Bretta Gerecke News

Last week marked the world premiere of Mary and Max, a touching story of friendship and the ultimate power of words. I was grateful to sit in the audience and experience the magic of opening weekend at Theatre Calgary.

Theatre Calgary's artistic director Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Broadway; Carrie, Off-Broadway revival; Altar Boyz, Off-Broadway) is thrilled to officially announce the casting for the world premiere of Mary and Max - A New Musical, with music and lyrics by Bobby Cronin, book by Crystal Skillman, directed by Arima, choreography by Jenn Rapp, and orchestrations and music supervision by Anna Ebbesen.

As the house lights went down in Stratford's Festival Theatre on June 10th and it became clear that director Antoni Cimolino's production of THE TEMPEST was about to begin, there were loud cheers of excitement and, quite frankly, relief from the audience-many of whom had been at the theatre for what was supposed to be Opening Night of the Festival just weeks earlier. All eyes were on the 44-season Festival veteran Martha Henry, who was already on stage. The anticipation among audience members was palpable. Everyone seemed excited that she finally had this moment that had been rudely taken away from her by a bomb threat on May 28th. And then, as is the case with all good theatre…those thoughts and emotions were swept away, as the audience became immersed in the story happening before the

Martha Henry stars as Prospero in Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino's production of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Previews are now underway at the Festival Theatre and the production opens the 2018 season on Monday, May 28.

The Grand Theatre is thrilled to produce the North American premiere of the stage adaptation of CHARIOTS OF FIRE. Directed by Grand Theatre Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum, and starring Harry Judge and Wade Bogert-O'Brien, the story is based on the iconic film that won four Academy Awards in 1981. The original stage adaptation had its premiere in London England's West End in 2012, and this month, London, Ontario's Grand Theatre is the first to produce it outside of England. The Title Sponsor for CHARIOTS OF FIRE is 3M. 

Due to a phenomenal critical and public reaction during the opening weeks of the extensive UK Tour, Natasha Hamilton will extend her performance dates in Kay Mellor's Fat Friends the Musical. Natasha Hamilton will star as Julia Fleshman during the productions upcoming run at the Edinburgh Playhouse from 19 until 22 April.

Due to a phenomenal critically acclaimed performance and overwhelming public reaction during the opening weeks of Fat Friends the Musical, Natasha Hamilton will continue to play Julia Fleshman during the production's upcoming run at the King's Theatre in Glasgow.

RSC Artistic Director, Gregory Doran, announces the RSC's winter 2018 season, a nationwide schools' tour and a new 10 ticket offer for first time visitors.

Casting has been confirmed for Selladoor and The Marlow Theatre's production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Taking to the stage when the show arrives at Theatre Glasgow, Monday 26 Feb - Saturday 3 March for its only Scottish date on the tour will be: Richard Keightley (The Mousetrap, St Martin's Theatre) stars as George alongside Matthew Wynn (Hamlet, The Almeida; Measure for Measure, Young Vic) as Lennie, they will be joined on stage by Andrew Boyer (Candy), Cameron Robertson (Slim), Darren Bancroft (Carlson), Kevin Mathurin (Crooks), Harry Egan (Whit), Kamran Darabi Ford (Curley) ,Rosemary Boyle (Curley's Wife), and Robert Ashe (The Boss).

Following the first performance of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends the Musical this week, the first production images have been released.

Former England cricket captain, and star of SKY's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff will swap the cricket pitch to tread the boards as he joins an all star cast for the world premiere of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends - the Musical.

Get a first glimpse at the world premiere of Fat Friends the Musical with new rehearsal images - check them out below! Starring Freddie Flintoff, Sam Bailey, Jodie Prenger, Natasha Hamilton, Natalie Anderson and Kevin Kennedy, Fat Friends the Musical has now started rehearsals in Leeds, home of the original TV series, with two weeks until the first performance.

Joining the previously announced cast, Kevin Kennedy (Coronation Street) stars as Fergus and Rachael Wooding (We Will Rock You) appears as Joanne, alongside Jonathan Halliwell (Let It Shine) as Paul and Chloe Hart (Hairspray) as Val. Alan will be played by Neil Hurst, one of dozens of Yorkshiremen who applied for the role through an open audition call.

The first image of the the Musical family has today been released, as full casting for Kay Mellor's new musical is unveiled. 

Emmerdale and The Royal star Natalie Anderson will join the cast of Fat Friends - The Musical. Natalie has appeared in numerous other television programmes including Wire in the Blood and The Biz.

Sam Bailey (X Factor, Chicago) and Jodie Prenger (I'd Do Anything, Shirley Valentine) star alongside Former England cricket captain, and star of Sky's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff in Fat Friends - The Musical at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield from Mon 12 - Sat 17 February. Tickets go on sale to members on Sat 8 July and on general sale on Sat 15 July.

The Grand Theatre is thrilled to announce an extraordinary line-up of local and national, returning and debuting artists in the 2017/18 Season. The season features a stunning artistic presence including Tara Rosling, Benedict Campbell, Catherine Joell MacKinnon and Daniel Williston. In addition, the Grand welcomes nationally and internationally renowned directors including Peter Hinton, Tracey Flye, Carey Perloff, and the Grand's Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum, who makes his Grand directing debut in his first season. Single tickets go on sale Tuesday July 4, 2017.

Former England cricket captain, and star of SKY's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff will swap the cricket pitch to tread the boards as he joins an all star cast for the world premiere of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends - the Musical.

Number one recording artist Sam Bailey, who rose to fame winning the tenth series of The X Factor, will join the previously announced Jodie Prenger in the original British musical Fat Friends - The Musical. Sam will share the much loved role of Betty, originated on screen by Alison Steadman, with award-winning comedian and actress Elaine C Smith (Two Doors Down, Rab C Nesbitt). Elaine will step into the role during three Scottish dates in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.