Latest News on Michael Praed
Page 1 of 1
Blue quartz

Blue quartz
 

 

Michael extends his 'Sound of Music' contract

April 16, 2010 - Michael signed a contract for another six months. His new contract expires in early January 2011. Additional information has been added below.
 

Happy 50th Birthday, Michael! 

Michael in "The Sound of Music"

'The Sound of Music'

Michael will star as ‘Captain Von Trapp’ alongside Connie Fisher as ‘Maria’ in the National UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and The Really Useful Group’s smash hit production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” opening at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff on 26 July 2009, where it will play until 29 August2009 (Box Office: 08700 40 2000).

Michael Praed’s musical theatre credits include leading roles in the West End productions of ‘Aspects of Love’, ‘Copacabana’, Susan Stroman’s ‘Contact’ and ‘Beautiful and Damned’. His television credits include ‘Dynasty’, ‘Robin of Sherwood’ and ‘Riders’.

Connie Fisher won BBC 1’s “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?” and played the role at the London Palladium for 15 months to critical acclaim. She most recently starred in the Menier Chocolate Factory’s production of “They’re Playing Our Song” and the ITV drama “Caught in a Trap” last Christmas.

Michael and Connie will be joined by Margaret Preece as ‘Mother Abbess’, Jacinta Mulcahy as ‘Baroness Schraeder’, Martin Callaghan as ‘Max’, Claire Fishenden as ‘Liesl’ and Jeremy Taylor as ‘Rolf’. Kirsty Malpass will play ‘Maria’ at certain performances.

This lavish production tells the story of the Von Trapp family’s flight across the mountains with its unforgettable score that includes some of the most memorable songs ever performed on the musical stage including ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’, ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’, ‘The Lonely Goatherd’ and the title song ‘The Sound of Music’.

“THE SOUND OF MUSIC” has music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, ith a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp.

“THE SOUND OF MUSIC” will be directed by Jeremy Sams, with choreography by Arlene Phillips, design by Robert Jones, sound by Mick Potter and lighting by Mark Henderson.

This production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical opened to rave reviews and sell-out business at the London Palladium in November 2006 and closed on 21 February 2009 after 954 record-breaking performances and was seen by well over 2 million people. “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” originally premiered on Broadway in 1959, when it won six Tony Awards, including “Best Musical”. The show first opened in London in 1961 and its last London revival was in 1981, both productions having record-breaking runs. The 1965 Hollywood film, which starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, won five Oscars, including “Best Picture”.

Creative Team

  Music and Lyrics
Book
Director
Choreographer
Set and Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Orchestrations
Producer
Producer
Producer 		Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Jeremy Sams
Arlene Phillips
Robert Jones
Mark Henderson
Mick Potter
Robert Russell Bennett
Andrew Lloyd Webber
David Ian
The Really Useful Group


Cast

  Maria
Captain Georg von Trapp
Mother Abbess
Max
Liesl
Baroness Schraeder
Rolf
Alternate Maria* 		Connie Fisher
Michael Praed
Margaret Preece
Martin Callaghan
Claire Fishenden
Jacinta Mulcahy
Jeremy Taylor
Kirsty Malpass
           *Please check theatre schedules for Kirsty Malpass performances


Where it is On

Michael In "The Murder Game"

'The Murder Game' © King's Head Theatre 2009

  © The King's Head 2009

Repeat Tony nominee John Tillinger will direct Michael Praed and Josefina Gabrielle in the 'The Murder Game'. Other cast members include Matt Healy, Ben Jones and Patrick Clancy. The new James Farwell play will begin on 11 March at the King's Head Theatre in Islington with the official première set for 17 March 2009.

'The Murder Game' is a screwball comedy set in the vicious realm of the New Orleans underworld.  A killer is on the loose. Where is he?  Can the two people whose job it is to catch him do so before killing each other?

Show Details
Play: The Murder Game
Dates:  11 March 2009 to 19 April 2009
Times: Tues – Sat @ 7.30pm, Sat & Sun matinees @ 3.30pm
Ticket Prices: Premium reserved £23, General Unreserved £18, Concessions £15, Saturday Matinee – all tickets £12
Purchase tickets online: www.seetickets.com

Production Credits
Producers: King's Head Theatre Productions
  in association with
Mary Sullivan, John Knotts, Richard Colton and Boysie Bollinger
Author: James Farwell
Director: John Tillinger
Set and Costume Design: Nigel Hook
Lighting Design: Mike Robertson

Cast Details
Josefina Gabrielle as Katherine Kelly
Michael Praed as Randell Kelly
Robert Pavlovich as Hostetter
Patrick Clancy as Melvin Kline
Matt Healy as Clyde
Ben Jones as Pito

Where its on:
King's Head Theatre 115, Upper Street/Islington/London N1 1QN

 

Help send a Christmas gift to Michael

December 1, 2008 - Michael worked hard in 2008.  He's put in a grueling year, touring 9 of 12 months.  He's not only given us the desperate Sir Robert Chiltern in 'An Ideal Husband', he's played the devious Milo in 'Sleuth', all while remaining his friendly, approachable self to fans.

Hazel Pethick, webmistress of Michael Praed Online, is coordinating a joint effort of Michael Praed's Fanfare, Michael Praed Online, and Chest Hair Moments to thank him for an extraordinary year.  If you would like to donate toward this gift. please use the PayPal button below. 

To keep it a surprise for Michael we aren't going to explain what it is here, but Haze would be happy to give you further details if you contact her. You can do it by either sending a private message through Fanfare (if you are a member of the official fan club), or by .

Let us show Michael how much he means to us!

A Gift for Michael

'Curse of the Daleks' CD

Michael featured in new Dr Who CD

November 30, 2008 - Big Finish recently released three audio versions of early Dr Who theatrical plays written by Terry Nation, one of which stars Michael. 'Curse of the Daleks' premiered in London in 1965. There is no Doctor in this adventure. The lead character is a convict called Ladiver. Michael previously portrayed the deliciously evil Professor Slyde on the Seventh Doctor audio 'The Dark Flame' by Big Finish
 

Michael touring in "An Ideal Husband"

"An Ideal Husband" poster

Starting in late August, Michael will be starring in  the Bill Kenwright production "An Ideal Husband",  by Oscar Wilde.  The production is touring the UK in the fall of 2008. 

An Ideal Husband (Play) Play: Sir Peter Hall’s highly acclaimed West End and Broadway production of Oscar Wild’s AN IDEAL HUSBAND returns to the stage. 

Written with the wit and style expected of  Oscar Wilde, the political intrigue amongst society’s highest ranking figures gives us one of the most entertaining plays in the English language.

Into the fashionable world of London parties, politics and diplomacy comes the worldly and devious Mrs Cheveley. She attempts to blackmail the British Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Sir Robert Chiltern, who she accuses of building a career on dishonor by selling a cabinet secret.

The glamorous Kate O’Mara, star of such TV hits as 'Dynasty' and 'Bad Girls' returns to the role of Mrs Cheveley, a part she originally played in the West End. Kate is joined by 'Dynasty' co-star and veteran of the television classic 'Robin of Sherwood'  Michael Praed. Carol Royle has starred in numerous popular TV series including 'Heartbeat', 'Crossroads' and most recently 'Doctors'.   Her various stage roles have included leads in Royal Shakespeare Company productions of 'A Woman of No Importance' and 'Hamlet'. Alongside them are Robert Duncan, best known as Gus from the Channel Four cult comedy hit 'Drop the Dead Donkey', Fenella Fielding perhaps best known for her roles in the 'Carry On' and 'Doctor' films, as well as distinguished theatre credits including Lady Fidget in 'The Country Wife' and the title role in 'Hedda Gabler' and finally renowned actor of stage and screen Tony Britton whose TV hits include 'Don’t Wait Up' and 'Robin’s Nest'.

Written with the wit and style expected of Wilde, the political intrigue amongst society’s highest ranking figures gives us one of the most entertaining plays in the English language.

Show Details
Oscar Wilde (Author)
Bill Kenwright Ltd (Producer)
Peter Hall (Director)
Cast Details
Kate O'Mara (Mrs Cheveley)
Michael Praed (Sir Robert Chiltern)
Carol Royle (Lady Chiltern)
Robert Duncan (Lord Goring)
Fenella Fielding (Lady Markby)
Tony Britton (Earl of Caversham)


Where it is on

Michael refers to CHM again

June 30, 2008 - 'Sleuth' ends soon and it will be another 2 months before 'An Ideal Husband' begins. During a brief hiatus between plays, Michael is giving us something to smile about.  In a 30 June interview ('Five questions for... Michael Praed') by Deane Hodgson of Metro, Michael mentioned 'Chest Hair Moments' again! (Thanks, Michael! Why don't you stop by and say hello sometime?)

Michael in "Sleuth"

"Sleuth" poster

Michael will be starring in  the Bill Kenwright production of "Sleuth", touring the UK in the first six months of 2008.  He will be portraying Milo while Simon MacCorkindale ('Casualty', 'Manimal', 'Falcon Crest', etc ) will be doing Andrew.

Sleuth (Play) Play: Anthony Shaffer's masterpiece in which a young man arrives at the impressive home of a famous mystery writer, only to be unwittingly drawn into a tangled web of intrigue and gamesmanship, where nothing is quite what it seems… This dark psychological ‘thriller about thrillers’ and intriguing study of human conflict, jealousy and manipulation, proves to be far more than a ‘whodunit’ and promises to baffle even the most proficient sleuth!  Winner of the Tony Award on Broadway and basis of the acclaimed film starring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine.

Show Details
Anthony Shaffer (Author)
Cast/Tour Details
Bill Kenwright Ltd (Producer)
Joe Harmston (Director)
Simon MacCorkindale (Performer)
Michael Praed (Performer)

Where it is On

Bad news about the CHM site

June 25, 2007 - I'm sorry to have to report that the CHM site was taken over by phishers sometime this weekend. All content was deleted and phishing directories installed.

I have backups of everything up until a month ago and I will work on restoring the site. In view of this however, I will need to change it to a members only site. It will take several weeks to restore it completely.

I am so angry that some greedy S*O*B destroyed all of Loralee's hard work in a few hours to cheat people out of money! I hate them all.

Vicci 

Book Dedicated to Loralee

Many CHM visitors know Michael Praed fan, author Glenna McReynolds. Using the name Tara Janzen,  Glenna has created a series with characters based on Michael Praed. The first of this series, Crazy Hot, is dedicated to Loralee ("Danaan") Thompson, creator of CHM.

Michael In "Misery"!

'Misery' © Popular Productions Limited 2005 / Photo New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire

  © Popular Productions Limited 2005 / Photo New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire

John Payton and Lucy Blakeman for Popular Productions presents the Simon Moore adaptation of Stephen King's Misery, starring Michael Praed and Susan Penhaligon.

Michael Praed will be starring in the Simon Moore adaptation of Stephen King's 'Misery' at the King's Head Theatre, Islington. 'Misery' also stars Susan Penhaligon, who was also in 'The Constant Wife' with Michael, and is directed by Alan Cohen. The play will be on for a limited time only. Booking is available from September 28, 2005 to October 30, 2005. Call the King's Head Theatre for tickets (020 7226 1916) or order tickets online at www.ticketweb.co.uk.  Visit the website at www.miserytheplay.com for more details.

Misery (Play) One of best stories by the master of horror Stephen King, Misery is a taut claustrophobic thriller which probes the disturbing elements of fame.   The author of an extremely popular romance series called "Misery", Paul Sheldon is seriously injured when he has a car accident in the wilds of Colorado.  Along comes Annie Wilkes, a local nurse who is also a fan of the "Misery" series.  Annie takes Paul home to give him loving care. All is well... until she discovers that Paul has killed off Misery in his latest book.  In a rage, the fanatical Annie  demands that the bedridden Paul rewrite the story to her liking.  If he doesn't, he'll suffer heavy "editing" to himself, via Annie's axe.

Misery was adapted for the stage by Simon Moore, who wrote the screenplays Under Suspicion (which he also directed) and The Quick and the Dead, as well as several plays, including the musical Up on the Roof. Television miniseries written by Moore include The 10th Kingdom, Dinotopia, and the acclaimed BBC miniseries Traffik.  The latter was later made into an Oscar-winning movie directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Details
Misery (Play)
September 28, 2005 to October 30, 2005 (dates)  Extended to November 6, 2005
Production Credits
Popular Productions - Lucy Blakeman and John Payton (Producers)
Stephen King (Author)
Adapted for the stage by Simon Moore
Alan Cohen (Director)
Claire Lyth (Designer)
Hansjorg Schmidt (Lighting)
Chris Madin (Music and Sound)

Cast
 Susan Penhaligon (Annie )
 Michael Praed (Paul Sheldon)

Where it is On King's Head Theatre 115, Upper Street/Islington/London N1 1QN

Sad Announcement

September 2, 2003 - I have just heard that Loralee Thompson, founder of the CHM site, passed away on Tuesday. I am still landlady of the site and can assure you it will continue. I am still in shock over the news and know nothing of the details, other than her death was from natural causes induced by illness.

My prayers go out to all who knew her and loved her.

Vicci

Michael To Record Audiobooks

Michael Praed has agreed to read the audiobooks of Caroline Lawrence's children's book series "The Roman Mysteries". He will be recording the 1st and 7th books ("Thieves of Ostia" and "Enemies of Jupiter") in the series in October and they will be released on 1 January, 2004.  He will fill in the other volumes at a later date.  For more information on the books and the author go to http://www.romanmysteries.com.

Michael To Tour In "The Constant Wife"!

Here is the schedule and you can click on the links to get more information about tickets.

The Constant Wife (Play) Play: Somerset Maugham's comedy of marital manoeuvres ran for three years in the United States before opening in London in April 1927. When Mortimer Durham storms into the Middletons' home revealing that Constance's husband is having an affair with his wife, Constance refuses to create a scene. A year later, and financially independent, Constance feels entitled to sexual independence. She announces that she will, as John has done, take a short revivifying break by having a holiday with an early admirer, leaving John first outraged and then appreciative of his remarkable wife. Show Details Somerset Maugham (Author)
Cast/Tour Details Bill Kenwright Ltd (Producer)
Liza Goddard (Performer)
Susan Penhaligon (Performer)
Sara Crowe (Performer)
Michael Praed (Performer)

Where it is On

Michael In Fall Festival In Scotland!

Bill Kenwright Ltd presents Somerset Maugham’s classic comedy The Constant Wife, starring Liza Goddard, Michael Praed, Susan Penhaligon and Sara Crowe. Exclusive Scottish performances.  

The show will run at the Kings Theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland from Monday, October 6th through Saturday, October 11th.

Possible New Gig For Michael Praed?

20/6/2003 OUR HOUSE TO CLOSE Our House has posted closing notices for 16 August 2003. This is a great disappointment. Jerry Springer The Opera is rumoured to be considering the now vacant Cambridge Theatre along with the Piccadilly, and another show rumoured to be considering the venue, along with the Queens, is Beautiful and Damned. The latter is playing a two week try-out to Guildford audiences with John Barrowman in the lead. With Barrowman joining Anything Goes, favourite to play Scott Fitzgerald is Michael Praed.

If you want to check out the website for the musical that they are saying MP may take over the role for go to http://www.beautifulmusical.com/default.asp

Queer as Folk Flaunts Musical Ambitions???

5th June 2003
Channel 4's Queer as Folk provides the inspiration for a new musical that's touting for a West End premiere. Set in modern Manchester, the television drama serial follows the lives of three gay men as they cruise the clubs of Canal Street. The screen version starred Aidan Gillen, Craig Kelly and Charlie Hunnam. Last week at The Venue, the former home of Taboo, the Queer as Folk stage adaptation was given a workshop presentation, featuring Taboo's Euan Morton and Paul Baker (who won this year's Best Supporting Olivier for his turn as Philip Salon in the Boy George musical) as well as Contact's Michael Praed. The production is directed by former West Yorkshire Playhouse artistic director Jude Kelly.

From What's On Stage.com

 Blue quartzHome Blue quartz