Michael Crawford News

Musical Theatre West has announced the opening of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: GREATEST HITS, VOLUME 2; previewing April 13th, with opening night April 14th and running for an additional 12 performances through April 29, 2012.

The 25th anniversary spectacular celebrating The Phantom Of The Opera airs on British TV for the first time today. The show, starring Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess and Hadley Fraser, begins on Channel 5 at 1.40pm.

The Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education continues its Master Class Series with a precision style dance class taught by Radio City Rockette/Choreographer, Kristin Altfather on Saturday, April 21 from 1-3pm.

Phantom's Leading Ladies, a trio of Broadway veterans who have all performed the role of 'Christine' from The Phantom of the Opera bring their eclectic evening of lirtatious fun and intricate three part harmonies to the beautiful 433 seat Annenberg Theater, uniquely located within Palm Springs Art Museum, on April 14 at 8:00 pm. The evening promises a lot of humor, a lot of harmony and a lot of class as the ladies sing everything from classical Broadway to The Beatles.

A few days shy of the holiest week of the year for Christians - aptly named Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter (with Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the most sacred events on the calendar coming between) - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's seminal rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR was resurrected on Broadway by TOMMY and JERSEY BOYS director Des McAnuff - modeled after the hit Stratford Shakespeare Festival production last year and comprised of many of the same cast members, including all three leads - to hails of praise and hosannas, mostly. While JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR itself will always divide audiences and critics alike - and not merely because of its controversial content and its button-pushing treatment of the hallowed tale it tells - the magnetism and sheer power that Lloyd Webber's propulsive, throbbing rock score imbues gives the show an energy, vitality and life rare to find in even the most earnestly effervescent and energetic of comparable entities - the recently revived and similarly-themed GODSPELL in a revival a few blocks away included. Then, there are Tim Rice's lyrics - oh-so-spot-on in 1970, but still biting and edgy today in McAnuff's hi-tech and elaborately presented new Broadway production. Using the book of John as the jumping off point, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus Christ (Paul Nolan) and his subsequent betrayal by Judas (Josh Young) and sentencing to death at the hands of King Herod and Pontius Pilate (Tom Hewitt). The twelve apostles, Mary Magdalene and her female companions, lepers, Pharisees, priests and others populate the grand story told almost entirely through song - the show is 90% music - and Webber and Rice's score never, ever lets up. While this may not be the most faithful rendering as far as the Bible is concerned, nor the most historically accurate, SUPERSTAR is now available to experience for a whole new generation thanks to this new revival and the timing could not be more ideal. The time is ripe for a revival of SUPERSTAR, and, as Andrew Lloyd Webber himself has recently related, this new production of the show is the best ever as far as he is concerned. High praise indeed - coming from no less than the Lord.

¡Estas son las imágenes que todos los fans del Fantasma han estado esperando! Las primeras fotos de la nueva producción del 25 aniversario de The Phantom Of The Opera de Andrew Lloyd webber en gira por UK, que se estrena en marzo de 2012 en el Theatre Royal Plymouth.

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.

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, and Steven Glaudini, Artistic Director, have announced the cast of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: GREATEST HITS, VOLUME 2, previewing April 13th, with opening night April 14th and running for an additional 12 performances through April 29, 2012.

Today we are talking to a queen of the concert stage famous for her decades touring the country who has also made a mark on the recording industry with her countless remarkable albums and who will be returning to New York with an intimate show dedicated to her favorite leading ladies of song, titled SONGBIRDS - the one and only Linda Eder.

Broadway favorite Michael Crawford, who just released a new album in Australia titled 'The Story Of My Life,' just visited 'Mornings.' In the video below, Crawford chats about his childhood, his career in theatre, and the new album. Click below to check it out!

Broadway favorite Michael Crawford just released a new album in Australia titled 'The Story Of My Life,' and in the video below, the theatre star promotes the album. Click below to watch the theatre star chat with the Telegraph about his career, his own superstitions, and much more!

This video from the BBC's OVER THE RAINBOW TV show gives a sneak peak of what to expect from Danielle Hope's performance as Eponine in London's West-End production of LES MISERABLES when she starts performances on June 18.

Danielle Hope will join the cast of London's West End production of Les Miserables beginning June 18 starring as Eponine. She joins Geronimo Rauch and Tam Mutu, who will join the cast to play Jean Valjean and Javert respectively, Daily Mail reports.

Hollywood and Broadway award-winners Kaye Ballard, Liliane Montevecchi, and Lee Roy Reams are to star in "Doin' It For Love," a Broadway-style tribute to the standards and the stories behind the music. Celebrating the finale of its Southwest Tour in Los Angeles on March 9 and 10, "Doin' It For Love" features a 10-piece orchestra conducted onstage by David Geist, the show's music director. Hilary Knight, the internationally renowned artist and illustrator, designed the poster art and collectables for the show. The profits from "Doin' It For Love" will go to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Investigation and Rescue Fund supporting undercover investigations and animal rescue efforts.

Broadway's longest-running production of all time celebrates a triumphant quarter century on stage with The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall. The 25th Anniversary performance will air on PBS' Great Performances series tonight, March 4th at 7pm.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: February 11-17.

Hollywood and Broadway award-winners Kaye Ballard, Liliane Montevecchi, and Lee Roy Reams are to star in "Doin' It For Love," a Broadway-style tribute to the standards and the stories behind the music. Celebrating the finale of its Southwest Tour in Los Angeles on March 9 and 10, "Doin' It For Love" features a 10-piece orchestra conducted onstage by David Geist, the show's music director. Hilary Knight, the internationally renowned artist and illustrator, designed the poster art and collectables for the show. The profits from "Doin' It For Love" will go to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Investigation and Rescue Fund supporting undercover investigations and animal rescue efforts.

Original cast members Michael Crawford and Danielle Hope both recently departed the West End production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, and have been replaced by Over the Rainbow finalist Sopie Evans and Russell Grant and Dorothyand the Wizard respectively. Check out production images of the newcomers in action below!