A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder starring Scarlett Strallen announces Broadway closure

It has been announced that the Broadway production of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder will close after nearly 1,000 performances.

The show will play its final performance at the Walter Kerr Theatre on 17th January 2016, having opened in November 2013.

With music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak and book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is directed by Darko Tresjnak.

Strallen & Casey sisters unite for concert

It has been announced that three of the Strallen sisters (Summer, Scarlett and Zizi) will team up with the Casey sisters (Anna-Jane and Natalie) for a one night only concert at the Leicester Square Theatre on 19th April.

Summer Strallen created the role of Dale Tramont in the West End premiere of Top Hat, Scarlett Strallen famously starred in the London and New York productions of Mary Poppins whilst Zizi Strallen recently took to the stage at the London Palladium in Cats.

Scarlett Strallen to star in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder on Broadway

It has been announced that Scarlett Strallen will star as Sibella in the Broadway production of  A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder from 10th February 2015.

She takes over from Lisa O’Hare who plays her final performance on 8th February. The show won four 2014 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The current cast includes: Jeff Kready, Catherine Walker and Carole Shelley.

Strallen previously starred as the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway, a role she also played in the West End. Her most recent credits include: Candide (Menier), A Chorus Line (Palladium) and Singin' in the Rain (Chichester/Palace). Strallen has also starred in productions of HMS Pinafore, Passion, The Music Man and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Review: Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Candide

Menier Chocolate Factory

Reviewed on Tuesday 3rd December 2013

The Menier Chocolate Factory has once again been transformed for its revival of Leonard Bernstein's 1956 Operetta Candide. Set in the round, Paul Farnsworth's inventive design allows the cast to glide around and in-between the audience, meaning at times heads have to be turned to see what is going on. This never becomes tiresome and adds to the excitable atmosphere. Usually when reviewing shows set in the round I find myself complaining about the cast favouring a particular side, but Matthew White's swift direction ensures no part of the audience is neglected.

Jackie Clune and James Dreyfus join Menier Chocolate Factory's Candide

It has been announced that Jackie Clune and James Dreyfus will also star in the Menier Chocolate Factory's upcoming production of Candide as the Old Lady and Dr Pangloss.

They join a cast which features many West End favourites including: Fra Fee as Candide, Cassidy Janson as Paquette, Ben Lewis as Govenor and Vanderdendur, Scarlett Strallen as Cunegonde and David Thaxton as Maximillian. The cast also includes: Carly Anderson, Jeremy Batt, Michael Cahill, Christopher Jacobsen, Frankie Jenna, Rachel Spurrell, Helen Walsh and Matt Wilman.

With music by Leonard Bernstein, book adapted from Voltaire by Hugh Wheeler, lyrics by Richard Wilbur with additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, John Latouche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Leonard Bernstein, Candide is set to run at the Menier Chocolate Factory this Christmas. The production will open on 2nd December 2013 (previews from 22nd November) and runs until to 22nd February 2014.

Scarlett Strallen, Fra Fee, Cassidy Janson, Ben Lewis and David Thaxton to star in Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory

It has been announced that Scarlett Strallen, Fra Fee, Cassidy Janson, Ben Lewis and David Thaxton will star in the Menier Chocolate Factory's Christmas musical Candide. The show features music by Leonard Bernstein, book adapted from Voltaire by Hugh Wheeler, lyrics by Richard Wilbur and additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, John Latouche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Leonard Bernstein.

Scarlett Strallen, Fra Fee & Cassidy Janson,

From Westphalia to the far reaches of the New World, Candide's journey of discovery is anything but dull. Through anguish, happiness, loss and love this is a whirlwind adventure that seeks to prove 'life is happiness indeed'. Leonard Bernstein's joyous musical comedy features a classic overture and 'Make Our Garden Grow' (both of which were performed on the Last Night of the Proms) and 'Glitter and Be Gay'.

Editor's Blog: "This is what we do for love" - the final performance of A Chorus Line

"THIS IS WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE" were the final worlds Leigh Zimmerman screamed over the standing, cheering audience after the emotional, final performance of the London revival of A Chorus Line at the London Palladium last night (31st August 2013). After the final bows, during which the performing cast members were joined by the swings and understudies, Scarlett Strallen thanked the unsung heroes who worked behind the scenes as well as the front of house crew and the orchestra who played from underneath the stage. 

The microphone was then passed to Leigh Zimmerman who made the very valid point about how incredible it is that the producers decided to put on such an iconic show at such an iconic venue in 2013, as it is simply something which does not happen any more. After opening on Broadway in 1975, A Chorus Line went on to become the longest running Broadway show of all time (until it was surpassed by Cats in 1997). The show requires the entire cast to be ridiculously talented triple threats, something which is now rarely required of an entire cast as theatre-land is slowly invaded by celebrity culture and 'from screen to stage' adaptations (something I am not against if done well). However, how incredible that for six golden months, a 'hardcore' (as I call it) piece of musical theatre played to adoring theatre goers at one of London's oldest, most special theatres. 

When the London revival of A Chorus Line was announced, I must admit I didn't know much about the musical at all, other than that it featured the song 'One Singular Sensation' and was about a group of performers auditioning for a show. But there was so much hype surrounding the show that media night couldn't come sooner. 

John Partridge & Scarlett Strallen to star in revival of A Chorus Line at the London Palladium

Principal casting has been announced for the forthcoming West End transfer of the Tony Award-winning revival of A Chorus Line, which opens at the London Palladium on 19th February 2013 with previews from 5th February. 

The cast will feature John Partridge as Zach, Scarlett Strallen as Cassie, Leigh Zimmerman as Sheila and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Diana.

The show takes a behind-the-scenes look at 17 hopefuls auditioning for just eight places in a new Broadway musical. A Chorus Line has a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Date, with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban. Its famous score includes numbers such as "I Hope I Get It", "Sing!" and, most memorably, "One (Singular Sensation)".

Robert Powell to join the cast of Singin' In The Rain from 1st October

Photo Credit: Alastair Muir

Film and television star Robert Powell will join the cast of Singin’ in the Rain from 1 October 2012. The musical is now booking at the Palace Theatre until 1st September 2013. The news coincides with the 60th anniversary of the release of the iconic 1952 MGM film version starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds. The Original London Cast Recording of this production of Singin’ in the Rain was also recently released by First Night Records, reaching number one on the soundtrack chart during its first month on sale. Click here to read our recent 5 star review of the album.

Album Review: Singin' In The Rain (2012 London Cast Recording)

Singin' In The Rain
2012 London Cast Recording
First Night Records

What I love most about the 2012 London cast recording of Singin' In The Rain is that it is more than just a cast recording. It is also an album containing great vocalists singing great versions of classic songs. The album captures the magic of the show which is not something cast albums always manage to achieve.

Dress Circle to host Singin’ In The Rain album signing at the Palace Theatre on 18/08/12

Dress Circle, in association with the Palace Theatre, is delighted to announce a CD signing with the fabulous cast of Singin’ In The Rain on Saturday 18th August 2012 from 12-1pm. The signing will be hosted by Dress Circle in the foyer of the Palace Theatre. Cast members attending the signing will be Adam Cooper, Scarlett Strallen and Daniel Crossley.

Dress Circle would like to say a huge thank you to the Palace Theatre for allowing the use of their wonderful venue for this event. They hope this will be the first of many signings that they host in and around the West End.

It’s the roaring ’20s and silent movie stars are the biggest names in the world. Don Lockwood has it all, a string of hit films and a studio-engineered romance with the most beautiful actress in town. But with the new phenomenon of the talking picture on the way and a chance meeting with a talented young chorus girl set to steal his heart, things are about to change for Don and for Hollywood forever.