Chris Mann News

Television audiences have one more chance to celebrate with Deborah Voigt this holiday season. Tonight, Friday, December 19, the Grammy Award-winning soprano returns to the small screen when PBS/THIRTEEN broadcasts her special guest appearance in Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, recorded live in concert last season, and now also available on both CD and DVD. (Check your local PBS listings.)

Last week, the newly reimagined tour of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA set up shop at The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Orlando. The production continues its run in the City Beautiful through Sunday. Two of BroadwayWorld Orlando's editors, Matt Tamanini and Kimberly Moy, attended the press night, and discussed their differing impressions afterward.

In the summer of 1998, as part of my high school's drama club, I made my first trip to New York City. Over the course of seven days, I saw eight musicals, both on and Off-Broadway. While I was already a devout musical theatre fan, seven of those eight solidified my love for the art form, while one left me cold, and slightly angry. That show was THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. I have spent the past 16 years saying that Andrew Lloyd Weber and Charles Hart's musical was the worst Broadway or touring show that I have ever seen. So, when it was announced that its newly reimagined staging would be the first touring production to grace Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, I was honestly hopeful that as I aged, my appreciation for the longest running show in Broadway history would have as well; and I am happy to say that it most certainly did.

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: BC/EFA hosts its GYPSY OF THE YEAR celebration, THE INVISIBLE HAND makes its NYC debut and more!

New PHANTOM OF THE OPERA tour star Chris Mann just posted the first official photo of he and co-star Katie Travis as 'The Phantom' and 'Christine' onstage. Check it out below!

NBCSN will present live coverage of the 2014 Barclays Center Classic this holiday weekend, highlighted by No. 8 Virginia facing LaSalle Today night at 9 p.m. ET, from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

It's Saturday, and that means it's time for BroadwayWorld's 'Saturday Intermission Pics' roundup!

FREDERICK, MD -

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts celebrated its highly anticipated grand premiere with the BROADWAY & BEYOND opening night concert-the first performance to be held in its new Walt Disney Theater and BroadwayWorld was there. Below find pictures from backstage, rehearsals, the audience, and post-show.

On Saturday, November 15th, the arts community in Central Florida forever changed with the official opening of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. On that night, Broadway icon Richard Jay-Alexander brought together an incredible group of talent to unveil the Walt Disney Theatre with BROADWAY & BEYOND, and BroadwayWorld was there!

The Broadway Kids are currently in Orlando, Florida preparing to perform as part of BROADWAY & BEYOND, the premiere event in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts' Walt Disney Theatre. Under the direction of Richard Jay-Alexander, these talented kids will be performing the Sondheim classic, 'Broadway Baby.'

When Well-Strung, 'The Singing String Quartet,' agreed to be a part of BROADWAY & BEYOND, the premiere event in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts' Walt Disney Theatre, they knew they needed to come up with something special. So, over the past week, the group put together a very special mash-up from Disney's most recent megahit.

Single tickets are still available for Broadway & Beyond at the Walt Disney Theater a variety show featuring luminaries from Broadway and beyond, including international music and dance performers. The performance will open the Walt Disney Theater during the Grand Premiere of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts presented by Dr. Phillips Charities and Balfour Beatty Construction.

In between rehearsals for BROADWAY & BEYOND, the inaugural event at Orlando's beautiful new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, world-renowned soprano Deborah Voigt and Broadway leading lady Sierra Boggess decided to explore some of the finer points of the gorgeous 'facilities.' The only question is, why was theatre icon Richard Jay-Alexander filming?

Without question, Orlando, Florida is one of the most exciting entertainment destinations in the world. From theme parks, to water parks, to world class shows, there is nearly something for everyone. Well, this Saturday, Orlando opens another exciting entertainment venue, The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. In the exciting virtual tour below, you will get to see all of the wonderful features of this breath-taking facility.

Rehearsals have been in full swing in New York City this week, and we have some exclusive messages sent to Orlando from cast members including Sierra Boggess, Well-Strung, the Broadway Kids and Michael Urie. More to come, show time is just a week away.

Single tickets are still available for Broadway & Beyond at the Walt Disney Theater a variety show featuring luminaries from Broadway and beyond, including international music and dance performers. The performance will open the Walt Disney Theater during the Grand Premiere of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts presented by Dr. Phillips Charities and Balfour Beatty Construction.

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: DISGRACED opens on Broadway, RUTHLESS! returns, 'ROCKY HORROR' and THE CIRCUS IN WINTER start starry regional productions, Jennifer Holliday heads out on tour and more!