Musicals is the new magazine celebrating the world of Musical Theatre, on stage and on screen, from the West End to Broadway and beyond. Every issue contains exclusive interviews with the stars of the shows and their creative teams, from producers and designers to composers and lyricists; in-depth coverage of the best live productions, from the West End and Broadway to international and regional productions; as well as reviews of the latest recordings and releases.
Musicals
What does it mean to be a reviewer today?
INTRODUCING THIS ISSUE’S FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS…
Curtain Up! • The latest Musical Theatre news, plus exclusive interviews, announcements and reports
IDINA MENZEL RETURNS TO BROADWAY
We pay tribute to Richard Sherman
PATTI’S BACK: NEW ALBUM AND LONDON CONCERT
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 to soar
EDINBURGH FRINGE SET TO SIZZLE!
JANIS JOPLIN SHOW AT PEACOCK THEATRE
Interval Chatter
Countdown to…
Bring Back That Show! • Bye Bye Birdie
Venue Focus Criterion Theatre
From the Green Room • An orchestrator can elevate a tune immeasurably. Edward Seckerson celebrates the craft of Tunick, Bennett – and Brohn, who could even transform humming into something extraordinary
Elaine’s Page A Chorus Line • Elaine Paige discusses the universal relatability of A Chorus Line, the classic backstage musical celebrating the ‘anonymous dancer’, with its ‘one-derful’ score by Marvin Hamlisch
Lez Brotherston, set and costume designer • Every day is multifaceted for this leading theatre designer, who has just finished working on a new production of Oliver! for Chichester Festival Theatre
Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2024 • The 16th instalment of ‘SSSSPOTY’, as it is affectionately known, proved once again that this London-based annual singing competition is a hotbed for serious talent, writes David Benedict
Backstage with… • Dancer, choreographer and performer Adam Cooper, currently touring the UK as demanding director/choreographer Zach in A Chorus Line
BY DEFINITION… • ‘Theatre in the round’ – a stage, typically round (but not always), surrounded by the audience on all sides
Behind The Song Lionel Bart’s ‘It’s a Fine Life’ from Oliver! • Nancy’s breezy, upbeat song is a reminder of the warm human she is before Sykes attacks her – as well as a showcase for Bart’s masterful rhymes and speech patterns, writes musician Joe Stilgoe
Broadway Bulletin • As the Tonys have shown, the climate now favours niche shows over long-running blockbusters. What, asks Matt Wolf, does this mean for our industry, post-Covid?
Keeping Score Lady in the Dark • Orchestrator Jason Carr surveys the scope and ambition of Moss Hart, Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin’s rule-breaking piece in which, as per Sondheim, content dictates form
Wild Rose world premiere, plus Muriel’s Wedding comes to UK
EVERYTHING’S COMING UP AUDRA ON BROADWAY
Whip-Crack-Away, tours galore!
Hello, I’m Dolly
Musical icons in concert
Rising Star Jess Folley • The star and co-songwriter of new musical Burlesque, talent show alumna Jess Folley, is a force to be reckoned with
Elaine Paige launches arts university scholarship
Two Greek myth musicals to premiere in London
ANNOUNCING OUR NEW LETTERS PAGE AND PRIZE
WELCOMING OCTOBER COVER STAR TOM FRANCIS
Friendship Rules • Inspired by their own relationship, SIX creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss have followed up their mega-hit musical with Why Am I So Single?, a tribute to platonic love. Aliya Al-Hassan meets the gregarious duo, who have known each other since Cambridge University, to find out how they rose to the challenge of writing a show that,...