One-Off Concerts: WOS Musical, Lee Mead, Rain
It’s a screen-to-stage musical of a different kind – rather than adapting source material from the cinema (or television) screen, we’re taking our material from the computer screen – and you. Yes, your favourite theatre website will be making its theatrical debut next month, with the world premiere of Whatsonstage.com – The Musical, which will take place – for one night only – on Monday 8 November 2010 at the King’s Head Theatre.
All Whatsonstage.com theatregoers are invited to join us for this major, if slightly silly, event, staged in association with Showstopper! The Improvised Musical – and to participate in creating an unforgettable work of art.
Please tell us your suggestions for full title, plot, characters, musical styles, choreography and design – you can do so via the User Comments below or email feedback@whatsonstage.com. Whatsonstage.com editorial director Terri Paddock will then write a review of the fictional musical, which she’ll read aloud to open the evening, after which the amazing Showstoppers will take over and perform the original musical on the spot.
Whatsonstage.com – The Musical will be performed as part of Showstopper!’s new London dates at the King’s Head, running every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evening until 21 December. This latest residency follows hit seasons at the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Edinburgh Fringes, UK-wide touring and other London stints at the Leicester Square, Greenwich and Drill Hall theatres as well as the King’s Head.
** Don’t miss this one & only opportunity to experience Whatsonstage.com – The Musical – including FREE programme, post-show pub reception & free merchandise for early bookers, all for £15 – on Monday 8 November 2010 – click here to book now! **
In other concert news, also with a Whatsonstage.com association, following his starring role as Fiyero in Wicked, Any Dream Will Do and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat star Lee Mead will take to the stage at the 2,400-seat London Coliseum, home of English National Opera, for the festive celebration Christmas With Lee Mead on Sunday 19 December 2010.
Whatsonstage.com has secured an exclusive allocation – which includes souvenir programme, Christmas cocktail, minced pies, mulled wine and a chance to meet Lee Mead at our private post-show reception – that is available to members of our Theatre Club only. Tickets went on sale at 1pm this afternoon with the first tranche selling out within the first five minutes.
** Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity for Christmas With Lee Mead on Sunday 19 December 2010 – full package priced at £60 – click here to book now! **
Ahead of that, another West End leading man, Julian Ovenden – whose musical credits include Annie Get Your Gun, Marguerite, Grand Hotel and Merrily We Roll Along – will star in a concert performance of Singin’ in the Rain at 3pm on Sunday 7 November 2010 at the Royal Festival Hall. The presentation, with the Philharmonia Orchestra, will mark the first-ever concert performance of the original score from the 1952 film, newly reconstructed by conductor John Wilson.
Set in 1920s Los Angeles, Singin’ in the Rain tells the behind-the-scenes story of the making of the first movie musical, in which silent screen star Lina Lamont struggles to overcome the restrictions of her horrible voice. Cooper plays Lamont’s co-star Don Lockwood, who meets and falls in love with the girl-next-door with the beautiful voice.
The screen original starred Gene Kelly as Don Lockwood (Ovenden on stage), Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Cyd Charisse. Ovenden will be joined in the concert by Annalene Beechey as Kathy Selden and Kim Criswell as Lina Lamont. Criswell also directs and narrates.
