Michael Crawford News

Today we are analyzing all aspects of last night's spectacular special presentation of the 25th anniversary of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA live from the Royal Albert Hall. This unprecedented full performance of the world's most successful entertainment staged specifically for this event was simulcast live to hundreds of theaters around the world, with Fathom proving yet again - LES MISERABLES, Sondheim's COMPANY and the Shakespeare's Globe Series, among many others, coming before - that they are the pioneers of perhaps the most exciting Broadway-related entertainment entity of the twenty-first century - live HD filming of theatrical enterprises. Over the course of the three hours of the complete musical as it has been performed on Broadway and the West End and around the world for twenty-five years, as well as a phantastic reception and encore featuring Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Cameron MackIntosh and four famous Phantoms - Toronto's Colm Wilkinson, the West End's John Owen Jones, Australia's Anthony Warlow and the new incoming West End title player Peter Joback - PHANTOM 25 is the theatre event of the year. Yes, PHANTOM 25 may very well be the most exciting and engrossing live show ever filmed and the presentation was exceedingly superb in technical aspects - and, now, the mind boggles at how utterly brilliant and breathtaking the forthcoming Blu-ray will be based on last night's performance (November in the UK, February in the US). Capturing the comedy in an enjoyable and surprising manner while still containing the menace and horror that gives it a distinct bite in the musical theatre realm (from the original director of SWEENEY TODD, Harold Prince, no less), and, most of all, arousing the most passionate and carnal of emotions in any willing and ready viewer. And so much more. PHANTOM 25 is now the crowning jewel of the show's legacy - the mask on the eponymous master magician and musician's face that somehow manages to make him truly, finally complete.

Tonight was the night that Phantom Phans the world over have been waiting for as Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL Albert Hall was streamed live to cinemas in the United States and the UK. Additional screenings are coming soon - click here for details and to find a theatre near you.

Today is the day that Phantom Phans the world over have been waiting for as Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL will be streamed live to cinemas in the United States and the UK. Click here for details and to find a theatre near you. The cast will feature Hadley Fraser as 'Raoul', Kiera Duffy as 'Carlotta', Sergei Polunin as 'Slave Master' and Daisy Maywood as 'Meg Giry', Ramin Karimloo as 'The Phantom', Sierra Boggess as 'Christine', Barry James as 'Monsieur Firmin', Gareth Snook as 'Monsieur Andre', Liz Robertson as 'Madame Giry' and Wynne Evans as 'Piangi', together with a cast and orchestra of over 200 and some special guest appearances.

In honor of this Sunday's once-in-a-lifetime worldwide live movie theater showing of the 25th anniversary celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA by Fathom - the same company who recently brought us LES MISERABLES, Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY, and Shakespeare's Globe Series, among others - today we are going to take a look at many of the various aspects of the world's most successful entertainment as it swings like a wonton chandelier into cinemas worldwide direct from the Royal Albert Hall for the next two weeks. By going back and revisiting the hallowed origins of the haunting operatic musical - Hal Prince, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman included - as well as a look at the various iterations of the show since its inception - such as the 2004 film version, PHANTOM VEGAS and the musical sequel, LOVE NEVER DIES - perhaps we, too, can bring back the music and memories and magical moments of so many years ago - 25 to be exact - with this special spotlight of illumination on all aspects of what makes PHANTOM a sensation, now and forever.

Cameron Mackintosh presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at the Royal Albert Hall today at 7.30pm and Sunday 2nd October at 1.30pm and 7.00pm.

Audiences are following the yellow brick road over the rainbow to see Danielle Hope, winner of BBC TV's Over the Rainbow, play Dorothy at The London Palladium, the capital's home of the family musical. Click below to meet the munchkins' Orange Team!

Today we are talking to the leading lady of the new PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 25th Anniversary At The Albert Hall - airing live in Fathom movie theaters around the world this Sunday - Christine Daae herself - Sierra Boggess! In this extensive discussion about all things PHANTOM we dissect the starring role in the biggest musical theatre sensation of all time and she illustrates her journey with the character of Christine from originating it in director Hal Prince's PHANTOM VEGAS in 2006 to inspiring the role (ten years later) in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical sequel to PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, LOVE NEVER DIES, in the West End - a musical which, incidentally, is also being filmed this week (though not simulcast in movie theaters); Simon Lee's Australian production - all the way up until now - and her two starring roles on Broadway in between as, respectively, a mermaid and a student of Maria Callas - as she prepares for preserving the role in the filmed stage super-production for the ages. Additionally, Sierra and I touch on her work in THE LITTLE MERMAID and MASTER CLASS on Broadway as well as her first audition for Hal Prince, plus recollections of "instant chemistry" with LOVE NEVER DIES and PHANTOM 25 co-star and the Phantom himself, Ramin Karimloo, as well as hinting at some special surprises Sunday may very well hold in store - Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman included - and much, much more!

The 2011 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Flea Market ran on Sunday, September 25th from 10 AM - 7 PM on West 44th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, and, for the first time, extended into Times Square, between 43rd and 44th Streets. Check out Photo Coverage below of all the booths!

The cast will feature Hadley Fraser as ‘Raoul', Kiera Duffy as ‘Carlotta', Sergei Polunin as ‘Slave Master' and Daisy Maywood as ‘Meg Giry'. They join the previously announced Ramin Karimloo as ‘The Phantom', Sierra Boggess as ‘Christine', Barry James as ‘Monsieur Firmin', Gareth Snook as ‘Monsieur André', Liz Robertson as ‘Madame Giry' and Wynne Evans as ‘Piangi', together with a cast and orchestra of over 200 and some special guest appearances.

To mark its 25th Anniversary year, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh present 'The Phantom of the Opera' in a fully-staged, lavish production, set in the sumptuous Victorian splendour of the Royal Albert Hall with a cast and orchestra of over 200. Now audiences around the world are invited to join the celebration on Sunday October 2nd when the event is beamed live via satellite to cinemas across the globe.

Rideau Vineyards and KMP Experiences invite the public to enjoy a blending of the senses as channeled through the musical virtuosity of Maestro Philip Fortenberry paired with the award-winning wines of Rideau Vineyards.

Audiences are following the yellow brick road over the rainbow to see Danielle Hope, winner of BBC TV's Over the Rainbow, play Dorothy at The London Palladium, the capital's home of the family musical. Click below for an inside look at the munchkins in rehearsal- part 3!

To mark its 25th Anniversary year, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh present 'The Phantom of the Opera' in a fully-staged, lavish production, set in the sumptuous Victorian splendour of the Royal Albert Hall with a cast and orchestra of over 200. Now audiences around the world are invited to join the celebration on Sunday October 2nd when the event is beamed live via satellite to cinemas across the globe. The show just photoed a photo of the set for the Phantom's lair on their Twitter page. Catch a sneak peek below!

To mark its 25th Anniversary year, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh present 'The Phantom of the Opera' in a fully-staged, lavish production, set in the sumptuous Victorian splendour of the Royal Albert Hall with a cast and orchestra of over 200. Now audiences around the world are invited to join the celebration on Sunday October 2nd when the event is beamed live via satellite to cinemas across the globe. The show just photoed a photo of the set for the Phantom's lair on their Twitter page. Catch a sneak peek below!

To mark its 25th Anniversary year, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh present 'The Phantom of the Opera' in a fully-staged, lavish production, set in the sumptuous Victorian splendour of the Royal Albert Hall with a cast and orchestra of over 200. Now audiences around the world are invited to join the celebration on Sunday October 2nd when the event is beamed live via satellite to cinemas across the globe. Catch a sneak peek of what the set for the production will look like below!

Audiences are following the yellow brick road over the rainbow to see Danielle Hope, winner of BBC TV's Over the Rainbow, play Dorothy at The London Palladium, the capital's home of the family musical. Click below for an inside look at the munchkins in rehearsal- part 2!

To mark its 25th Anniversary year, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh present 'The Phantom of the Opera' in a fully-staged, lavish production, set in the sumptuous Victorian splendour of the Royal Albert Hall with a cast and orchestra of over 200. Now audiences around the world are invited to join the celebration on Sunday October 2nd when the event is beamed live via satellite to cinemas across the globe.

In celebration of 25 years - Cameron Mackintosh's unique and spectacular staging of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall comes to DVD and Blu-Ray on November 14, 2011. The trailer for the discs has just been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!

Stars of stage and screen descended on London's legendary Cafe de Paris, for a bold fundraising event, which saw hot performers get their kit off for charity. Hosted by TVs top fashion guru, Gok Wan - famous for his expert styling in dressing ordinary people up as well as making them look good naked - the event, West End Bares, involved around 100 of theatreland's finest. Check out a clip of the finale of the event below!

Stars of stage and screen including Amanda Holden, Michael Crawford, David Tennant and Catherine Tate have signed one-off pairs of pants; all customised by the expert wardrobe departments from 18 of London's main West End shows.