It’s both surprising, and not, in the light of this that Phantom — a fictional character whose physicality is almost entirely shrouded by a cloak and whose face is 50% covered — has never been played by a black or Asian actor yet in its 35-year run in the West End.
Mark Shenton picks out his Ten Top Broadway leading gents
I previously chose my top ten favourite Broadway leading ladies in musicals; this week it’s the turn of the gents. And the same ground rules apply: they’ve all got to be people who are still regularly active on Broadway, or at least were when the theatres shut down nearly a year ago.
‘Brings every detail of the character into the song’: THE SETH CONCERT SERIES – Norm Lewis ★★★★
Deeply engaging The Seth Concert Series continues with Norm Lewis discussing and performing songs from his impressive career catalogue.
Album Review: The Norm Lewis Christmas Album
I’m not sure who we apply to for these things but I really would like to see Norm Lewis return to the West End stage – I didn’t catch him in Les Mis but I did get the briefest look at him at a Lance Horne concert so Santa if you’re listening… In the meantime, we have to make do with the many pleasures of The Norm Lewis Christmas Album.
‘Someone to hold you too close’: 10 takes on ‘Being Alive’ to celebrate Company’s opening
My Top 10 ‘Losing My Mind’ post has been one of the most popular on the site, so I thought I would repeat the exercise with what is arguably Company’s most iconic song ‘Being Alive’.
‘Brown’s intelligent music was aided by the swell of the live orchestra’: AN EVENING WITH JASON ROBERT BROWN – London Palladium
Songs for a New World, Parade, The Bridges of Madison County and The Last 5 Years – these are a just a handful of the musicals penned by composer Jason Robert Brown, and just few of the treats that were peppered amongst his packed-out, one-off concert at the London Palladium.
‘This concert which was outstanding’: An Evening With Jason Robert Brown – London Palladium ★★★★★
Jason Robert Brown opened the show with an emotive song about finding hope in a hopeless situation which he revealed was written the day after the last presidential election.
‘The Radio 2 audience are unlikely to be disappointed’: An evening with Jason Robert Brown – London Palladium ★★★★
A packed Palladium saw Jason Robert Brown, supported by the lush BBC Concert Orchestra and the composer’s own rhythm section record a Friday Night Is Music Night show for future broadcast. The music was grand and with the stunning talents of Betsy Wolfe and Norm Lewis also flown in specially from Broadway to join the British Isle’s very own Rachel Tucker, the vocal talent was top-notch too.
INTERVIEW: Jason Robert Brown on his upcoming London Palladium concert
Last week I posted my interview with Rachel Tucker all about her participation in the upcoming concert An Evening with Jason Robert Brown on 11 April at the London Palladium, starring Betsy Wolfe and Norm Lewis. I was also lucky enough to do a brief interview with the main man himself, Jason Robert Brown, to get you even more excited for the concert.
Diary of a Theatre Addict: (Not Quite) Taking a Theatre Break
I saw just five shows last week between London, New York, Boston and Provincetown! I’m having a break….!
Diary of a theatre addict: nine shows, one film and twelve steps!
I managed another nine show (plus one movie!) week, with one of those theatre visits in Southampton, and even managed to have one night off in the middle of it for an office dinner! So I’ve hardly had time to catch my breath all week, but am looking forward to three weeks off now as I head back to the US tomorrow — or at least ‘off’ from London, with only a few theatre outings planned while I’m out there for a change.