Clare Burt will join the cast of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre in London, when the show kicks off on 21 September 2023. Burt replaces Haydn Gwynne, who had to withdraw from the production due to unexpected personal circumstances. Old Friends is headlined by Broadway legends Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. Joining them are Christine Allado, Clare Burt, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley, Bradley Jaden, Bonnie Langford, Gavin Lee, Jason Pennycooke, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Jac Yarrow, Marley Fenton, and Beatrice Penny-Touré. The company is further bolstered by Harry Apps, Bella Brown, Richard Dempsey, and Monique Young.
Aston Merrygold and The Vivienne will star in The Wizard of Oz (the version featuring additional songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice) in Liverpool this December. Merrygold will play The Tin Man with Liverpool-raised, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing on Ice finalist, The Vivienne taking on the iconic role of The Wicked Witch of the West. The Wizard of Oz opens its UK and Ireland tour at Liverpool Empire Theatre on Tuesday 13 December 2023, playing an extended festive season through Sunday 7 January 2024.
Jarrod Spector joined the Broadway production of Hamilton as King George on September 12 2023. Spector takes over for Euan Morton, who played his final performance on September 10. Spector earned a Tony nomination for his featured turn as Barry Mann in Beautiful — The Carole King Musical. His other Broadway credits include The Cher Show, Jersey Boys and Les Misérables.
Casting for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, UK has been announced. The show runs from 9 December 2023 to 13 January 2024 and stars Craig Armstrong as Ezekiel and Understudy Waverley, Megan Armstrong as Ensemble/as cast and Understudy Martha, George Blagden as Bob, Charlie Booker as Ensemble, Danny Collins as Sheldrake and Understudy Phil, Alastair Crosswell as Onstage Swing, Ewen Cummins as Waverley, Adam Davidson as Ensemble, Jasmine Davis as Ensemble, Emily Goodenough as Ensemble, Understudy Judy and Dance Coach, Ryan Gover as Ensemble, Chloe Hopcroft as Onstage Swing, Emma Johnson as Ensemble and Understudy Betty, Thomas-Lee Kidd as Ensemble and Understudy Bob, Sandra Marvin as Martha, Grace Mouat as Betty, Natasha Mould as Judy, Stuart Neal as Phil, Hakeem Tinubu as Ensemble, D’Mia Lindsay Walker as Ensemble and Lucy Young as Ensemble.