The Theatre Channel To Celebrate Stephen Schwartz In Latest Episode

The brilliiant series The Theatre Channel is coming back with its long awaited eighth episode... and it looks like it's going to be a good one!

Episode eight will honour the legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. His modern masterpieces will be brought to life by a stellar cast including Alice Fearn, Louise Dearman, Christine Allado, Stewart Clarke, Melanie La Barrie and Cedric Neal. The exact numbers they will all be performing are to be confirmed,

The episode will also feature the cast of the critically acclaimed revival of Pippin currently playing at Charing Cross Theatre with their fantastic rendition of 'Magic To Do'. This marks the first time The Theatre Channel is doing a music video in collaboration with a production currently running in the West End, as they continue to evolve their concept.

The episode will be narrated by Stephen Schwartz himself, offering exclusive insights as he looks back over his career and the continual renovation of his work. Schwartz currently boasts three shows playing in the West End in the shape of Wicked, Pippin and The Prince of Egypt. Schwartz will also be joining The Theatre Channel's resident ensemble The Café Five (comprised of Anthony Starr, Danny Becker, Kayleigh Thadani, M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac and Vicki Lee Taylor) to perform an unforgettable finale.

Stephen Schwartz commented "I’m honoured to be collaborating with The Theatre Channel on Episode 8, featuring my theatre songs. I’ve very much enjoyed and admired the previous episodes, so I know I and my work are in very good hands. An MTV/VH1-meets-Musical Theatre hybrid, The Theatre Channel uses the skilful and imaginative videos they produce to offer new perspectives on musical theatre songs, rediscovering them through a new lens. With “my episode” –Episode 8 — we plan to give fresh and modern twists to some popular favourites and offer some “hidden gems” as well. As a certain Glinda once said: “I couldn’t be happier”.

Following their successful collaboration with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Theatre Channel will continue to partner with theatrical venues to celebrate the return of live entertainment. The new episode is an exciting co-production with Park Theatre, where Schwartz’s powerful musical Rags was a critical smash in early 2020.

Producer Adam Blanshay commented "The Theatre Channel are delighted to continue our in-focus exploration of the anthology of a composer’s work with the incredible Stephen Schwartz. Spanning over six decades, Stephen’s work includes some of the most cherished musicals of all time. We are also incredibly grateful to Park Theatre for their collaboration with us on this episode. Their production of Rags was an immense success, and it’s an honor to bring the work of Stephen Schwartz back home to Finsbury Park."

The new episode is available to stream from September 17th from https://www.stream.theatre/season/107 with the previous 7 episodes available to watch on demand https://www.stream.theatre/season/108

Here's a first look at the cast of Pippin performing 'Magic To Do' from the episode: