Issue #25: June 22, 1999

• Well the post-Tony closings are in full swing. Even though The Civil War has closed, a national tour is set to begin in Cincinnati in January. It was a good try but after 150 performances You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown has also packed up. Two best play contenders Not About Nightingales and The Lonesome West have also closed. And at the end of June say goodbye to The Sound of Music and Night Must Fall.

• Director Michael Blakemore (Noises Off, Benefactors) will bring last year’s Cotteslo Theater production of Copenhagen to Broadway in the spring of 2000. A theatre has not been secured yet but casting will begin in the fall.

• Margaret Edson’s Pulitzer-winning Wit is readying itself for a national tour. So far cities on the schedule include Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, San Francisco and Chicago. Dates have not yet been confirmed.

• Veteran actor Peter O’Toole will reprise his role in the one-man play Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell at the Old Vic Theatre. Although a date has not been set this hilarious and touching tale of the magazine columnist is also a tribute to their friendship. And, oh, what similar lifestyles the two have led.

• Dame Maggie Smith will star in Alan Bennett’s first original stage play since 1992, The Lady in the Van. Set to open in November, The Madness of George III director Nicholas Hytner has signed on as well as designer Mark Thompson.

• Rock ’n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis will soon have his own musical in London. The Jerry Lee Lewis Story – Great Ball of Fire opens at the Cambridge Theatre on Oct. 6 following two short engagements in Plymouth and Birmingham. The new musical is written by Todd Ristau and Richard Cameron and will feature 30 classic rock ’n’ roll tunes.

• Disney has posted a closing notice for Beauty and the Beast. After almost three years the musical will vacate the Dominion Theatre around Christmas.

• An exciting time was had by all at a very special workshop presentation of a new musical, Saint George, in London June 14 & 15. In the stunning setting of the 17th century St. Mary-Le-Strand Church in The Strand, more than 100 invited guests experienced this original new work based on the legend of Saint George and the dragon. After five years of development, the Toronto creative team of Molly Yeomans and Jack Lenz were excited to have their beautiful lyrics and music brought to life by a talented cast of 12. Australian musical star Martin Crewes originated the role of George and for those of us there he will forever be George. Although only in workshop form, watch for this musical to be mounted in the West End within the next two years. I will keep you posted on its progress and tell you more about the work in future columns.