Posts with the label album
Showing posts with label album. Show all posts
Showing posts with label album. Show all posts

Friday, 24 October 2025

Beautiful Little Fool Musical Concept Album Released Ahead of London Premiere

Jessie Mueller, Ryan Vasquez, and Hannah Corneau performing on Beautiful Little Fool concept album

Producers have released the full concept album for the upcoming musical Beautiful Little Fool, giving audiences a first glimpse of Hannah Corneau’s remarkable score. Featuring Jessie Mueller, Ryan Vasquez, and Hannah Corneau, the album is available on all major streaming platforms, alongside a new music video for “One Night in July.”

Beautiful Little Fool explores the lives of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald through the eyes of their daughter Scottie, offering an intimate perspective on one of literary history’s most fascinating families. The London premiere runs at Southwark Playhouse from 15 January to 28 February 2026, with press night on 22 January.

With orchestrations by Adam Rothenberg and a creative team including Michael Greif, Shankho Chaudhuri, Laura Hopkins, Ben Stanton, and Domnic Bilkey, this production promises to be a standout in London theatre. Fans of musical theatre can immerse themselves in a story of love, art, and rediscovery, brought to life with powerful performances and a lush score.

Beautiful Little Fool Musical Concept Album Released Ahead of London Premiere

Friday, 24 October 2025

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

The Lightning Thief Original London Cast Recording to be Released this November

Max Harwood as Percy Jackson in the Lightning Thief Musical Cast Recording Released

Fans of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical have something to celebrate as Center Stage Records has announced the release of the Original London Cast Recording on 7 November 2025 in digital and streaming formats, with a CD release following on 5 December.

This dynamic recording captures the energy of the recent record-breaking West End run at The Other Palace, produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills, directed and choreographed by Lizzi Gee (Groundhog Day). Featuring 26 tracks and 15 minutes of additional material, the new album includes music previously unrecorded from earlier versions, expanded orchestrations, restored numbers, and fresh ensemble harmonies.

The recording features a powerhouse cast including Max Harwood (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) as Percy Jackson, Scott Folan as Grover, Jessica Lee as Annabeth, and Paisley Billings (Six) as Sally Jackson. Joining them are Greg Barnett, Joe Allen, Samantha Mbolekwa, and Joaquin Pedro Valdes, supported by an ensemble of rising London musical theatre talent.

Based on Rick Riordan’s bestselling novel, The Lightning Thief follows a New York teenager who discovers he’s the son of Poseidon and must embark on a dangerous quest to restore balance to the world of gods and monsters.

The new recording is produced by Michael Croiter, Rob Rokicki, and Ben McQuigg, with orchestrations by Wiley DeWeese and Rokicki, and musical direction by Ben McQuigg.

Arriving just ahead of the Disney+ Percy Jackson series and the novel’s 20th anniversary, this London cast album is perfectly timed to reignite fans’ love for Riordan’s world and showcase the vibrancy of British musical theatre.

Expect powerful vocals, modern rock energy, and a heartfelt story that continues to inspire young audiences across the UK.

The Lightning Thief Original London Cast Recording to be Released this November

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Thursday, 17 October 2024

NSYNC’s JC Chasez & Golden Globe Winner Jimmy Harry Announce New Musical Theatre Concept Album 'Playing With Fire'


Music lovers and theatre enthusiasts, get ready for something new! Center Stage Records is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of Playing With Fire, a brand-new musical theatre concept album crafted by NSYNC’s JC Chasez and Golden Globe winner Jimmy Harry. This highly anticipated project, inspired by Mary Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein, is set to be released on Friday, October 25, 2024.

This marks a major milestone for JC Chasez, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and producer, as it will be his first foray into the world of musical theatre. Known worldwide for his role in NSYNC, Chasez brings his distinctive voice and creativity to this exciting project, making it a must-listen for fans of theatre and pop music alike.

Teaming up with Chasez is renowned producer, composer, and songwriter Jimmy Harry, who has worked with some of the biggest names in music and secured a Golden Globe for his extraordinary talent. Together, they’ve crafted Playing With Fire, a concept album that will take listeners on an emotional journey, reimagining the themes of creation, ambition, and humanity at the heart of Frankenstein. The album also features the stunning vocal talents of Cardamon Rozzi and Lily Elise, adding new dimensions to this genre-blending project.

Stay tuned for more details as they are revealed on the official release date, October 25, 2024. This is one musical experience you won’t want to miss!

NSYNC’s JC Chasez & Golden Globe Winner Jimmy Harry Announce New Musical Theatre Concept Album 'Playing With Fire'

Thursday, 17 October 2024

Saturday, 31 March 2018

In Conversation With... Carrie Hope Fletcher | When The Curtain Falls (Album) | Interview

Carrie Hope Fletcher must be one of the busiest people in the West End. During the last few years she's managed to write 4 books (and a novella), perform in various shows and concerts, continually upload YouTube videos and blog posts AND record and release an album. Her work ethic, bubbly personality and sincerity makes her a role model for many people and her debut album When The Curtain Falls is just another branch of motivational vibes for people to cling on to. I sat down with Carrie at her album launch to ask her a few questions about it...


What do you think will surprise people most about this album?

 Well my dad's playing on it for a start, bless him. There's a song on the album, Summertime, which was the first song I ever learnt, my dad taught it to me so it only felt right to put my dad in the album. We've sort of rearranged some of the songs from how you'd usually hear them. Tom Barnes is the orchestrator on the album and he's done an incredible job of making the songs still sound like the songs we all know and love but just given them a sort of musical makeover.

What was the hardest thing about narrowing it down to just 12 songs?

Oh it was so hard to pick 12 tracks cause, how in the history of musical theatre do you pick 12 songs to fill 12 slots on an album? It was near impossible but every song has got a sentimental reason behind it for me personally and some of them remind me of pivotal moments in my life. It might have been a soundtrack that I was listening to at the time of something big going on in my life. So I feel like when you listen to the album from start to finish, for me especially, it feels like a good representation of my musical theatre soul.


If you could pick anyone, dead or alive to be on your next album, who would you choose?

I would pick the Sherman Brothers- I knew both of them. Bob Sherman who passed away a few years ago was a really dear friend of mine because he wrote the music to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins, both of which I was in as a child, so our families sort of became friends and he moved to London and stayed in London for about 10 years. He sort of became my adopted grandfather; we used to go over and visit him and make him earl grey tea and it'd be lovely to sing with him again.

How would you sum up the album in five words?

Oh 5 words! Normally I get 3, this is nice! Splashing out... maybe that's too many! Okay: magical, warm I'd say cause every song has got such warmth and love and passion behind it. Empowering, I hope! There's lots of songs on there that have been sung by amazing women and have been written by powerful women so I've sort of given my best shot at those. Childlike, I feel like there's an element of childlike wonder cause I remember how I felt as a kid, watching musical theatre and how it made me feel and that's kind of like why I do it now and I hope that when young kids come to the theatre and watch me on stage I can kind of in-still that in them as well. And enchanting is my final word. Only because when people ask how you'd like to be described as they walk away (not necessarily how they will describe me as they walk away!) But what I'd like them to, is enchanting.

Thank you so much to Carrie for having me at her press launch and taking the time on the night to answer some questions. Carrie's beautiful album, When The Curtain Falls is out now so go buy it! Enter my giveaway to win a signed copy of the album here.

Interview by Editor, Olivia Mitchell

Watch my vlog of the launch and interview with Carrie here

photo credit: Darren Bell

In Conversation With... Carrie Hope Fletcher | When The Curtain Falls (Album) | Interview

Saturday, 31 March 2018

Friday, 5 May 2017

Places, Lea Michele | Album Review


Places
Lea Michele
Reviewed by Olivia Mitchell
★★


Lea Michele's second solo album, Places was released on April 28th and flew to the top of the US pop charts, reaching number one almost as soon as it came out. It features a number of emotional ballads as well as some more upbeat songs which all flow together and scream emotion at every moment. In a recent interview Lea said that this album is more her true sound with both pop and musical theatre influences mixed in, it's not an album where she tries to fit a mould or sell to a certain market, it's just her.


Places is very slow-ballad heavy which could be a problem for some people but I thrive on those sorts of songs and honestly can't think of anything better than an all-out, belt for your life, dramatic album so I love it! The lyrics are theatrical and every song really plays to Lea's strengths as a singer, hitting each note with enough power and force to match Barbra and Celine.

This album flows very well indeed, each song holding its own and nothing is there just to fill space. Places is the perfect album for so many occasions, be it getting ready to go out, driving with the windows down, hiking or just while you're in the house living your best life. There's a song for everything and it's so personal and intimate that it feels like the exact album to accompany life and all its goings on.

The intimacy is what really makes Places special. Lea is baring her soul and showing us all her ups and downs through these songs. I want to tell you my favourite song but honestly it changes every five minutes so I can't but at the moment I am loving 'Run To You', 'Heavy Love' and 'Sentimental Memories'. The theme throughout the album is one of empowerment and pushing through whatever life throws at you. There is motivation beyond belief with 'Anything's Possible' especially, making you feel like you can conquer the world!

The amazing thing about Lea's voice is how it manages to be so strong but raw at the same time. She shows off her wide range well and moves between voice parts so smoothly it's just joyous to hear. Lea has always been an idol of mine and hearing this elegant piece of work made me even more inspired by her. 

Places refers to the call before starting a show where you're called to your place for the beginners call. The title seems very apt as it marks the start of a new chapter for Lea but to me I see the title as the sign to take my place, listen to this album, feel strong and motivated as hell and then to run at life full speed and live each moment to the fullest. So if you want to be inspired by both brilliant songs and flawless vocals then this is definitely an album you need in your collection. Lea really comes into her own and it's evident how much love and time has gone in to making this the best album it can be. Bravo!

Places, Lea Michele | Album Review

Friday, 5 May 2017

Saturday, 22 April 2017

An Intimate Evening with Lea Michele, Shoreditch Town Hall | Review


An Intimate Evening with Lea Michele
Shoreditch Town Hall
Reviewed on Friday April 21st 2017 by Olivia Mitchell
★★

I, like so many others, went through a huge, and I mean huge Glee phase. I had all the merchandise, all the dvds, cds, posters, the lot! Seeing my Facebook 'on this day' I think it was all I ever thought about. Every day a status memory pops up saying something along the lines of "watching Glee... love it so much! Rachel woo! xx" so I was pretty deep in the obsession, and yes, I used to put kisses after my status'!

Anyway, Glee was my life so in turn, Lea Michele was too. Lea as Rachel Berry was everything I wanted to be, yes she was over the top and a demanding diva but beneath it all she was a hardworking talented individual who knew what she wanted. She motivated me to work and improve myself and added even more to my musical theatre obsession. Needless to say when last week Lea announced she would be coming to the UK to do a London concert, my 13 year old self came right back. My excitement levels were through the roof and I booked to see her at the Shoreditch Town Hall straight away!

So there's my little background story, now lets get on to the review of the actual concert. Honestly, Lea could have sung the phone book and I would have been happy but she did so much more than that and created a really beautiful night and performance. One of the key factors in the concert being so warm and welcoming was the fact that you knew everyone in the room was feeling the same. We were all (I'm assuming) Glee fans back in the day and were shocked and excited to finally see Lea over in the UK so a lovely, excited, contented buzz filled the room from the get go.

The concert included a taster of the upcoming album Places which is released on Friday April 28th as well as some songs from Michele's first album Louder and a medley of songs from Glee. Each number seemed well thought out and there were lovely introductions given to each one about what the song means to Lea or a little anecdote about the writing process.

Lea has a grace and elegance that makes everything look so effortless. She is sophisticated and simple whilst being rough and vulnerable at the same time. For me personally, Lea has always been such an icon that I never really thought of as a real person. I know it sounds crazy but I'm sure (at least I hope) some of you know what I mean! Lea has always been this idol of talent, beauty and creativity that I never imagined I'd see in real life, so seeing her close up, in the flesh on stage was kind of weird and didn't feel real. I also found it hilarious every time she swore not only because it accompanied a funny story but because it made her seem so normal and genuine. 

Each song was performed wonderfully along with the fabulous band who were impeccable and sleek with Misty Boyce providing the main back up vocals effortlessly and wonderfully. Particular stand-out tracks for me were 'My Man' and 'Battlefield' which are two of my favourite songs anyway but they were done so well I even felt emotional listening.

The tracks from Lea's upcoming album Places were exciting and beautiful and I'm sure the whole album will be exquisite. Lea has such a stunning tone to her voice that soars easily and adds warmth to every note which comes out of her mouth. At just over an hour, I would have liked  the concert to be a bit longer but with only a weeks notice and I'm assuming a lot of jet lag, it was understandable that it wasn't overly long. 

The Shoreditch Town Hall was the perfect venue for this intimate concert, creating an impressive setting whilst still feeling warm and personal. Overall it was a radiant night and I only hope that Lea will come back to the UK soon to do further performances and show off more of her impressive vocal talents and stage presence.

Lea Michele's album PLACES is released April 28th 2017

Photo credit: Andrew Timms

An Intimate Evening with Lea Michele, Shoreditch Town Hall | Review

Saturday, 22 April 2017