Tina: The Musical, Blue Star Award Winners, Spamalot movie and TCM’s Mad About Musicals
On this week’s episode, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical makes its world premiere in London, Starlight’s Blue Star award winners shine bright, Spamalot is headed to the big screen, and Turner Classic Movies is MAD About Musicals!
Tina Turner Musical Opens in West End at Aldwych Theatre
Tina: The Musical opened at London’s Aldwych Theatre on April 17. The new musical explores rock ‘n’ roll icon Tina Turner’s legendary life and career, using Turner’s music to transport audiences from her humble Tennessee beginnings to her coronation as the global queen of rock. Tina: The Musical stars tony-nominated actress Adrienne Warren and is directed by Phyllida Lloyd, who also brought us such notable movies as Mamma Mia! and The Iron Lady.
And the 2018 Blue Star Award Winners Are…
Starlight’s 16th annual Blue Star Awards were held Thursday, May 17 and celebrated the talented students and high schools that continue to raise the bar for musical theatre excellence throughout the Kansas City metro and surrounding communities. The night’s big winner was Liberty North High School, which took home five awards for its production of Seussical, including Outstanding Overall Production. Mill Valley High School’s Lauryn Hurley won Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role award for her portrayal of Amalia Bash in She Loves Me and the award for Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role went to Sam Aubuchon for his performance as Seymour Krelborn in Blue Springs High School’s Little Shop of Horrors. Hurley and Aubuchon will travel to New York City this month to represent Starlight nationally at the Jimmy Awards.
The Monty Python Musical ‘Spamalot’ is Being Made Into a Movie
Monty Python’s Spamalot will soon be coming to a big screen near you! Fox is planning to adapt the classic musical into a movie, with filming expected to begin in the spring of 2019. Tony award-winning director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw has been tapped to direct the film. Nicholaw choreographed the original Broadway production of Spamalot, and has been involved with several Broadway shows including The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, and most recently, Mean Girls, for which he is currently nominated for two Tonys. Monty Python veteran Eric Idle will pen the movie’s screenplay.
Turner Classic Movies Will Pay Tribute to Hollywood Movie Musicals in June
The television network Turner Classic Movies will pay homage to your favorite stage-to-screen shows this month with Mad About Musicals! Throughout June, the channel will feature programming dedicated to timeless productions like Singin’ in the Rain, Camelot, The Music Man and many more. For the fourth year, Turner Classic Movies is concurrently partnering with Ball State University and Canvas to offer a free online course tied to the history of the musical genre. For more information on air schedule and the free course, visit musicals.tcm.com.