Robert G. Bartner News

The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of "Absolutely Fabulous") Joanna Lumley will begin previews tomorrow, Thursday, September 23rd at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) following an engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End.

From 25 October 2010, Simon Thomas will join Sheridan Smith, Denise Van Outen, Alex Gaumond, Siobhan Dillon, Susan McFadden, Aoife Mulholland, Carley Stenson and Peter Davison in the West End hit Legally Blonde The Musical, which is currently booking until 22 October 2011 at the Savoy Theatre.

From 25 October 2010, Simon Thomas will join Sheridan Smith, Denise Van Outen, Alex Gaumond, Siobhan Dillon, Susan McFadden, Aoife Mulholland, Carley Stenson and Peter Davison in the West End hit Legally Blonde The Musical, which is currently booking until 22 October 2011 at the Savoy Theatre.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical, written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and directed by Simon Phillips, will open on Broadway on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway). Previews will begin on Monday, February 28, 2011.

Matthew Warchus' production of David Hirson's La Bête, starring Mark Rylance, David Hyde Pierce and Joanna Lumley, will complete its run as scheduled at the Comedy Theatre on 4 September, transferring immediately to the Music Box Theatre on Broadway with previews from 23 September and opening on 14 October.

Denise Van Outen, Siobhan Dillon and Carley Stenson are to join Sheridan Smith, who has recently extended her run as Elle Woods, Alex Gaumond, Aoife Mulholland and Peter Davison in the West End hit Legally Blonde The Musical.

Sheridan Smith is to extend her run in the West End hit Legally Blonde The Musical to 9 January 2011, in her critically acclaimed role of college sweetheart Elle Woods. Smith has been playing to packed houses at the Savoy Theatre where the show opened in December. Legally Blonde The Musical, which has recently released the original London live cast recording, is currently booking until 22 October 2011.

As previously reported and confirmed today by Whatsonstage.com, West End's 'Elle Woods' and 'Paulette,' Sheridan Smith and Jill Halfpenny, respectively, will be departing LEGALLY BLONDE on October 23, 2010. It has been rumored that Jennifer Ellison was in talks to take over the role of Elle, in addition to Broadway's original Elle Woods, Laura Bell Bundy.

Matthew Warchus' production of David Hirson's La Bête, starring Mark Rylance, David Hyde Pierce and Joanna Lumley, will complete its run as scheduled at the Comedy Theatre on 4 September, transferring immediately to the Music Box Theatre on Broadway with previews from 23 September and opening on 14 October.

The original London live cast recording of Legally Blonde The Musical starring Sheridan Smith, Duncan James, Jill Halfpenny, Peter Davison and Alex Gaumond and coordinated for First Night Records by John Craig, will be released on 16 August 2010.

Actress Sheridan Smith will depart the West End's LEGALLY BLONDE on October 23, whatsonstage.com reports. Smith, who plays Elle Woods, made the announcement via her twitter account. As previously reported on BroadwayWorld, Jennifer Ellison is being considered to replaced Smith; however, no official announcement has been made.

Due to popular demand, Neil Simon's award-winning comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue has extended its run at the Vaudeville Theatre until 25 September 2010. Directed by Terry Johnson and starring Jeff Gold blum and Mercedes Ruehl, The Prisoner Of Second Avenue is the first West End production to be staged by The Old Vic Theatre Company.

Mark Rylance (Valere), David Hyde Pierce (Elomire) and Joanna Lumley (The Princess) are joined by Stephen Ouimette (Bejart), Lisa Joyce (Marquise-Therese Du Parc), Greta Lee (Dorine), Robert Lonsdale (Rene Du Parc), Michael Milligan (De Brie), Liza Sadovy (Catherine De Brie) and Sally Wingert (Madeleine Bejart) in Matthew Warchus' production of David Hirson's La Bête.

Mark Rylance (Valere), David Hyde Pierce (Elomire) and Joanna Lumley (The Princess) are joined by Stephen Ouimette (Bejart), Lisa Joyce (Marquise-Therese Du Parc), Greta Lee (Dorine), Robert Lonsdale (Rene Du Parc), Michael Milligan (De Brie), Liza Sadovy (Catherine De Brie) and Sally Wingert (Madeleine Bejart) as rehearsals begin for Matthew Warchus' production of David Hirson's La Bête.

Actress Jennifer Ellison is in 'talks and talks' to take on the role of Elle Woods in the West End production of LEGALLY BLONDE, The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye reports. Ellison would replace Sheridan Smith, who is currently playing the role and is to leave in September or October.

Mark Rylance (Valere), David Hyde Pierce (Elomire) and Joanna Lumley (The Princess) are joined by Stephen Ouimette (Bejart), Lisa Joyce (Marquise-Therese Du Parc), Greta Lee (Dorine), Robert Lonsdale (Rene Du Parc), Michael Milligan (De Brie), Liza Sadovy (Catherine De Brie) and Sally Wingert (Madeleine Bejart) as rehearsals begin for Matthew Warchus' production of David Hirson's La Bête.

Musical theatre songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul announced through their website today that they are writing the score to 5th Avenue's revised A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL!, running November 30 through December 19.

Richard Fleeshman will join the cast of the critically acclaimed Legally Blonde The Musical from 16 June to play Warner Huntington III opposite Sheridan Smith as Elle Woods, Jill Halfpenny as Paulette, Peter Davison as Professor Callahan and Alex Gaumond as Emmett. Fleeshman takes over the role of Warner Huntington III from Duncan James whose final performance will be 14 June 2010. Legally Blonde The Musical, which opened at the Savoy Theatre earlier this year, is currently booking until 20 February 2011.

The West End production of LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL will receive its own cast recording, according to a post on the musical's Facebook page on May 21st. The show will be recorded live on June 12, 13, and 14 for a yet-to-be-announced release date.

The American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 13, 2010 and broadcast on the CBS Television Network. For more information visit tonyawards.com.