Laurence Olivier News

It's the photos that Phantom Phans have been waiting for - the very first images from the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA premiering which premiered Theatre Royal Plymouth in March 2012.

After almost 1000 West End manicures, perms and make-overs, Legally Blonde The Musical will have its final performance at the Savoy Theatre on Saturday 7 April 2012, when principal contracts end.

One of Shakespeare's most tragic heroes squares off against literature's greatest villain in a visceral, sexy, hard-driving story of intrigue, betrayal and vengeance, as Iago leads Othello to the edge of jealous madness by sowing seeds of doubt about his wife's fidelity. This classic revenge tragedy comes to life in a modern and edgy adaptation set in the world of motorcycle gangs. This production of Othello will be directed by Artistic Director Mark Clements, the role of Othello will be performed by guest actor Lindsay Smiling, and the role of Iago will be performed by Rep Resident Acting Company Member Gerard Neugent. The Rep's production of Othello is sponsored by Harley-Davidson Motor Company and runs April 3 - May 6, 2012 in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse and previews Tuesday, April 3 - Thursday, April 5, and opens on Friday, April 6.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today casting for its 25th Anniversary Season finale, William Shakespeare's rarely produced Timon of Athens, directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and featuring Tony Award winner Ian McDiarmid in the title role. Performed in CST's Courtyard Theater from April 24 to June 10, 2012, Gaines' production also features Sean Fortunato as Flavius, James Newcomb as Apemantus and Danforth Comins as Alcibiades.

Sondheim is the winner of an Academy Award, eight Tony Awards, including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award. Described by Frank Rich of the New York Times as 'the greatest, and perhaps best-known artist working in musical theatre', his most famous scores include (as composer/lyricist) A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Assassins. He also wrote the lyrics for West Side Story and Gypsy. Lloyd Webber has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of variations, two film scores, and a Latin Requiem Mass. He has also gained a number of honours, including a knighthood in 1992, followed by a peerage from the British Government for services to Music, seven Tony Awards, three Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, fourteen Ivor Novello Awards, seven Olivier Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006. Several of his songs, notably 'The Music of the Night', 'I Don't Know How to Love Him', 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina' and 'You Must Love Me', 'Any Dream Will Do' and 'Memory' have been widely recorded and were hits outside of their parent musicals.

Shadowbox Productions will present their inaugural production, Blackbird, by David Harrower. Directed by Mikaela Davies and staged at Les Ateliers Jean Brillant from April 11th - 22nd, Blackbird will 'captivate audiences with a brief glimpse into an office break room where two estranged lovers encounter each other and try to work through their illicit and controversial past.'

A brand new weekly chat show for theatre will launch on Resonance 104.4FM on Monday 26 March 2012 at 8pm. Hosted by Tim McArthur, the hour long programme will take a light-hearted look at the current state of London theatre, showcasing both established and up-and-coming talent, both on stage and behind the scenes.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, actress Amanda Holden is set to host 'Superstar,' the new reality show in which Andrew Lloyd Webber will search for the character of Jesus in the JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR tour. 'Superstar' is set to begin filming this summer and will air on ITV1.

Derren Brown's 2012 Olivier-nominated show, Svengali, will take up residence at London's Novello Theatre for 27 performances only, from July 12 - Aug 11. This is the last chance to see the sell-out live show that has mesmerized the nation, performing in over 150 venues.

Sir Patrick Stewart, Peabody Award-winning star of stage and screen, Shakespeare plays and science-fiction blockbusters, will be the host of the 71st Annual George Foster Peabody Awards ceremony on Monday, May 21, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

Award-winning Pipeline Theatre Company will present THE ASH GIRL by Tony Award nominee Timberlake Wertenbaker (OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD). Jessica Doyel will direct this unconventional adaptation of Grimm's Cinderella tale. Previews begin April 18 at The Connelly Theater with opening slated for April 21.

HAIRSPRAY, the Tony Award-winning musical, will be presented at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, previewing April 12, opening April 19, and running through June 17, 2012.

Instituído desde 1961 por The International Theatre Institute (ITI), se celebra cada 27 de marzo por toda la comunidad teatral mundial y por aquellos centros representantes del ITI alrededor del orbe.

The Music Theatre of Wichita is scheduled to bring LEGALLY BLONDE to audiences from August 8th through the 12th. Tickets and more information for LEGALLY BLONDE are available at www.mtwichita.org.

Graham Linehan's hit adaptation of the classic 1955 Ealing comedy The Ladykillers, directed by Sean Foley, will embark on a 26 week tour of Ireland and the UK in 2012, beginning on 14 September at Theatre Royal Plymouth. The production will then tour to Canterbury, Sheffield, Birmingham, Southampton, Cambridge, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Malvern and Bath in 2012, with further dates for 2013 to be announced.

TOUCHING DOWN: NORTHWESTERN SONGWRITERS IN CONCERT will come to the End Stage Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street) for one night only on Monday, March 19, 2012 at 7:30PM. The concert will feature original songs by eight undergraduate Northwestern University seniors.

Garth Fagan, founder and artistic director of the award-winning and internationally-acclaimed Garth Fagan Dance and the Tony Award-winning choreographer of The Lion King, will be honored with the 2012 Essie Calhoun Diversity in the Arts Award at a benefit celebrating community engagement and diversity in the arts at Geva Theatre Center on Monday, March 19th.

The Broadway premiere of End of the Rainbow, a new play with music, begins previews tonight at the Belasco Theatre.Opening night is set for Monday, April 2. Michael Cumpsty, Tom Pelphrey and Jay Russell join two-time Oliver Award-winner Tracie Bennett in Peter Quilter's acclaimed play about the legendary Judy Garland, directed by the Tony® Award winning Terry Johnson.

According to the Mirror, actress Amanda Holden is set to host 'Superstar,' the new reality show in which Andrew Lloyd Webber will search for the character of Jesus in the JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR tour. 'Superstar' is set to begin filming this summer and will air on ITV1.

The musical WICKED will make a stop in Montreal this summer as part of its North American Tour. The show will play at Place des Arts from August 1st to the 26th.