David Shannon News

BroadwayWorld UK reporter Jamie Body got the chance to chat to cast of Come From Away and their real-life counterparts while they were here for show's opening at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End. Watch the interviews below!

Telling the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them, will be Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), Nathanael Campbell (Bob and others), Clive Carter (Claude and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Robert Hands(Nick, Doug and others), Helen Hobson (Diane and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J, Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo(Janice and others), David Shannon (Kevin T, Garth and others), Cat Simmons(Hannah and others) and Rachel Tucker (Beverley, Annette and others) with Mark Dugdale, Bob Harms, Kiara Jay, Kirsty Malpass, Tania Mathurin, Alexander McMorran, Brandon Lee Sears and Jennifer Tierney.

A remarkable true story birthed this modest Canadian musical, which went on to storm Broadway in 2017, and now makes it West End debut at a time when its heartfelt message seems more necessary than ever. In these murky, cynical times, Irene Sankoff and David Hein's show feels like coming up for air.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Grab your coffee and catch up on today's top stories from around the Broadway World!

Tonight saw the London opening of acclaimed musical COME FROM AWAY at the Phoenix Theatre in the West End. See video below of the original Islanders joining the cast and creators at curtain call!

Come From Away is gearing up for its official London opening next week, and to join in celebrations, the real-life Islanders and From Aways have descended on London!

Telling the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them, Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and is directed by Christopher Ashley, with musical staging by Kelly Devine, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen, and casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a hit Canadian musical to showbiz satire and a classic sitcom reborn, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!

The Crazy Coqs Presents Concert Series Live at Zedel is presented on the last Sunday of every month. Each show features 5, sometimes 6 West End performers singing songs based on the theme of the night. Past themes have included Classic Musicals, LGBT Musicals, Disney, A New Writers' Showcase, 80s Movie Songs and Pasek & Paul. Performers so far have included Tom Hier, Gemma Sutton, Carolyn Maitland, David Shannon, Rebecca Trehearn, Paul Monaghan, Andy Coxon, Lewis Asquith, Belinda Wollaston, Jane Milligan, Chloe Hart, Charlotte Wakefield, Charlotte Jaconelli, Edward Baruwa, Michael Vinsen, Nathaniel Morrison, Nadim Naaman, Oliver Savile, Lauren James Ray, Christina Bennington, Suzie Mathers, Sophie Isaacs, Simon-Anthony Rhoden, Claudia Kariuki, Vicki Lee Taylor, Matthew Croke and Danny Becker.

The Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away had its official launch on October 10 at London's Canada House - where the full cast was unveiled! The show will have its European premiere at The Abbey Theatre this December, before transferring to The Phoenix Theatre in the West End.

The Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away had its official launch today at London's Canada House - where the full cast was unveiled! The show will have its European premiere at The Abbey Theatre this December, before transferring to The Phoenix Theatre in the West End.

Casting has been announced for COME FROM AWAY the Tony Award-winning musical which will land in Dublin for its long-awaited European premiere at the Abbey Theatre from 6 December 2018 to 19 January 2019 before transferring to London's West End next year for performances at the Phoenix Theatre from 30 January 2019.

The Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away had its official launch today at London's Canada House - where the full cast was unveiled! The show will have its European premiere at the Abbey Theatre this December, before transferring to the Phoenix Theatre in the West End.

Launching in June 'The Crazy Coqs Presents' is a new monthly showcase each with a different them hosted by lyricist Mark Petty, one half of the transatlantic writing team of Anderson & Petty. Show themes so far have included 'Classic Songs from the Musicals', 'Pride at the Musicals', 'The Disney Show' and last month 'The New Musical Theatre Showcase' which featured new material from Anderson & Petty, Kansley & Lidert, Oliver Boito, Kate Marlais & Alex Young and Webborn & Finn. These concerts have featured the cream of the West End including Rebecca Trehearn, Christina Bennington, Oliver Savile, Nadim Naaman, Charlotte Wakefield, David Shannon, Carolyn Maitland, Andy Coxon, Jane Milligan, Chloe Hart, Charlotte Jaconelli and Edward Baruwa to name but a few.

The London premiere of Street Requiem - for those who have died on the street, by Kathleen McGuire, Andy Payne and Jonathon Welch, will take place at 8pm, Today September 28th at the Central Hall in Westminster.

The first half of October brings a whirlwind of entertainment options to the corner of Franklin and First in Historic Downtown Clarksville.  With a trio of live theatre offerings ranging from a provocative 9/11-themed drama to a cabaret to a family-friendly swashbuckling musical adventure, the Roxy Regional Theatre has a little something for everyone this month.

The London premiere of Street Requiem - for those who have died on the street, by Kathleen McGuire, Andy Payne and Jonathon Welch, will take place at 8pm, Friday September 28th at the Central Hall in Westminster.

Summer starts at Cape Rep's Outdoor Theater on June 26th with our Summer Children's Show Series. On Tuesdays & Thursdays from June 26 through August 30, Cape Rep Theatre presents the hit musical HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, book, music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, based on the popular children's book How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long with illustrations by David Shannon, directed by Holly Erin McCarthy and musical direction by Ben Colgan. Tickets are $12 and general admission.

Ahoy matey! Sail off on a swashbuckling excursion with Jeremy Jacob and his pirate friends, as the cast of Dallas Children's Theater's (DCT) National Touring Production of HOW I BECAME A PIRATE returns to the city for a summer run. Based on the book by Melinda Long, this joyful family musical is sure to leave all budding pirates singing and dancing in the aisles. HOW I BECAME A PIRATE runs from June 15 - July 8 at the Rosewood Center for Family Arts.

Westport Country Playhouse will present the musical, "How I Became a Pirate," as part of its Family Festivities Series for two performances on Sunday, April 15, at 1 p.m., and 4 p.m.  Based on the bestselling book written by Melinda Long and illustrated by David Shannon, the one-hour production is produced by Dallas Children's Theater and appropriate for ages five and up.  Tickets are $20.