All posts tagged: Musical

Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Fighting With My Family’ Getting Musical Treatment

Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Fighting With My Family’ Getting Musical Treatment

Published by Daniella Wilson

Dwayne Johnson and Stephen Merchant‘s 2019 film Fighting With My Family is getting the musical treatment. Merchant’s biopic is being developed for the stage by Tilted Musicals, in collaboration with Seven Bucks Productions (co-founded by Johnson and Dany Garcia), Merchant himself, Kevin Misher and Birmingham Hippodrome. With the book and lyrics by Olivier Award-winning playwright Jon Brittain (Rotterdam, Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder!), Fighting With My Family will feature a new soundtrack by singer-songwriter Miranda Cooper and Nick Coler. The movie, directed and written by the U.K. Office co-creator Merchant, premiered in January 2019 at Sundance. The movie follows the true story of WWE superstar Paige (real name Saraya Bevis), played in the film by Florence Pugh. Vince Vaughn depicted her WWE trainer, and The Smashing Machine star Johnson featured as himself, as well as a producer on the film opposite Garcia for Seven Bucks Productions. Merchant confessed he always thought of the film as a musical. “A young woman from the ‘chorus line’ fighting to get her big break, surrounded by theatrical, larger-than-life …

Avenue Q review | A crude and hilarious must-see musical

Avenue Q review | A crude and hilarious must-see musical

Published by Daniella Wilson

A star rating of 4 out of 5. From the 2026 revival of The Muppets Show on Disney Plus to Elmo’s follower count climbing north of 700K on X, the last few years have seen something of a puppet renaissance. Therefore, it makes sense that now is the time for the West End revival of Avenue Q, Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx’s musical comedy following the ups and downs of randy, foul-mouthed puppets. The key point of the show is that although these characters are made from felt, they’re just like us; Princeton struggles to find his purpose, Kate Monster bemoans her lack of a boyfriend, Rod is coming to terms with his sexuality, Trekkie Monster is a porn enthusiast and avid OnlyFans user. If you’re thinking that the last example doesn’t sound terribly appropriate for a puppet show, you’d be correct. Avenue Q, with its foul language, suicide jokes and graphic puppet sex scenes (yes, really) flies in the face of stereotypes, with the biggest laughs coming from the weird juxtaposition between cute puppets …

Musical ‘Mexodus’ highlights the journey of freedom seekers in Mexico, which abolished slavery in 1829

Musical ‘Mexodus’ highlights the journey of freedom seekers in Mexico, which abolished slavery in 1829

Published by Sam Flores

History textbooks often include the story of the Underground Railroad, an organized network of secret routes, places and people that guided enslaved populations from the South to abolitionist Northern states. However, less is known about the underground railroad that ran southbound to Mexico. But one live-looped musical is unearthing that hidden history, one beat at a time. Co-created and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, “Mexodus” tells the fictional story of Henry, who evades his capture by fleeing Texas across the Rio Grande. After a near fatality, he is saved by Carlos, a farmer and former combat medic battling his own trauma from the Mexican-American War. Together they form solidarity, despite social, racial and political strains plaguing both sides of the border. Following its off-Broadway run at the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City, the hip-hop and bolero-infused musical directed by David Mendizábal will open at the Pasadena Playhouse stage July 8 and run until Aug. 2. But for history buffs and musical enthusiasts alike, a sonically richer version filled with sound …

Kiss of the Spider Woman review: Jennifer Lopez shines in uneven musical

Kiss of the Spider Woman review: Jennifer Lopez shines in uneven musical

Published by Daniella Wilson

A star rating of 3 out of 5. Anchored in the relationship that develops between two cellmates imprisoned under the Argentine military dictatorship, this incarnation of Kiss of The Spider Woman is based on the 1993 John Kander and Fred Ebb musical version of Manuel Puig’s novel and the 1985 William Hurt Oscar-winner. It transports the action to 1983, towards the end of the Dirty War, mixing golden age Hollywood musical numbers with the stark reality of prison life, and while director Bill Condon is adept when it comes to staging all-singing, all-dancing escapism, he proves less successful at nailing the grimmer tone behind bars. The film sees revolutionary Valentín Arregui (Diego Luna) incarcerated for his political activism, while his recently arrived gay cellmate Luis Molina (Tonatiuh) has been jailed for public indecency. The two are forced to share a cell by the prison governor (Bruno Bichir), who is pressuring Molina to extract information from Arregui that they’ve been unable to get any other way. Want to see this content? This page contains content provided …

Paddington The Musical dominates Olivier Awards as Rosamund Pike triumphs on stage return

Paddington The Musical dominates Olivier Awards as Rosamund Pike triumphs on stage return

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Paddington The Musical emerged as the undisputed champion at the 2026 Olivier Awards, sweeping multiple categories, while Rosamund Pike made a triumphant return to the stage after nearly 14 years to claim the coveted Best Actress prize. The beloved bear’s theatrical adaptation, staged at the Savoy Theatre, was crowned Best New Musical. Its cast also garnered significant recognition, with James Hameed and Arti Shah jointly winning Best Actor in a Musical. Further accolades for the production included Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical and Tom Edden for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical. The show’s creative excellence was also celebrated, with Luke Sheppard receiving the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director, and Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar taking home Best Costume Design, alongside Tom Pye and Ash J Woodward for Best …

SNL fans predict final season 51 hosts and musical guests hint at Lorne Michaels’ departure

SNL fans predict final season 51 hosts and musical guests hint at Lorne Michaels’ departure

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Saturday Night Live is preparing to air its season 51 finale next month, with two powerhouse celebrity guests whose casting has fuelled speculation that their monumental pairing could signal a swansong for creator Lorne Michaels. Former SNL castmate Will Ferrell, 58, will serve as guest host of the May 16 episode, alongside former The Beatles star Paul McCartney, 83, as the evening’s musical guest. While the Step Brothers actor has returned to host the series multiple times since his 2002 departure, and McCartney has made several appearances of his own, their joint appearance has reignited rumors of Michaels’ possible retirement from the show. “Everyone is talking about cast departures for SNL and yet, it’s actually Lorne Michaels leaving lol,” one viewer suggested on X, with a second responding: “Will Ferrell and Paul McCartney does kind of feel like giving a dog …

Sara Bareilles teases first musical since Waitress and writing grief

Sara Bareilles teases first musical since Waitress and writing grief

Published by Daniella Wilson

It is impossibly confronting to realise how quickly seven years can go. But chatting to Sara Bareilles – the musical theatre mind behind Waitress the Musical – and straying onto conversations about the COVID-19 pandemic is certainly one way to go about it. “When I think about my time in London doing this show, it was a literal dream come true.” said Bareilles, who wrote and starred in the show’s original Broadway and West End run. “I was living in a little flat in Covent Garden, going to work every day with all these people that I fell madly in love with and my best friend. I was having like an out of body experience. “What I remember loving about London is that I really felt the scope of it, the global interest in theatre. There were people from all over the world that would come to the West End and see that show, it was so special. “Then COVID happened and the world went to hell… so we didn’t have a strong finish.” Pandemics …

Behind the Curtain of “The Outsiders” Musical

Behind the Curtain of “The Outsiders” Musical

Published by Jenni Sidey

I had the pleasure of talking to Victor Carrillo Tracey, a performer in the Broadway musical The Outsiders, about the emotional and physical demands of performance, and what stays in the body after the curtain falls. In a production defined by intensity, violence, and loss, Victor Carrillo Tracey moves between multiple characters, including Paul and understudying Sodapop and Darrel, sometimes switching roles within the same day. Each night requires emotional access, physical precision, and interaction with the audience. “Nothing can truly prepare you for eight shows a week… for as long as the show’s going to run,” Victor says. The Nervous System on Stage For actors, dancers, musicians, and anyone whose work requires emotional engagement, the body is activated even if the mind knows it is just a performance. Our nervous system cannot always differentiate between staged and actual threat. Body responses such as increased heart rate, tense muscles, enacted tears, laughter, or rage can be internalized regardless of context. For performers, this can create a blur between the character’s reality and their own (Balan, …

All the Hosts and Musical Guests

All the Hosts and Musical Guests

Published by Daniella Wilson

Saturday Night Live has set its first roster of hosts and musical guests for season 51. Coming off its 50th anniversary season, the NBC sketch comedy show will premiere its 51st edition on Oct. 4. Bad Bunny will host the season premiere, marking his second time as host, and Doja Cat will make her first SNL appearance as musical guest. Former castmember Amy Poehler is set to host on Oct. 11 — her third time hosting and second solo gig (she also hosted once with Tina Fey) — with musical guest Role Model. Sabrina Carpenter will take on both the host and musical guest roles on Oct. 18. After a week off, SNL is set to return Nov. 1 with Miles Teller hosting for the second time and Brandi Carlile making her third appearance as musical guest. Comedian Nikki Glaser will host the Nov. 8 edition with musical guest sombr (both making their debuts on the show). On Nov. 15, Glen Powell will make his hosting debut with musical guest Olivia Dean, also a first timer. …