Hot on the heels of their acclaimed Showstoppers episode, Adam Blanshay Productions’ renowned The Theatre Channel is back with a jam-packed Rodgers and Hammerstein special. Embracing the return of live theatre, the episode is a co-production with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre ahead of their unique take on the classic Carousel this summer.
This brand new partnership will feature an exclusive sneak peek into the making of the upcoming production of Carousel, including behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage with Natasha May Thomas and choreographer Drew McOnie. This al fresco hit tells a tragic tale with songs that will stay with you for a lifetime.
The episode will be brought to life by two time Olivier Award-nominee Michael Xavier (Sunset Boulevard (West End & Broadway); Into The Woods; The Sound Of Music; Oklahoma!; The Phantom Of The Opera; Pajama Game), three time Olivier Award-nominee Josefina Gabrielle (Oklahoma! (West End & Broadway); King and I; Merrily We Roll Along; Sweet Charity) and Helen Hayes Award-winner Caroline Sheen (Mary Poppins; 9 to 5; The Witches of Eastwick; Les Misérables).
Further casting includes Daniel Koek – one of the youngest men to play the title role of Jean Valjean in the West End production of Les Misérables – and Amara Okereke (Winner of ‘Best Actress in a Musical’ at the Stage Debut Awards 2018 for the role of Cosette in Les Misérables).
The Theatre Channel is also thrilled to be able to provide a platform and highlight the talents of recent ArtsEd graduates Ethlinn Rose and Tavio Wright.
Artistic Director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Timothy Sheader, comments, As Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre prepares to open for our 89th season, we are looking forward to welcoming our audiences back. Moreover, we applaud all of the digital theatre content that has been created over the past 18 months and recognise, that going forward, digital platforms will be synonymous with the outreach of live theatre. We are delighted to partner with The Theatre Channel in their exploration of Rodgers and Hammerstein and are excited to share an insight into our upcoming revival of Carousel.
The cast will once again be joined by resident ensemble ‘The New Café Five,’ comprised of Anthony Starr (Guys & Dolls, Sheffield Crucible), Danny Becker (The Prince Of Egypt, Dominion Theatre), Kayleigh Thadani (Disney’s Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre), M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac (Billy Elliot, Victoria Palace) and Vicki Lee Taylor (A Chorus Line, London Palladium).
Producer Adam Blanshay comments, Episode 7: Rodgers and Hammerstein is our first of several writer-themed episodes to come. We’re excited to explore this cherished songbook that paved the way for generations of musicals, which includes some old favorites and hidden gems. Moreover, as theatres start to reopen in the UK, The Theatre Channel are delighted to partner with one of my most favorites theatres, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Nothing can compare to a glorious summer evening at the Open Air, and in addition to this beautiful music, we’re thrilled to give our viewers a behind-the-scenes insight into their upcoming summer production of Carousel.
Previous episodes (1 – 6) of The Theatre Channel are available to purchase at Stream.Theatre to watch at your leisure.
