Rachel Tucker returning to West End production of Wicked; new cast announced

There's no place like home! Queen of Green Rachel Tucker is returning to the West End production of Wicked to reprise her performance as Elphaba.

Transferring direct from the Broadway production, Tucker will begin her engagement on 5th September 2016 after playing her final performance at New York's Gershwin Theatre on 30th July.

The new cast also includes Suzie Mathers, who joins from the Australian production to star as Glinda; Oliver Savile, who continues as Fiyero; Anita Dobson, who joins to play Madame Morrible; Mark Curry, who continues as The Wizard; original cast member Martin Ball, who returns to play Doctor Dillamond; original cast member Katie Rowley Jones, who continues as Nessarose and Idriss Kargbo, who joins to play Boq. Alice Fearn will be Standby for Elphaba and Carina Gillespie continues as Standby for Glinda.

Broadway Review: Rachel Tucker stars in Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre

Wicked 
Gershwin Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 25th March 2016
★★★★★

It's hard to believe Wicked is currently playing its twelfth year on Broadway. The production is in tip top shape - I can't remember the last time I saw Joe Mantello's production looking so slick. Nothing quite beats seeing Wicked in New York, the audience were buzzing before the show had even begun.

Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel of the same name, Wicked tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz. After seeing Wicked you will never be able to watch The Wizard of Oz in the same way ever again. During the first act we learn how the two witches - The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda The Good - came to meet during their time at university, whilst in the second half we discover what happened behind the scenes when Dorothy was following the yellow brick road to the Emerald City.

The musical may feature a grand design, dazzling costumes and an epic score, but at its heart Wicked is a show about the unique friendship formed between two women. Wicked stands apart from other shows because of the way it speaks to people; everyone can relate to a character in some way. Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman's show is an absolute masterpiece.

Wicked becomes fastest Broadway musical to gross $1 billion

Oh what a celebration we'll have today! The Broadway production of Wicked has become the fastest Broadway production in history to gross over $1 billion.

Only two other musicals on Broadway have reached $1 billion in sales, The Lion King and The Phantom of the Opera.

Wicked opened at the Gershwin Theatre in New York on 30th October 2003 and has since grossed close to $4 billion in global sales. 

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 

Rachel Tucker & Kara Lindsay sing stripped back 'I'm Not That Girl' #OutOfOz

The Broadway production of WICKED has released the second video in its Out Of Oz series which sees stars of the show past and present performing stripped back versions of songs from Stephen Schwartz's score.

In the newly released video, West End actress Rachel Tucker and Kara Lindsay - who are currently playing Elphaba and Glinda in the Broadway production of WICKED - sing a new arrangement of I'm Not That Girl'. Check out the performance below!

Sting & The Last Ship cast support Rachel Tucker at her Wicked Broadway opening night

Last night (15th September), Rachel Tucker played her first performance as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre.

Tucker returns to Broadway where she originated the role of Meg is Sting's new musical The Last Ship last year. Sting and cast members from The Last Ship supported Tucker at her first performance and sneaked backstage for a dressing room picture. Check out the  photo below, as Tweeted by Tucker's former co-star Dawn Cantwell.

So happy to have supported our princess, @racheltucker1 on her opening night as Elphaba. She was luminescent! pic.twitter.com/H50dwkOL1U

— dawn cantwell (@dawncantwell) September 16, 2015

Rachel Tucker to play Elphaba on Broadway!

West End Frame Award winner Rachel Tucker is taking over as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre from 15th September 2015.

Jonah Platt will also join the cast as Fiyero. They join Kara Lindsay as Glinda, Robin De Jesus as Boq, Michele Lee as Madame Morrible, Fred Applegate as the Wizard, Arielle Jacobs as Nessarose and Timothy Britten Parker as Dr. Dillamond.

Tucker previously played Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked for nearly three years and over 1,000 performances, making her the West End’s longest serving Elphaba. In 2012 Tucker won the West End Frame Award for Best Performance of a Song for her performance of the show's anthem, ‘Defying Gravity’.

Rachel Tucker & Gerard McCarthy star in West End Reversed

Limited tickets are avaliable for West End Reversed at the Bridge House Theatre on 14th June 2015. West End songs will be performed as they've never been heard before.

The theatre's co-owner Rachel Tucker (Communicating Doors/The Last Ship) will star in the gala alongside Gerard McCarthy (Beautiful Thing), Danny Colligan (The Book of Mormon) and Jill Rensing.

Review: Communicating Doors at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Communicating Doors 

Menier Chocolate Factory

Reviewed on Wednesday 13th May 2015

★★★★

Communicating Doors goes beyond a typical Alan Ayckbourn play. The comedy is a little more stylistic whilst the theme sees the comedy borderline with a (fluffy) thriller/sci fi drama. 

Sneak peek at... Communicating Doors at the Menier Chocolate Factory starring Rachel Tucker

Production images have been released for the Menier Chocolate Factory's production of  Communicating Doors starring Rachel Tucker. Directed by Lindsay Posner, Alan Ayckbourn's play opens tomorrow (13th May) and runs until 27th June 2015. Check out images below (click picture to enlarge).

The cast also includes David Bamber, Lucy Briggs Owen, Imogen Stubbs, Matthew Cottle and Robert Portal. Communicating Doors won Ayckbourn the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Best West End Play Award and the prestigious Molière Award in France. It was also nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Comedy.

Review: Rachel Tucker 'Back From Broadway' at the St James Theatre

Rachel Tucker 'Back From Broadway' 

St James Theatre

Reviewed on Sunday 19th April 2015 (Evening)
★★★★★

Fresh from originating the role of Meg in Sting's new musical The Last Ship in New York, on Sunday Rachel Tucker celebrated her return to London with the debut of a brand new concert show entitled Back From Broadway. Broadway's loss is London's gain as it was an absolute treat to see Tucker back up on stage belting out everything from showtunes to new writing as well as eighties pop classics. 

Big Interview: Rachel Tucker - Back From Broadway!

Rachel Tucker recently returned from Broadway where she created the role of Meg Dawson in Sting’s new musical The Last Ship.

Directed by Joe Mantello, the show ran in New York at the Neil Simon Theatre for four months following an out-of-town tryout in Chicago. During the run Rachel starred opposite Sting when he joined the cast in an attempt to boost ticket sales. 

Rachel is currently preparing to return to the St James Theatre with her new solo concert show Back From Broadway for two performances only on Sunday 19th April. 

She has also been cast in Lindsay Posner's revival of Communicating Doors by Alan Ayckbourn which begins performances at the Menier Chocolate Factory on 7th May.

Rachel was a semi-finalist on I’d Do Anything, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s television search for an actress to play Nancy in a West End revival of Oliver. After leaving the competition Rachel joined the West End production of We Will Rock You, starring as Meat and understudying Scaramouche. 

Next Rachel joined the West End production of Wicked as Elphaba. She starred in the iconic role for nearly three years and over 1,000 performances, making her the West End’s longest serving Elphaba. In 2012 Rachel won the West End Frame Award for Best Performance of a Song in a Musical for her performance of the show's anthem, ‘Defying Gravity’.

Rachel left Wicked in October 2012 and released her debut album The Reason, playing sell out concerts at the St James Studio and Theatre. Rachel played Meg Giry in the workshop of Love Never Dies and received a TMA Theatre Award Nomination for Best Performance in a Musical for her portrayal of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Lyric Theatre, Belfast).

Her other theatre credits include: Ida in Farragut North (Southwark Playhouse), Mary in Tonight's The Night (national tour), Maureen Johnson in Rent (Olympia Theatre, Dublin), Sally Simpson in The Who's Tommy (national tour), Estelle Genovese in The Full Monty (national tour), Grace Power in To Be Sure, Kelly in Merry Christmas Betty Ford and Amy in Have A Nice Life (Lyric Theatre, Belfast). 

Yesterday I caught up with Rachel about her return to London. We discussed her upcoming concerts, what drew her to Communicating Doors, the closure of The Last Ship and how she found New York life plus much, much more…

A lot has happened since the last time we spoke! You’re back from Broadway and about to do some more concerts at the St James Theatre. The last one was incredible – what have you got up your sleeve this time round?

[laughs] Well… you know what… I feel like I set the bar quite high with that last concert! I’ll be honest with you, I am a bit worried about people’s expectations – will it be as good or not? I was worried I wouldn’t be able to come up with enough ideas of different things to sing and people to sing with and so on. But Andrew, it’s just happened again naturally. I stopped worrying about what I did in the past and have tried to concentrate on what else I would love to do. I had to remind myself that it’s a great opportunity to sing and act the stuff that I have never done but always wanted to do! It really is exciting for me! But obviously I’m not going to tell you all my secrets [laughs], I want to keep it all a nice surprise for everyone! I always like to have fun at my gigs, there may be one or two special guests…

Rachel Tucker to play 'Back From Broadway' show at the St James Theatre

Fresh from starring in The Last Ship in New York, it has been announced that Rachel Tucker will perform her new solo show Back From Broadway at the St James Theatre on 19th April 2015.

Tucker returns to the St James having played sold-out shows in both the theatre and studio following the release of her debut album The Reason in 2013.

The West End star was a semi-finalist on I’d Do Anything, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s television search for an actress to play Nancy in a West End revival of Oliver. After leaving the competition Rachel joined the West End production of We Will Rock You, starring as Meat and understudying Scaramouche. 

Sting's musical The Last Ship starring Rachel Tucker announces Broadway closure

Rachel Tucker & Sting

It has been announced that Sting's musical The Last Ship will end its Broadway run at the Neil Simon Theatre on 24th January 2015. 

In an email to company members, producers Jeffrey Seller and Kathryn Schenker reportedly wrote: "We have been bewildered and saddened by our inability to sustain an audience for this musical that we deeply love." 

Featuring a book by John Logan and Brian Yorkey, The Last Ship is inspired by Sting’s own childhood experiences and his album of the same name. Joe Mantello directed the production which stars Rachel Tucker who is best known for playing Elphaba in Wicked for three years in the West End.

Watch Rachel Tucker in the trailer of new Broadway musical The Last Ship

Producers of new Broadway musical The Last Ship have released the show's official trailer. Written by 16-time Grammy winner Sting and Tony winners John Logan and Brian Yorkey, The Last Ship begins performances at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre on 30th September starring West End favourite Rachel Tucker.

The Last Ship is directed by Wicked's Joe Mantello and features choreography by Steven Hoggett. Viva Forever's Sally Ann Triplett also features in the cast. Watch the trailer below!

Best Performance of a Song award returns; details announced

We are delighted to confirm that for the next 2014 West End Frame Award we are bringing back the hugely popular Best Performance of a Song in a Musical category. 

Voting for the award opens at 2pm on Friday 25th April and closes at 3pm on Monday 12th May 2014. Sixteen performers, all of whom are currently starring in the West End's biggest musicals, have been nominated. The full nominations list will be officially announced on Thursday (24th April), but keep an eye out on Twitter for some special announcements.

Big Interview: Rachel Tucker - "I still can’t believe I'm going to Broadway"

Rachel Tucker is one of the West End's biggest stars and is currently preparing to make her Broadway debut in musical The Last Ship by 16-time Grammy winner Sting and Tony winners John Logan and Brian Yorkey.

Directed by Joe Mantello, who also directed Wicked, the production opens at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre on 30th September 2014 following a pre-Broadway tryout in July at Chicago's Bank of America Theatre.

Rachel was a semi-finalist on I’d Do Anything, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s television search for an actress to play Nancy in a West End revival of Oliver. After leaving the competition Rachel joined the West End production of We Will Rock You, starring as Meat and understudying Scaramouche. 

Following a successful run Rachel joined the West End production of Wicked playing Elphaba. She starred in the iconic role for nearly three years and over 1,000 performances, making her the West End’s longest serving Elphaba. In 2012 Rachel won the West End Frame Award for Best Performance of a Song in a Musical for her performance of the show's anthem, Defying Gravity.

Rachel left Wicked in October 2012 following the announcement of her pregnancy, and in March it was revealed that she had signed to Big Hand Recordings in a joint venture with Elate Studio and would release her debut album in August 2013. The album, The Reason, has received both public and critical acclaim. The Reason is a very personal album, featuring popular songs from Rachel’s career and childhood, as well as handpicked numbers which have special meaning to the West End star.

Rachel’s other theatre credits include: Ida in Farragut North (Southwark Playhouse), Mary in Tonight's The Night (national tour), Maureen Johnson in Rent (Olympia Theatre, Dublin), Sally Simpson in The Who's Tommy (national tour), Estelle Genovese in The Full Monty directed by Jack O'Brien (national tour), Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Lyric Theatre, Belfast) for which she received a 2008 TMA Theatre Award Nomination for Best Performance in a Musical, Grace Power in To Be Sure, Kelly in Merry Christmas Betty Ford and Amy in Have A Nice Life (Lyric Theatre, Belfast). Rachel also played Meg Giry in the workshop of Love Never Dies and co-presented The Friday Show opposite Eamonn Holmes for the BBC.

Alongside her theatrical career, Rachel and her husband Guy Retallack run The Bridge House Theatre which is described as 'South London’s most exciting arts project'. The theatre, which is preparing to celebrate its first birthday, has built up a strong reputation. Guy has directed a production of Macbeth which runs at the theatre until Saturday 19th April starring a handful of highly experienced West End stars.

I recently caught up with Rachel to discuss The Bridge House Theatre's production of Macbeth, why auditioning for a dream job in New York was the scariest day of her life, how she's feeling about her Broadway debut and why Defying Gravity is her favourite song...

Can you believe that The Bridge House Theatre will soon be celebrating its first birthday? 

No! It feels like we did our first comedy night three or four months ago! It’s pretty amazing; we’ve done so much in such a short space of time. It just takes time to get things going. It’s about building it up and getting the interest going and it’s about realising what it takes to get an organisation going and appreciating how business really works! 

Craig Daniel Adams, Anabel Kutay & Alain Terzoli to star in Macbeth

Craig Daniel Adams

Casting has been announced for Guy Retallack's production of Macbeth which opens at the Bridge House Theatre on Friday 28th March 2014.

The cast includes Craig Daniel Adams (Grease/We Will Rock You) as Macbeth, Anabel Kutay as one of the witches (Dirty Dancing/Phantom of the Opera) and Alain Terzoli as Banquo (Jersey Boys/Farragut North). 

This three-week run is the work of creative husband-and-wife team Guy Retallack and Rachel Tucker. 

Guy has worked on productions spanning all manner of genres, including the Richard III, set in 1960s East End, while Rachel has starred in a number of West End shows, including We Will Rock You and Wicked.

Rachel Tucker to make Broadway debut in Sting musical The Last Ship

It has been announced that Rachel Tucker will make her Broadway debut in new musical The Last Ship by 16-time Grammy winner Sting and Tony winners John Logan and Brian Yorkey.

The production will begin performances at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre on 30th September and officially open on 26th October.  The Last Ship is directed by Wicked's Joe Mantello and features choreography by Steven Hoggett.

Leading the company in principal roles are Broadway veterans Michael Esper (The Lyons), Aaron Lazar (Mamma Mia!), and Fred Applegate (The Producers). West End favourite Rachel Tucker (Wicked) will be joined by Sally Ann Triplett (Viva Forever!) as well as singer-songwriter Jimmy Nail and actor Collin Kelly-Sordelet. Ensemble casting will be announced in the coming months.

The new musical, with songs by Sting and a book by Logan and Yorkey, tells the story of Gideon Fletcher, a young man from the English seafaring town of Wallsend, who leaves his life behind to travel the world — only to return a decade later to find out that what he deserted is more than he ever could have imagined.

Rachel Tucker to guest-star in Kait Kerrigan & Brian Lowdermilk's Word & Music concert at the St James Studio

It has been announced that Rachel Tucker (pictured right) will guest-star alongside award-winning writing duo Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk in their Word & Music concert on Saturday 8th February 2014 at the St. James Studio. 

Rachel Tucker starred as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked for almost three years and over 1,000 performances, making her London's longest serving Elphaba. Her theatre credits also include playing Ida in Farragut North (Southwark Playhouse), Meat in We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre), Mary in Tonight’s The Night (National Tour), Maureen Johnson in Rent (Olympia Theatre, Dublin), Sally Simpson in The Who’s Tommy (National Tour), Estelle Genovese in The Full Monty (National Tour) and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Lyric Theatre, Belfast).