{"id":118824,"date":"2024-07-09T14:01:20","date_gmt":"2024-07-09T19:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/?p=118824"},"modified":"2024-07-09T14:01:22","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T19:01:22","slug":"the-lord-of-the-rings-musical-is-coming-to-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/2024\/07\/09\/118824-the-lord-of-the-rings-musical-is-coming-to-new-zealand\/","title":{"rendered":"The Lord of the Rings musical is coming to New Zealand!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Breaking News: The Lord of the Rings \u2013 A Musical Tale, which is about to have its US opening of Paul Hart’s staging (at Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s The Yard<\/a>), is going to be heading to New Zealand later this year. <\/p>\n\n\n

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(STRIDER\/ARAGORN (Aaron Sidwell); Photography Pamela Raith)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Here’s what the press release tells us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE LORD OF THE RINGS – A MUSICAL TALE COMES HOME TO MIDDLE-EARTH<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

THIS NOVEMBER – IN A 5 WEEK BLOCKBUSTER SEASON AT THE CIVIC, AUCKLAND<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

WAITLIST FOR TICKETS NOW OPEN!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTHE GREATEST SHOW ON MIDDLE EARTH\u2019 – THE GUARDIAN
\u201cAN EXTRAORDINARY RETELLING\u201d – WHATS ON STAGE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord of the Rings \u2013 A Musical Tale will play at The Civic, Auckland for a strictly limited season from November 5th, 2024. Join the waitlist NOW<\/a> to secure your tickets.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Lord of the Rings \u2013 A Musical Tale will premiere in Middle-earth when this eagerly awaited production opens for a strictly limited season at The Civic, Auckland from November 5th. Audiences are encouraged to act fast and join the waitlist for the first chance at securing tickets at www.LOTRonstage.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The highly anticipated production has its US premiere this July at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the prestigious theater that has launched productions such as SIX, Illinoise, and The Notebook ahead of their Broadway debuts. The Lord of the Rings – a Musical Tale had its initial production at The Watermill Theatre in the United Kingdom, receiving rave reviews with The Guardian calling it the \u2018Greatest Show on Middle-earth\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This journey to the magical realms of Middle-earth tells the story of The Lord of the Rings from the Hobbits\u2019 perspective, as J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy of books is brought to life on the stage, performed by a stellar cast of multi-skilled actor-musicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Created under license from Middle-earth Enterprises (the owner of exclusive worldwide motion picture and stage rights for The Lord of the Rings), this adventure through the epic realm of Middle-earth has been beloved by generations of readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna (Maddie, La Cava) and Matthew Warchus (Groundhog Day) and original music by Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman (Bombay Dreams, Slumdog Millionaire), Finnish folk band V\u00e4rttin\u00e4, and Tony Award winner Christopher Nightingale (Matilda the Musical), this theatrical event celebrates community, courage and camaraderie to create an unforgettable experience for longtime fans and newcomers alike. \u201cTolkien would have been so proud\u201d (WhatsOnStage).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018The greatest show on Middle-earth comes home to Middle-earth!\u201d proclaimed Fredrica Drotos, Middle-earth Enterprises\u2019 Steward Brand & Licensing. \u201cWe are very much looking forward to sharing the Hobbits\u2019 epic re-telling with all our friends there; when The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, premieres in Auckland, New Zealand this November.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the Hobbits celebrate Bilbo Baggins\u2019 eleventy-first birthday in the Shire, he gifts his nephew Frodo his most precious belonging – a gold ring. This fateful moment launches Frodo on a legendary and perilous quest across Middle-earth to the darkest realms of Mordor, to vanquish evil with his loyal Fellowship. The dynamic folk-inspired score is performed live by the company on stage, weaving together original music with storytelling. The New Zealand premiere comes fresh off the 70th anniversary of the publication of The Fellowship of the Ring, the first book in The Lord of the Rings trilogy which debuted in 1954.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are delighted to share Director Paul Hart\u2019s imagining of The Lord of the Rings on stage with New Zealand audiences before it embarks on its journey to entertain audiences around the world.\u201d said Kevin Wallace on behalf of the producers. \u201cThis production that originated in the English Shires, before its US Premiere in Chicago, comes to Auckland where we invite New Zealand to join us for Bilbo Baggins\u2019 Long-
expected Party.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annie Dundas, Director Destination at T\u0101taki Auckland Unlimited adds \u201cWe are thrilled to welcome The Lord of the Rings \u2013 A Musical Tale to T\u0101maki Makaurau Auckland. This production not only celebrates our unique connection to Middle-earth but also showcases Auckland as a vibrant hub for world-class theatre. We look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with locals and visitors alike.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glen Crighton, Acting Director Performing Arts at Auckland Live continues. \u201cI\u2019m excited that The Civic will be hosting the Australasian premiere of The Lord of the Rings \u2013 A Musical Tale. The iconic status of Tolkien\u2019s epic tale can\u2019t be understated, and we look forward to welcoming local and international audiences alike into T\u0101maki Makaurau Auckland\u2019s own iconic venue to embark on what promises to be a remarkable theatrical experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord of the Rings \u2013 A Musical Tale is presented in Auckland by Kevin Wallace Productions, GWB Entertainment and Middle-earth Enterprises, in association with Tim McFarlane and People Entertainment Group. The Lord of the Rings \u2013 A Musical Tale is produced in partnership with The Watermill Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The Auckland season of the production is made possible by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate, and with support from Auckland Live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE LORD OF THE RINGS – A MUSICAL TALE
STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON AT THE CIVIC, AUCKLAND FROM NOVEMBER 5TH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WAITLIST OPEN NOW AT LOTRONSTAGE.COM<\/a>
Based upon the Books by J.R.R. Tolkien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written and produced under license from Middle-earth Enterprises, LLC (MEE).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

You can read TORn staffer greendragon’s review from the production at The Watermill Theatre last year, here<\/a>. If you’re going to see it in Chicago, let us know what you think; or maybe you can make a trip to New Zealand to experience the magic there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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