WAKE UP with BWW 1/26/2016 - New Lead in NEVERLAND, PHANTOM Hits 28 and More!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: FINDING NEVERLAND welcomes a new leading man, CABARET hits the road, PHANTOM marks a milestone and more!

TODAY'S TOP ITEMS:

- Tony Yazbeck joins FINDING NEVERLAND as 'J.M. Barrie' tonight!
- OLD HATS, starring Bill Irwin and David Shiner, begins tonight off-Broadway.
- Randy Harrison heads RTC's CABARET national tour, kicking off tonight in Providence!
- And THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA celebrates its 28th year on Broadway this evening.

NEWS YOU MISSED YESTERDAY:

- Ethan Slater and Lilli Cooper will lead THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL in Chicago!
- Broadway's NOISES OFF has extended through mid-March.
- We got a first look (right) at John Patrick Shanley's PRODIGAL SON at MTC, plus a peek at SPRING AWAKENING's final bows!
- A new block of tickets for HAMILTON goes on sale next month.
- After a delay, SMART PEOPLE will start off-Broadway tomorrow!
- And street artist Banksy is using the LES MISERABLES logo to protest in France...

Broadway Weather Forecast: High of 43 today with rain tonight - don't forget your umbrella!

Quote of the Day: In honor of the show's 28th anniversary, a word from Broadway's first PHANTOM, Michael Crawford...

"I really didn't realise until I got back the work that goes into a performance. You're like an athlete - if you haven't been practising things tighten up. I had to do a lot of practice work, but I got through it. Even when I was 21 I would have a 40-minute nap on the day of a show, and I will still do that."
-- Michael Crawford (via BrainyQuote)

What we can't wait to do: Send a HAMILTON-themed Valentine's Day card!