Richard Stilgoe News

The producers of the spectacular new national touring production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA announced today that Cooper Grodin will assume the title role in the musical beginning today, January 9 in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Grodin steps in for Mark Campbell, who is no longer touring with the production due to personal reasons. He joins Julia Udine as 'Christine Daaé,' Ben Jacoby as 'Raoul,' Jacquelynne Fontaine as 'Carlotta Giudicelli,' Craig Bennett as 'Monsieur Firmin,' Edward Staudenmayer as 'Monsieur André,' Linda Balgord as 'Madame Giry,' Frank Viveros as 'Ubaldo Piangi' and Hannah Florence as 'Meg Giry'.

A star-studded concert featuring many of the most familiar faces from the West End stage are on hand for a spectacular new special spotlighting famed lyricist Don Black titled DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER: THE DON BLACK STORY.

A look at some of the musical theatre, opera and cabaret productions in South Africa in 2013.

The spectacular new production of Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will make its Twin Cities' premiere tonight, December 13, 2013 through January 5, 2014 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. With newly re-invented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM has been an enormous success since its U.K. unveiling in March 2012.

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA are now on sale for the premiere Philadelphia engagement at the Academy of Music. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America. The official press opening is Friday, March 21 at 8 p.m.

The spectacular new production of Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will make its Twin Cities' premiere December 13, 2013 through January 5, 2014 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. With newly re-invented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM has been an enormous success since its U.K. unveiling in March 2012.

Current stars of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway Mary Michael Patterson (Christine) and Jeremy Hays (Raoul) recently checked out Tasti D-Lite's limited-time, PHANTOM-inspired flavor 'Marshmallow Masquerade' at the Times Store location. Scroll down for photos!

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group has announced the casting and initial tour schedule for their spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA launching a major North American Tour in Providence, R.I. at the Providence Performing Arts Center. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

Musical theatre royalty paid tribute to lyricist Don Black at the Royal Festival Hall last night as he celebrated 50 years in showbiz.

Principal cast changes have been announced for the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the longest-running show in Broadway history. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. and directed by Harold Prince, the musical phenomenon this year celebrated an unprecedented 25 Years in New York, where it plays at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street). The following principal cast updates take effect today.

Principal cast changes have been announced for the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the longest-running show in Broadway history. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. and directed by Harold Prince, the musical phenomenon this year celebrated an unprecedented 25 Years in New York, where it plays at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street). The following cast changes (some previously-announced, some new) will all take place the week of August 26.

Today it is announced that Michael Ball will lead the stellar guest line up to perform and pay tribute at A Life In Song, Lyrics by Don Black at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 3rd October 2013 to the backdrop of the BBC Concert Orchestra. Only Men Aloud, Marti Webb, Mary-Jess Leaverland and Sir Richard Stilgoe will also to take to the stage.

The Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history, produced by Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. and directed by Harold Prince, will welcome Marni Raab back to the cast as Christine tonight, July 29. The musical phenomenon this year celebrated an unprecedented 25 Years in New York, where it plays at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street).

Principal cast changes have been announced for the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the longest-running show in Broadway history. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. and directed by Harold Prince, the musical phenomenon this year celebrated an unprecedented 25 Years in New York, where it plays at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street).

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce that Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has added two weeks to its premiere in Chicago due to popular demand. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will play the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 West Randolph) for a limited 8-week engagement from January 9 - March 2, 2014.

The duo will give a special performance, celebrating the production's latest monumental achievement: becoming the first show to ever to reach 25 years on Broadway.

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc., will welcome West End star and Platinum-selling Swedish recording star Peter Joback to the New York cast this summer. Mr. Joback will assume the title role for a limited engagement from today, April 29 through Saturday, August 24, 2012.

Today in 1987, Starlight Express opened at the Gershwin Theatre, where it ran for 761 performances. Starlight Express is a rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music), Richard Stilgoe (lyrics) and Arlene Phillips (choreography), with later revisions by Don Black (lyrics) and David Yazbek (music and lyrics for the 2nd US tour). The story follows a child's dream in which his toy train set comes to life; famously the actors perform wearing roller skates.

Stagecoach Theatre Arts will perform CATS, by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd at The National Indoor Arena in Birmingham on 24th March 2013. This production will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Stagecoach Theatre Arts and will include 3000 young Stagecoach performers aged 7-18 years from across the country and feature a virtual choir showcasing talent from 10 countries around the word.