Ramin Karimloo to star in Anastasia on Broadway

Ramin Karimloo is returning to Broadway to star as Gleb in Anastasia. He previously played the role in the musical's 2015 workshop. 

Directed by  Darko Tresnjak, the new musical is set to open at the Broadhurst Theatre on 24th April 2017 following its world premiere in Connecticut. 

Anastasia reunites the creative team behind Ragtime. Book is by Terrence McNally with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. The cast also includes Christy Altomare as Anya, Derek Klena as Dmitry, John Bolton as Vlad Popov and Caroline O’Connor as Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch.

Kerry Ellis, Preeya Kalidas & Ramin Karimloo to star in Godspell concert

It has been announced that Kerry Ellis (Cats/Wicked), Preeya Kalidas (Bend It Like Beckham/EastEnders) and Ramin Karimloo (Evita/Les Miserables) will star in a concert staging of Godspell by Stephen Schwartz.

The performances will take place at St. Paul’s Church in Covent Garden on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st August 2016. 

Dean Johnson directs with musical direction by Michael Bradley. The concerts will be hosted by Mark Shenton. Ellis, Kalidas and Karimloo will perform alongside the British Theatre Academy.

Ramin Karimloo confirms release date for new EP

It has been confirmed that Ramin Karimloo's new EP The Road To Find Out - South will be released on 11th July 2016 with Big Hand Recordings. 

The EP will be released ahead of his show at the London Palladium on 16th July. Tracks on the EP include 'Wings', 'Traveler's Eyes', 'Edelweiss', 'Letting The Last One Go' and 'Old Man River'.

After understudying Joe Gillis in the 2002 UK tour of Sunset Boulevard, the Iranian-Canadian performer went on to make his West End debut the same year as understudy Marius and Enjolras in Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre. He then starred as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre before returning to the West End production of Les Miserables as full-time Enjolras.

Big Interview: Ramin Karimloo

Ramin Karimloo is preparing to headline the London Palladium with his band on Saturday 16th July 2016.

Having played two sold out concerts at Islington’s Union Chapel and the Assembly Hall earlier this year, Ramin will perform his Broadgrass material including songs from Broadway, Bluegrass and beyond. 

Wicked legend Louise Dearman will join Ramin for a "duet or two." The band includes Sergio Ortega, Hadley Fraser and Alan Markley with backing vocals from Katie Birtill. 

After understudying Joe Gillis in the 2002 UK tour of Sunset Boulevard, the Iranian-Canadian performer went on to make his West End debut the same year as understudy Marius and Enjolras in Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre. He then starred as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre before returning to the West End production of Les Miserables as full-time Enjolras.

Ramin played Chris in the 2005 UK tour of Miss Saigon. He returned to the West End in 2007, this time taking on the title role in The Phantom of the Opera. He later originated the role of The Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Love Never Dies at the Adelphi Theatre. He starred in the 25th Anniversary concerts for Les Miserables (O2 Arena) and The Phantom of the Opera (Royal Albert Hall), playing Enjolras and The Phantom respectively. 

Ramin first played Jean Valjean - arguably the most challenging male role in musical theatre - in the West End production of Les Miserables. He went on to reprise his performance in Toronto and then on Broadway where he received a Tony nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. 

Ramin Karimloo to star in Murder Ballad

Ramin Karimloo will star in Murder Ballad at the Arts Theatre.

He joins Victoria Hamilton-Barritt and Kerry Ellis in the off-Broadway musical's UK premiere. 

Murder Ballad will open at the Arts Theatre on 5th October (previews from 29th September) and run until 3rd December 2016. 

The show marks the first production from Soundcheck Productions. Murder Ballad is written by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash and will be directed by Sam Yates. Completing the cast is Norman Bowman.

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.

Ramin Karimloo to play solo concert at the London Palladium!

It has been announced that West End and Broadway star Ramin Karimloo will headline a solo concert at the London Palladium.

The Iranian-Canadian actor and singer - who recently received a Tony nomination for his performance as Jean Valjean in the Broadway revival of Les Miserables - will play the one-night-only show at London's most iconic theatre on Saturday 16th July 2016.

Karimloo recently played two sold out concerts at Islington’s Union Chapel and the Assembly Hall. Performing a selection of classics from musicals alongside his own Broadgrass songs, Karimloo will be joined by his band including Sergio Ortega, Hadley Fraser and Alan Markley with backing vocals from Katie Birtill. 

The show will be directed by Peter Taylor. Wicked legend Louise Dearman will join Karimloo for a "duet or two."

Karimloo says: "I was so excited to come back to London for the two sell out shows. The band, the sound and show have grown so much over the last three years. We love bringing this style of music which has organically grown to the great support we get. 

"Playing the Palladium is such an honour. The history of great performers who have done shows there, the variety and calibre is second to none. I know my band is just as excited to bring this show to the greatest theatre in England. It’s going to be an electric night - a hootenanny in the heart of the West End."

After completing his run in Les Miserables on Broadway, Karimloo recently starred in The Prince of Broadway in Japan. He has also played Jean Valjean in Les Miserables in the West End and Toronto. Karimloo has starred as The Phantom in both Love Never Dies (Adelphi) and The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's/Royal Albert Hall). His latest EP The Road To Find Out - East was released in April 2014. 

Tickets are on sale from 9am on 12th February via www.seetickets.com.

January's theatrical round-up

Star of the Month Ramin Karimloo January saw Ramin Karimloo make a long-overdue return to London, performing two sold out concerts in Islington. Proving that he is the best of the best, Karimloo embraced his theatrical background, whilst showcasing his unique style of musical with charm and flair. I can't believe how much varied material Karimloo included in the show without anything sounding out of place. He is a remarkable performer who we need back in the West End ASAP! Read our ★★★★ review of An Evening With Ramin Karimloo

Show of the Month The Mother Following the tremendous success of The Father, Florian Zeller's play The Mother has transferred to the Tricycle Theatre having played the Ustinov Studio in Bath last year.  Centring around a woman with depression who is struggling to let go of her son, Zeller's play is wildly disorientating for the audience. Not only does Zeller shows what it's like to suffer from depression, but remarkably he also shows what it's like to love someone with the illness. An absolute must-see! Read our ★★★★★ review of The Mother

Review: An Evening With Ramin Karimloo at Islington Assembly Hall

An Evening With Ramin Karimloo 
Islington Assembly Hall
Reviewed on Wednesday 20th January 2016
★★★★

Over the past couple of years Ramin Karimloo has been busy kicking up a storm on Broadway; it had been far too long since his talents graced a London stage, but this week all has been rectified. Having played Union Chapel on Tuesday, last night Karimloo performed a second sold out concert at Islington Assembly Hall.

Lea Salonga, Ramin Karimloo, Collabro + more set for Lytham Festival’s Last Night of the Proms

West End and Broadway stars are set to perform to crowds at Lytham Festival’s Last Night of the Proms next summer.

The week-long festival in August 2016 will see in excess of 70 thousand people visit the town on the North West’s Fylde Coast. 

West End Proms will be staged as the final act of the festival on Sunday 7th August. 

The stellar line-up of West End and Broadway talent includes: Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon/Allegiance), Ramin Karimloo (Les Miserables/Love Never Dies), Collabro (Britain's Got Talent) and Ruthie Henshall (Billy Elliot/Chicago). This will mark Salonga's only UK concert appearance in 2016.

Ramin Karimloo announces second London concert

Ramin Karimloo has announced a second London concert after his first show sold out.

Karimloo will play Assembly Hall in Islington on Wednesday 20th January 2016 at 7pm with special guest Hadley Fraser. Click here for tickets.

The first sold out concert takes place on 19th January 2016 at London's Union Chapel where Karimloo will be joined by Ashleigh Gray. 

Karimloo is currently in Japan starring in The Prince of Broadway. He recently received tremendous acclaim for starring as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway, a role he has also played in the West End and in Toronto. 

Ramin Karimloo announces London concert

He's back! Ramin Karimloo has announced that he is returning to London next year to play a one-off solo concert.

The show will take place on 19th January 2016 at the Union Chapel in London. Click here to sign up to receive the ticket link at 10am tomorrow (3rd November).

Karimloo is currently in Japan starring in The Prince of Broadway. He recently received tremendous acclaim for starring as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway, a role he has also played in the West End and in Toronto. 

Ramin Karimloo to star in The Prince of Broadway

West End and Broadway actor Ramin Karimloo is set to star in The Prince of Broadway in Japan. 

Celebrating the career of the 21-time Tony-winning director and producer Hal Prince, the musical open on 23rd October 2015 at the Tokyu Theatre Orb in Tokyo before transferring to the Umeda Arts Theatre in Osaka from 28th November 2015. 

The production will be helmed by Prince himself with co-direction and choreography by Susan Stroman.

Karimloo is currently playing Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway, a role he has also played in the West End and in Toronto. He has also starred as The Phantom in both Love Never Dies (Adelphi) and The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's/Royal Albert Hall).

Alfie Boe takes over from Ramin Karimloo in Les Miserables on Broadway

It has been announced that Alfie Boe is reprising his performance as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.

The actor will take over from Ramin Karimloo in the musical's Broadway revival at the the Imperial Theatre on 1st September 2015. Karimloo plays his final performance on 30th August.

Boe made his Broadway debut as Rodolfo in Baz Luhrmann's La Bohème. He has previously played Jean Valjean in the West End and for the show's 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 Arena.

Broadway Review: Les Misérables - "I doubt I'll ever see a stronger cast perform Boublil & Schönberg′s masterpiece"

Ramin Karimloo

Les Misérables

Imperial Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 2nd April 2014

Caissie Levy

Les Misérables is a show which needs no introduction. Just when it looked like Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's musical couldn't get any bigger, Tom Hooper's 2012 film adaptation proved a huge global hit and now, following a run in Toronto, Les Mis has returned to Broadway with a bang.

Whilst the original production continues in London's West End, a new interpretation (first seen for the 25th Anniversary UK Tour) has been staged in New York. Although the set, costumes and direction are different, nobody can take away the original magic of Les Mis. The musical’s success is fascinating - who would have thought a musical about the French revolution would become a global phenomenon? 

As if Les Mis returning to Broadway wasn't exciting enough, Cameron Mackintosh has found the most incredible cast imaginable. Ramin Karimloo has been a huge theatre star for years. He made his West End debut in Les Mis, understudying Marius and Enjolras, and has now once again reprised his performance as Jean Valjean. 

This new production is grittier which Karimloo really highlights during the prologue. His vocal control is unbelievable - he is superhuman. Karimloo takes the audience on every step of Jean Valjean's tremendous journey. He clearly knows the role inside out and has truly mastered how to grow and develop throughout the piece. The audience response to Karimloo's rendition of 'Bring Him Home' was quite something; you could feel the amazement beaming from the crowd.

EP Review: The Road To Find Out - East by Ramin Karimloo

The Road To Find Out - East
Ramin Karimloo
Big Hand Recordings
Released on Monday 7th April 2014

Breaking away from stereotypical musical theatre albums whilst remaining respectful of musical theatre standards, West End and Broadway star Ramin Karimloo is releasing four EPs to showcase his new genre of music, Bluegrass. The first EP, 'The Road To Find Out - East' features four very different yet consistent numbers, two of which are original songs.

Karimloo's genre is clearly influenced by country music, but the sound is also very fresh and raw. First of all the performer, who is currently starring as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway, takes on 'Oh What A Beautiful Mornin'' from Oklahoma. The song is a far from obvious choice, yet this re-invented arrangement suits Karimloo's voice perfectly. Written by Karimloo and Hadley Fraser, 'Losing' is the first original track on the EP. The song instantly showcases Karimloo's hypnotising vocal talents. The song steadily builds and is very memorable.

Ramin Karimloo and Caissie Levy to star in new Broadway production of Les Miserables!

Cameron Mackintosh has announced some casting for his new Broadway production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's Les Miserables. 

The Broadway revival will open at the Imperial Theatre on 23rd March (previews from 1st March) starring Ramin Karimloo, who previously starred  in the West End production and is currently starring in the Toronto production of Les Miserables, as Jean Valjean.

Will Swenson (Tony Award-nominated star of Broadway's Hair and Priscilla Queen of the Desert) will play Javert, Caissie Levy (West End and Broadway star of Ghost and Hair and Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, pictured right) will play Fantine and Nikki M. James (Tony Award winner for The Book of Mormon) will play Eponine. 

Additional casting, including the roles of Marius, Cosette, Enjolras and the Thenardiers, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Cameron Mackintosh said: "The success of Les Miserables across America and around the world has been beyond my dreams, so I am thrilled to bring the show back to Broadway 27 years after the original production with some of the finest contemporary talents in the American theatre today."

Louise Dearman, Kerry Ellis & Ramin Karimloo help launch new musical theatre radio station

Wise Buddah and Mothership Management have announced plans to launch a brand new online online radio station, Stage Door, for fans of musical theatre. An Indiegogo campaign has been launched today (19th June) to help make Stage Door a reality. Some of the biggest West End stars have already agreed to present programmes which, as well as playing musical theatre songs, would broadcast the latest news, backstage gossip and interviews.

Louise Bowden (Singin’ In The Rain), Louise Dearman (Wicked), Kerry Ellis (Wicked), Mark Evans (The Book of Mormon), Hadley Fraser (Les Misérables), Alex Gaumond (Top Hat), Ramin Karimloo (The Phantom of the Opera) and Oliver Tompsett (We Will Rock You) have already signed up to host a show on Stage Door when it launches.