Tim Rice News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Sting's 'The Last Ship' and the Broadway In Chicago spring season, 'Oz' in 3D, updates on TV's 'The Sound Of Music' and 'Glee,' plus Groff at Ravinia, 'Lanyard Skynerd' at Martyrs, a road trip 'Ragtime' and more!

Today in 1979, Evita opened at the Broadway Theatre, where it ran for 1567 performances. Evita is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. It concentrates on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Peron, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Peron. The story follows Evita's early life, rise to power, charity work, and eventual death. Evita began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976. Its success led to productions in London's West End in 1978, and on Broadway a year later, both of which enjoyed considerable success. A major 1996 film of the musical starred Madonna and Antonio Banderas. In 2006, the musical was revived in London, and on Broadway in 2012.

THE WIZARD OF OZ national tour, with old standards and new music written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber and a book adapted by Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams, opened at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre last week on September 18. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

Theater Latte Da previously announced that a season of four adventures in musical storytelling and the continuation of a major new work development program will comprise its 16th Season. Slated for production are Steerage Song at The Lab Theater (today, September 25 - October 20, 2013), All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 at the Pantages Theatre (December 19-22, 2013), Cabaret at the Pantages Theatre (January 15 - February 9, 2014), and Our Town at The Lab Theater (March 12 - April 6, 2014). In spring 2014, the company will bring back NEXT: New Musicals in the Making, their program to develop new works for the musical theater canon.

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the upcoming 2014 spring season line-up. Supporting Broadway In Chicago's commitment to Chicagoans seeing shows first, the season features four premieres. Coming to Chicago first is the World Premiere Pre-Broadway production of THE LAST SHIP, the U.S. Tour Premiere of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL and the North American Premiere ofHEARTBEAT OF HOME, as well as the U.S. Tour Premiere of BUYER AND CELLAR as an off-season special. Also included in the season is GHOST THE MUSICAL, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, PETER & THE STARCATCHERand THE WIZARD OF OZ. The 2014 spring off-season includes: ONCE UPON A DREAM STARRING THE RASCALS, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, ALTON BROWN LIVE!, CHICAGO, ROCK OF AGES, ERTH'S DINOSAUR ZOO and MAMMA MIA!.

The Wizard of Oz, featuring some of movie music's most unforgettable standards, along with new music written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber; a book adapted by Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams... and everything else that is good made its way successfully to Hollywood's Pantages Theatre last week (September 18) for a high flying opening night celebration which drew a full house of young and old alike. Among those involved with the festivities were BWW TV's own Los Angeles correspondents Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans on the red carpet walk of fame. Among the celebrities in attendance were Rico Rodriquez (ABC's Modern Family) and his sister Raini Rodriguez (Disney's Austin and Ally), Fox TV's Lauren Potter (Glee), Academy Award winner George Chakiris (West Side Story), Kate Linder (The Young and The Restless), Jane Kean (The Honeymooners), Ann Jeffrey's (General Hospital, Topper), Corbin Bleu (One Life to Live), RJ Mitte (AMC's Breaking Bad), Michelle Dockery of the BBC's Downton Abbey and others of note. Check out the video below!

Producers Hal Luftig, Scott Sanders Productions and Troika Entertainment present the national tour of the Tony Award Nominated Best Revival of a Musical and smash hit production of Tim Rice's and Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA.

Disney's Aladdin Jr. will be presented at The Historic North Theatre in Danville, VA on Friday, October 4th (8:00pm), Saturday, October 5th (8:00pm) and Sunday, October 6th (3:00pm Matinee). Aladdin, Jr. is a bright, fast-paced, fun-filled show for the whole family. The Academy award-winning score includes favorite songs and offers audiences a chance to "enjoy the choral melodies of 'Arabian Nights' and 'Prince Ali'; to watch as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine escape from the evil Jafar in 'One Jump Ahead,' and as they fall in love with 'A Whole New World'; and to laugh and sing along as the Genie transforms Aladdin in 'A Friend Like Me.'" Under the direction of Mimi Grubb, the show features music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $8.00 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased on the theatre's website: www.TheNorthTheatre.com or by calling the box office at 434-793-SHOW (7469).

Those who purchased tickets for Pascal's show may attend Rapp's 7pm show, or can swap tickets for Pascal's for rescheduled performance on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7pm. 54 Below will also be offering full refunds.

In the final part of his appearance on THE GRAHAM SHOW, titled 'Fan Questions, Advice & Rapid Fire,' David Henry Hwang shares his advice for young and emerging playwrights, explains why 'if you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough,' and confesses his TV guilty pleasure. Check out his interview below!

Starlight Theatre's 64th Broadway Season will offer another unforgettable summer of shared experiences with five family-friendly productions that include a mix of classic Broadway favorites and new contemporary rock shows. The lineup includes The Wizard of Oz (Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production), We Will Rock You, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Sound of Music and Blue Man Group.

The Wizard of Oz/adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams/music by Harold Arlen/additional music by Andrew Lloyd Webber/lyrics by E.Y. Harburg/additional lyrics by Tim Rice/directed by Jeremy Sams/Pantages Theatre/through October 6

In anticipation of the live 65th Annual Emmy Award broadcast on CBS this Sunday, BWW will be spotlighting the Emmy nominated TV performances of some of Broadway's biggest stars. Today, we take a look back at the incredible career of award-winning stage and television icon Mandy Patinkin.

Birmingham Hippodrome has announced details of a spectacular new season of outstanding live entertainment. The 2013/14 season features a host of new productions, an outdoor event transforming the Southside district, and the return of a much-loved favourite with priority booking for Hippodrome Friends.

Fresh from the hit television series STEPS: On The Road Again, and a subsequent arena tour, Ian 'H' Watkins will be reprising the character he first played in London's West End in 2005.

Producers Bill Kenwright, The Really Useful Group, David Mirvish, Troika Entertainment, Warner Bros. & The Nederlander Organization have announced that the first North American tour of the new stage adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ will make its L.A. debut at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre for a limited 3 week engagement; today, September 17 - October 6, 2013. Full casting for the tour is now complete.

The full cast of Disney's Aladdin, a new musical based on the Academy Award winning animated film, began rehearsals today in New York City. Aladdin will launch at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre (formerly the Canon) November 1, 2013 to January 5, 2014. Opening night there is November 21, 2013. BroadwayWorld has photos of the cast in rehearsal below!

Broadway's landmark musical event THE LION KING, the fifth longest-running show in Broadway history, welcomes JEFFREY KUHN, in the role of Zazu, and TSHIDI MANYE, who rejoins the production as Rafiki.