Dear Evan Hansen, Dolly Parton musical Here You Come Again, and world premiere of HERE & NOW: The Steps Musical extended as they make their debut in Birmingham at Alexandra Theatre this Autumn.
Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre has launched its new Summer-Autumn brochure along with welcoming its new Communications Manager, Mark Farnan.
Mark, who previously worked in PR for Birmingham Rep and The Royal Shakespeare Company(RSC), said Alexandra Theatre was “at the heart of Central BID and an advocate for the area”.
He added that he was interested in linking up with shops, restaurants and other companies across the BID area on projects that could mutually benefit the theatre and city centre businesses. It came as the ATG-owned theatre promoted a mix of musicals, comedy and family shows for the coming months.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights at the Alexandra Theatre during the Summer and Autumn.
Stage Experience – The Sound of Music
The Alexandra will be alive with the sound of young talent in this annual youth theatre production from August 15 to 17. The enthusiastic cast in The Sound of Music is aged from nine to 24.
Stage Experience is a good place to see names of the future and Brum comedian Joe Lycett is a former alumni.
Pretty Woman The Musical
For those that missed out on Pretty Woman The Musical’s sell-out run last year, it is back at The Alexandra Theatre starring Amber Davies and Ore Oduba from August 20 to 24.
Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance are behind its soundtrack in the stage adaptation of the hit Hollywood rom-com. In the words spoken by Julia Roberts in the film, to miss it could be a “big mistake, huge”.
Dolly Parton musical Here You Come Again
Despite featuring all of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits, Here You Come Again is far more than a jukebox musical but a hilarious and sentimental comedy set during the pandemic.
At the Alexandra Theatre from September 10 to 14, it stars Steven Webb as the depressed comedian in lockdown seeking motivation from the spirit of Dolly, played by Tricia Paoluccio. Coronation Street and Gimme, Gimme, Gimme writer Jonathan Harvey has also been involved in this script for this first British tour.
Expect to hear favourites from Jolene to 9 to 5 and Islands in the Stream.
One night shows with celebrities and comedians
There’s a wide range of one-night only shows at the Alexandra Theatre to the end of the year.
That includes an evening with eighties pop sensation Rick Astley on October 11, a journey into the paranormal with Most Haunted: The Stage Show on October 14 ahead of Halloween, and comedy from Simon Brodkin on September 8, Ed Gamble on September 26 and Lucy Beaumont on October 20. Visit the Alexandra Theatre website here to find out more.
Blue Man Group: Bluevolution World Tour
Famous for their Las Vegas residency, the Blue Man Group brings the Bluevolution World Tour to Birmingham from September 17 to 21. It’s the start of the UK leg of the tour and audiences are set to be thrilled with imaginative scenes of paint drumming, fun antics, and audience interaction.
Lord of the Dance: A Lifetime of Standing Ovations
An extra performance has been added for iconic Irish dance show Lord of the Dance in Birmingham due to demand. This spectacular show now runs at The Alexandra from September 30 to October 6.
David Walliams – Awful Auntie
Children and adults alike will love David Walliams – Awful Auntie, which is at the Alexandra Theatre from October 17 to 19. Based on the best-selling book from the comedian and author, it’s a hilarious and thrilling story of Stella who wakes up one day to find she’s in the fight of her life against her very own awful Auntie.
Dear Evan Hansen
Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen brings its UK tour to Birmingham from October 22 to 26. It’s a new production of the coming of age show that scooped Olivier, Tony and Grammy awards.
It follows socially awkward schoolboy Evan as he navigates his way through life, starring Ryan Kopel in the title role alongside Lauren Conroy as Zoe Murphy and Alice Fearn as Evan’s mum, Heidi.
HERE & NOW: The Steps musical
Dates have been extended for the world premiere of HERE & NOW – The Steps Musical. It will now run in Birmingham at The Alexandra Theatre from November 9 to 30 due to “phenomenal demand”.
Set in a seaside superstore to the sound of iconic hits like 5, 6, 7, 8, Stomp, Better Best Forgotten, Last Thing on My Mind, this heart-warming story of the ups and downs of four friends seeking out their very own summer of love.
The cast includes Rebecca Lock, Hiba Elchikhe, Sharlene Hector and Blake Patrick Anderson. It’s been co-produced by the band themselves.
Christmas musical at The Alexandra – The Book of Mormon
The Alexandra is renowned for bringing a hit musical to Birmingham over the festive season and this December is no different. The Book of Mormon runs from December 3 to 28.
This popular hilarious award-winning musical follows the misadventures of two mismatched Mormon missionaries when they are sent from Salt Lake City to a far-flung quest to preach their faith.