David Shire News

Whatsonstage.com reports that Ian Bartholomew (Tommy, Into the Woods), Michael Jibson (Our House, Brighton Rock), Sam Kenyon (Sweeney Todd, Amadeus) and Elliot Levey (Beauty and the Beast) and Whatsonstage.com Award winner Sally Ann Triplett in the world premiere of Take Flight, the new musical by Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire, set for its world premiere at London's Menier Chocolate Factory July 13, before running July 25-September 22.

After a jam-packed Autumn season last year, with 8 musicals in 8 weeks, the West End goes one better and gives us 10 musicals to look forward to over the summer months. With Broadway imports, popular reality TV cast musicals, new musicals and short-run revivals, there's certainly something for everyone, so read on for the full lowdown..

A musical version of 1985 cult film Desperately Seeking Susan may premiere in the West End at the Gielgud Theatre in November.

Following its staging of the UK premieres of musicals 'Tick, Tick Boom' in 2005 and 'The Last Five Years' in 2006, the Menier Chocolate Factory will go one better this summer by staging the World Premiere of the new Maltby and Shire musical, 'Take Flight' from July 25 to September 22 (previewing from July 13). The Menier will hope to repeat the success of its other 2005 musical production, 'Sunday In the Park With George', as 'Take Flight' reunites the artistic team that presented the award winning Sondheim revival - director Sam Buntrock and designer David Farley.

Take Flight, a new musical by Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire 'about flying, about the invention of the airplane, about creativity, and about the human need to take risks' will have its world premiere at London's Menier Chocolate Factory.

Erich Bergen stars as Bob Gaudio in the first national tour of 'Jersey Boys.' Only 21 years-old, Erich already has his foot deep in the door of the theatre business! Before his big-break with 'Jersey Boys,' he played at the NYMF, sold Broadway merchandise, and hosted an original podcast interviewing theatre celebs.

There are moments in musical theatre when the sets become cumbersome and staging simply hampers the works on stage, which might explain the popularity of Reprise! Broadway's Best's Marvelous Musical Monday series at UCLA...

Graham Rowat has joined the cast of Reprise! Broadway's Best's upcoming staged concert presentation of Baby, which will be performed one night only, Monday, February 5 at 8:00pm at the Freud Playhouse at UCLA.

Reprise! Broadway's Best announced today that Tony Award-nominee Alice Ripley (Broadway's Side Show, The Dead) will star as Pam, Christopher McDonald (Broadway's Chicago) will star as Alan, Daniel Tatar (The Last Five Years, Elegies) will star as Danny in Baby.

BroadwayWorld.com has learned that Broadway favorite Kerry Butler has been cast as Lizzie in the Reprise! Broadway's Best Marvelous Musical Monday production of Baby.

Tony Award-winner Faith Prince will star as Arlene in the Reprise! Broadway's Best Marvelous Musical Monday production of Baby.

The Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura, CA will present A Time for Love, a new two-character song cycle by Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire. It will be presented from February 1st through 25th, 2007

PS Classics, the label dedicated to the heritage of Broadway and American popular song, has joined forces with prolific cabaret producer Jamie deRoy on a new CD celebrating songwriters from the worlds of Broadway, pop, country and cabaret.

Elegies, Baby and It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman will comprise Reprise! Broadway's Best's 2006-2007 'Marvelous Musical Mondays' season in Los Angeles

'We're going to have a baby!' What five words could have more of a heart stopping, jaw dropping reaction?

A Chorus Line, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical, proudly announces the 2006 cast.

Bristol Riverside Theatre (BRT) in Bristol, PA has announced the return of Broadway performers Brad Little and Barbara McCulloh in it's production of Maltby and Shire's Baby, running from May 2 through May 21, 2006 at BRT