Oscar Hammerstein II

Top 100 Greatest Musicals Poll – Number 8 – The Sound Of Music

Features
The Sound Of Music is voted Number 8 in our poll The 100 Greatest Musicals

Perhaps one of the most beloved musicals of all time thanks in main part to its movie adaptation, The Sound Of Music was the last collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. These two incredible musical writers would not only pick up where Showboat! left off and change the face of musicals forever, they would write musicals on a range of subjects that would be as timeless as the incredible music that accompanied them. The Sound of Music was no exception. With a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, The Sound Of Music is based on The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Von Trapp. The music is set in Austria in 1938, on the eve of the Anschluss. Maria is a novice who takes a job as a governess at the behest of her Mother Superior. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t know the plot … Read more

Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins To Star In Carousel

Concerts, News, West End
Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins to star in Carousel

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical Carousel is to be produced at the English National Opera starring Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins as Billy Bigelow and Julie Jordan. The production will be presented for 41 performances only from 7 April 2017 to 13 May 2017 at the London Coliseum. Following the success of Sweeney Todd and Sunset Boulevard, this new semi-staged production will be directed by Lonny Price. The production will feature the award-winning ENO 40 piece orchestra and chorus. Fifteen years after getting caught up in an armed robbery and taking his own life, the charming carousel barker Billy Bigelow gets a chance to return to earth and make amends. Discovering that his daughter Louise has grown into a lonely, troubled teenager, haunted by her father’s legacy, Billy vows to restore pride to his family. Carousel features a sumptuous score by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and … Read more

FIRST LOOK: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Allegro – Southwark Playhouse

Features, Gallery, News, Off West End
Book now For Rodgers and Hammerstein's Allegro at Southwark Playhouse

Ahead of tonight’s professional European premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical Allegro, we are pleased to bring you an advance look at the production through these great photos by Scott Rylander. This new production is directed by Thom Southerland who has also worked on a new adaptation of the book. The production also features new orchestrations. In 1905 in a small Midwestern town, the wife of a local doctor gives birth to a baby boy, Joseph Taylor Jr. Allegro chronicles nearly four decades in the life of this average Joe – through his childhood, from college dorm to marriage altar, and on to his own medical career; from the tranquility of his hometown to the hectic din of big city life and a mid-life discovery of who he is and what his life is truly about, ultimately learning the most important lessons of all – the value of family, that … Read more

Rodgers And Hammerstein’s Allegro Gets European Premiere

News, Off West End
Book now for Rodgers and Hammerstein's Allegro at Southwark Playhouse

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical Allegro is to get its European premiere a mere 70 years after it opened on Broadway. In 1905 in a small Midwestern town, the wife of a local doctor gives birth to a baby boy, Joseph Taylor Jr. Allegro chronicles nearly four decades in the life of this average Joe – through his childhood, from college dorm to marriage altar, and on to his own medical career; from the tranquility of his hometown to the hectic din of big city life and a mid-life discovery of who he is and what his life is truly about, ultimately learning the most important lessons of all – the value of family, that money isn’t everything and that home really is where the heart is. Written after Oklahoma!, Carousel and the film of State Fair, Allegro opened on Broadway with the biggest box office advance in Broadway history. This … Read more

FIRST LOOK – Show Boat at the New London Theatre

Features, Gallery, West End
Book now for Show Boat at the New London Theatre

Daniel Evans’ sell-out Sheffield Crucible production of Show Boat is now previewing at the New London Theatre. The classic musical is composed by Jerome Kern with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II based on the novel Show Boat by Edna Ferber. The attached production photos feature Malcolm Sinclair (Capt. Andy Hawks) and Chris Peluso (Gaylord Ravenal) join original Sheffield cast members Gina Beck (Magnolia Hawks), Lucy Briers (Parthy Ann Hawks), Rebecca Trehearn (Julia La Verne), Emmanuel Kojo (Joe), Sandra Marvin (Queenie), Alex Young (Ellie May Chipley) and Danny Collins (Frank Schultz) and the West End cast of Show Boat. Show Boat is now booking until 7 January 2017. These photos are courtesy of Johan Persson BOOK NOW FOR SHOW BOAT BOOK NOW FOR SHOW BOAT

Five-star Show Boat sails into the West End

News, West End
Show Boat at the New London Theatre

Daniel Evans’ five star production of Show Boat will transfer from Sheffield to the West End this spring. Based on the novel by Edna Ferber, Show Boat, with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, is currently booking to 7 January 2017. One of the most romantic musicals of all time, set against the backdrop of America’s Deep South at the turn of the 20th Century, Show Boat tells a powerful story of freedom, loyalty and, above all love. Spanning 40 pivotal years in American history, this epic musical follows the lives and loves of three generations aboard the Cotton Blossom show boat as it plies the Mississippi River, and features the timeless songs Ol’ Man River, Make Believe and Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man. Evans’ sell-out production opened at the Crucible in Sheffield on 10 December last year and, after being hailed by audiences and critics alike, extended … Read more

Sheffield Showboat Extends By Popular Demand

News, Regional
Show Boat at Sheffield Theatres December 2015

The production of Showboat opening at Sheffield Theatre on 10 December 2016 has been extended by a week by popular demand and will now run until 23 January 2016. Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director Daniel Evans said today, “We are delighted that Show Boat has proved itself to be so popular with our audiences. We’re lucky to have the most wonderful cast and creative team and I know we’re all looking forward to bringing it to life on the Crucible Stage at Christmas.” Showboat has music by Jerome Kern, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and is based on the novel by Edna Ferber. Spanning 40 pivotal years in American history, this epic musical follows the lives and loves of three generations aboard a show boat as it plies the Mississippi River. One of the most romantic musicals of all time, this lavish new production is directed by Daniel Evans … Read more