News

The full cast for the Harold Prince-directed production of Evita in South Africa has been announced. Presented by Pieter Toerien and David Ian, this revival of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical will see the original West End and Broadway production presented on stage at The Teatro at Montecasino and the Artscape Opera House later this year.

Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini, Australian theatre producer John Frost and leading UK theatre producer David Ian today announced that one of the most celebrated classical musicals,Evita, will return to Australia, playing at the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House in September 2018.

Paper Mill Playhouse,in association with Michael Harrison, David Ian and Nederlander Presentations, Inc., presents the North American premiere of the hit new musical The Bodyguard based on the Warner Bros. film written by Lawrence Kasdan, with book by Alexander Dinelaris, direction by Thea Sharrock, choreography by Karen Bruce and music direction by Matthew Smedal, starring GrammyAward-nominated and multi-platinum RampBpop recording artist and filmTV actress Deborah Cox Jekyll amp Hyde as Rachel Marron with Judson Mills Walker, Texas Ranger as Frank Farmer, the bodyguard. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action...

More good news, Baz Bamingboye reports in the UK Daily Mail that Broadway could indeed be next, writing 'We are actively pursuing and trying to work out the right way to go to New York with Imelda in Gypsy,' said Michael Harrison, who produced the show with David Ian. The Jonathan Kent production recouped its costs and made a profit for investors which as we know doesn't happen with every musical production.' He also notes '...

Michael Harrison and David Ian's brand new production of the musical Annie is touring the UK and stars Craig Revel Horwood and Lesley Joseph as 'Miss Hannigan'. The tour launched earlier this summer at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle. Tour schedule with full details of 'Miss Hannigan' casting below.www.anniethemusicaltour.uk. Check out photos of the cast in action below...

Michael Harrison, David Ian and Nederlander Presentations, Inc. have announced today the North American tour of the hit musical "The Bodyguard," that will star recording artist and actress Deborah Cox as Rachel Marron, with Thea Sharrock directing. The tour will launch in the fall of 2016. Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar-nominated Warner Bros. film of the same name, starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, and adapted for the stage by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris ("Birdman"), "The Bodyguard" had its world premiere on December 5, 2012 at London’s Adelphi Theatre, and was nominated for 4 Laurence Olivier Awards,...

The first production to be seen in London for forty years in a strictly limited season, Gypsy opens at the Savoy Theatre on 15 April 2015 with previews from 28 March 2015 and is produced in the West End by Michael Harrison and David Ian. Joining Imelda Staunton, who stars as the indomitable Momma Rose in the West End transfer of Jonathan Kent's production of Gypsy, are Lara Pulver who will reprise the role of Louise and Peter Davison who joins the cast to play Herbie. Check out highlights of Staunton in action below...

It's officially opened, after months of prep and rehearsals - the David Ian-produced stage musical at the Adelphi Theatre on London's West End, as Brits are getting their first look at the entire production. We already told you about the planned remake, as well as a stage musical adaptation of the 1992 film, The Bodyguard, which starred Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. Regarding the stage musical adaptation, last September we announced Tony and Grammy award winner Heather Headley's casting to star in the role originated by Whitney Houston on film, aiming for a fall 2012 debut, with an...

Press night was last night, and tonight, it officially begins; after months of prep and rehearsals, the David Ian-produced stage musical at the Adelphi Theatre on London's West End, has officiall opened, as Brits now get their first look at the entire production. We should be hearing//reading first reactions soon. We already told you about the planned remake, as well as a stage musical adaptation of the 1992 film, The Bodyguard, which starred Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. Regarding the stage musical adaptation, last September we announced Tony and Grammy award winner Heather Headley's casting to star in...

Jeff Goldblum stars in Seminar by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Sam Gold and produced by Jeffrey Finn, Jill Furman, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Roy Furman, David Ian, David Mirvish, Amy Nauiokas and James Spry, in its West Coast Premiere at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre. The show opened on October 17, and runs through November 18, 2012. Check out photos from Seminar's opening night arrivals, bows and after party below...

Jeff Goldblum stars in Seminar by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Sam Gold and produced by Jeffrey Finn, Jill Furman, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Roy Furman, David Ian, David Mirvish, Amy Nauiokas and James Spry, in its West Coast Premiere at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre. The show opened on October 17, and runs through November 18, 2012. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production highlights below.

Jeff Goldblum will star in Seminar by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Sam Gold and produced by Jeffrey Finn, Jill Furman, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Roy Furman, David Ian, David Mirvish, Amy Nauiokas and James Spry, in its West Coast Premiere at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre. The show begins previews tonight, October 10, opens on October 17, and runs through November 18, 2012.

Jeff Goldblum will star in Seminar by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Sam Gold and produced by Jeffrey Finn, Jill Furman, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Roy Furman, David Ian, David Mirvish, Amy Nauiokas and James Spry, in its West Coast Premiere at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre. The show begins previews October 10, opens on October 17, and runs through November 18, 2012.

The Devil’S Carnival is traveling the nation carnival-style, and is headed toward a town near you! From Darren Lynn Bousman and Terrance Zdunich (the same twisted minds who brought you Repo! The Genetic Opera), The Devil’S Carnival is a spooky little trip through a carnival owned by Lucifer himself. Check out some fun pics from the movie’s premiere in Santa Monica, CA, snapped by David Ian and John Humphrey, after the jump.

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The Devil’S Carnival is traveling the nation carnival-style, and is headed toward a town near you! From Darren Lynn Bousman and Terrance Zdunich (the same twisted minds who brought you Repo! The Genetic Opera), The Devil’S Carnival is a spooky little trip through a carnival owned by Lucifer himself. Check out some fun pics from the movie’s premiere in Santa Monica, CA, snapped by David Ian and John Humphrey, after the jump.

Read more...

The Devil’S Carnival is traveling the nation carnival-style, and is headed toward a town near you! From Darren Lynn Bousman and Terrance Zdunich (the same twisted minds who brought you Repo! The Genetic Opera), The Devil’S Carnival is a spooky little trip through a carnival owned by Lucifer himself. Check out some fun pics from the movie’s premiere in Santa Monica, CA, snapped by David Ian and John Humphrey, after the jump.

Read more...

Tony and Grammy award-winner Heather Headley will star in a musical version of Whitney Houston's 1992 film, which opens at London's Adelphi theatre in November

A musical version of The Bodyguard, the 1992 film that starred Whitney Houston, will open in the West End later this year, its producers have confirmed.

Tony and Grammy award-winner Heather Headley will play singer Rachel Marron – the role originated by Houston – in the production, which will play at the Adelphi Theatre from November. The plot centres of the burgeoning relationship between Marron and her bodyguard, a former secret service agent, played in the film by Kevin Costner.

The project has been in the works since last year, but its commercial prospects will no doubt be strengthened by news of the singer's death. Thriller Live, a Michael Jackson tribute show, has been a mainstay on Shaftesbury Avenue since January 2009. It was originally scheduled to close in May of the same year,...

We already told you about the planned remake of the film; this morning, I learned about a musical adaptation of the 1992 film, ‘The Bodyguard, that’s in the works!

Producer David Ian has secured the stage rights to the film, which starred Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, with the goal being to open the show on London’s West End, in 2012.

The 1992 film that grossed over $400 million worldwide, at the box office.

I should note that the original script for that film was written by Lawrence Kasdan in the late 1970s, as a vehicle for Steve McQueen and Diana Ross, but McQueen backed out. And by the time it got produced, some 16 years later, McQueen was dead, and Kevin Costner gave us his best Steve McQueen impression, haircut and all!

The story again goes… When arrogant and domineering musical superstar Whitney Houston begins receiving death threats, she hires a bodyguard.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation UK has announced David Ian as its latest ambassador.

Described by The Stage newspaper as one of the most powerful people in British theatre, and formerly the chairman of Live Nation’s global theatrical division, David Ian was one of the judges in the BBC TV series How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? and is one of the most successful and prolific producers in British theatre today. His smash hits include some of the best loved and most talked about productions of the last twenty years, including Guys and Dolls, The King and I, Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Anything Goes and The Producers, to name but a few.

In 2006 he founded David Ian Productions, based in London’s Covent Garden. It currently produces or co-produces and/or general manages The Sound of Music (UK/Canada), Grease (London/ North America), La Cage Aux Folles (London), Chicago...

Producers Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and David Mirvish have welcomed Simon Burke to their Toronto production of The Sound Of Music. Burke, a versatile star of stage and screen originally from Australia but with a large body of work in the U.K., will take over the role of Captain von Trapp, having played the role in the West End London production of The Sound Of Music, opposite the "Marias" of Connie Fisher and Summer Strallen.

Producers Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and David Mirvish have welcomed Simon Burke to their Toronto production of The Sound Of Music. Burke, a versatile star of stage and screen originally from Australia but with a large body of work in the U.K., will take over the role of Captain von Trapp, having played the role in the West End London production of The Sound Of Music, opposite the "Marias" of Connie Fisher and Summer Strallen.

Michael Praed will star as 'Captain Von Trapp' alongside Connie Fisher as 'Maria' in the National UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and The Really Useful Group's smash hit production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The Sound Of Music" opening at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff on 26 July 2009, where it will play until 29 August 2009 (Box Office: 08700 40 2000). Full tour details at www.thesoundofmusictour.com.