Richard Jones News

New York City Opera opens its spring 2013 season with a new production of Powder Her Face (1995), composed by Thomas Ades (b.1971) to a libretto by Philip Hensher (b. 1965).

The dazzling, multi award-winning classic Broadway musical Kiss Me, Kate comes to The Old Vic. This glittering new production, directed by Trevor Nunn, stars Alex Bourne, David Burt, Adam Garcia, Clive Rowe and Hannah Waddingham. Check out photos of the cast in action below!

Elektra recording artist Ed Sheeran has announced plans for his biggest U.S. headline tour to date. The 2013 trek gets underway tonight, January 17th at Houston's House of Blues and then continues through mid-February (see itinerary below). Among the tour's highlights are shows at some of America's most renowned venues, including Sheeran's debut performance on the Great Stage of New York's world famous Radio City Music Hall, set for January 30th.

Elektra recording artist Ed Sheeran is shaping up as the first true star of the new year as his GRAMMY-nominated single, 'The A Team,' ascends to #10 at CHR/Top 40 radio outlets across the country. What's more, the track -- featured on the British singer/songwriter's acclaimed debut album, '+' -- is a multi-format favorite, currently up to #6 at Hot AC outlets (where the song has remained on the chart for a format-leading 38 weeks), as well as a top 20 smash on Billboard's all-encompassing 'Hot 100.'

New York City Opera opens its spring 2013 season with a new production of Powder Her Face (1995), composed by Thomas Adès (b.1971) to a libretto by Philip Hensher (b. 1965).

Joyce DiDonato stars in the Met premiere of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda, in a new production by Scottish director David McVicar, opening with a gala performance tonight, New Year's Eve.

Little Grey Cells in association with Mercury Theatre Colchester present Tu I Teraz (Here & Now). Tu I Teraz, written by Nicola Werenowska and directed by Sam Potter will run at The Hampstead Theatre Downstairs from tonight, 18 December to 19 January, with press night on 20 December. Tu I Teraz has set design by Kerry Bradley, lighting by Matt O'Leary and sound by Steve Mayo, and the cast is Ania Sowinski (Marysia), Anna Elijasz (Ana) and George Lasha (Janusz).

American soprano Ailyn Perez earned yet another honor on Wednesday when she was named the winner of the 15th annual Placido Domingo Award. The prestigious award, personally given by Maestro Domingo to an artist of his choosing, celebrates the accomplishments of Hispanic artists as well as those who contribute to the awareness of opera and its educational value in the Latino community of Los Angeles. Earlier this year, Perez also won the namesake award of one of the other legendary tenors in opera's history - the 2012 Richard Tucker Award. Born in Chicago to Mexican parents, Perez is the first Hispanic singer to receive the Richard Tucker Award in its 34-year history.

Joyce DiDonato stars in the Met premiere of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda, in a new production by Scottish director David McVicar, opening with a gala performance on New Year's Eve.

Soprano Ailyn Pérez, winner of the 2012 Richard Tucker Award, was fresh from a string of European appearances, including her Bolshoi Theater debut and performances at the Hamburg State Opera, when she lit up the stage at New York's Avery Fisher Hall at the Richard Tucker Music Foundation's annual gala on November 11. The gala was filmed for national broadcast in the U.S. as part of the Emmy Award-winning Live From Lincoln Center series on PBS and will air tonight, December 13. Live from Lincoln Center: The Richard Tucker Opera Gala, which is being hosted by singer and actress Audra McDonald, will include a feature on Pérez, backstage access to the artists, and selections from the musical performance.

Soprano Ailyn Perez, winner of the 2012 Richard Tucker Award, was fresh from a string of European appearances, including her Bolshoi Theater debut and performances at the Hamburg State Opera, when she lit up the stage at New York's Avery Fisher Hall at the Richard Tucker Music Foundation's annual gala on November 11. The gala was filmed for national broadcast in the U.S. as part of the Emmy Award-winning Live From Lincoln Center series on PBS and will air on Thursday, December 13. Live from Lincoln Center: The Richard Tucker Opera Gala, which is being hosted by singer and actress Audra McDonald, will include a feature on Perez, backstage access to the artists, and selections from the musical performance.

London's No. 1 Adult Panto is back at Leicester Square Theatre - and this Christmas season it is Dick!, starring the legendary international DJ and celebrated nightclub diva, Miss Dusty O making her West End stage debut. Dick! plays a eight-week season from tonight, 29 November to Sunday 20 January. Press night is Saturday 1 December at 7.00pm. Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

Little Grey Cells in association with Mercury Theatre Colchester present Tu I Teraz (Here & Now). Tu I Teraz, written by Nicola Werenowska and directed by Sam Potter will run at the Hampstead Theatre Downstairs from 18 December to 19 January, with press night on 20 December. Tu I Teraz has set design by Kerry Bradley, lighting by Matt O'Leary and sound by Steve Mayo, and the cast is Ania Sowinski (Marysia), Anna Elijasz (Ana) and George Lasha (Janusz). Further casting will be announced shortly.

London's No. 1 Adult Panto is back at Leicester Square Theatre - and this Christmas season it is Dick!, starring the legendary international DJ and celebrated nightclub diva, Miss Dusty O making her West End stage debut. Dick! plays a eight-week season from Thursday 29 November to Sunday 20 January. Press night is Saturday 1 December at 7.00pm. Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

Fifteen years after its Broadway debut, Steel Pier, a Kander and Ebb musical, premieres in Europe this autumn at the Union Theatre, London. Following the recent success of their critically acclaimed revival of Rent at the Greenwich Theatre, Paul Taylor-Mills and Richard Jones collaborate once again to premiere this production in London. Check out just-released photos from the production below!

Steel Pier, John Kander and Fred Ebb's high-energy dance musical about life in 1930s Atlantic City, is currently playing its first professional European staging at London's Union Theatre. Phantom of the Opera veteran Sarah Galbraith stars as Rita Racine, a dancer who sets out to leave the dance marathon circuit amid the city's romance and deceit. Get a first look at Galbraith and the rest of the cast in the photos below!

Elektra recording artist Ed Sheeran has announced plans to support Taylor Swift as a special guest on her hugely anticipated 'The RED Tour.'