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Gramilano

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musical theatre

[Review] Hex – an alternative Sleeping Beauty from the National Theatre

28 December 2022 by Matthew Paluch Leave a Comment

Rosie Graham as Princess Rose and Ensemble in Hex at the National Theatre, photo by Johan Persson

After The Sleeping Beauty by Matthew Bourne and with The Royal Ballet, Matthew Paluch looks at the National Theatre’s take on the story. TitleHexCompanyNational TheatreVenueOlivier Theatre, National … [Read more...] about [Review] Hex – an alternative Sleeping Beauty from the National Theatre

The Royal Opera House says ‘Thank You NHS’

27 April 2021 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Royal Opera House, new exterior ©2018 ROH. Photograph by Luke Hayes (1)

Royal Opera House has announced a suite of performances, partnerships and events, as well as a special performance by the Royal Opera Chorus for hospital radios up and down the UK, to say thank you to … [Read more...] about The Royal Opera House says ‘Thank You NHS’

Six of London’s West End theatres to reopen

13 September 2020 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue

Nimax, which owns six of London’s West End theatres, has announced that it will start opening up all of them, beginning with the Apollo on 22 October. The announcement came on the six-month … [Read more...] about Six of London’s West End theatres to reopen

Priscilla the musical in Milan reveals the heart beneath the glitter

9 July 2015 by Gramilano 2 Comments

After having seen the musical Priscilla, I’ve decided to come out: I’m a Sondheim fan. Yes, Into the Woods, Sweeney, the lot… even Merrily We Roll Along and The Frogs. Every cd, the live recordings, … [Read more...] about Priscilla the musical in Milan reveals the heart beneath the glitter

Christopher Wheeldon and team scoop up Tony nominations

29 April 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The Brit in New York, responsable for the new hit musical An American in Paris,  has been nominated for a Tony award as Best Director of a Musical and also for Best Choreography. His creative team and … [Read more...] about Christopher Wheeldon and team scoop up Tony nominations

Milan’s Dirty Dancing glimmers but doesn’t shine

10 October 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

At the risk of sounding petty, this was the first time that I have been given restricted view tickets to review a performance, so I'll review the three-quarters of Milan's Dirty Dancing that I saw. … [Read more...] about Milan’s Dirty Dancing glimmers but doesn’t shine

Eleanor Bergstein’s Dirty Dancing alights in Milan

25 September 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dirty Dancing comes to Milan with the biggest advance booking since Stage Entertainment took over the Teatro Nazionale, beating even Beauty and the Beast and Mamma Mia! The producers must be breathing … [Read more...] about Eleanor Bergstein’s Dirty Dancing alights in Milan

Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson to star in Sweeney Todd in London

16 September 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

After the success of Sweeney Todd in concert with the New York Philharmonic in March of this year, Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson return in their roles for thirteen performances at the London … [Read more...] about Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson to star in Sweeney Todd in London

At 88, Elaine Stritch bows out for good

3 April 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

With “Elaine Stritch at the Carlyle: Movin’ Over and Out” which runs from 2 - 6 April one of the greatest stars of the stage leaves it for good. Elaine Stritch, with her signature leggings and white … [Read more...] about At 88, Elaine Stritch bows out for good

Goggi shines but Gypsy deludes in its Italian première

3 February 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Styne and Sondheim's Gypsy is the Hamlet of the musical theatre: many try, many fail, but a success in the role adds a magical aura to a career. Thank goodness that Loretta Goggi, as Italy's first … [Read more...] about Goggi shines but Gypsy deludes in its Italian première

A new Mama Rose gets her turn in Italy’s first ever ‘Gypsy’

11 January 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

On 15 January, Milan will welcome a new Rose to the stage as Gyspy opens in Italy. Loretta Goggi has been a household name in Italy for half a century. She made her début in television as a girl … [Read more...] about A new Mama Rose gets her turn in Italy’s first ever ‘Gypsy’

Italy’s new Titanic musical stays afloat

13 December 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The world has a new Titanic musical. Italy's version is the work of Federico Bellone who wrote the book, lyrics and music, and is also the show's director. It is inevitably derivative with … [Read more...] about Italy’s new Titanic musical stays afloat

Betty Buckley to star in Jerry Herman’s “Dear World” in the West End

16 November 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Everyone who knows and loves the original cast recording of Jerry Herman's musical Dear World will be delighted to have the opportunity to see it when it comes to the London stage next … [Read more...] about Betty Buckley to star in Jerry Herman’s “Dear World” in the West End

Saturday nights heat up as Tony Manero struts into Milan

15 October 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Tony Manero is coming to town in a brand new production of Saturday Night Fever, performed in an all-Italian translation as La Febbre del Sabato Sera. After a few months of touring in the … [Read more...] about Saturday nights heat up as Tony Manero struts into Milan

Stage Entertainment musicals: bringing excellence to Italy

4 October 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Italy has long been plagued with a lazy approach to putting on musicals. Looked on as easy money makers, the artistic and financial input is often skipped over for quicker gains. Mistake! Audiences … [Read more...] about Stage Entertainment musicals: bringing excellence to Italy

Pointe shoes and tutus at the Ziegfeld Follies

7 July 2012 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Florenz Ziegfeld created his Follies in 1907, and the successful format continued on Broadway until 1931. The Ziegfeld Follies were extraordinarily elaborate revues inspired by the Folies Bergères in … [Read more...] about Pointe shoes and tutus at the Ziegfeld Follies

Adam Cooper talks to the Sunday Times about ballet, Michael Jackson, Vaughan Williams and the Kirov

22 April 2012 by Gramilano 5 Comments

In today's Sunday Times, Adam Cooper - ex-Royal Ballet dancer, and currently tip-tapping in the West End - talked about the places where he and his elder brother, Simon, grew up. Until their teens … [Read more...] about Adam Cooper talks to the Sunday Times about ballet, Michael Jackson, Vaughan Williams and the Kirov

Barbra Streisand to play Momma Rose in the screen version of Gyspy – Julian Fellowes will write the screenplay

13 March 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

Producers Barbra Streisand and Joel Silver have set Academy Award-winning writer Julian Fellowes to pen the screenplay adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents’ Tony Award winning musical, … [Read more...] about Barbra Streisand to play Momma Rose in the screen version of Gyspy – Julian Fellowes will write the screenplay

Priscilla the Musical gives the Milan catwalks an added dash of kitsch

25 February 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Today is carnival day in Milan: Sabato Grasso. It comes later than all the other carnival celebrations, and this year Milan was blessed with a 20°C sunny day which gave the tourists a good excuse to … [Read more...] about Priscilla the Musical gives the Milan catwalks an added dash of kitsch

Woody Allen adapts Bullets Over Broadway for a new Broadway musical

25 February 2012 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Woody Allen's 1994 film "Bullets Over Broadway" explored the travails of an aspiring playwright struggling to bring his creation to the Great White Way. And now, in a possible case of art imitating, … [Read more...] about Woody Allen adapts Bullets Over Broadway for a new Broadway musical

Julie Andrews will direct the ‘Mousical’ based on her book for children

15 January 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Julie Andrews will direct a new musical, The Great American Mousical, based on the children’s book of the same name co-written with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. Goodspeed Musicals will put on a … [Read more...] about Julie Andrews will direct the ‘Mousical’ based on her book for children

Rebecca Caine answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

14 January 2012 by Gramilano 3 Comments

Q&A When did you start singing? As a professional at 19 thanks to being chucked out of the Guildhall. I always sang as a child. Why did you start singing? I simply loved it. I grew up with no tv … [Read more...] about Rebecca Caine answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition

Spider-Man the Musical’s firm grip sets Broadway record

5 January 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, written by U2's Bono and The Edge, has taken the highest single-week takings of any show in Broadway history. The musical, which was plagued with problems from its … [Read more...] about Spider-Man the Musical’s firm grip sets Broadway record

Hugh Jackman gets back to Broadway as Houdini

4 January 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Hugh Jackman, who has recently been smashing records on Broadway with his one-man show, will return as escape artist Harry Houdini in the musical "Houdini". The 43-year-old actor, who began his … [Read more...] about Hugh Jackman gets back to Broadway as Houdini

Interview with Alfie Boe: Royal Opera House and the ENO are “too proud and too stupid”

2 January 2012 by Gramilano 14 Comments

Alfie Boe is good at upsetting people. He speaks his mind, leaving diplomacy at home, and not thinking about the consequences. While he is certainly more of an opera singer than Katherine Jenkins, his … [Read more...] about Interview with Alfie Boe: Royal Opera House and the ENO are “too proud and too stupid”

Debutto a Milano di “Priscilla, la regina del deserto”

18 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

by Stefania Clerici “True colors are beautiful, like a rainbow” cantava Cyndi Lauper negli anni ’80…E veri, spettacolari e coloratissimi sono le scene, le luci, i costumi e la colonna sonora del … [Read more...] about Debutto a Milano di “Priscilla, la regina del deserto”

Priscilla struts into Milan in her high-heels… and will survive!

18 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

in italiano by Stefania Clerici “True colors are beautiful, like a rainbow” sang Cyndi Lauper in the 80s…and true, spectacular and multi-coloured are the sets, lights, costumes and music of the … [Read more...] about Priscilla struts into Milan in her high-heels… and will survive!

Glenn Close may return to Sunset Boulevard

10 December 2011 by Gramilano 2 Comments

Andrew Lloyd Webber has wanted to film his musical Sunset Boulevard for many years. In fact, which better musical to film than one about films. The Daily Mail says that Lloyd Webber may court his … [Read more...] about Glenn Close may return to Sunset Boulevard

Priscilla Queen of the Desert kicks off its heels in Milan

27 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

"Every conceivable surface has been decked with sequins, spattered with coloured lights, plastered in mirrored chips or trimmed in feathers and fringe in “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” said the New … [Read more...] about Priscilla Queen of the Desert kicks off its heels in Milan

Dame Judi Dench takes bit part in school play

19 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Judi Dench is to be the voice of the giant in the Giggleswick school production of Into the Woods. She delighted pupils at the North Yorkshire boarding school by agreeing to take a part in their … [Read more...] about Dame Judi Dench takes bit part in school play

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NEWS

New York City Ballet 2023 Spring Season is announced

Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich

Two new opera recordings to be released by Warner Classics/Erato

Four new Principal dancers for New York City Ballet

LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live

Royal Ballet principal dancer Laura Morera to retire

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

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GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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