The Theatre Channel returns with new episode celebrating Stephen Schwartz
The Theatre Channel is to celebrate the music of Stephen Schwartz with its next episode.
Episode 8 of the online musical web series will be streaming from Friday, 1 October.
The latest instalment will pay homage to the legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked; Pippin; Godspell).
Under the new direction of Olivier Award-nominated choreographer Fabian Aloise (Evita, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; Wicked, Germany) Schwartz’s modern masterpieces will come alive led by a sensational cast, including leading West End women Alice Fearn (Wicked; Come From Away), Louise Dearman (the only woman to play both Elphaba and Glinda – Wicked; Evita), and Christine Allado (The Prince of Egypt; Hamilton),
Further casting includes the incredible Stewart Clarke (Be More Chill; Fiddler on the Roof), Melanie La Barrie (Wicked; & Juliet) and Cedric Neal (Back to the Future; Motown: The Musical).
Plus, the cast of the critically acclaimed revival of Pippin at the Charing Cross Theatre, with their fantastic rendition of ‘Magic To Do’, which you can watch a first look of below.
The episode will be narrated by Stephen Schwartz himself, offering exclusive insights as he looks back over his career and the continual renovation of his work.
With his numerous productions playing across London (Pippin, Charing Cross Theatre; The Prince of Egypt, Dominion Theatre; Wicked, Apollo Victoria), it is a testament to the craftsmanship of one of musical theatres much loved talents. Schwartz will be joining The Café Five to perform an unforgettable finale.
The new episode is an exciting co-production with Park Theatre, where Schwartz’s powerful musical Rags was a critical smash in early 2020.
Stephen Schwartz said: “I’m honoured to be collaborating with The Theatre Channel on Episode 8, featuring my theatre songs. I’ve very much enjoyed and admired the previous episodes, so I know I and my work are in very good hands.
“An MTV/VH1-meets-Musical Theatre hybrid, The Theatre Channel uses the skilful and imaginative videos they produce to offer new perspectives on musical theatre songs, rediscovering them through a new lens. With ‘my episode’ – Episode 8 – we plan to give fresh and modern twists to some popular favourites and offer some ‘hidden gems’ as well. As a certain Glinda once said: ‘I couldn’t be happier'”.
The cast will once again be joined by resident ensemble ‘The 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 (Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre) and Vicki Lee Taylor (A Chorus Line, London Palladium).
The series is available to stream from stream.theatre here, including the previous seven episodes.
Producer Adam Blanshay said: “The Theatre Channel are delighted to continue our in-focus exploration of the anthology of a composer’s work with the incredible Stephen Schwartz. Spanning over six decades, Stephen’s work includes some of the most cherished musicals of all time. We are also incredibly grateful to Park Theatre for their collaboration with us on this episode. Their production of Rags was an immense success, and it’s an honor to bring the work of Stephen Schwartz back home to Finsbury Park.
