You don’t have to be a Broadway baby to scratch your onstage acting itch. In fact, all around the country—and outside of it—there are bustling theater communities producing works so vibrant they’d have Edward Albee rolling over in his grave. Want in on that action? You’d be wise to know the ins and outs of industry happenings, and this is a good place to start: From across the pond and back again, here is the week’s biggest regional theater news.
He will be found—in London.
The Tony Award-winning best musical “Dear Evan Hansen” will wave through a window across the pond. Lead producer Stacey Mindich has announced that the Benj Pasek and Justin Paul-scored tuner will debut at the West End’s Noël Coward Theatre in fall 2019. Mindich also added that she intends to cast British actors for the London bow. Exact dates are to-be-announced.
Cate, plus eight.
Full casting has been announced for the world premiere production of Martin Crimp’s “When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other.” Led by two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, the new play will also star Tony winner Stephen Dillane, Babirye Bukilwa, Jessica Gunning, Emma Hindle, and Craig Miller. Directed by Katie Mitchell, the drama begins performances at London’s National Theatre Jan. 16, 2019, with a run slated through March 2.
Not-so-normal casting.
Full casting has been announced for the Writers Theatre production of “Next to Normal” in Chicago. The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical will be led by Kyrie Courter, Alex Levy, Liam Oh, Gabriel Ruiz, David Schlumpf, and Keely Vasquez. The run is slated for May 8–June 16, 2019, and will be helmed by “The Band’s Visit” Tony-winning director David Cromer (currently starring on stage in Broadway’s “The Waverly Gallery”).
Think of him fondly.
“The Phantom of the Opera” has set his sights on the world at large. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which is currently Broadway’s longest-running show to date, has announced a global tour beginning February 28, 2019 in Manila. It will then move on to Singapore, followed by additional to-be-announced cities around the globe.
“Eugenius” isn’t done yet.
After its second acclaimed run at The Other Palace in London, the deeply adored “Eugenius! The Musical” will transfer to the West End. The musical from Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins will conclude its current engagement Oct. 21 before transferring to the Ambassadors Theatre just one week later on Oct. 27.
Check out Backstage’s theater auditions, which you can filter by location!