Elaine Paige News

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook has returned to the Allen Room for its fourteenth season celebrating the diversity of American popular song. For 16 nights the series is exploring the best of the golden age of musical standards through to today's most dynamic songwriting.

The Drama League just announced that pop star Nick Jonas will join the roster of special guests for their 28th Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring Tony® and EmmyAward®-winner Kristin Chenoweth, to be held on February 6, 2012 at the famed Pierre Hotel (2 East 61st Street). Designed by celebrity event planner Preston Bailey, the Gala supports the educational initiatives of The Drama League Directors Project.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary seven-time Tony Award-winning musical, EVITA, will feature Christina DeCicco (Glinda in Wicked, Sister Act) as the 'Eva Peron' alternate when the show opens this Spring n Broadway. DeCicco will play 'Eva' on Wednesday evening and Saturday matinee performances- with the exception of Wed. March 14 and Wed. April 4, when Elena Roger will play both matinee and evening performances.

With rehearsals now underway for the new Broadway production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary seven-time Tony Award-winning musical, EVITA, the Marquis Theatre Box Office (1535 Broadway - entrance on 46th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue) officially opens today, Monday, January 30 at 10AM. The musical stars Olivier Award-winning Argentinean actress Elena Roger making her Broadway debut as Eva Peron, world renowned music artist Ricky Martin as Che and Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris as Juan Peron. The cast will also feature Christina DeCicco as the alternate for Eva Peron (Weds eve; Sat mat), Max von Essen as Magaldi and Rachel Potter as the Mistress. Directed by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford, EVITA begins previews on March 12 and Opening Night is set for April 5, 2012.

This weekend, BroadwayWorld will be presenting an illuminating InDepth InterView with legendary composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber all about the enchanting new performance capture film version of his PHANTOM OF THE OPERA sequel, LOVE NEVER DIES. Until that chat, let's take a look back at some of the finest Andrew Lloyd Webber-related performances related to the entertainment dynasty built upon his operatic pop musical version of the classic Gaston Leroux novel that is about to celebrate its 10,000th performance on Broadway later this month, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, as well as its continuation, LOVE NEVER DIES, and the two revivals of his two classic 70s hit stage collaborations with previous InDepth InterView participant Sir Tim Rice coming back to Broadway in a big way - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and EVITA. Plus, a look at the new Simon Phillips-directed production of LOVE NEVER DIES coming to Fathom-equipped movie theaters nationwide on February 28 and March 7, with DVD & Blu-ray after that, as well as the PHANTOM 25 DVD & Blu-ray being released in the US on February 7. It's a busy time of year for phans, clearly! Fetch your favorite mask and check out these four Andrew Lloyd Webber delicacies before they arrive!

The Finborough Theatre's 'Celebrating British Music Theatre' series follows Perchance to Dream with Ivor Novello's last musical.

Welcome to BroadwayWorld's first-ever talk show, BACKSTAGE WITH Richard Ridge. Follow Richard as he visits the theater's best and brightest in their dressing rooms, on their stages and favorite hang outs to talk about their lives, careers and all of the things you don't know, but want to know. This time, we bring you Adam Pascal, RENT's original 'Roger' and newest resident of MEMPHIS, 'Huey Calhoun'. In this candid talk, Pascal opens up about the joys and challenges of taking over a celebrated role, what it was like becoming so famous, so fast, and why he - surprisingly - wasn't the biggest fan of the Rent film.

Last night, January 23, 2012 The Old Vic hosted a Gala evening of entertainment, Old Vic New York, at Gotham Hall, New York City. Hosted by Stephen Fry, the evening included a number of British and American personalities taking to the stage, as part of this one off theatrical extravaganza led by Kevin Spacey. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities and brings you photo coverage below!

The Drama League has announced that Norm Lewis and Brad Oscar have joined the roster of special guests for their 28th Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring Tony® and EmmyAward®-winner Kristin Chenoweth, to be held on February 6, 2012 at the famed Pierre Hotel (2 East 61st Street). Designed by celebrity event planner Preston Bailey, the Gala supports the educational initiatives of The Drama League Directors Project.

The most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar, the presentation of the 36th Olivier Awards with MasterCard will take place for the first time in its entirety at the Royal Opera House, London on Sunday 15 April 2012 when distinguished guests from London's arts and cultural scene will join winners and celebrities at the glamorous red carpet event.

The production finishes performances on Broadway today, prior to a spring limited run in Los Angeles. Get a look back at FOLLIES' journey to Broadway, from its Kennedy Center run onward, below!

Performances began on Sunday, August 7th for James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's FOLLIES, directed by Eric Schaeffer, with choreography by Warren Carlyle and music direction by James Moore.

Nicholas Hytner's five star award-winning production of One Man, Two Guvnors will transfer to the Theatre Royal Haymarket (2 March - 1 September 2012) after two sell-out record-breaking runs at the National and Adelphi Theatres. Joining the previously announced Owain Arthur as lovable chancer Francis Henshall are Jodie Prenger and Hannah Spearritt who play Dolly and Pauline respectively.

El musical, dirigido por Marios Gas, se podrá ver en el Teatro Español de Madrid desde el próximo 10 de Febrero hasta el 8 de Abril.

This week - it's all about ONCE! Time is running out to see this beautiful production, which closes at Broadway's Marquee Theatre on January 22. Featured in the artwork below is Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein, Ron Raines and Elaine Paige!

Our reviewer casts her eye over the recent BBC series looking at the rise of the British musical

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Heather Hitchens, Executive Director) has relaunched its popular podcast series, Downstage Center, with an all new format.

The Drama League's 28th Annual Benefit Gala Online Auction goes live on Tuesday, January 17 at www.biddingforgood.com/thedramaleague with over forty-five exclusive and elegant items announced (please see list attached), some of the highlights include: