Robert Jon News

The Metropolitan Opera's 2011-12 season will feature the world's leading singers, conductors, and stage directors in seven new productions, including a world premiere, a Met premiere, and the first complete performances of a new Der Ring des Nibelungen cycle conducted by Music Director James Levine and directed by Robert Lepage.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and The Really Useful Group are delighted to announce that Verity Rushworth will star as 'Maria' alongside Jason Donovan as 'Captain Von Trapp' in their smash hit production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "THE SOUND OF MUSIC".

Audiences will soon follow 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. Here is a first look at Michael Crawford as the Wizard! Previews begin February 7 in London!

Audiences will soon follow 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. Here is a first look at Hope in costume!

Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and The Really Useful Group are delighted to announce that Verity Rushworth will star as 'Maria' alongside Jason Donovan as 'Captain Von Trapp' in their smash hit production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "THE SOUND OF MUSIC".

Andrew Lloyd Webber's new The Wizard of Oz promises to be the biggest theatre event of the year, combining all the much-loved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score with new songs. Now, the full cast for the much anticipated show has been revealed. Joining the previously announced MICHAEL CRAWFORD (Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz), DANIELLE HOPE (Dorothy), EDWARD BAKER-DULY (Hickory/Tin Man), DAVID GANLY (Zeke/Cowardly Lion), PAUL KEATING (Hunk/Scarecrow), EMILY TIERNEY (Glinda), and HANNAH WADDINGHAM (Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West) are: SOPHIE EVANS (Alternate Dorothy), STEPHEN SCOTT (Uncle Henry/Ensemble, first cover Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz), and HELEN WALSH (Aunt Em/Munchkin Barrister/Ensemble).

Talking to the UK Telegraph, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber tells the paper that The Wizard of Oz, which opens in February 2011 in London (and already has a $13+ million dollar advance) will play America next, with talks underway to do a television casting show for Dorothy as he's done in the UK. Britain's loss could be America's gain, however. 'A couple of the networks in the US have wanted to build something around what I do on TV, and I think with Oz something is definitely going to happen there. The X Factor juggernaut is going to be huge there next year but other networks are looking for something to go against it. Once we've found a Dorothy in the US, my instinct is to open the show in Kansas [Dorothy's home].'

Earlier this week, Dorothy, Danielle Hope performed 'Over the Rainbow' at the Royal Variety Performance in London at the Palladium. Michael Crawford, who will play The Wizard, introduced the segment.

The Wizard of Oz promises to be the biggest theatre event of the West End year, combining all the much-loved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score with new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, marking the first time they have worked together in over 30 years on a new production. Last night, Dorothy, Danielle Hope performed 'Over the Rainbow' at the Royal Variety Performance in London at the Palladium. Michael Crawford, who will play The Wizard, introduced the segment.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and The Really Useful Group are delighted to announce that Jason Donovan will star as 'Captain Von Trapp' in their smash hit production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" at the Regent Theatre Stoke (15 February - 5 March 2011) Box Office….

EDWARD BAKER-DULY (Tin Man), DAVID GANLY (Lion), PAUL KEATING (Scarecrow), EMILY TIERNEY (Glinda) and HANNAH WADDINGHAM (Wicked Witch of the West) are to join Michael Crawford and Danielle Hope in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, opening at The London Palladium in February 2011.

This December, Carnegie Hall continues its long-standing tradition of providing audiences with a place to gather and experience the transformative power of music during the holiday season, presenting six special concerts in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage and Zankel Hall.

"CALENDAR GIRLS" now becomes the most successful play ever to tour the United Kingdom, a record previously held by Nigel Havers in the acclaimed production of Daphne du Mauriers's "Rebecca".

Anne Charleston, best-known for her role as ‘Madge' in 'Neighbours', rejoins the cast of 'CALENDAR GIRLS' in the role of ‘Jessie - Miss January' after receiving critical acclaim in the role earlier this year. The current cast, which includes Elaine C Smith, Denise Black, Jennifer Ellison, Julia Hills, Rachel Lumberg and Ruth Madoc, are happy to welcome Anne back to the 'CALENDAR GIRLS' fold.

Television star Michelle Collins, best-known as 'Cindy Beale' in "EastEnders" as well as the BBC television series "Two Thousand Acres of Sky" and "Sunburn", will join the fourth tour cast of "CALENDAR GIRLS" as 'Cora - Miss July', replacing Bernie Nolan, who has had to withdraw from the production due to health reasons.

Television star Michelle Collins, best-known as ‘Cindy Beale' in 'EastEnders' as well as the BBC television series 'Two Thousand Acres of Sky' and 'Sunburn', will join the fourth tour cast of 'CALENDAR GIRLS' as ‘Cora - Miss July', replacing Bernie Nolan, who has had to withdraw from the production due to health reasons.

The enormously successful, now international, tour of 'CALENDAR GIRLS', currently booking through July, will then continue with a third cast who will open in the Welsh capital on 27 July.

The Goodman Theatre-commissioned, Pulitzer Prize-winning play Ruined by Lynn Nottage will have another life overseas at London's famed Almeida Theatre this spring, April 15 - June 5, 2010.

The enormously successful, now international, tour of 'CALENDAR GIRLS', currently booking through July, will then continue with a third cast who will open in the Welsh capital on 27 July.

Indhu Rubasingham directs Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize winning Ruined, previewing at the Almeida from 15 April, with press night on 22 April and booking until 5 June 2010. Designs are by Robert Jones with lighting by OIiver Fenwick, original music by Dominic Kanza and sound by Christopher Shutt.