Des McAnuff News

JERSEY BOYS, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical, surpassed Oklahoma! with 2,213 performances last night, March 17, making it the 27th longest-running Broadway show in history.

Jon Lee, one of the original members of platinum-selling pop group S Club 7, and who starred as 'Marius' in the West End production of "Les Miserables", joins the West End Production of JERSEY BOYS from 15 March 2011, playing the role of 'Frankie Valli' at certain performances.

Although Angela Gheorghiu was set to star in the production, she withdrew due to what her management calls 'artistic reasons' - in this version of the classic, the setting will be modern, taking place in the 20th century as opposed to the usual staging of the 16th century. This shift is being cited as Gheorghiu's reason for leaving the production.

Marina Poplavskaya will make her Met role debut as Marguerite in the initial run of performances of the Met's new production of Gounod's Faust this fall.

Tickets will go on sale Friday, March 4 at 8:00 a.m. for the Milwaukee premiere engagement of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, playing the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on July 20-August 14.

Casting has been announced for the premiere Miami engagement of the Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, playing at the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County from March 2 - 20, 2011. The cast of JERSEY BOYS will be led by Matt Bailey (Tommy DeVito), Joseph Leo Bwarie (Frankie Valli), Michael Lomenda (Nick Massi) and Quinn VanAntwerp (Bob Gaudio) as The Four Seasons, with Jonathan Hadley and Joseph Siravo.

Tickets will go on sale Friday, March 4 at 8:00 a.m. for the Milwaukee premiere engagement of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, playing the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on July 20-August 14.

Broadway Across America - Atlanta welcomes theatre sojourners to discover Broadway through magical lands, bustling towns and cultural epicenters. Featuring four Tony Award® winning musicals, the 2011-2012 season lineup of Broadway sensations brings a series of imaginative worlds to The Fabulous Fox Theatre. Audiences will travel across the globe - and beyond - with the debuts of DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL, MEMPHIS and BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL paired with award-winning fan favorites LES MISÉRABLES and JERSEY BOYS.

The New South Wales Minister for Tourism hosts the World Premiere of a new musical, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO starring Anthony Warlow. One of the most breathtaking love stories ever told, this exciting new production is directed by Broadway's Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Tommy), with music composed by Lucy Simon (The Secret Garden), lyrics by Michael Korie and Amy Powers and book by Michael Weller. Produced by John Frost and Anita Waxman, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO plays an exclusive eight week engagement at the Lyric Theatre, Star City before an Australian tour.

Casting has been announced for the premiere Miami engagement of the Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, playing at the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County from March 2 - 20, 2011. The cast of JERSEY BOYS will be led by Matt Bailey (Tommy DeVito), Joseph Leo Bwarie (Frankie Valli), Michael Lomenda (Nick Massi) and Quinn VanAntwerp (Bob Gaudio) as The Four Seasons, with Jonathan Hadley and Joseph Siravo.

The New South Wales Minister for Tourism hosts the World Premiere of a new musical, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO starring Anthony Warlow. One of the most breathtaking love stories ever told, this exciting new production is directed by Broadway's Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Tommy), with music composed by Lucy Simon (The Secret Garden), lyrics by Michael Korie and Amy Powers and book by Michael Weller. Produced by John Frost and Anita Waxman, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO plays an exclusive eight week engagement at the Lyric Theatre, Star City before an Australian tour. Check out photos from the production below!

On Friday, February 18, The Town Hall presented Tony Winning stage and screen vet Ben Vereen in a concert, coinciding with the release of his new CD 'Stepping Out With Ben Vereen' on the Ghostlight Records label. Vereen's concert highlighted his stage career as well as American Standards. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and post-celebration and brings you photo coverage below!

According to an Equity casting notice, FINDING NEVERLAND will have a New York City reading May 24-31, and will feature direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Rob Ashford. Auditions for the project will be held by Tara Rubin Casting on February 23-24 for the roles of Peter, George, Jack, and Michael.

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, presents Ben Vereen in a concert on Friday, February 18 at 8:00PM that coincides with the release of his new CD "Stepping Out With Ben Vereen" on the Ghostlight Records label.

The Metropolitan Opera's 2011-12 season will feature the world's leading singers, conductors, and stage directors in seven new productions, including a world premiere, a Met premiere, and the first complete performances of a new Der Ring des Nibelungen cycle conducted by Music Director James Levine and directed by Robert Lepage.

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, presents Ben Vereen in a concert on Friday, February 18 at 8:00PM that coincides with the release of his new CD 'Stepping Out With Ben Vereen' on the Ghostlight Records label. Ben Vereen is a Tony Award winning stage veteran and Broadway star.

The new musical DOCTOR ZHIVAGO began performances in Sydney February 11, but the first performance was affected due to an injury sustained by the show's star, Anthony Warlow.

The New South Wales Minister for Tourism, Jodi McKay, announced today that in 2011, Sydney (Australia) will host the World Premiere of a new musical, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO starring Anthony Warlow.

Casting has been announced for the premiere Miami engagement of the Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, playing at the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County from March 2 - 20, 2011. The cast of JERSEY BOYS will be led by Matt Bailey (Tommy DeVito), Joseph Leo Bwarie (Frankie Valli), Michael Lomenda (Nick Massi) and Quinn VanAntwerp (Bob Gaudio) as The Four Seasons, with Jonathan Hadley and Joseph Siravo.

Get your tickets now to see this entertaining musical based on the singing group 'The Four Seasons' which Ends Feb. 27, 2011.