Notizie

Exclusive: Catherine Tate, the beloved British comedy queen and actress best known for Doctor Who, The Office and her scorching eponymous television show, will top the bill at this year’s London Palladium Pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.

Her casting is a fitting way for the festive extravaganza to celebrate its 10th anniversary since being revived at the Palladium.

David Tennant and Catherine Tate in ‘Doctor Who’

Tate will play the role of panto baddie Carabosse, the wicked fairy that puts the curse on the princess that if she pricks her finger, she’ll die. Palladium panto standout Julian Clary will star as King Julian.

Both leading lights will contribute to the show’s book that’s written by Ed Curtis and Michael Harrison, who oversees the enterprise as director and producer.

Tate caught last season’s panto Robin Hood starring Clary, Jane McDonald...

Gold Derby's top news stories for March 14, 2025

Lilo and Stitch trailer nearly breaks Disney record

Disney unveiled the Lilo and Stitch trailer on March 12, and in just 24 hours it amassed 158 million views, which was the second most for a live-action Disney film, behind only 2019's photorealistic The Lion King. It ranked as the No. 1 trend on Twitter and YouTube. Does that bode well for the film's box office when it's released on May 23? Well, The Lion King remake ended up grossing $1.66 billion worldwide.

Lilo and Stitch, based on the 2002 animated film, is about a friendship between a Hawaiian girl and a fugitive alien. It's directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis, and newcomer Maia Kealoha.

Freakier Friday teaser trailer

It has been 22 years since Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan starred in the hit...

Exclusive: Rachel Zegler, star of Steven Spielberg’s screen version of West Side Story and the soon-to-be-released Disney live-action movie Snow White, will make her London theater debut as Eva Perón in a revival of the garlanded Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita, director Jamie Lloyd confirmed to Deadline on Friday.

The show will play at the fabled London Palladium for a limited 12-week summer season, with performances from June 14 through September 6.

Reached in New York where he’s meeting with actors being considered for other key roles, an excited Lloyd described Zegler as a “phenomenal talent” who will “blow the roof off the London Palladium.”

Complex negotiations to bring Zegler, an American of Colombian and Polish descent, to the West End were completed a few days ago. She will be among the highest-paid stars on the London stage this season.

‘West Side Story’

Lloyd told me that...

It’s time for a Saturday night filled with musical magic as Elaine Paige presents “Show Tunes at the BBC: Volume 2.” This trip down memory lane features performances from some of Britain’s best-loved musicals, from the grandeur of “Les Misérables” to the playful energy of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the classic charm of […]

Show Tunes at the BBC: Volume 2...

Ariana DeBose won’t be crying for Argentina.

The Oscar winner was in talks to star in Jamie Lloyd’s revival of “Evita” at the London Palladium, but sources tell me things didn’t work out “due to scheduling.” The musical is scheduled to run June 16 to Sept. 6.

DeBose is currently shooting “Scarpetta,” the Amazon Prime Video series adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta novels with Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis.

“We’re 70% there,” DeBose told Deadline’s Baz Bamigboye in January about her possible “Evita” deal.

“Evita,” from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, tells the story of Argentine political powerhouse Eva Perón. Elaine Paige played the title role in the original 1978 West End production in London. Patti LuPone originated the role on Broadway in 1979. Madonna starred in the 1996 film adaptation.

My sources insist that DeBose is interested in returning to Broadway “when the time is right.

Exclusive: Ariana DeBose sure had some exciting news to share last night. “Fingers crossed,” come this summer she will star in the Jamie Lloyd-directed revival of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita at the iconic London Palladium, she told me exclusively.

The Oscar-winning star confirmed whispers I’d been hearing on the grapevine, although she cautioned that she has to clear it first with producers and partners of other projects that she’s working on.

“We’re 70% there,” DeBose told me as we chatted at the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group party at Lavo, on Sunset Boulevard.

Ariana DeBose

Universal was celebrating the cinematic and box-office achievement win for the musical Wicked and Peter Straughan’s best screenplay win for Edward Berger’s Focus Features movie Conclave. There was no getting away from the fact that Universal’s The Wild Robot, one of the year’s most enchanting films,...

She dreamed a dream, and it came true. In 2009, Susan Boyle stunned the British public when she auditioned for the hit ITV series, Britain's Got Talent.

A then 47-year-old Susan attended the auditions in London, England where she performed the hit, I Dreamed A Dream from the musical, Les Misrables. While her appearance certainly had everyone doubting what was about to happen, especially former judge, Piers Morgan, known for his feuds with many celebrities over the years, Boyle managed to blow everyone away.

Boyle's audition went viral, landing herself on Simon Cowell's good side, which secured her a record deal and millions of fans across the world. Well, after a decade since her big moment, here's what Susan Boyle has been up to.

Related The Tragic Truth About Susan Boyle's 'Medical Complication'

Britains Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle recently went through a terrible medical complication that put her life and career at risk.

Ken Page, a theater icon who brought Old Deuteronomy to life in the Broadway debut of “Cats” and delighted children everywhere by voicing Oogie Boogie from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” has died. He was 70.

Page died Monday, Sept. 30, at home in St. Louis, Mo. His talent agent, Todd M. Eskin, announced the news Tuesday; no cause of death was given.

Page’s career spanned both stage and screen. He starred opposite Beyoncé in the 2006 film adaptation of the musical, voiced King Gator in the classic Don Bluth animated feature “All Dogs Go to Heaven” and Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the first Broadway revival of “Guys and Dolls”.

As a stage actor, Page made his Broadway debut as the Cowardly Lion in the original production of “The Wiz.” Page won a Drama Desk Award for his performance as part of the original cast of the Fats Waller musical “Ain’t Misbehavin'” and...

Ken Page dying is not the way to start off spooky season, is the general feeling among fans of the iconic actor who brought life to, among many other characters, The Nightmare Before Christmas villainous Oogie Boogie. Page passed away at the age of 70 on Monday, as confirmed by his reps, and the Broadway veterans death instantly brought a wave of love and tributes to social media especially from fans of the Tim Burton produced stop-motion movie that is just coming back into prominence in time for Halloween.

The Nightmare Before Christmas PGAnimationFamilyFantasyMusical Release Date October 9, 1993Director Henry SelickCast Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul ReubensRuntime 76Main Genre AnimationWriters Tim Burton, Michael McDowell, Caroline ThompsonStudio Touchstone PicturesTagline A ghoulish tale with wicked humour & stunning animation.Website http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/nightmare/intro.htmlFranchise Disney Animated Films Expand

Page was already a prolific and...

Today is a sad day for Broadway and “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” fans. Ken Page, the voice of Oogie Boogie, has passed away at age 70.

Page was born on January 20, 1954, in St. Louis, Missouri. Later, he starred on Broadway in shows like “The Wiz.” He went on to several other stage productions, but he was probably best known for playing Old Deuteronomy in “Cats” on Broadway and in the 1998 film. Of course, he is also known for playing Oogie Boogie in the cult classic film “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

The announcement of Ken Page’s death was made by his friend Dorian Hannaway on Facebook.

Here’s what people are saying on X:

Ken Page sharing how he put together the voice of Oogie Boogie pic.twitter.com/pQBcmBa4Td

— MouseInfo | Disney News and Fun (@MouseInfo) October 1, 2024

I’m devastated by the sudden loss of Ken Page.

Exclusive: Jamie Lloyd, director of the history-making reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, reveals that his star Nicole Scherzinger initially “refused to consider” accepting his offer to play Norma Desmond in the show adapted from Billy Wilder’s 1950 classic.

“Nicole was not flattered,” he gasped, speaking to Breaking Baz backstage at the London theatre awards, held at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday night.

Lloyd says that the show’s “obviously associated with Glenn Close’s iconic performance and therefore people think about Norma Desmond being a much older woman.”

Mmm, that’s unlikely to amuse Glenn Close.

He tells me that Scherzinger, a one-time member of The Pussycat Dolls, called Norma Desmond a “has been” and stormed at Lloyd that she “still looks good under the bright lights.”

Lloyd encouraged her to study Don Black and Christopher Hampton’s book and lyrics and to listen to Lloyd Weber’s music.

Being on Broadway wasn’t one of the goals Nicole Scherzinger set when she was listing off her dreams on the Pussycat Dolls single “When I Grow Up,” but the fame-hungry song is a perfect companion to her latest achievement. When Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard heads to New York from London’s West End, Scherzinger will make her Broadway debut in the lead role as Norma Desmond.

Scherzinger first entered the role during its third West End revival in 2023. It had been seven years since the production was revived there,...

Joss Ackland Photo: UniFrance Stage, screen and television star Joss Ackland has died at the age of 95.

A statement said that the star, whose credits include everything from Watership Down to A Zed & Two Noughts and Bill And Ted's Bogus Journey, died peacefully.

It added: “With his distinctive voice and commanding presence, Ackland brought a unique intensity and gravitas to his roles.”

“He will be remembered as one of Britain’s most talented and beloved actors.”

The London-born star began his film career in 1950 in Seven Days To Noon and work right up until recent years.

Among those paying tribute on social media was singer Elaine Paige.

She tweeted: "So very sad to hear actor Joss Ackland, who created the role of Juan Perón alongside me as Eva Perón in [the] original production of Evita, has died. A brilliant actor and a simply wonderful person. So kind & supportive. Rip dear Joss.

British actor Joss Ackland, known for his distinctive voice and commanding presence, has passed away at the age of 95. He will be remembered as one of Britain's most talented and beloved actors. Ackland's remarkable career spanned several decades, during which he showcased his versatility in films, television, and stage. He received a Cbe in 2001 for his contributions to the entertainment industry. Tributes from colleagues and fans poured in, honoring Ackland's memorable performances and the impact he had on the acting community. He will be deeply missed, leaving behind a legacy that spans generations.

When it comes to actors with an ability to command a scene, British actor Joss Ackland was one of the best. It was sadly announced today that the Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, White Mischief and The Mighty Ducks actor has passed away at the age of 95. The family statement (per BBC) revealed that the actor...

Dame Twiggy has joined Auddy for the launch of the new season of her podcast, Tea with Twiggy. Each week, the 60s icon sits down for a nice cuppa with some of her closest friends for an intimate chat. Previous guests have included Joanna Lumley, Lynda La Plante, Elaine Paige, Gyles Brandreth, Christopher Biggins, and David Threlfall, Robert Lindsay and Myleene Klass.

Jim Wilhelm, a theatrical agent who represented actors including Olivia de Havilland, Daniel Dae Kim, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Lea Salonga and Cybill Shepherd, has died. He was 68.

Wilhelm died Monday in New York after a brief battle with cancer, a publicist announced.

Wilhelm was one of the original founding partners of Douglas, Gorman, Rothacker & Wilhelm, one of New York’s most preeminent theatrical agencies since its inception in 1988. In 2010, he became the first theatrical agent to be made a voter for the Tony Awards.

Over the years, Wilhelm also counted as clients Lynn Cohen, Sandy Duncan, Lainie Kazan, Alice Ripley, Kathleen Chalfant, Elaine Paige, Sierra Boggess, Douglas Sills, Keala Settle, Paige O’Hara and Jodi Benson.

He served as the vice president of the board of directors of the National Association of Talent Representatives and was an active participant in, and a founding board member of, Broadway Cares, which assists those with HIV and AIDS.

A video of Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire meeting Camilla, Queen Consort has gone viral on TikTok.

The pair met at an International Women’s Day event the Buckingham Palace event alongside the 2021 Strictly Come Dancing winner and EastEnders actor Rose Ayling-Ellis and former Tehran prisoner Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty was also among the guests alongside Afrobeats singer Tiwa Savage, performer Elaine Paige and Leader of the House of Commons, Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt.

As Camilla appeared to praise Happy Valley, Lancashire said: “Thank you very much indeed, I’m amazed you found time to watch.”

Happy Valley ended after three seasons in February, with a dramatic showdown between Lancashire’s Sergeant Catherine Cawood and her nemesis Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton).

After Camilla appeared to ask about the show’s future, Lancashire replied: “Well, there’s no season four. It’s all done.

Click here to read the full article.

Bernard Cribbins, the British actor, singer and children’s entertainer whose career spanned seven decades and famously included roles in Doctor Who, has died. He was 93.

News of Cribbins’ death was confirmed to the BBC by his family.

A prolific performer across film, TV and stage, Cribbins — born in Oldham, Lancashire in 1928 — was perhaps best known for playing Doctor Who companion Tom Campbell in the 1966 film Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D., returning to the BBC’s cult sci-fi 41 years later in its hit revival series. He was also noted for narrating the much-loved children’s program The Wombles from 1973-1975, was a regular reader on famed storytime show Jackanory from 1966 to 1991, and, more recently, played the titles role in the kids’ series Old Jack’s Boat between (2013-2015). Another famed TV appearance was that of pretentious hotel guest Mr. Hutchinson in the 1975 Fawlty Towers episode “The Hotel Inspectors.

All eyes were on Judi Dench.

The legendary actress was seated stage right, performing one of Stephen Sondheim’s greatest hits. The sound of her voice, accompanied by a 25-piece orchestra led by Alfonso Casado Trigo, held a hushed audience in awe.

There was spontaneous applause. The great dame was led off stage. She reappeared moments later to perform the number again.

“Goosebumps,” said Cameron Mackintosh, echoing the thoughts of those lucky enough to be gathered in the stalls of London’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre for several hours Monday, for a long day and night of technical technical rehearsal for Tuesday night’s celebration of Sondheim, a giant of theatre, who died last November at age 91.

Tuesday’s one-night-only show is called Old Friends, named after a number in the composer’s 1981 musical comedy Merrily We Roll Along. Mackintosh has been putting Old Friends together with Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman staging,...

Stephen Sondheim died peacefully at his home in Connecticut on Friday at the age of 91, leaving behind an irreplaceable legacy of all-time classic musicals, from “Into the Woods” to “Company,” “Sweeney Todd,” and “West Side Story.” His 70-plus-year career included an Oscar win, multiple Grammy wins, and a bevy of Tony Awards, and soon his “West Side Story” lyrics will return to the big screen with Steven Spielberg’s upcoming reimagining of the Leonard Bernstein-scored musical.

Sondheim’s death came as a shock to many in the film and theater communities, as he was known for his dynamic persona (and even very recently gave an interview to The New York Times and visited “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”). Collaborators and friends took to social media to remember the icon, including Steven Spielberg, who offered this statement to Deadline:

“Stephen Sondheim was a gigantic figure in American culture — one...

The unexpected death today of songwriter Stephen Sondheim at his Connecticut home will no doubt catch many by surprise, given his relatively robust persona, even at age 91.

But while his passing may shock, there is no doubt about the huge contributions he made to the American songbook during his groundbreaking 70-year career as a songwriter, lyricist and general force on worldwide culture.

Steven Spielberg, whose “West Side Story” features Sondheim lyrics, saluted him in a statement.

“Stephen Sondheim was a giganic figure in American culture – one of our country’s greatet songwriters, a lyricist and composer of real genius, and a creator of some of the most glorious musical dramas ever written. Steve and I became friends only recently, but we became good friends, and I was surprised to discover he knew more about movies than almost anyone I’d ever met. When we spoke, I couldn’t wait to listen,...

Stephen Sondheim was hailed as one of the most influential and innovative voices in history of American musical theater by friends and fans following the composer’s death Friday at the age of 91.

Sondheim was remembered for his musically challenging works, for his inventive storytelling and his unique approach to crafting stage musicals.

Director Steven Spielberg whose “West Side Story” (out Dec. 10) features lyrics by the composer, shared a statement saying, “Stephen Sondheim was a gigantic figure in American culture — one of our country’s greatest songwriters, a lyricist and composer of real genius, and a creator of some of the most glorious musical dramas ever written. Steve and I became friends only recently, but we became good friends and I was surprised to discover that he knew more about movies than almost anyone I’d ever met.” He continued, “When we spoke, I couldn’t wait to listen, awestruck...

Anthony Powell, a three-time Oscar winner whose costume designs helped bring Indiana Jones to rugged life and Broadway’s Norma Desmond to extravagant excess, died Sunday. He was 85.

The Costume Designers Guild 892 confirmed the news on Monday night, on their official Facebook page. “Legendary English costume designer Anthony Powell passed away last weekend. He will be celebrated in a small, private gathering due to Covid restrictions and is survived by two nieces,” they said. “Anthony Powell’s passion for his work and for his friends was boundless. The Costume Designers Guild sends our condolences to everyone who enjoyed the pleasure of his company and his unforgettable designs.”

Powell, who won a Tony Award for the costumes of 1963’s School for Scandal, received Oscars in 1978 for Death on the Nile and in 1979 for Tess. He had received his first Academy Award for designing the costumes for Maggie Smith’s eccentric Augusta...

by Cláudio Alves

Just the other day, I was writing about Peter Ustinov's Poirot movies, praising their sartorial exuberance, their delectable Oscar-winning costumes designed by Anthony Powell. Not long after publishing that, while perusing Twitter, I encountered unexpectedly sad news. According to some of the stars he dressed, like Elaine Paige and Betty Buckley, the great Anthony Powell died at 85 years old. It happened just the other day and, while most movie sites seem to be ignoring the tragedy, here at The Film Experience, we couldn't let the news pass by unnoticed. Powell was one of the most fabulous costume designers in recent Hollywood history and one of the most generously rewarded, with three Oscar victories and three other nominations. Throughout his career, he dressed numerous stars and even more iconic characters…...

Less than a week after Broadway’s shutdown, Seth Fradkoff, the senior vice president of publicity at United Artists Releasing, logged into Zoom and launched a class to teach kids about Broadway and raise money to support the collapsed theater industry. Since then, #Uncle Seff’s Quarantine Broadway Classes have raised more than $15,000 for The Actors Fund and $2,000 for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition.

Attracting guests like Donna Murphy, Kristin Chenoweth, Betty Buckley and Elaine Paige, Fradkoff produced six classes and taught more than 200 children in roughly 50 sessions. A year later, “Uncle Seff” is back for encore classes.

As a film publicist, why did you leap into action to raise money for Broadway?

I have always been a theater kid, and fundraising for The Actors Fund was a natural decision. It benefits the people that I work with professionally on a daily basis, and also those who I support in the spotlight every night.

Yesterday’s news that the UK government is placing London into its strictest tier 3 coronavirus lockdown has been met by an outpouring of grief from the beleaguered live entertainment sector.

Venues such as cinemas and theaters were able to re-open in the capital on December 2 when the country exited a four-week nationwide lockdown, and many have put a large amount of effort and investment into getting operational again ahead of the lucrative holiday period.

In the immediate aftermath to yesterday’s announcement, the UK Cinema Association said the move would be “devastating” for its members, particularly as Wonder Woman 1984 will soon be available to program (windowing issues asides).

Today, the cast and crew of Pantoland At The Palladium, the annual festive stage show held at the famed London theater, have joined the chorus of dissent expressing the negative impact this will have on the long term health of live venues.

Herbert Kretzmer, the journalist and lyricist knew for his English-language adaptation of the musical Les Miserables, has died. He was 95.

His family confirmed Wednesday that Kretzmer died after a long illness with Parkinson’s disease at the London home he shared with his second wife, Sybil Sever.

Tributes poured in from giants of the London stage, including theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh, singer Elaine Paige and lyricist Tim Rice.

Les Miserables producer Mackintosh said Kretzmer was instrumental in bringing Victor Hugo’s classic tale of defiance and redemption in early 19th century France to the stage in English in October 1985, five ...

Herbert Kretzmer, the journalist and lyricist knew for his English-language adaptation of the musical Les Miserables, has died. He was 95.

His family confirmed Wednesday that Kretzmer died after a long illness with Parkinson’s disease at the London home he shared with his second wife, Sybil Sever.

Tributes poured in from giants of the London stage, including theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh, singer Elaine Paige and lyricist Tim Rice.

Les Miserables producer Mackintosh said Kretzmer was instrumental in bringing Victor Hugo’s classic tale of defiance and redemption in early 19th century France to the stage in English in October 1985, five ...

Ian McKellen, Lesley Manville, Lennie James and Joseph Fiennes are among the British talent delivering monologues as part of a new fundraising initiative by actors’ union Equity and actor Michelle Collins.

The #ForTheLoveofArts monologues are between 2-5 minutes long and recorded remotely at the actors’ homes in a bid to raise money for Equity during the coronavirus pandemic. Actors involved also include Miriam Margolyes, Adrian Dunbar, Alex Lawther, Elaine Paige, Mandeep Dhillon, Derek Jacobi and Sue Johnston, among many others.

In the clip below, Fiennes performs King Edward’s monologue from “Edward II” by Christopher Marlowe.

The project, which can be viewed on the Equity Benevolent Fund’s YouTube channel, also features a number of new, original pieces of writing from the likes of Hugh Dennis, Tom Wright, Damon Rochefort, Andrew Lynford, Chloe Moss, Susan Oudot, Martyn Hesford, Stewart Permutt, Tyler Rigby and Tony Grounds.

Genesis Pictures’ Debbie Gray and...

In this very special QuaranStreams, Ben and Daniel talk to Broadway producer and director Richard Jay-Alexander about 'Hey, Mr. Producer' the 1998 concert honoring Cameron Mackintosh. The concert featured performances by Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, Elaine Paige, Colm Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Jonathan Pryce, Ruthie Henshall, Ellen Greene, Michael Ball, Tom Lehrer and many more, including Julie Andrews as host. Richard Jay-Alexander served as Executive Director for the NYC office of producer Cameron Mackintosh and ran the North American operation for over a decade. Richard's recent directorial credits include 'Les Misrables' and 'Guys and Dolls,' both at the Hollywood Bowl. He has also staged concerts for superstars such as Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Kristin Chenoweth.

Rosalind Elias, a mezzo-soprano who at 24 began a 42-year association with the Metropolitan Opera but didn’t make her Broadway debut until she’d turned 81, died Sunday, May 3, in New York. She was 90.

Her death was reported by the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s Opera News. No cause was given.

Elias, though long known to opera devotees, was a newcomer to many in the Broadway audience when she played Heidi in the 2011 Kennedy Center production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies (the limited engagement revival premiered at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center prior to it transfer to Broadway’s Marquis Theatre). Directed by Eric Schaeffer, the Follies revival featured a star-filled cast including, among others, Danny Burstein, Jan Maxwell, Elaine Paige, Bernadette Peters, Jayne Houdyshell, Mary Beth Peil and Kirsten Scott..

Even among such Broadway veterans, Elias received considerable public and press attention for her performance as Heidi Schiller, a Broadway legend who performs Follies‘ “One More Kiss” (the young version of the character was played in the revival by Leah Horowitz).

In a 2011 interview with Playbill, Elias said she identified with Heidi “because I am of the age of ‘Never look back’…It’s not an easy thing to do, because I keep looking back, but I try not to. When I do look back, I’m not bitter. I’m happy because I’ve had a blessed path.”

Elias sang 687 performances with New York’s Metropolitan Opera and on tour from 1954 to 1996, spanning 35 Met seasons. Occasional forays into musical theatre included the Follies revival, a 1984 New York City Opera staging of Sweeney Todd, and a 2008 Hawaii production of A Little Night Music.

Rip, #RosalindElias, 1930-2020. In light of her recent passing, we honor mezzo-soprano and friend of the Guild, Rosalind Elias. Ms. Elias joined the Guild's board in 2012 and was one of the inaugural members of the our Artists’ Council. Full obituary – https://t.co/sR3ia6F1Zt pic.twitter.com/mpkqmndkPr

— Met Opera Guild (@MetOperaGuild) May 4, 2020...

From Dench in a dog hat to Elaine Paige in flower-clad rubber gloves, entertainment royalty is standing up to coronavirus with some bizarre comic relief. Now, where’s Cher?

• Coronavirus and culture – a list of major cancellations

• Coronavirus – latest updates

• See all our coronavirus coverage

Now that Cats has faded from view, doomed to become an artefact held up by future historians as a decadent totem of how human beings spent their precious time back when they were allowed out of the house, it might be time to welcome Judi Dench back into the fold. Better yet, Judi Dench dressed up as a dog.

The Dench reappearance came earlier today as part of a cluster of older stars demonstrating jaunty defiance in the face of the coronavirus. In a 10-second video posted to Twitter by her daughter Finty Williams, Dame Judi turns to face the camera in a novelty dog hat,...

Jerry Herman, the Broadway composer behind Hello, Dolly!, has died. He was 88.

Herman’s goddaughter confirmed his death to The Associated Press on Friday. The renowned composer died of pulmonary complications in Miami, Florida, the AP reported.

During his career, Herman worked on several iconic Broadway shows including Hello, Dolly! (1964) and La Cage aux Folles (1983) — both of which garnered him Tony Awards for best musical. He was nominated a total of five times.

Herman also won two Grammy Awards for the cast album of Mame and song of the year for Hello, Dolly!

The composer was born in New York...

Shortly after reports surfaced that Jerry Herman, Broadway composer of hits like “Hello, Dolly!” and “La Cage aux Folles” died Thursday of pulmonary complications, stars of the stage and screen flocked to Twitter to share fond memories.

“How Sad,,, Jerry Herman has passed away ,,,of course he made it to Christmas and left us the next day !! He was always so enthusiastic and uplifting about things and gave us the wonderful show Hello Dolly among others !!Rip Jerry Dearest,” tweeted “Annie” actress Bernadette Peters.

Harvey Fierstein, an actor and playwright known for “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Independence Day,” shared thoughts on his “friend of 40 years.”

Also Read: Ari Behn, Kevin Spacey Accuser and Ex-Husband of Norwegian Princess, Dies at 47

“Jerry Herman lost his hard fought battle last night and we lost one of the greats. A collaborator and friend for almost 40 years, I cannot thank him enough for his love, trust,...

Jennifer Hudson performed “Memory” from the upcoming “Cats” film on the finale of “The Voice” Tuesday night, but how does her version compare to Broadway’s best?

No one can question Hudson’s power — she won an Oscar in part to her rousing rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from 2006’s “Dreamgirls.”

The version she performed on Tuesday is abridged, so we’ll have to wait until Dec. 20 to compare it to the big-screen version.

Here are the Top 10 performances of “Memory” from “Cats”:

10. Susan Boyle

Viral sensation Susan Boyle returned to the show that made her famous — “Britain’s Got Talent” — to perform once again. She rushes through the phrasing of the climax and drops a few notes, but this isn’t bad for a reality TV contestant.

9. Leona Lewis

Like Boyle, Leona Lewis rose to fame on a British reality TV competition — winning...

Jennifer Hudson doesn’t hold anything back in her take of the classic ballad, “Memory,” in the upcoming Cats movie adaptation of the stage musical.

Ahead of the film’s release on Friday, the Oscar winner, 38, has released her rendition of the song, sung by her character Grizabella.

Cats is based on the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical of the same name, which in turn was based on T.S. Eliot’s 1939 poetry collection Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. The film revolves around a tribe of cats called the Jellicles and the night they make what is known as “the Jellicle choice,...

Idris Elba‘s role in Cats was a source of humor for his Hobbs & Shaw costars.

During a recent interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the 46-year-old actor said action stars Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham teased him about the musical while on the set of the Fast & Furious spinoff movie.

“When I was working on Hobbs & Shaw, just after that I went to work on Cats,” Elba explained. “So I’m working with Dwayne and Jason and as soon as they found out I was working on Cats, this was their favorite thing to do as I walked on set.

Rebel Wilson wasn’t too bothered by the mixed reactions to the Cats trailer that dropped earlier this month.

The actress, 39, spoke to Cosmopolitan in which she spoke about the upcoming movie in which she stars as the Jellicle cat Jennyanydots.

“When the trailer came out, the response was pretty massive,” Wilson said. “There’s some people who were like, ‘Oh my God’ because it is brand-new technology that’s CGI. I think people get confused because it’s essentially a dance movie in a lot of ways.”

She continued, “So it really is all our own bodies. And yes,...

After much anticipation, the Cats trailer is here — and social media users have their claws out!

The first glimpse into the star-studded remake of the classical musical dropped on Thursday and disturbed viewers did not hold back when it came to sharing their responses on Twitter.

“The #Cats trailer goes deep into the Uncanny Valley and discovers there is no bottom. Pure, straight-up nightmare fuel,” one user wrote.

“To whom does one report an abomination? A priest?” another user tweeted alongside the clip.

“The Cats trailer cursed the next four generations of my bloodline,” author Victoria Aveyard expressed.

“The cats trailer was frightening!

Cats is taking over.

The first official trailer for the star-studded remake of the classic musical debuted on Thursday with some major transformations for Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Jennifer Hudson‘s Grizabella sings “Memory” in the trailer, which was originally sung by Elaine Paige when the musical debuted on the West End in 1981.

Full of intense choreography and cat costumes that made the Andrew Lloyd Webber a success, the trailer is full of sneak peeks at Idris Elba, Rebel Wilson, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, James Corden, Taylor Swift and Hudson, 37, as Jellicle Cats who seek ascension to the Heaviside Layer...

Gavin & Stacey and Abigail’s Party star Alison Steadman is to front BBC drama Life from Doctor Foster creator Mike Bartlett.

Steadman is joined by Peter Davison, who starred as the Doctor in the fifth iteration of Doctor Who, Adrian Lester (Riviera), Victoria Hamilton (Doctor Foster) and Rachael Stirling (The Bletchley Circle) in the six-part series.

The Drama Republic-fronted series, which has just begun filming in Manchester, follows the stories of the residents in a large house in Manchester divided into flats. As each of the four separate, relatable yet surprising strands unfold, they tell a larger story about what happens when we decide to step out of our own personal space and take a closer look into other people’s lives.

Gail, played by Steadman, who is married to Henry, played by Davison, is about to celebrate her 70th birthday when a chance encounter throws her whole life into question.

Hollywood took to social media to mourn the death of icon Doris Day on Monday.

One of the most popular stars in the movie industry in the ’50s and ’60s, Day was known for her wholesome girl-next-door personality, her comedies that pushed the envelope and her public love life. The actress earned an Oscar nomination for her 1959 film “Pillow Talk” with Rock Hudson and won best song for “Que Sera, Sera” in the Alfred Hitchcock thriller “The Man Who Knew Too Much” in 1956.

Fellow stars, like Goldie Hawn, remembered the legend fondly on Twitter.

“The great Doris Day left us and took a piece of the sun with her,” Hawn said. “May she rest peacefully.”

The great Doris Day left us and took a piece of the sun with her. She brighten our lives and lived out her life with dignity. May she rest peacefully.

— Goldie Hawn (@goldiehawn) May 13, 2019

“For...

Doris Day has died at 97 and Hollywood is mourning America’s sweetheart.

The Hollywood icon died at 1:00 A.M. on Monday at her home in California, her rep tells People.

Day shared a special friendship with Paul McCartney, who posted a tribute to her on Instagram on Monday.

“So sad to hear of Doris Day passing away. She was a true star in more ways than one,” he wrote in the caption. “I had the privilege of hanging out with her on a few occasions.”

He continued, “Visiting her in her Californian home was like going to an animal...

Downtown Music Publishing has entered into a multi-year publishing administration deal with Faber Music, which represents the musical repertoire from “Cats,” the beloved and long-running Broadway sensation currently being turned into a feature film starring Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, James Corden, Idris Elba and Judi Dench, among others. The Universal picture, directed by Tom Hooper, recently started production and is slated for release in Dec. 2019.

Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the music of “Cats” is rooted in the poetry collection “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot. The stage show’s Broadway and London runs both broke records with the U.K. production launching in 1981 and in New York the following year. The former ran for 21 years and the latter nearly as long, winning seven Tony Awards.

Downtown’s deal with Faber, which includes royalty collection and marketing, covers the U.S. and Canada.

“We’ve chosen...

It seems every day, some bigger and more exciting talent joins “Cats,” Tom Hooper’s forthcoming screen adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical. Based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” the musical is the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history, and the sixth longest-running West End show. Hooper directed the “The King’s Speech,” which won best Picture at the 84th Academy Awards, as well as 2012’s “Les Misérables” adaptation. With help from “Billy Elliot” screenwriter Lee Hall, Hooper will attempt to bring “Cats” to the screen.

Here is a breakdown of the A-list talent already signed onto the project, and a look at their musical theater backgrounds and singing chops.

Jennifer Hudson, Grizabella

Although Hudson’s “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” didn’t quite reach the hair-raising heights of Jennifer Holliday’s, the original Effie White in “Dreamgirls,...

Legendary playwright Neil Simon died Sunday due to complications from pneumonia at age 91.

The “Odd Couple” and “Barefoot in the Park” writer had more than 30 plays mounted on Broadway, and also wrote numerous films, some original and other adaptations of his theater works. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1991 for his play “Lost in Yonkers,” and received more Oscar and Tony nominations combined than any other writer.

Simon’s former wife and actress Marsha Mason posted a tribute to her ex-husband: “He was a great talent and man, husband and father. He shall be sorely missed . With his passing, his work and plays live on and will be enjoyed by many generations to come. I miss him deeply and always.”

“Neil Simon will always be one of my theatrical heroes and I am so proud to have played a small part in his unparalleled career and remarkable legacy,” said Nathan Lane in a statement.

Shortly before “Hair” opened at Broadway’s Biltmore Theater on April 29, 1968 — 50 years ago this month — Variety reported, “The musical is vehemently anti-establishment and pro-dissenting youth.” Before then, most plays, films and TV shows had avoided antiwar protests and the sexual revolution, or mentioned those topics as a way of reasserting middle-class values. Variety reported another radical aspect: The show “includes a scene of total nudity, with several men and femmes facing downstage.” Police raids and arrests were common with nude shows, though “New York City authorities have adopted a hands-off policy re sexually extreme legit fare,” Variety said. While “Hair” was safe in Gotham, it was vulnerable in other cities: In Mexico, the show was shut down after one performance and the cast album was banned in some countries.

The “American tribal love-rock musical,” as it was billed, was originally produced off-Broadway by the New York Shakespeare Festival, then moved to the Cheetah,...

Announced in London by Elaine Paige and Alexandra Burke, the 2018 Laurence Olivier Award nominations represented the U.K.’s most thrilling and boundary-pushing theater of the last year. As it did during its U.S. conception, “Hamilton” dominated the list in 13 places, setting a new record for most Olivier nods for a single production ever. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical about the Founding Fathers smashed box office records even before its Broadway opening in 2015, and eventually scored 11 Tony Award wins. The West End production of “Hamilton,” now playing at the Victoria Palace Theatre, will now compete at the Tonys of the U.K. alongside fellow 2018 Best New Musical nominees “An American In Paris” at the Dominion Theatre, “Everybody's Talking About Jamie” at the Apollo Theatre, “Girl From The North Country” at The Old Vic, and “Young Frankenstein” at the Garrick Theatre. This year’s most-recognized new play is Jez Butterworth...

Today, Elaine Paige and Alexandra Burke announced the nominations for the Olivier Awards 2018 with Mastercard, UK's most prestigious stage honours. The 2018 awards are set to be an exciting occasion with original new work dominating the categories and a significant number of artists receiving their first ever Olivier nominations. Catherine Tate will host the Awards at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 8 April and they will be broadcast to the UK and worldwide.

Jan Maxwell, a beloved mainstay of New York City theater, died on Feb. 11 at the age of 61. Over the course of her illustrious career, in which she appeared in 13 Broadway and numerous Off-Broadway productions, Maxwell earned five Tony Award nominations for her work in both musicals and plays, comedies and dramas, displaying a near-unparalleled mastery of both genres.

Maxwell first appeared on the Great White Way in the original production of “City of Angels” as an understudy, swing, and replacement. Her first bid at the Tony Awards came over a decade later for her featured role in the musical “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” in 2005, for which she won her first Drama Desk Award. She went on to earn Tony nominations for her performances in the play “Coram Boy” (2007) and in revivals of “Lend Me a Tenor” (2010) and “The Royal Family” (2010), taking home her second Drama Desk for the latter.

Her...