Shoshana Bean returning to London for month-long residency

Shoshana Bean has revealed that she is returning to London for a month-long residency of solo shows at the Singers Lounge.

Bean will kick off a run of eight shows on 11th September, playing her final night on 3rd October. She performed at the Singers Lounge last year, following a residency at the London Hippodrome.

The Broadway diva most recently played Fanny Brice in Funny Girl at North Shore Music Theatre before taking her solo show to Australia. She also recently played Cee Cee in Beaches The Musical at Chicago's Drury Lane Theatre

Shoshana Bean to star in U.S. production of Funny Girl

Nobody could ever rain on Shoshana Bean's parade! 

It has been announced that everybody's favourite Broadway diva will star as Fanny Brice in a U.S. production of Funny Girl.

The show will run at the North Shore Music Theatre in in Beverly, Massachusetts between 7th and 19th June 2016 with further casting to be announced. Funny Girl has book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill.

Funny Girl was recently revived in London at the Menier Chocolate Factory starring Sheridan Smith. Directed by Broadway's Michael Mayer, the London production is about to transfer to the West End's Savoy Theatre. 

Review: Shoshana Bean Live at the Singer's Lounge

Shoshana Bean Live

The Singer's Lounge

Reviewed on Friday 2nd October 2015

★★★★★

Last weekend singer, songwriter, actress, Broadway icon and YouTube phenomenon Shoshana Bean returned to London for another run of sold out concerts. 

Shoshana Bean returning to London this week!

Everybody's favourite Broadway diva Shoshana Bean is returning to London later this week for three solo concerts at the Singer's Lounge in Covent Garden on 2nd, 3rd and 4th October 2015.

Following her sell-out run at the London Hippodrome in June, Bean will perform a programme of soulful and bluesy chart topping original music to the intimate atmosphere of The Singers Lounge. Inspired by the likes of Tina Turner, Aretha and Janis Joplin, Bean also brings signature spins on covers by today’s biggest artists including Hozier, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande and Sia.

Bean recently returned to theatre, starring as Cee Cee in Beaches The Musical at Chicago's Drury Lane Theatre. She made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Hairspray, understudying the roles of Tracy Turnblad and Velma Von Tussle. Bean was then cast as Idina Menzel's standby in Wicked before becoming the first actress to take over the role of Elphaba on Broadway. She later reprised her portrayal of Elphaba in the musical's first U.S. Tour.

Shoshana Bean announces 11pm London concert

Shoshana Bean has added a late-night concert to her upcoming residency at the London Hippodrome. 

In addition to playing 8pm shows on the 3rd, 4th and 5th June, Bean will play a special 11pm show on 4th June. At the extra show she will duet with some exciting guests including a handful of Elphabas and some you may not expect.

Confirmed special guests include current London Elphaba Emma Hatton and the West End's longest-serving Elphaba Rachel Tucker as well as Adrian Hansel (Hairspray), Eva Noblezada (Miss Saigon) and Jodie Jacobs (Carrie The Musical). Please note all guests are subject to change. 

UPDATE: Also joining the line-up are: Marcus Collins (Kinky Boots), Tyrone Huntley (Memphis) and, fresh from her appearance on Britain's Got Talent, Alison Jiear (Jerry Springer The Opera).

Shoshana Bean to star in Broadway-aimed musical Beaches

Shoshana Bean and Whitney Bashor will star in the stage adaptation of Beaches in Chicago at the Drury Lane Theatre.

Directed by Eric Schaeffer, the Broadway-aimed musical runs between 24th June and 16th August. Bean (Wicked/Hairspray) will play Cee Cee Bloom opposite Bashor (The Bridges of Madison County) as Bertie White. 

Beaches started as a 1985 novel about a 30-year friendship and is best known for the 1988 movie starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. The musical features a score by composer David Austin, with lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart. The book is by Dart and Thom Thomas.

Big Interview: Shoshana Bean

Shoshana Bean is returning to the UK next month for a limited run of solo concerts at the London Hippodrome between 3rd and 5th June. The Broadway diva and chart topping artist will also play the Church Hill Theatre in Edinburgh on 14th June. 

Shoshana made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Hairspray, understudying the roles of Tracy Turnblad and Velma Von Tussle. 

She was then cast as Idina Menzel's standby in Wicked before becoming the first actress to take over the role of Elphaba on Broadway. She later reprised her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked's first U.S. Tour.

Shoshana sang back up for Michael Jackson at his 30th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden and arranged vocals for Jennifer Lopez’s American Idol performance of “I Luh Ya Papi.” Known for her powerhouse vocals, impressive range and energetic and emotional performances, Shoshana’s independent solo releases have topped the iTunes R&B and Blues charts in the US and UK in peak positions 5 and 3; her latest EP Shadows to Light reached #1.

Most recently Shoshana has become a YouTube sensation, collaborating with other artists and releasing covers, receiving millions of hits in just weeks.

I recently sat down for a chat with Shoshana (via the wonders of Skype) to discuss her return to the UK, her crazy schedule and why she’s learnt to embrace her association with Wicked…

How excited are you to be returning to London and playing Edinburgh for the first time?!

Beyond! Beyond excited! London’s my favourite and everyone keeps telling me how spectacular Edinburgh is so I can’t wait!

Shoshana Bean to play three shows at the Hippodrome in June!

She's back! It has been confirmed that Shoshana Bean will return to London later this year.

The Broadway diva will play a limited three night engagement at the Hippodrome Casino between 3rd and 5th June 2015. Bean will also play shows in Edinburgh and Vienna.

Three people will win the chance to sing with Bean at her concerts, follow her on Twitter for further info (@shoshanabean).

Bean made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Hairspray. She was Idina Menzel's standby in Wicked before becoming the first actress to take over the role on Broadway. Bean later played Elphaba in Wicked's first U.S. Tour.

Photo Feature: Shoshana Bean at the Hippodrome

Last night (Wed 7th August) Shoshana Bean performed a solo concert at the Hippodrome in Leicester Square. Shoshana was joined on stage at the sell out gig by special guests Sammie Jay, Richard Fleeshman, Frances Ruffelle, Willemijn Verkaik and Scott Alan. Shoshana sang her own material which went down a storm and finished with an acoustic version of Defying Gravity with Willemijn Verkaik. Take a look at pictures from the last minute concert below (click on an image to enlarge).

Shoshona was in the original Broadway casts of Hairspray and Wicked. In Wicked she was Idina Menzel's standby and eventually took over, playing Elphaba full time on Broadway and eventually in the US Touring production of the smash hit musical.

Shoshana Bean to perform one off show at The Hippodrome with Scott Alan and Willemjin Verkaik

Last night it was revealed during Scott Alan's concert at the O2 that Broadway star Shoshana Bean will perform a one off concert at The Hippodrome in Leicester Square on Wednesday evening. She will be joined by special guests Scott Alan, Willemjin Verkaik, and Richard Fleeshman.

Shoshona was in the original Broadway casts of Hairspray and Wicked. In Wicked she was Idina Menzel's standby and eventually took over, playing Elphaba full time on Broadway and in the US Touring production of the musical.

She is also a hugely successful recording artist. Shoshona's career has seen her perform solo concerts around the world and has performed alongside Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight and Bebe Winans. Her debut album Superhero won her an independant Music Award and a hit 5 on the iTunes R&B charts. Her music has featured on NBC, MTV;s The Hills, Mercy, The Big C and the Bad girls Club.

Review: Scott Alan Live at the indigO2

Scott Alan Live
indigO2
Reviewed on Sunday 4th August 2013

Scott Alan is a man who needs no introduction. At the age of thirty-five, the American composer is already a theatrical legend, his music is always so personal and relatable. While Scott's concerts are always the hottest ticket in town, this was my first time seeing one live. Also I had never been to the indigO2 which is a lovely venue, tucked away within the O2 Arena. Scott always invites the finest West End and Broadway talent to feature on his albums and perform at his concerts and last night was certainly no exception. In fact, it was the strongest line-up I have ever had the pleasure of seeing.