News & Notes

Rare screening of Dead Ringer movie courtesy of director Allen Nicholls

Attention! There's about to be a very, very rare opportunity to see the film Dead Ringer from 1982! As you may know, this movie stars Meat Loaf, features many songs from the album Dead Ringer, and has never had a general release. But thanks to the film's director Allen Nicholls, and the 33 And Me Films film festival, there will be a screening at The Emmaus Theatre, PA. He'll also host a discussion after the film.

Date / Time: Tues. Sept. 24 at 8PM

Place: Emmaus Theatre in Emmaus, PA. (19 S. 4th St.)

Tickets / pricing: $8 and can be bought at the door, or online via eventbrite.

Bat Out Of Hell The Musical - UK Tour 2025

It's official! Bat Out Of Hell is returning to UK theatres in 2025. So far - four cast members have been revealed, and dates and venues have been announced, and tickets are going on sale ASAP.

Following a successful UK, Ireland and International tour from 2021 - 2023 the Award-winning Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf's greatest hits, will return to tour the UK in 2025, with performances beginning on 6 January 2025 at Edinburgh Playhouse, running through to 20 September 2025 in Northampton.

Inspired by the spectacular arena tour of Australia and New Zealand, this reimagined show promises to be a thrilling experience, featuring a dynamic eight-piece rock band on stage and sprawling multi-level platforms that will transport you through the diverse worlds of Bat Out of Hell, from Raven's bedroom to the depths of the Lost's underground domains.

Returning to the cast are Glenn Adamson (We Will Rock You, London Coliseum, Bat Boy in concert, London Palladium) as Strat, Katie Tonkinson (Bonnie and Clyde, UK & Ireland Tour) as Raven and original leading cast members Rob Fowler (MAMMA MIA!, UK & International tour, Tanz Der Vampire Das Musical, German tour) as Falco and Sharon Sexton (MAMMA MIA!, UK & International tour, Billy Elliot The Musical) as Sloane.

Dates and venues

Visit the official Bat Out Of Hell Musical website for the latest information!

Tanz Der Vampire EP featuring Rob Fowler and Kristin Backes

The 2023 Hamburg cast of Tanz Der Vampire released an EP of four songs from the show, featuring Rob Fowler as Graf von Krolock and Kristin Backes as Sarah.

Tracklisting:

1. 1. Sei bereit (Gott ist tot)
2. 2. Einladung zum Ball
3. 3. Totale Finsternis
4. 4. Die unstillbare Gier

This release is available on CD from Sound Of Music DE, and is also available digitally on all major platforms.

Tanz Der Vampire Hamburg cast revealed

The cast of the upcoming Hamburg production of Tanz Der Vampire has been revealed. Much of the cast will transfer from the current Stuttgart production, though there is a new Graf von Krolock announced! If you managed to catch Bat Out Of Hell The Musical in the UK, Canada or Australia, you may have seen him play Falco. We are pleased to announce: Rob Fowler!

Rob made the following announcement post on his FB page:

For over 20 years I have wanted to put my heart & soul into this dream role … the first time I heard the soundtrack was in 2002, I got instant goosebumps from the wonderful overture, orchestrations and the Legend Jim Steinman's compositions.

Then came the timbre of the unforgettable storytelling voice of the late Steve Barton.

Since returning to the UK 6 years ago to fulfil a dream of performing in London's West End, I have many a time said that if I were ever to return to the German Musical Theatre World, it would be for this role, I am honoured to be holding the passed on torch of “Count Von Krolock” in the Musical Tanz Der Vampire in the infamous musical capital of Germany: Hamburg!

To all the Krolocks Past and Present, I salute you all.

My Eternal thanks and Gratitude to the Maestro Michael Reed, who always gives me the wings to fly to the moon and beyond and the creative team for making this English Man’s Theatrical Dream become reality… last and by no means least My Rock ~ My Soulmate ~My Best Friend & My WIFE Shazza [Sharon Sexton] for always guiding me to catch those dreams.

“dreams are there to be caught” …

Carpe Noctem

Lead Cast:

Ensemble cast:

Christoph Apfelbeck, Simon Loughton, Kezia Coulson, Andrea Gioia, Paolo Valenti, Artem Salastelny, Frederik Stuhllemmer, Keny Oslen, Ceballo Romero, Ginevra Serra Cassano, Ian Vrolijk, Carina Fitzi, Anne Hoth, Rachel Bahler, Nicole Klünsner, Sandra Bitterli, Jessie Vos, Alice Giammarioli and Valeria Vegezzi.

Tickets and more information

Bonnie Tyler update

Three pieces of news to share with you. Firstly, something for record collectors: To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Bonnie Tyler's album Faster Than The Speed Of Night, Sony Music are re-releasing the album on red vinyl. The release date is September 15, 2023. Additionally, if you order from her official shop, it comes with an artwork print signed by Bonnie Tyler. This album was produced and directed by Jim Steinman and features his momentous, era-defining song Total Eclipse Of The Heart.

The second piece of news is that Bonnie Tyler will be releasing her autobiography, on September 28. It'll be titled "Straight From The Heart", and will be available as a hardcover book, digital edition, and audiobook. Pre-orders are now open.

Lastly, Bonnie will be touring Europe in October. For dates and tickets, visit her official website.

Barry Keating's Fundraiser for Rhinegold video

The Rhinegold concerts of July 14, 2023 were a triumph! You can read a review to describe the night here.

Barry Keating got the show filmed and recorded, and has put together a fundraiser to go towards the show and editing together a release. If you would like to donate towards this, follow this link.

We are blessed with one video to share in the meantime; André De Shields' astonishing performance of "Who'd Do The Dirty?", a whole 50 years since he first performed the song!

Cast: Iris Beaumier, Mariah Lyttle, Madge Dietrich, Bradley Dean, Jon Lonoff, Larry Purifory, Andrew Polec, Greg Sullivan, Andre De Shields.

Musicians: Drew Wutke, Hajime Yoshida, Nicole Patrick, Dave D'Aranjo.

RHINEGOLD - LIVE CABARET JULY 14, 2023

Here's a very, very special one-off event! Rhinegold was one of Jim Steinman's earliest musicals, until now it has only been preserved as audio recordings and photos, and has not been staged since the 1970s.

The show's lyricist and director Barry Keating is organising a cabaret version of Rhinegold, guest starring ANDRE DE SHIELDS - star of the original production and now one of the most celebrated actors in the world. Also featuring BRADLEY DEAN and MADGE DIETRICH.

The venue will be the magnificent Laurie Beechman Theatre, New York City. Make your reservation NOW for this once-in-a-lifetime cabaret event. One night only - July 14th at 7 PM and again 9:30 PM.

Click here for more info and tickets.

Ellen Foley and Robert I. Rubinsky : Club Dada/Kabaret Kaput

For a night of live theatre with Ellen Foley and Robert I. Rubinsky, check out their show Club Dada/Kabaret Kaput at Dixon Place, NY; May 24 - 25, and June 20.

Club Dada/Kabaret Kaput is ‘cabaret‘ in the Kurt Weil Weimar sense of the word – With an implicit theme of ageism, two ancient vaudevillians hang in a surreal Dada world, somewhere outside time and space. A duo lost, they‘re forced to keep performing by outside fanatical forces and their own egos. They keep belting out tunes and hoofing into eternity as they try to break free and find themselves in spacetime. This is CLUB DADA.

Click here for more info and tickets.

Mimi Kennedy - Taken To The Stage, The Education Of An Actress - Second Edition

A brand new second edition of Mimi Kennedy's autobiography (originally published in 1996) is out now, in e-book, paperback and audiobook editions. This book covers her early life and career. Additionally "in a new preface, Mimi shares news of an upcoming memoir chronicling the latter half of her life."

Mimi Kennedy and her husband Larry Dilg were both lifelong good friends of Jim Steinman. She also performed theatrically in some early Steinman projects; in Rhinegold, in the 1970s National Lampoon tour alongside Meat Loaf and Ellen Foley, and more recently, as Emily in the Dream Engine 50th anniversary reunion.

Here's a video Mimi and Larry recorded last year, remembering both Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman.

For more info see Mimi Kennedy's website.

Bat Out Of Hell The Musical has closed in Las Vegas

Sad news - Bat Out Of Hell The Musical ended its residency at the Paris Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, on January 1, 2023.

We send an enormous thank you to the mega-talented cast, the production team, the crew, the band, everyone involved. Together, you all truly created some magic on this stage.

The international tour of Bat Out Of Hell The Musical will still continue, travelling next to Australia and New Zealand, then returning to London in February 2023.

Adam Lambert releases new cover version of Holding Out For A Hero

Out now! A new cover of Holding Out For A Hero, this time by Adam Lambert. This will feature on his upcoming album High Drama, which is due out on February 24, 2023. The single is available on most of the major digital music platforms, and the album can be pre-ordered - as a signed CD or vinyl LP - on his official website.

Adam Lambert - Holding Out For A Hero

Lambert also performed the song live on UK television for The National Lottery's New Year's Eve Big Bash with the BalletBoyz dancers, to usher in the new year.

And what does Bonnie Tyler think of Adam Lambert's cover? She was blown away by it!

Ellen Foley - live music tour of the Netherlands, January 2023

Fantastic news for Dutch fans, and everyone else who can travel to see these shows - Ellen Foley is touring the Netherlands throughout January 2023.

WhatsOnStage Awards: Musical Direction nomination for Whistle Down The Wind

Congratulations to the entire musical team behind this year's production of Whistle Down The Wind; Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Jim Steinman's musical.

They have been nominated for Best Musical Direction And Supervision in the WhatsOnStage Awards!

Please, join us in voting for Stuart Morley, George Francis and Elliot Mackenzie / Whistle Down The Wind in this category.

Vote in the WhatsOnStage Awards

This nomination is so well earned! This production's team put together a brand new arrangement of the music in the show, to make it feel more authentic to the show's setting of 1950s Louisiana, USA, and the cast members themselves played the music to the show. Thanks once again for breathing new life into this show.

Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame

Nov 25, 2022: Grand Opening of the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame Museum, at 12pm at 97 Main St. Stony Brook, NY.

The LI Hall of Fame now has a permanent home. Two exciting floors covering 8,800 square feet, featuring a large exhibition area, rare memorabilia, and a theater. The first exhibit; a club crawl through Long Island's legendary 1960's, 70's and 80's club scene.

Congratulations to all involved!

Jim Steinman was an inductee to the LIMEHOF back in 2016.

Info and tickets at: Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame official website

Bat Out Of Hell The Musical international tour news

BIG NEWS for BAT OUT OF HELL THE MUSICAL! New cast! New dates! New venues! New countries!

The show is continuing to tour the UK, then it's off to Germany, then New Zealand, then Australia, back to London, then off to Austria and Switzerland! Further dates to be announced!

This is running in parallel with the show running at the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas!

New international tour cast:

And the ensemble cast:

Schedule / venues:

Tanz Der Vampire : 25th Anniversary Celebration

The musical Tanz Der Vampire, composed by Jim Steinman, celebrated its 25th anniversary in October 2022.

The show put on a special performance at the Stage Palladium Theater in Stuttgart on October 13. The song Tanzaal was performed by 3x von Krolock and 3x Sarah simultaneously, and Bonnie Tyler appeared as a special guest to sing Total Eclipse Of The Heart, alongside Filippo Strocchi as von Krolock.

This video by Stage Entertainment includes clips from the special performance, and short interviews with choreographer Dennis Callahan, Bonnie Tyler, and musical arranger / music supervisor Michael Reed.

Bat Out Of Hell named UK's all-time number 1 debut album

BBC Radio 2 has named the album Bat Out Of Hell as the biggest selling debut album of all time. An enormous achievement for Meat Loaf, Jim Steinman, and everyone else involved in making and promoting this album.

The list was compiled by the Official Charts Company to mark National Album Day (Oct 15, 2022), using data from UK sales and streams dating back to 1956. The chart was broadcast in a special countdown by BBC Radio 2, hosted by Steve Wright, who said:

“Bat Out Of Hell reaching Number One as the UK’s biggest debut album of all-time might be a surprise to some, but it is a truly brilliant debut album and one which reached a whole new audience following the sad passing of Meat Loaf earlier this year. You’re in for a treat with the full chart so do tune in for a fantastic nostalgia trip with some of the most brilliant songs you’ll ever hear.”

The Top 20 of the Official Debut Albums Chart in full:

CLE ROCKS … 45th ANNIVERSARY OF BAT OUT OF HELL

When it comes to the origins of the album Bat Out Of Hell, both Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf would recount how they'd go to every record company and demo the album live as piano / vocals, only to be turned down by every single one. And, according to Jim Steinman, they were even being rejected by people who didn't even have a record label yet, but were thinking of starting one.

Eventually, they met Steve Popovitch, who signed them to a brand new label : Cleveland International Records, and it was thanks to his promotion that this record was published and sales snowballed to eventually sell over 50 million copies worldwide.

Cleveland International Records are holding an event to commemorate the 45th anniversary of Bat Out Of Hell, and celebrate the lives of Meat Loaf, Jim Steinman and Steve Popovitch.

Panelists include:

Ellen Foley - the powerhouse vocal duetting with Meat Loaf on Paradise By The Dashboard Light. Her career includes work as a solo recording artist, she is an esteemed veteran of Broadway theatre, film, and TV, and also was the original Wendy in Jim Steinman's Neverland, and a member of Pandora's Box.

Karla DeVito - female vocalist on the original '77 - '78 Bat Out Of Hell tour, who later duetted with Jim Steinman for Dance In My Pants, and with both Meat Loaf and Ellen Foley on Going All the Way (A Song in 6 Movements) on the album Braver Than We Are.

Joe Stefko - drummer on the original '77 - '78 Bat Out Of Hell tour. Also drums on Bad For Good, Fire Inc, Bonnie Tyler. He's also an award winning publisher of books.

Pearl Aday - daughter of Meat Loaf.

Steve Popovich Jr. - son of Steve Popovitch.

The event will be held on October 21st, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Box Supper Club, 1148 Main Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113. Tickets cost $19.77, with proceeds benefitting the Steve Popovich Scholarship Fund.

Read more from cleveland.com

Tickets and more

Travis Cormier leads new cast of Bat Out Of Hell The Musical in Las Vegas

Following an extensive audition process, it has been announced that Travis Cormier will take on the role of Strat in the Las Vegas run of Bat Out of Hell - The Musical, the award-winning hit production set to Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf's greatest hits and one of history's best-selling albums. Cormier will take the stage at Paris Las Vegas on September 27.

After a wide search in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas over the course of several months, the producing team headed to New York for one last round of auditions to find the perfect fit for Steinman and Meat Loaf's original vision. At the very last minute, the show's casting director came across Cormier, even though he had actually just missed the New York auditions because of a misplaced passport, and were intrigued by his rock 'n' roll yet dreamy vibe. To see if the voice matched the face, the team agreed to meet him on a conference call and within the first five notes, the producing partners knew they had just found the next big star and hired him on the spot.

"Travis Cormier is what Steinman originally envisioned for Strat," said David Sonenberg, Steinman and Meat Loaf's long-time manager and producer for Bat Out Hell - The Musical Las Vegas.

"I'm so excited! Being a big Meat Loaf fan myself, it's a real honor for me to be a part of this award-winning musical, and to honor the great work of Meat Loaf, and Jim Steinman. I can't wait to join the BOOH Family," Cormier said.

Cormier first received mainstream recognition for his viral audition of "Dream On" on the Canadian version of "The Voice," where he finished in second place, earning a contract with a renowned record label. Since then, he's gone on to create original discography including his first studio album "Dollars & Hearts," produced by Bob Rock, famous for his work with Metallica, Mötley Crüe and Bon Jovi. The Canadian musician also opened for Bon Jovi during a sold-out concert at the Bell Centre and has collaborated with a few of the biggest names in music such as Richie Sambora.

Bat Out of Hell - The Musical has book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, choreography adapted by Xena Gusthart, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, set and costume design by Jon Bausor, original costume designs by Meentje Nielsen, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestrations by Steve Sidwell, original wig designs by Linda McKnight and casting by Louanne Modorma.

Bat Out of Hell - The Musical is produced by Michael Cohl, Tony Smith and David Sonenberg with executive producer Julian Stoneman and managed in Las Vegas by Base Entertainment.

Original article by Stephi Wild for Broadway World

Full cast (with photos!)

Tickets on sale now

Lead Cast:

And the ensemble cast:

Home by Jim Steinman

Property description:

When Jim Steinman passed in April of 2021, he left behind not only his incomparable body of musical and theatrical works, but also his beloved home located at 22 Ketcham Road in Ridgefield, Connecticut where he lived for nearly 30 years. From the time Jim acquired the quaint country cottage that was originally located on the property, it became his personal sanctuary and residential canvas where he was able to envision and build his masterful home and studio that served to inspire artistic creation and exuberant entertaining. It was from this home that Jim collaborated with world acclaimed musicians and artists, composing on the very piano that is included in this once in a lifetime sale of Jim’s home and curated collections which have been left in situ. Jim took great pride in the placement of every object that you will see in his home, serving as the backdrop to his life and work.

To honor Jim’s legacy, it is the estate’s intention to transfer this tangible body of work and residual energy to the next compelled custodian who will be delighted to find that Jim’s home and possessions will impassion, elevate, and transform.

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The full property listing for his house is available here. There are 73 photos, if you would like to take the opportunity to look around.