Back to News & Press Twelfth Night & Richard III extends its run through February 16, 2014 Wednesday 4 December 2013 The all-male Shakespeare’s Globe repertory productions of William Shakespeare’s TWELFTH NIGHT and RICHARD III, which have broken the box office record at the Belasco Theatre and earned across the board ecstatic critical praise, will be extended by popular demand for an additional two weeks. The productions, which are directed by Tim Carroll and designed by Jenny Tiramani, with music by Claire van Kampen, will play through February 16, 2014 at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street). For a schedule of performances and more information, please visit www.shakespearebroadway.com . Up Up

Back to News & Press Harry Potter and the Cursed Child extends West End booking period to 2 March 2025 Monday 12 February 2024 Today, 12 February 2024, the producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Sonia Friedman Productions , Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions - are delighted to announce a further booking extension through to 2 March 2025 for the original two-part multi-award-winning production at London’s Palace Theatre. Tickets for the new booking period go on sale today and remain priced from £15 per part. The regular performance schedule is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday – no performance; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 2pm Part One & 7pm Part Two; Sunday - 1pm Part One & 6pm Part Two. The access performances currently on sale are as follows - Audio Described on Saturday 16 March 2024, British Sign Language on Saturday 23 March 2024, Captioned Performance on Saturday 18 May 2024 and a Relaxed Performance on Friday 7 June 2024. Now in its 8th year, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been seen by over 1.6 million patrons at the Palace Theatre, home of the original production. 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance. The current cast comprises David Ricardo-Pearce as Harry Potter, Polly Frame playing Ginny Potter and Ellis Rae as their son Albus Potter . Thomas Aldridge plays Ron Weasley with Jade Ogugua playing Hermione Granger along with Taneetrah Porter as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. Steve John Shepherd plays Draco Malfoy, with Harry Acklowe as his son Scorpius Malfoy. They are joined by Ishmail Aaron , David Annen , Nairn Archer , Darrell Brockis , Sabina Cameron , Robert Curtis , Toby De Salis , Odelia Dizel-Cubuca , Rory Fraser , Jemma Geanaus , Harry Goodson-Bevan , Jemma Gould , Kelton Hoyland , David Ijiti , Chris Jarman , Sally Jayne Hind , Emma Louise Jones , Kathryn Meisle , Ian Redford , Abigail Rosser , Clancy Ryan , Tonny Shim , Adam Slynn , Sara Stewart , Benjamin Stratton , Maia Tamrakar , Alex Tomkins , Jake Tuesley , Sam Varley , Jess Vickers , Wreh-asha Walton , Katie Wimpenny . Benedict Archer , Jonah Haas , Honor Hastings , Delilah O'Riordan , Jude Parry , Jojo Perez Hoadley and Isabella Woodman alternate two children’s roles. The annual Harry Potter and the Cursed Child House Pride celebrations continue this year on Friday 15 March, where audiences are encouraged to grab their wands and dress up in their favourite Hogwarts house - Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. There will be additional activities happening on the day, plus giveaways and competitions on social media from the beginning of March. Up Up

Back to News & Press Sonia Friedman joins Ian Rickson as a featured guest on his What I Love podcast Thursday 5 November 2020 After discussing the devastation and uncertainty the pandemic has wrought on the theatre world, including the premature closure of their production of Uncle Vanya , they consider Sonia's choices: the song ‘The Golden Days’ written for and performed by her sister Maria Friedman, which illuminates memories of their family history; the psychological insight of Disney-Pixar film ‘Inside Out'; and Kathleen Raine’s rich and meditative poem ‘Change’. ‘What I Love’ is created and hosted by Ian Rickson. The theme music is by PJ Harvey. This episode was recorded by James Hingley at the Palace Theatre, London. Photography by Helen Murray. Series Producer Ben Walker. Executive Producer Robert Delamere. Produced for Storyglass by Sarah Murray. Listen here . Works discussed: ‘The Golden Days’ by Maria Friedman (Carlton Sounds Records) ‘Inside Out’ – dir. Pete Docter; prod. Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios ‘Change’ by Kathleen Raine, first published by the Temenos Review Up Up

Back to News & Press Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to have its Canadian Premiere at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto in Autumn 2020 Tuesday 21 May 2019 Exact performance dates and ticketing details will be announced at a later date. Visit HarryPotteronStage.com/CA to sign up and be the first to receive ticketing information and news updates. In a joint statement Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender said: “Each new production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is magical in its own unique way. With each city we open our show in, and with each company of actors, we uncover something new and exciting. We can’t wait to see what surprises the Toronto production will bring. “Toronto, with its rich history of culture and the arts, is the perfect city in which to stage our magical production in Canada. We’re especially thrilled to be producing the Canadian premiere with David Mirvish and his company and that the historic Ed Mirvish Theatre - which will be specially refurbished for our show - will be Cursed Child’s Canadian home.” David Mirvish said: “Since it first opened in London in 2016, only three years ago, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has established itself as one of the most accomplished and remarkable productions in theatre history. In fact, it is more than a play: it is an event that has already galvanized audiences in London, New York and Melbourne. “The show will soon do the same in upcoming productions in Hamburg and San Francisco. I can’t express strongly enough how honoured we are that Sonia and Colin have chosen Toronto to be the next location for their magnificent production. “The Harry Potter stories have already touched the lives of millions and millions of people through the books and movies. I’m very excited about how this play has managed to continue the story on the theatre stage. Furthermore, because it has been brilliantly created by some of the world’s top theatre artists, the play has brought more and more people to live theatre, giving them an experience of pure theatricality that cannot be replicated in any other medium." ABOUT THE PRODUCTION Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places. Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany , Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne , directed by John Tiffany . Receiving universal acclaim for its breathtaking magic and stage wizardry, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the most awarded new play in theatre history, winning 25 major U.S. awards, including six Tony Awards, one of those for Best Play. It also won 24 major theatre awards in the U.K. and is the most awarded play in the history of the Olivier Awards in London, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is now playing at the Palace Theatre in London, where it received its world premiere in July 2016; at the Lyric Theatre in New York, where it opened on Broadway in April 2018; and at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne, where it opened February 2019. Its exclusive U.S. West Coast premiere will begin in October 2019 at the Curran in San Francisco. The German premiere, the first foreign language production, will begin in spring 2020 at the Mehr! Theater am Großmarkt in Hamburg. The Canadian premiere will be the play’s sixth production. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child features movement by Steven Hoggett , set by Christine Jones , costumes by Katrina Lindsay , music & arrangements by Imogen Heap , lighting by Neil Austin , sound by Gareth Fry , illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison , music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced in Toronto by originating producers Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions , with Canadian producer David Mirvish . Up Up

Back to News & Press Sonia Friedman Short-Listed for 'Producer of the Year' Thursday 22 December 2016 Sonia Friedman has been short-listed for 'Producer of the Year' at The Stage Awards 2017 - an award she won at the event in both 2016 and 2015. She is shortlisted alongside Kenny Wax and Fiery Angel. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on 27 January at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. It has been an extraordinary 12 months for Sonia Friedman Productions (SFP) achieving incredible successes with their productions of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child Parts I and II , Nice Fish , Funny Girl , Sunny Afternoon and triumphantly just last week, Dreamgirls . Up Up

Back to News & Press Exclusive new imagery of Amber Riley, Ibinabo Jack and Liisi LaFontaine as The Dreams Thursday 6 October 2016 Exclusive new photography and a behind the scenes video have been made available today ahead of Amber Riley ’s appearance on the Graham Norton show where she will sing And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going. The Graham Norton show will be broadcast on Friday October 7th on BBC 1 at 22.35. American actress and singer Amber Riley stars as ‘Effie White’ and is joined in Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre by Liisi LaFontaine as Deena Jones and Ibinabo Jack as Lorrell Robinson making up the soulful singing trio ‘The Dreams’. Joe Aaron Reid will play Curtis Taylor Jr, Adam J. Bernard will play Jimmy Early, Tyrone Huntley will play C.C. White, Nicholas Bailey will play Marty and Lily Frazer will play Michelle Morris with Ruth Brown and Karen Mav alternating the role of Effie White at performances when Amber Riley is not scheduled to perform. The cast of Dreamgirls will also include Michael Afemaré , Jocasta Almgill , Callum Aylott , Hugo Batista , Samara Casteallo , Chloe Chambers , Carly Mercedes Dyer , Joelle Dyson , Kimmy Edwards , Candace Furbert , Nathan Graham , Ashley Luke Lloyd , Gabriel Mokake , Sian Nathaniel-James , Sean Parkins , Kirk Patterson , Ryan Reid , Rohan Richards , Noel Samuels , Durone Stokes and Tosh Wanogho-Maud . Dreamgirls will be Directed and Choreographed by Olivier and Tony Award®-winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon , Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten! ), with Set Design by Tim Hatley , Costume Design by Gregg Barnes , Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone , Sound Design by Richard Brooker and Hair Design by Josh Marquette . The Musical Supervisor will be Nick Finlow , the Orchestrator will be Harold Wheeler , with Additional Material by Willie Reale . Dreamgirls transports you to a revolutionary time in American music history. Dreamgirls charts the tumultuous journey of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called ‘The Dreams’, as they learn the hard lesson that show business is as tough as it is fabulous, and features the classic songs ‘And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going’, ‘I Am Changing’, ‘Listen’ and ‘One Night Only’. With Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen and Music by Henry Krieger , the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls , Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett opened in 1981 and subsequently won six Tony Awards®. The original cast recording won two Grammy awards for Best Musical Album and Best Vocal Performance for Jennifer Holliday’s ‘And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going.’ In 2006 it was adapted into an Oscar winning motion picture starring Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx. Liisi LaFontaine is appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity. Up Up

Back to News & Press Sonia Friedman Productions celebrates with 10 wins at the WhatsOnStage Awards Monday 20 February 2017 Whatsonstage.com is the UK’s leading theatre news website, and these awards are the only ones nominated and voted for by the theatregoing public. SFP productions won in 10 categories, including Best New Play, congratulations to: Best Actor in a Play – Jamie Parker - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Best Supporting Actor in a Play – Anthony Boyle - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Best Supporting Actress in a Play – Noma Dumezweni - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Best Direction – John Tiffany - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Best Set Design – Christine Jones - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Best Lighting Design – Neil Austin - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Best Video Design – Finn Ross and Ash Woodward - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Best New Play - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Best Actress in a Musical - Amber Riley - Dreamgirls Best Musical Revival - Funny Girl Up Up

Back to News & Press Further Casting Announced for Funny Girl on Broadway Tuesday 5 October 2021 Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani are proud to announce that Golden Globe Award nominee Beanie Feldstein (“American Crime Story: Impeachment;” Hello, Dolly!) will be joined by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Ramin Karimloo (Les Misérables, Anastasia) as ‘Nick Arnstein,’ five-time Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch (“Glee,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as ‘Mrs. Rosie Brice’ and Jeff Award winner Jared Grimes (A Soldier’s Play, After Midnight) as ‘Eddie Ryan’ in the first Broadway revival of FUNNY GIRL. Back on Broadway for the first time in 58 years, the new production directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Spring Awakening) begins performances Saturday, March 26, 2022, and officially opens on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street). Jane Lynch said, “I grew up to the Broadway cast album of Funny Girl. My mother and I knew every breath of that record and would sing it together at the top of our lungs. I am thrilled beyond words to be playing Fanny’s mother on Broadway. And somewhere in Heaven my Mom is asking, ‘Who taught her everything she knows?’” Ramin Karimloo said, “I’m very excited to be joining Funny Girl’s return to Broadway. I’ve been waiting 2 years to sink my teeth into Nicky Arnstein and get into the room with Michael Mayer, the creative team and cast, led by the exceptional Beanie Feldstein. Cannot wait.” Jared Grimes said, “It will be a dream to share the stage every night with this cast and creative team whom I’ve loved from afar for such a long time! I can’t wait to spread love and joy in a live setting again. I’m still on cloud nine knowing that I’ll actually be in one of the most iconic musicals of all time. I’m beaming from ear to ear knowing that people will know me as Eddie Ryan!” An exclusive fan presale begins today at 9AM ET through tomorrow, Thursday, October 7. To join the fan presale for first access to tickets, sign up for the FUNNY GIRL email list by visiting www.FunnyGirlOnBroadway.com . Those who subscribe before the public on-sale on Friday, October 8 will also be entered to win a pair of tickets to opening night. Beginning Friday, October 8 at 10AM ET, tickets will go on sale to the general public at https://seatgeek.com/funny-girl-tickets. Tickets for FUNNY GIRL start from $39.00. With choreography by Ellenore Scott (Head Over Heels, “So You Think You Can Dance”), tap choreography by Ayodele Casel (New York Times’ “Biggest Breakout Stars of 2019”), a revised book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots, La Cage Aux Folles) and scenic design by Tony Award winner David Zinn (Fun Home), FUNNY GIRL features music by Tony, Grammy and Academy Award winner Jule Styne, lyrics by Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner Bob Merrill and a book by Isobel Lennart, from an original story by Miss Lennart. Additional casting and the complete creative team will be announced shortly. This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she'd never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway. Featuring some of the most iconic songs in theatre history including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” Michael Mayer’s bold new production marks the first time FUNNY GIRL will return to Broadway since its debut 58 years ago. The original production of FUNNY GIRL premiered on Broadway in 1964 starring Barbra Streisand as ‘Fanny Brice’ and was nominated for eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. Follow FUNNY GIRL on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @FunnyGirlBway Up Up

Back to News & Press Additional official production photographs for Lyndsey Turner's production of Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch Monday 24 August 2015 Performances at the Barbican Theatre commenced earlier this month on 5 August, with opening night this evening. Hamlet is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions and presented by the Barbican for an exclusive 12-week run, concluding 31 October 2015. Set designs are by Es Devlin with costume designs by Katrina Lindsay, video by Luke Halls, lighting by Jane Cox, music by Jon Hopkins, sound by Christopher Shutt, movement by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and fights by Bret Yount. In partnership with Sky Arts, 100 tickets at £10 have been allocated for every public performance. These tickets are spread throughout the auditorium totalling over 9,000 tickets during the run. In addition to the regular performances, four education matinees have been scheduled exclusively for school and university groups (aged 14+ and in full-time education only). For these performances there will be 100 tickets priced at £10, 300 at £25 and the remainder at £35. For ongoing ticket availability please check the Barbican website at hamlet.barbican.org.uk Hamlet will be broadcast to cinemas around the world on Thursday 15 October 2015 as part of National Theatre Live - the National Theatre’s ground-breaking project which broadcasts plays live from the stage to over 550 cinemas in the UK and over 44 countries internationally. Details of all screenings, including Encore performances, can be found at ntlive.com Performing alongside Cumberbatch are Barry Aird (Soldier), Eddie Arnold (Danish Captain, Servant), Leo Bill (Horatio), Siân Brooke (Ophelia), Nigel Carrington (Servant, Cornelius), Ruairi Conaghan (Player King), Rudi Dharmalingam (Guildenstern), Colin Haigh (Priest, Messenger), Paul Ham (Official), Diveen Henry (Player Queen, Messenger), Anastasia Hille (Gertrude), Ciarán Hinds (Claudius), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Laertes), Karl Johnson (Ghost of Hamlet’s father), Jim Norton (Polonius), Amaka Okafor (Official), Dan Parr (Barnardo), Jan Shepherd (Courtier), Morag Siller (Voltemand), Matthew Steer (Rosencrantz), Sergo Vares (Fortinbras) and Dwane Walcott (Marcellus). Up Up

Back to News & Press Six-Time Tony® Award-Winning Best Play Harry Potter and the Cursed ChildAnnounces North American Tour Premiere in Chicago Monday 11 December 2023 Producers Sonia Friedman Productions , Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions announced today that the North American Tour of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will launch at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago, with previews starting Tuesday, Sept 10, 2024, and an official opening on Thursday, September 26, 2024. The final performance of the 21-week engagement will be Saturday, February 1, 2025. This will be the world premiere of the first ever touring production based on the acclaimed Broadway production, currently playing at the Lyric Theatre, New York. “Chicago is ready to welcome an extended engagement of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “We are thrilled that Chicagoans will experience this magical production as the first stop of the North American Tour. Chicago is ready to embrace this show as only we know how.” Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender said, “Developing a first-class touring production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has long been an ambition of ours. We are delighted that our wonderful and deeply gifted creative team have found a way to make it possible to bring the magic, spectacle, and thrills of our astonishing show to audiences across North America, and we can’t wait for audiences to see it.” The six-time Tony Award winning play picks up right where the last Harry Potter film left off: Nineteen years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever. Additional tour stops will be announced at a future date. Up Up

Back to News & Press As ‘The Shark Is Broken’ must come to the end of its scheduled run, Sonia Friedman Productions announces that the critically acclaimed production has recouped. Friday 11 February 2022 Audiences have been thrilled by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon ’s funny and moving play directed by Guy Masterson , which reveals the backstage drama on the movie JAWS, with many travelling across the country to watch the production. The Shark is Broken was extended by a month due to popular demand but must end this Sunday 13 February. Producer Sonia Friedman said: ‘‘It has been a hugely challenging time to open a new play in the West End, but I am immensely proud of all we achieved with ‘The Shark is Broken’, which recently recouped despite - well - everything. This is a real achievement in these unprecedented times, and its success is worth commenting on. For a show to make the jump from the Edinburgh Fringe to the West End is a remarkable feat at the best of times. To do so in these circumstances is utterly extraordinary - and a testament to the sheer crowd-pleasing brilliance of Ian and Joseph’s play. I want to say a huge thank you to the entire team at the Ambassadors Theatre - the fantastic cast and their brilliant understudies, the stage management team and the entire backstage staff and crew, all front of house staff and box office, creatives, associates and the SFP team - all of whom worked tirelessly and with such passion and commitment over the past months to keep the show going, sometimes in unimaginably difficult circumstances. I also want to say a massive thank you to our audiences, who have travelled from far and wide to support us. We certainly hope this is not the end of the story and fully expect ‘The Shark is Broken’ to have a long life ahead. Watch this space.” Ian Shaw plays his father Robert Shaw in The Shark is Broken alongside Liam Murray Scott as Richard Dreyfuss, and Demetri Goritsas as Roy Scheider. Martha’s Vineyard, 1974: shooting on ‘Jaws’ has stalled. The film’s lead actors – Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss – are stuck on a boat, at the mercy of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Awash with alcohol and ambition, three hammered sharks start to bare their teeth… The Shark is Broken is co-produced with Scott Landis , GFour Productions , Larry Magid , Tulchin Bartner Productions in association with Jane Bergère . Up Up

Back to News & Press Free Dreamgirls workshops this Half Term Tuesday 17 October 2017 The workshops are included in the price of a ticket for the matinee performance on Friday 27th October. Simply select the workshop of your choice below and book online. But be quick, spaces are limited, and once they’re gone they’re gone! Dreamgirls Triple Threat Workshop Friday 27 October 11:30am – 1pm Pineapple Dance Studio, London WC2H 9JA Working with only the best West End professionals in Musical Theatre, start your Dream Day with this highly energetic workshop, where you’ll learn a song, dance routine and how to embody and portray the characters you are playing. Experience first-hand the discipline, dedication and passion required to be a real ‘Triple Threat’, before going on to watch how the professionals do it on stage. BOOK NOW Dreamgirls Dance Workshop Friday 27 October 5:30pm – 6:30pm Pineapple Dance Studio, London WC2H 9JA Take in the dazzling displays of dance at Dreamgirls, then complete your Dream Day with this exclusive dance workshop led by West End choreographer, Nicky Griffiths, who’s worked on shows such as The Bodyguard , Mamma Mia , Hairspray and Dirty Dancing . She’ll work closely with you guiding you through a routine from Dreamgirls , so you can recreate some of the magic you’ve just seen on stage. BOOK NOW *Included in the price of a Dreamgirls ticket on Friday 27 October performance only. Valid on Band A, Band B and Band C tickets. Only one free workshop place can be booked per ticket. For both workshops. it is advisable to wear comfortable clothes that you can move around in. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the workshop. Up Up