Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends to run in the West End with Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga

Cameron Mackintosh announced live on stage at the 23rd Annual WhatsOnStage Awards that Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, which he devised and produced, will be returning to the West End for a full run this autumn.

The production, which picked up a WhatsOnStage Awards this evening after its initial staging in May of last year, will run at the Gielgud Theatre from 16 September for a 16-week limited season.

The show will welcome back a variety of stars from the original concert including the multi-award-winning Bernadette Peters (who will be making her full-length West End debut in the show), Christine Allado (Hamilton, The Prince of Egypt), Janie Dee (Carousel, Follies), Bonnie Langford (42nd Street, 9 to 5) and Jeremy Secomb (Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables).

Set to join them for the season are Lea Salonga (returning to the London stage for the first time in 27 years in the show), Beatrice Penny-Touré (The Phantom of the Opera, winner of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholarship), Joanna Riding (Carousel, Follies) and Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). Further names set to appear during the 16 weeks is to be revealed.



https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/stephen-sondheim-old-friends-west-end_58321.html

Damnit I’m JUST getting back from London a few weeks before that and now I gotta go again for the start of this. When Queen Bernadette calls, I must answer.

Jordan Catalano said: "Damnit I’m JUST getting back from London a few weeks before that and now I gotta go again for the start of this. When Queen Bernadette calls, I must answer."

Man, I wish I could travel to London as much as you do Jordan! I haven't been there in almost 5 years! I'm excited to be going over there this summer though! I'll just keep my fingers crossed for something similar to be staged in NYC!

binau said: "The dream would be for Bernadette to bring back to New York next Spring for a limited run."

Oh, that would be great! Maybe even bring Patti and Matt Doyle back! I would do anything to see Matt sing "Not Getting Married Today" again!

quizking101 said: "We know Patti ain’t happening…for the obvious reasons"

I know. It would be nice to have her back but oh well.

I believe this is all set for a Broadway run next spring, and it already seems destined to rack up some 2024 Tonys.

Anyone else looking into flight to London? Wink

If the NYC rumour is true hopefully Lea comes too and NY producers remember she's alive.

Updated On: 2/12/23 at 08:16 PM

EDSOSLO858 said: "Jordan Catalano said: "“& Juliet” is at the Shaftesbury, where “Mrs. Doubtfire” begins in the Spring. “Les Miserables” is at the Sondheim."

I’m talking about when this comes to Broadway next spring."

& Juliet seems to be doing well so far. We have to wait and see how it goes during awards season. I agree though, it would be wonderful to have this show at the Sondheim!

With Jac Yarrow booked for this is it safe to assume Joseph won’t be coming to Broadway this year?

Joanna Riding

binau said: "Was just dreaming that if it came to Broadway it would be amazing if it was finally the Bernadette/Patti show we’ve always dreamed of. The set list could easily suit both headlining. I would not be surprised if Patti was already asked for the west end run and said no lol."

Now that you mentioned it, I’m also a bit surprised that Patti isn’t doing it in London. I think she loves it over there more than NYC. Correct me if I’m wrong. As for a Bernadette/Patti show on Broadway, I think that’s definitely possible! Just depends on if the Queen herself wants to do it or not!