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Kan Bonfils, Star of the West End London Revival of 'The King and I,' Dies After Collapsing in Rehearsal for Craft Theatre's 'Dante's Inferno'

Actor Kan (Khan) Bonfils, best known to theater fans as the king in the 2000 West End revival of "The King and I," has died after collapsing during rehearsal.“During rehearsals for an upcoming performance, he collapsed and was unable to be resuscitated. His sudden loss is a tragedy, and he will be sorely missed,” says his agent Olivia Bell.Bonfils was rehearsing for an upcoming performance in the Craft Theatre production of "Dante’s Inferno," which is scheduled to open at London’s Rag Factory next week.A statement from Craft Theatre states, "With great sadness, we announce the death of Kan Bonfils. His sudden loss is a tragedy and he will be sorely missed.”The theater’s spokesman, Chris Hislop, reported that an ambulance was called as director Rocky Rodriguez Jr. performed CPR on location.
By Jaime Prisco

  • Sony Classical Exclusive Artist Sonya Yoncheva to Release Debut Album 'Paris, Mon Amour'

    Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva will be releasing her debut album "Paris, Mon Amour" as a Sony Classical exclusive artist Jan. 13.Yoncheva’s success comes as no surprise to those who have been following her career. In 2013, she debuted as Gilda in Verdi’s "Rigoletto" at the Metropolitan Opera and received a standing ovation. "The New York Times" has hailed the 32-year-old as “an artist on the brink of a major career.”Her success at the Met led to rising fame, with Yoncheva performing in opera houses and concert halls throughout Europe. But her performances in France have had the largest impact on her and inspired her first album "Paris, Mon Amour."But it was not only her travels that inspired her. Yoncheva, who was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, completed her vocal training as a student at Geneva’s Conservatoire de Musique. The school immersed her in a French-speaking environment.
    By Jaime Prisco

  • Valiant Effort: Sting's 'The Last Ship' Closes Jan. 24, Awkwardly Claps the Night Away

    Despite a most valiant effort by ex-Policeman Sting, his autobiographical "The Last Ship" has decided to shut its door this month. Faced with an indifferent audience in the cruelest months of the year, the $15 million fledgling could not take off.With its last performance Saturday, Jan. 24, January proved to be the ax that slashed the performance for a final time. Despite the singer-songwriter donning the lead role, according to "Deadline," it just did not prove to be enough.The play, set in a faltering shipyard in Sting's hometown in northeast England, had its moments of jaunty tunes and upbeat jigs, but its dark subject matter did not inspire patrons to spread the word.Sadly, that is probably what claimed the musical in the end.This comes after Sting had reluctantly let his best friend, Jimmy Nail, go since he was unable to adequately draw audiences into the main character, Jackie White. As of now, the play is likely to close at a loss.
    By Ian Holubiak