Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth to release new albums on the same date!

What is this feeling, so sudden and new? It has been revealed that original Wicked stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth are both releasing new albums on the same date.

In the early hours of this morning Menzel went live on Facebook to announce that her new album 'idina.' will be released on 23rd September 2016. Last night Chenoweth tweeted fans, telling them to "save the date" as her new album is being released on 23rd September.

Chenoweth's new album is rumoured to be titled 'The Art of Elegance'; however, further information is yet to be announced. 

Idina Menzel announces new album & premieres new song!

Let the storm rage on! Broadway megastar Idina Menzel has revealed that her new album 'idina.' will be released on 23rd September 2016.

Speaking during a Facebook Live in the early hours of this morning, Menzel revealed that the album of original material is now avaliable for pre-order. She then premiered an acoustic version of original song 'I See You' which can be downloaded immediately when you pre-order the album on iTunes.

"I've had a crazy couple of years" Menzel said, "some good stuff, some bad stuff. I got in the studio with some of the most amazing people - songwriters, producers - and poured my heart out and used my music as a place to kinda figure a few things out. It's a really personal album."

Idina Menzel to star in remake of Beaches

Idina Menzel will star in a TV remake of the 1988 movie Beaches for Lifetime. 

According to Deadline, Menzel will play CC - the role which was originated by Bette Midler. The film is set to air in the U.S. next year. 

Based on the 1985 novel by Iris Rainer, Beaches follows the various stages of the friendship between actress and singer CC Bloom and San Francisco-based lawyer Hillary Whitney. The film follows 30 years from their first meeting under the Atlantic City boardwalk through the ups and downs of their careers and relationships.

Stagey Catch Up: Jake Gyllenhaal lands another musical role, Declan Bennett set for final Made In LDN & Woman in Black to tour UK

Here are some stagey stories to keep you up-to-date with theatreland!

Jake Gyllenhaal to star in Sunday in the Park With George

Having starred in Little Shop of Horrors last year, Jake Gyllenhaal is taking on another musical. The Hollywood actor will play the title role in Sunday in the Park with George for a one-night-only benefit performance for New York City Center on 14th October 2016. Gyllenhaal has previously appeared in If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet on Broadway and This Is Our Youth in the West End. Surely he has to take on a major Broadway/West End musical soon..?!

Declan Bennett, Jamie Muscato and Tori Allen-Martin to star in final Made In LDN

Interval Productions will present the final Made In LDN at the Cockpit Theatre on 12th June. Showcasing new British musical theatre writing, Declan Bennett will perform An Innocent Evening of Drinking which is a musical he co-write with Phil Griffin. The cast will also include Interval's Tori Allen-Martin as well as Jamie Muscato and Callum Fitzgerald. Interval will also share an excerpt from a work in development, Boxed.

SWEET OZ! Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth reunite to sing 'For Good'

Wicked's latest #OutOfOz video will change you for good! The musical's original stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth have reunited for a special stripped back performance of 'For Good'. Prepare to be spellbound..!

Editor's Blog: Top 6 Theatrical Highlights of 2015

6

Kay Murphy saves the day!

Back in November I bought a last minute ticket to see Xanadu at the Southwark Playhouse as I enjoyed the show so much first time round. Before the show director Paul Warwick Griffin announced that cast member Alison Jiear was indisposed so actress Kay Murphy had learnt the role in 24 hours and would be stepping in. Murphy threw herself into each and every number and performed the entire show without a script in hand! She had the time of her life; pulling off the choreography and dazzling with her faultless vocals, providing a night to remember! Click here to read more.

5

Bradley Jaden steals show after show

Since taking over as Enjolras in the West End production of Les Miserables back in June, Bradley Jaden has been proving himself as a leading man worth keeping an eye on. I've seen Jaden pop up in various one-night-only Sunday night concerts this year, and each time he has stolen the show. In West End Heroes (click here to read review) Jaden made a huge impression with his performances of 'Who I'd Be' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' whilst in Kings Of Broadway (click here to read review) he rightfully received one of the evening's biggest applauses for his rendition of  'Maria'. I recently caught Les Mis and Jaden was, without doubt, the strongest Enjolras I have seen for a long time. The future certainly looks bright for Bradley Jaden; if Jason Robert Brown's musical The Bridges of Madison County ever finds its way to London Jaden would make a perfect Robert. Read our interview with Bradley Jaden. 

4

Green girls shine 

Jackie Burns taking over from Idina Menzel in IF/THEN U.S. tour

It has been announced that Jackie Burns will take over from Idina Menzel in the U.S. tour of IF/THEN. 

Burns - who has played Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway - was previously Menzel's stand by in IF/THEN's Broadway production.

Burns (Elizabeth), Tamyra Gray (Kate) and Matthew Hydzik (Josh) will join Anthony Rapp (Lucas) in the tour which continues until August 2016.

The cast also includes: Janine DiVita as Anne, Daren A. Herbert as Stephen and Marc de la Cruz as David as well as English Bernhardt, Charissa Bertels, Xavier Cano, Trey Ellett, Kyra Faith, Corey Greenan, Cliffton Hall, Deedee Magno Hall, Tyler McGee, Joseph Morales, Emily Rogers, and Alicia Taylor Tomasko.

Idina Menzel performs 'Let It Go' with Taylor Swift!

Last night (31st October) Idina Menzel joined Taylor Swift on her 1989 tour to perform a spectacular rendition of 'Let It Go'! Menzel joins the likes of Ricky Martin, Leona Lewis, Lisa Kudrow, Steven Tyler and Avril Lavigne who have all joined Swift throughout her tour. Watch a clip from the performance below:

Feature: June round-up

Star of the Month

Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel on her 2015 world tour

This month Broadway and Frozen star Idina Menzel brought her world tour to the UK. Menzel is a performer at the top of her game; during her performance in Wembley she showcased top notch vocals, gracing the stage with warmth and humour. Musical theatre doesn't create stars like it used to, but Menzel has certainly gone mainstream - playing Wembley Arena is an almighty achievement and she gave everyone a night to remember. Full 5* review of Idina Menzel at Wembley here.

Show of the Month

Miss Saigon

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

Review: Idina Menzel 2015 World Tour at the SSE Arena in Wembley

Idina Menzel 2015 World Tour

SSE Arena (Wembley Arena)

Reviewed on Saturday 27th June 2015

★★★★★

Some might presume that a performer who starred in two of the most iconic musicals in Broadway history, won a Tony award, performed for the likes of Barbra Streisand and President Obama, released several self-penned albums, built up a hugely dedicated local fanbase all around the world and landed a handful of high profile screen roles, had reached the peak of their career... but not Idina Menzel. After achieving all of the above she went and topped it all by being cast as the voice of Queen Elsa in Disney’s Frozen which went on to become the highest grossing animated movie of all time.

Idina Menzel to star in If/Then's US Tour!

Following the conclusion of her 2015 world concert tour, it has been announced that Idina Menzel will reprise her Tony-nominated performance as Elizabeth in If/Then during selected dates of the show's upcoming 2015/16 U.S. Tour.

Menzel will appear as Elizabeth for the following engagements:

• Denver’s Buell Theatre (October 13-19)
• Seattle’s Paramount Theatre (November 3-8)
• San Francisco’s SHN Orpheum Theatre (November 10-December 6)
• Los Angeles’ Pantages Theatre (December 8-January 3)
• San Diego’s Civic Theatre (January 5-10)
• Tempe’s Gammage Auditorium (January 12-17)
• Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts (January 19-24)

Disney releases new Frozen song featuring Idina Menzel & Kristen Bell!

Disney have released a brand new Frozen song on iTunes. The number features Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell reprising their roles of Elsa and Anna. 

Entitled 'Making Today a Perfect Day', the song is from the forthcoming short film Frozen Fever which will be shown in cinemas with Disney's new live-action adaptation of Cinderella, released tomorrow (13th March). 

Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad also return to reprise their roles of Kristoff and Olaf the snowman. Chris Williams voices the owner of Wandering Oaken's Trading Post and Sauna.

Frozen is the highest-grossing animated film of all time, having taken $1.274 billion at the box office. Its soundtrack has sold over seven million copies worldwide.

Idina Menzel lands US TV Comedy role & dazzles at Super Bowl

It has been announced that Idina Menzel will star in a half-hour US comedy produced by Ellen DeGeneres. 

The actress will appear in the single-camera project Happy Time for DeGeneres’ A Very Good Production and Warner Bros. TV. Written by Randi Barnes, Happy Time follows a famous woman who’s ready to stop pretending she’s happy all the time.

In other news, yesterday (1st Feb), Menzel performed the national anthem at the 2015 Super Bowl, following the footsteps of Whitney Houston, Kelly Clarkson, Beyoncé and Billy Joel. Scroll down to watch her performance!

Menzel is returning to the UK later this year as part of her world tour. She opens at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin on Saturday 20th June before visiting Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Bournemouth. Menzel will then play Wembley Arena on Saturday 27th June 2015! Tickets are on sale now.

If/Then starring Idina Menzel announces Broadway closure

It has been announced that If/Then starring Idina Menzel will close on Broadway on 22nd March 2015. The musical, which opened on 5th March 2014, runs at the  Richard Rodgers Theatre.

Following If/Then's closure Menzel will prepare for her world tour which begins in Japan in June. Featuring music by Kitt and and a book and lyrics by Yorkey, If/Then tells the story of Elizabeth, a woman on the verge of turning 40 who returns to New York City to make a fresh start. 

West End Frame Awards 2014: Full Winners List

Readers of West End Frame were invited to vote for five awards throughout 2014. The West End Frame Awards recognise brand new and long-running plays and musicals, combining male and female actors into the same categories. Voting opens for one award at a time. We were thrilled to receive over 52,000 votes this year! Take a look at the full list of winners below:

Publicly Voted Awards

	Best West End Debut Willemijn Verkaik  for playing Elphaba in Wicked Runners Up Rachelle Ann Go for Miss Saigon Alexandra Burke for The Bodyguard Click here for full result / Photo Credit: Darren Bell
	Best Performance of a Song in a Musical Tam Mutu  for his rendition of 'Stars' in Les Miserables Runners Up Carrie Hope Fletcher for Les Miserables Gerónimo Rauch for The Phantom of the Opera Click here for full result
	Funniest West End Show The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre Runners Up The Commitments at the Palace Theatre Urinetown at the St James Theatre Click here for full result
	Understudy of the Year Carolyn Maitland for understudying Ellen in Miss Saigon Runners Up Tanya Manalang for Miss Saigon Layla Harrison for The Phantom of the Opera Click here for full result
	London Fringe Production of the Year Chicken Shop at the Park Theatre Runners Up Love Story at the Union Theatre Damn Yankees at the Landor Theatre Click here for full result / Photo Credit: Kim Hardy

Editor's Choice

Editor's Blog: Top 5 theatrical events of 2014

Every year we seem to be more and more spoilt for choice when it comes to theatrical events. This year has seen iconic shows close, productions broadcast around the world and performers returning to shows to recreate their celebrated performances. A certain theatre star also went mainstream and various concerts have left theatreland buzzing! Below are five theatrical events which particularly stood out for me this year...

5

We Will Rock You Closes

When We Will Rock You opened to negative reviews few predicted that it would go on to run in the West End for twelve years, rocking over 6.5 million people! Queen and Ben Elton's musical was so important as it attracted and created new theatregoers. Of course the final show was emotional and, although I wasn't in attendance, I have heard that it was an electrifying evening!

Editor's Blog: Top 10 performances of 2014

2014 has been an incredible year for theatre. Established stars have reminded us why they are known as theatrical legends whilst some new faces have stepped into the limelight for the first time. After looking back at every single show I have seen this year (including West End, Broadway, off-West End, fringe and regional theatre), below I have highlighted ten performances which particularly stood out for me...

10

Angela Lansbury

Blithe Spirit

Gielgud Theatre

Photo Credit: Johan Persson

In March Angela Lansbury returned to the West End stage for the first time in over thirty years to reprise her role as Madame Arcati in Noel Coward's masterpiece, Blithe Spirit. She didn't hold back one bit, I have never seen a performance like it! A true legend, Lansbury received huge applause each time she entered and exited the stage - she was utterly sensational.

Idina Menzel to perform on The Jonathan Ross Show tomorrow!

It has been revealed that Idina Menzel will perform on tomorrow night's Christmas special of The Jonathan Ross Show. The star is likely to perform a number from her holiday album Christmas Wishes. 

Other guests include David Walliams, Peter Capaldi, Jimmy Carr and Ed Sheeran. The programme is screened on ITV1 at 10pm on Saturday 20th December 2014. Menzel recently appeared on The X Factor UK, performing a surprise duet with Michael Bublé. Watch the video here. 

Menzel is returning to the UK next year as part of her world tour. She opens at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin on Saturday 20th June before visiting Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Bournemouth. Menzel will then play Wembley Arena on Saturday 27th June 2015! Tickets are on sale now.

Watch Idina Menzel & Michael Bublé perform 'Baby It's Cold Outside' on The X Factor

Last night Idina Menzel performed live on The X Factor alongside surprise guest Michael Bublé. The pair performed 'Baby It's Cold Outside' which features on Menzel's latest album Christmas Wishes. Watch the video below!

The performance marked the first time that Menzel and Bublé had performed the song together live. Star of Wicked, Frozen and RENT, Menzel is currently starring in IF/THEN on Broadway and flew to the UK after an eight show week for the special performance.

Idina Menzel to perform on the X Factor UK this Sunday!

Idina Menzel will perform live on this Sunday's episode of The X Factor UK! 

She will take to the stage during the results show on ITV1 at 8pm. Other guests include Sam Bailey and Fifth Harmony. Tickets are now on sale for the UK and Ireland dates of Menzel's 2015 world tour. 

She will kick off the tour at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin on Saturday 20th June before visiting Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Bournemouth. Menzel will then play the Wembley Arena on Saturday 27th June 2015!

Her latest album Holiday Wishes, which features a duet with Michael Bublé, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Holiday Albums chart. Menzel also recently became the first Tony Award winning actress to receive the Billboard Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award.