jim Lichtscheidl ’s recent UK theatre credits include Tiny Kushner (Tricycle Theatre). His recent US theatre credits include Mr. Burns , A Post Electric Play (American Conservatory Theater), The Miser (Berkeley Rep, Alley Theater, LaJolla Playhouse and Theatre De La Jeune Lune) and Santaland Diaries , (Portland Center Stage). He has also appeared in over 30 productions with the Guthrie Theater. His film work includes A Serious Man , Best Man Down and Factotum . The production has set by Todd Rosenthal , costumes by Ilona Somogyi , lighting by Japhy Weideman , sound by Scott W. Edwards and music by Claire van Kampen . Up Up
- (Almost) Full Company Announced for the World Premiere of PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL Opening in the West End this Autumn | Sonia Friedman
Back to News & Press (Almost) Full Company Announced for the World Premiere of PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL Opening in the West End this Autumn Tuesday, 9 September 2025 With rehearsals underway for the world premiere of PADDINGTON The Musical, producers Sonia Friedman Productions , STUDIOCANAL and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK today announce the full company (well, full, ish…). Joining the previously announced Timi Akinyosade (Tony), Amy Booth-Steel (Lady Sloane), Tarinn Callender (Grant), Delilah Bennett-Cardy (Judy Brown), Adrian Der Gregorian (Mr. Brown), Tom Edden (Mr Curry), Brenda Edwards (Tanya), Amy Ellen Richardson (Mrs. Brown), Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Millicent Clyde), Teddy Kempner (Mr Gruber), Bonnie Langford (Mrs Bird), and in the role of Jonathan Brown Joseph Bramley , Leo Collon , Stevie Hare and Jasper Rowse , are new cast members Esme Bacalla-Hayes , Tiago Dhondt Bamberger , David Birch , Aimée Fisher , Jacqueline Hughes , Kellianna Jay , Sam Lathwood , Natasha Leaver , Katie Lee , Sunny Lee , Vicki Lee Taylor , Jáiden Lodge , Andilé Mabhena , Rose Mary O’Reilly , Ben Redfern , Hugo Rolland and Simon Shorten . Adapted from the much-loved books written by Michael Bond , and the award-winning films by STUDIOCANAL, with music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard , PADDINGTON The Musical opens at the Savoy Theatre on Sunday, 30 November, with previews from Saturday, 1 November, and is currently booking until 25 May 2026. Casting for Paddington, together with the Bear Designer and Bear Creative team, will be revealed on the first preview, alongside the wider team responsible for bringing this very special bear to life on stage. Sonia Friedman Productions , STUDIOCANAL and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK present PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL MUSIC AND LYRICS BY TOM FLETCHER BOOK BY JESSICA SWALE DIRECTED BY LUKE SHEPPARD Based on A Bear Called Paddington written by Michael Bond and the film ‘PADDINGTON’, by special arrangement with STUDIOCANAL Matt Brind (Musical Supervisor, Orchestrations and Arrangements), Ellen Kane (Choreographer), Tom Pye (Scenic Designer), Gabriella Slade (Costume Designer), Paddington Bear Designer: To be revealed , Neil Austin (Lighting Designer), Gareth Owen (Sound Designer), Ash J Woodward (Video Designer and Animation), Campbell Young Associates (Hair, Wig & Make-Up Designer), Majid Adin (Illustration and additional Animation), Laura Bangay (Musical Director), Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting (Casting Director), and Nick Hockaday (Young Persons’ Casting Director), Javier Marzan (Physical Comedy Consultant, Tobago and D-Lime (Additional Music Consultants). Up Up
- Meet the Principal Cast Bringing the World Premiere of PADDINGTON The Musical to the West End this Autumn | Sonia Friedman
Back to News & Press Meet the Principal Cast Bringing the World Premiere of PADDINGTON The Musical to the West End this Autumn Wednesday, 20 August 2025 As rehearsals begin for the world premiere of PADDINGTON The Musical, producers Sonia Friedman Productions , STUDIOCANAL and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK today announce the principal cast (well, maybe not quite all of them just yet…) and further members of the creative team. Adapted from the much-loved books written by Michael Bond , and the award-winning films by STUDIOCANAL, with music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard the production opens at the Savoy Theatre on Sunday, 30 November, with previews from Saturday, 1 November, and is currently booking until 25 May 2026. The principal cast is Timi Akinyosade (Tony), Amy Booth-Steel (Lady Sloane), Tarinn Callender (Grant), Delilah Bennett-Cardy (Judy Brown), Adrian Der Gregorian (Mr. Brown), Tom Edden (Mr Curry), Brenda Edwards (Tanya), Amy Ellen Richardson (Mrs. Brown), Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Millicent Clyde), Teddy Kempner (Mr Gruber), Bonnie Langford (Mrs Bird), and the role of Jonathan Brown is played by Joseph Bramley , Leo Collon , Stevie Hare and Jasper Rowse . It may also be apparent that someone rather important is missing from this announcement. Dramatic paws... We can’t wait for you to meet Paddington, but please bear with us a little longer. Also announced today is the additional creative team working alongside Sheppard – Matt Brind (Musical Supervisor, Orchestrations and Arrangements), Ellen Kane (Choreographer), Tom Pye (Scenic Designer), Gabriella Slade (Costume Designer), Paddington Bear Designer: To be revealed , Neil Austin (Lighting Designer), Gareth Owen (Sound Designer), Ash J Woodward (Video Designer and Animation), Campbell Young Associates (Hair, Wig & Make-Up Designer), Majid Adin (Illustration and additional Animation), Laura Bangay (Musical Director), Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting (Casting Director), and Nick Hockaday (Young Persons’ Casting Director), Javier Marzan (Physical Comedy Consultant, Tobago and D-Lime (Additional Music Consultants). Full cast, including Paddington Casting, Bear Designer and Bear Creative team to be announced shortly. Producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley said today, “Having had the immense privilege to work with Tom, Jessica and Luke to create and develop this brand-new musical over several years, it’s incredibly exciting to be starting rehearsals with this extraordinary company. We can’t wait until the first preview, when we will reveal who will be playing Paddington, and the brilliant creative team who are responsible for bringing this very special bear to life on stage.” Anna Marsh , CEO of STUDIOCANAL, Chief Content Officer of CANAL+ and Deputy CEO of CANAL+ comments, “We are so proud to announce our brilliantly talented company today as we look forward to Paddington’s highly anticipated stage debut in London’s West End. As with our films and series, we have put such genuine care into PADDINGTON the Musical to ensure that audiences will truly delight in Paddington’s next adventure. It’s a true privilege for everyone at STUDIOCANAL to be part of Paddington’s legacy.” Up Up
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child celebrates 8 years at the Palace Theatre | Sonia Friedman
Back to News & Press Harry Potter and the Cursed Child celebrates 8 years at the Palace Theatre Tuesday, 30 July 2024 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child celebrates its 8th anniversary at London’s Palace Theatre today, 30 July 2024, where it is currently booking until 6 April 2025. Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions , Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has now been seen by over 1.7 million people in the West End and over 11 million worldwide. There have been 2740 performances of Part One and Part Two combined, totaling 6432 hours of performance from the 46 strong London cast. Over the last eight years 256 cast members have performed in the original London two-part multi award- winning production at the Palace Theatre along with 215 people who have worked backstage to continue to bring Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to life each performance. Writer Jack Thorne said “Making Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was a beautiful experience, working with John and our talented creative team and cast has been a wonderful journey. It really has been a team effort from every person involved in the show, and we are all proud to still be here 8 years on” Director John Tiffany added “We have been on an incredible journey over the last 8 years, from opening the original production at the Palace Theatre in 2016 to taking the show to audiences worldwide. We have collaborated with many wonderful artists over the years, both on and off stage, all of whom have worked tirelessly to bring Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to our fantastic audiences each and every performance” 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance. The cast comprises David Ricardo-Pearce as Harry Potter, Polly Frame playing Ginny Potter and Ellis Rae as their son Albus Potter. Thomas Aldridge plays Ron Weasley with Jade Ogugua playing Hermione Granger along with Taneetrah Porter as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. Steve John Shepherd plays Draco Malfoy, with Harry Acklowe as his son Scorpius Malfoy. They are joined by Ishmail Aaron, David Annen, Nairn Archer, Darrell Brockis, Robert Curtis, Toby De Salis, Odelia Dizel-Cubuca, Rory Fraser, Jemma Geanaus, Harry Goodson-Bevan, Jemma Gould, Kelton Hoyland, David Ijiti, Chris Jarman, Sally Jayne Hind, Emma Louise Jones, Kathryn Meisle, Ian Redford, Abigail Rosser, Clancy Ryan, Tonny Shim, Adam Slynn, Sara Stewart, Benjamin Stratton, Maia Tamrakar, Alex Tomkins, Jake Tuesley, Sam Varley, Jess Vickers, Wreh-asha Walton, Katie Wimpenny. Abigail Austin, Oliver Dawson, Layla Duke, Honor Hastings, Aubrey Hayes, Aljosa Radosavljevic and Ethan Webster alternate two children’s roles. Tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child remain priced from £15 per part. The regular performance schedule is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday – no performance; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 2pm Part One & 7pm Part Two; Sunday - 1pm Part One & 6pm Part Two. The access performances currently on sale are as follows - British Sign Language on Saturday 21 September 2024, Audio Described on Saturday 9 November 2024 and a Captioned Performance on Saturday 16 November 2024. We are excited to announce that this year’s Back To Hogwarts celebrations will include the opportunity to win a place at a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child workshop where people will learn the iconic Wand Dance from the show. The workshop will be run by the production’s Resident Movement Director, Tash Holway, on the morning of 1 September at a Central London venue. To be in with a chance to win a place, enter at harrypottertheplay.com/backtohogwarts / Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany , Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne , directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett , set by Christine Jones , costumes by Katrina Lindsay , music & arrangements by Imogen Heap , lighting by Neil Austin , sound by Gareth Fry , illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison , music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe , and casting by Julia Horan CDG and Lotte Hines CDG . Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions , Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions . Harry Potter and the Cursed Child , the first Harry Potter story to be presented on stage and the eighth story in the Harry Potter series, holds a record 60 major honors, with nine Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Play and six Tony Awards including Best New Play. There are four productions running worldwide in London, New York, Hamburg, and Tokyo, with a North American tour starting in September 2024 at Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre. Up Up
- The Book of Mormon 2014 casting update | Sonia Friedman
Back to News & Press The Book of Mormon 2014 casting update Thursday, 9 January 2014 The cast of The Book of Mormon, at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London, continues to be led by Gavin Creel as Elder Price, Jared Gertner as Elder Cunningham and Alexia Khadime as Nabulungi. From 3 February 2014, the full cast will include Stephen Ashfield, Hugo Harold-Harrison , Kevin Harvey , and Chris Jarman, with Mark Anderson, Benjamin Brook, Daniel Clift, Christopher Copeland , Ashley Day, Keisha T Fraser , Patrick George, Nadine Higgin, Evan James, Aisha Jawando, Michael Kent, Sia Kiwa , Joshua Liburd , Daniel Mackinlay, David McMullan , Felix Mosse , Tanya Nicole-Edwards ,Terel Nugent, David O’Reilly, Lucy St. Louis, Ashley Samuels , Rhys Taylor , Kayi Ushe, Michael Vinsen and Tosh Wanogho-Maud. *Name in bold denotes new member of the cast for 2014. From South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez, The Book of Mormon, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical and the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre album, follows a pair of Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that’s a long way from Salt Lake City. Book, Music and Lyrics are by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Directed by Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker, The Book of Mormon has choreography by Casey Nicholaw, set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt, sound design by Brian Ronan, orchestrations by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus and music supervision and vocal arrangements by Stephen Oremus. Up Up
- NOISES OFF – BROADWAY | Sonia Friedman
Back to Productions NOISES OFF – BROADWAY This production opened on 1st November 2001 and closed on 1st September 2002. Ambassador Theatre Group and Act Productions , Waxman Williams Entertainment , D. Harris/ M. Swinsky , USA Ostar Theatricals and Nederlander Presentations , present The Royal National Theatre Production of “NOISES OFF ” by Michael Frayn . CAST RICHARD EASTON – Selsdon Mowbray PETER GALLAGHER – Lloyd Dallas PATTI LUPONE – Dotty Otley EDWARD HIBBERT – Frederick Fellowes FAITH PRINCE – Belinda Blair KATIE FINNERAN – Brooke Ashton T. R. KNIGHT – Tim Allgood THOMAS MCCARTHY – Gary Lejeune ROBIN WEIGERT – Poppy Norton-Taylor CREATIVES MICHAEL FRAYN – Playwright JEREMY SAMS – Director ROBERT JONES – Designer TIM MITCHELL – Lighting FERGUS O'HARE – Sound
- The Government's insurance scheme is not fit for purpose – certainly not for live theatre | Sonia Friedman
Back to News & Press The Government's insurance scheme is not fit for purpose – certainly not for live theatre Thursday, 5 August 2021 Neither West End shows nor live performances all around Britain will take much heart from this threadbare official scheme Read Sonia Friedman’s full Telegraph article. Up Up
- The River Recoups on Broadway | Sonia Friedman
Back to News & Press The River Recoups on Broadway Tuesday, 6 January 2015 “Hugh Jackman ascends to a new level as a stage actor. His performance opens the shutters just enough to keep us guessing, to keep us hooked.” Ben Brantley, The New York Times “★★★★! An exceptional piece of stage writing by Jez Butterworth.” –David Cote, Time Out New York “Passionately staged by Ian Rickson, The River is destined to keep theatergoers arguing about its meaning all the way home, if not all season.” –Linda Winer, Newsday “Enigmatic, mysterious, profound, and intensely intimate.” –Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune The River was first produced from October 18-November 17, 2012 in the Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, in a production directed by Mr. Rickson, also featuring Ms. Donnelly, who makes her Broadway debut alongside Ms. Jumbo. The Broadway production of The River, produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, opened on Sunday, November 16, 2014. Previews began October 31, 2014. The production marks the sixth collaboration between Mr. Butterworth and Mr. Rickson. Mr. Rickson has previously directed the world premiere productions of Mr. Butterworth’s Mojo, The Night Heron, The Winterling, Parlour Song and the multi-award-winning London and Broadway production of Jerusalem. Hugh Jackman, Laura Donnelly and Cush Jumbo are appearing with the support of Actors’ Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors’ Equity Association for its assistance of this production. On a moonless evening, a man brings his new girlfriend to a remote cabin for a night of trout-fishing. But before the night is over, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems… and as memory collides with desire, the truth becomes the most elusive catch of all. The River is designed by Ultz, with lighting by Charles Balfour, sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, music by Stephen Warbeck, and casting by Jim Carnahan. Up Up
- Nice Work If You Can Get It will open at Broadway's Imperial Theatre on April 24th | Sonia Friedman
Back to News & Press Nice Work If You Can Get It will open at Broadway's Imperial Theatre on April 24th Monday, 14 November 2011 NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT stars two-time Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick (The Producers, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Brighton Beach Memoirs) and three-time Tony Award nominee Kelli O’Hara (South Pacific, The Pajama Game and The Light in the Piazza) and will be directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, The Pajama Game, Wonderful Town). NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT reunites Kelli O’Hara with Kathleen Marshall following their Tony-winning success with The Pajama Game and the critically-acclaimed Bells Are Ringing at Encores! last season. This production also marks Matthew Broderick’s first musical since The Producers. The production features scenic design is by Derek McLane, costume design by Martin Pakledinaz, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski and sound design by Brian Ronan. The music supervisor is David Chase. NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT will be produced by Roger Berlind, Roy Furman, Scott Landis and Sonia Friedman. This new musical features a veritable hit parade of iconic George and Ira Gershwin songs as well as some unknown gems in their catalog, and a book by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis). NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT follows Billie Bendix (Kelli O'Hara), a tough-as-nails bootlegger who meets wealthy playboy Jimmy Winter (Matthew Broderick) on the weekend of his nuptials. Mayhem ensues. Additional casting and first preview date will be announced shortly. Up Up
- Nicole Raquel Dennis will play Effie White in the first-ever UK tour of Dreamgirls | Sonia Friedman
Back to News & Press Nicole Raquel Dennis will play Effie White in the first-ever UK tour of Dreamgirls Thursday, 23 April 2020 A finalist on ITV’s The Voice in 2019, Nicole wowed viewers and judges at her blind audition, performing Dreamgirls mega-hit ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ alongside team mentor Jennifer Hudson. Hudson won an Oscar (Best Supporting Actress) for her portrayal of Effie White in the 2006 Oscar-winning motion picture adaptation of Dreamgirls, which also starred Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx. Before opening in the UK Tour of Dreamgirls this September, Nicole will be returning to play Alana Beck in the original West End company of Dear Evan Hansen (Nöel Coward Theatre) which closed temporarily, along will all other theatres nationwide, in response to government guidelines surrounding COVID-19. Details of its reopening will be announced in due course. Nicole’s other London stage credits include The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), Waitress (Adelphi Theatre) and the West End production of Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre). This sensational, multi-award winning new production of Dreamgirls had its critically acclaimed West End premiere in December 2016 at London’s Savoy Theatre, 35 years on from opening on Broadway. The UK tour will begin in Bristol in September 2020, continuing on to Milton Keynes, Blackpool, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Sunderland, Hull, Nottingham, Liverpool, Norwich, Canterbury and Leeds. Further venues and dates are to be announced. Nicole Raquel Dennis said: ‘I am so thrilled that I can finally speak about something I’ve been holding onto for the LONGEST time! I will be playing Effie White in the first ever UK tour of ‘Dreamgirls’. Also, I cannot wait to be back on the stage at the Noel Coward with my ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Fam once theatres reopen and so thrilled that following that, I will be going on tour in this mammoth role! Effie has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and now I will get to share her with audiences around the UK. To say I’m excited is an understatement.’ Producer, Sonia Friedman said: ‘We are delighted to be able to announce that having wowed viewers on ITV’s The Voice, as well as audiences in the West End, the incredibly gifted Nicole Dennis will be re-joining the Dreamgirls family to play Effie White on tour throughout the UK. The multi-award winning Broadway classic Dreamgirls is an empowering and hugely entertaining story of hope, redemption, sisterhood, and resillience with an uplifting, and extraordinary score of now-classic hit songs from the golden era of American soul, R&B, and disco. It is a shining example of the best of American musical theatre, and the escapism that we will all need soon.’ Nicole Dennis will play the role of Effie White in the Dreamgirls UK tour at certain performances with further casting to be announced soon. This award winning production is Directed and Choreographed by Olivier® and Tony® Award-winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Mean Girls, Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten!), with Set and Costume Design by Tim Hatley , Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone , Sound Design by Richard Brooker , Hair Design by Josh Marquette and Music Supervision by Nick Finlow . With Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen and Music by Henry Krieger , with Additional Material by Willie Reale , the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett , opened in 1981 and subsequently won six Tony® Awards. The original cast recording won two Grammy® Awards for Best Musical Album and Best Vocal Performance for Jennifer Holliday’s ‘And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going.’ The Original London Cast Recording of hit West End musical Dreamgirls is available via Sony Masterworks Broadway. The UK Tour of Dreamgirls is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions , Greenleaf Productions , Fakston Productions , Rupert Gavin , Tulchin Bartner Productions , Griffin Dohr , Adam Blanshay Productions in association with 1001 Nights Productions , Steven Rivellino , Glass Half Full Productions . Up Up

