Paul as Willy Wonka with the original Broadway cast of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", 2017. Photo by Mark Foust
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Paul, as Captain Hook - in the original Broadway production of "Finding Neverland" at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre, 2016. Photo by Erin Noel Grennan
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Six nominations puts Charlie in the headlineWhen the Daily Telegraph announced the nominations for the 2019 Helpmann Awards, the Australian premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was at the top of the story - and in the headline - for its six nominations, the greatest number received by any musical this year. In addition to Paul's nomination for Best Actor in a Musical, Charlie received nods for Best Musical, Best Director (Jack O'Brien), Best Choreography (Josh Bergasse), and for Lucy Maunder and Tony Sheldon - who went on to win the award for his performance as Grandpa Joe.
"Paul Slade Smith couldn't say no to Willy Wonka role in Sydney" - The Daily TelegraphBefore rehearsals got under way for the Australian premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Paul spent a week in Sydney, happily taking part in publicity for the production. The Daily Telegraph ran a feature on Paul's reaction to being offered the role of Willy Wonka. Who could say no to a chocolate factory and Australia?!
Jack O'Brien and Paul on ABC Radio NationalA lovely radio interview with Paul and Jack O'Brien, the director of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - in which Jack is hilarious and brilliant (of course) and Paul gets to sing "Pure Imagination". Interview conducted by Michael Cathcart, and aired on "The Hub on Stage" on ABC Radio National. Listen here.
"Funny, timely, and - dare we say - entirely possible, The Outsider is a wonderfully crafted, superbly presented show that features a stellar cast."The East Coast premiere of Paul's newest play, The Outsider, was a huge hit with audiences at Paper Mill Playhouse, generating terrific word-of-mouth, and receiving a big stack of beautiful reviews from critics in the New York region.
You can find the reviews, production photos and more at TheOutsiderPlay.com. "A great American play." The Outsider's first reviewsPaul's latest play, The Outsider, had its world premiere in June, 2015 at Peninsula Players Theatre in Wisconsin (with its original title, A Real Lulu). The reviews could not have been more rapturous:
“A highly developed production of a great American play. Witty and clever and smart. The play is about politics and government; that sounds like yawn material, but Smith nimbly maneuvers the topics toward a blend of comedy, farce and satire about what America is seeing today. The beauty is, after Smith lets blood in the pointed satire, he delivers care – rays of brightness about democracy. Mr. Smith deserves to go to Washington - and all around our nation - with this inspirational satire.” - Green Bay Press Gazette "An exceptional world premiere. A timely production overflowing with clever plot twists reflecting the contemporary political climate. An intelligent, well-written play with enough quirks and surprises to keep the politics fresh. An intellectual and stimulating comedy that will send the audience home laughing and sighing simultaneously about their own government."- Broadway World "The production's success is ... its ability to strike responsive chords in the audience as [we] recognize political foibles that are all too familiar -- the weaknesses that are inherent in a democracy demanding an informed and committed electorate. But at the same time, we know in our hearts, as [one character] says, “that government, when it works right, can do something good”. A Real Lulu is anything but didactic. It is a fun-house mirror held up to reflect our system of government, including our role in it. Some of us tend to rant as we express our frustrations with our political structure. Maybe laughter is the best medicine. And the opening night audience enjoyed rounds of healthy laughs from the opening lines to the final speeches, then collectively rose to their feet as they applauded the curtain call." - Peninsula Pulse |
Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise visited backstage at "Finding Neverland" in 2016, and very graciously posed for this photo, which has since appeared on a gazillion websites around the globe. It is now - and forever - possible to Google "Katie Holmes Paul Slade Smith" and get 2,940,000 results.