Tim Rice News

In May of 2008 at the Royal Albert Hall, London, there were two spectacular, standing room only, performances of Chess in Concert, with story and lyrics by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, The Lion King) and music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Mamma Mia!), formerly of ABBA. Chess in Concert received its TV premiere in June 2009 and was subsequently shown in mainstream cinemas throughout the UK. Street Theatre Company is thrilled to announce that they are the first company in the U.S. to secure rights to this spectacular 'in concert' production that Tim Rice says he hopes 'will be the model of future productions.' The musical has a long history with multiple versions from concept album to British and finally American productions.

With 'a crash of drums, a flash of light,' Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat explodes on stage at Olney Theatre Center as its first production of Season 2011. This traditional biblical parable is set to unfold in a very untraditional, musical manner.

In what could well be the most talked-about theatrical event of the new year, Street Theatre Company presents Chess in Concert February 24-27, featuring some of Nashville's best known stage talents and including a chorus of more than 40 voices. And it seems, in talking to some of the artists most intimately involved in the creative process that will culminate in this weekend's five performances, that it is a process they'd definitely sign-up for again - and it's clear that Nashville audiences will be talking about it for a long time after the curtain rings down Sunday night.

The hits just keep on coming for SPIDER-MAN, but some help is on the way to the show. The New York Times is reporting and we've confirmed that the show has officially brought on Paul Bogaev, a multi-award winning music director-producer, arranger and composer to work on improving the show's many sound issues, including to 'help improve the performance, vocal and orchestration arrangements, and sound quality of the songs and numbers'. Word has also been coming from multiple sources that it's expected that the production will officially announce another delay later in the week (it's sixth) that might push the official opening as far forward as AFTER this year's Tony Awards. The Times is also reporting that 'Bono and Edge are writing new music for 'Spider-Man' now, but Mr. Miramontez said that Mr. Bogaev's role was far greater than adding that music once it is ready. No significant additions have been made to the score so far.'

Ricky Martin was in Madrid over the weekend at a photocall to launch his new record 'MAS' at Me Hotel in Madrid. Martin will be touring in support of the album in the United States and worldwide before he hits Broadway in 2012 in EVITA.

Surfside Players Proudly Announces Our 2011-2012 Season And Call for Directors!

Celebrated theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber recently spoke with The Telegraph about THE WIZARD OF OZ, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and life after his battle with cancer.

Upcoming MTI Shows - 2/20 for Paris

In the second part of our video interview with our choreographer Arlene Phillips, she talks us through the styles of dance in the show and reveals her favourite Oz moments...

The 2011 - 2012 FAIRWINDS Broadway Across America - Orlando subscription series is going to be a family affair in Orlando!

During technical rehearsals we caught up with members of the Lighting team - Lighting Designer Hugh and Associate Lighting Designer Tim - to find out what a typical day is like for the guys behind the follow-spots...

Today, we are taking a look at LES MISERABLES: LIVE AT THE O2, now available on DVD/Blu-Ray, and talking to one of the stars of the spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime concert event, the worldwide singing sensation who has made a name for herself as one foremost musical theatre actresses of the late-twentieth and early-twenty-first century: the incomparable and inimitable Lea Salonga! Following a recap and review of the disc, in this exclusive and revealing discussion Salonga and I detail what has made LES MIZ the international phenomenon it has become and how she has grown as both an actress and an individual in the ten years since she first essayed the role on Eponine on the 10th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT CD/DVD concert spectacular - not that we should ever compare the two- as well as what the powerful and prescient message of the show means for us now in 2011. Lea, LES MIZ and much, much more awaits in this SPOTLIGHT!

Back on the first day of technical rehearsals, we caught up with our Wizard of Oz Dance Captain, Richard Roe, for a chat on munchkins, technicolor, and everything else Oz related...

Based on the Jan De Hartog play, The Fourposter, the story spans fifty years, from 1895 to 1945, as it focuses on the trials and tribulations, laughters and sorrows, and hopes and disappointments experienced by Agnes and Michael Snow throughout their marriage. I DO! I DO! is a remarkably intimate, romantic piece. We are invited into the bedroom of newlyweds Michael & Agnes who anticipate a wonderful blissful life…'Together Forever' as one of the early musical selections would have us believe. As we all know, reality sets in as the young couple struggle to maintain their happiness, passion, devotion and yes even a sense of humor, through all the joys, pains, trials and tribulations that they share in their 50 years of marriage.

In part one of our catch up with Wizard of Oz choreographer Arlene Phillips, she talks rehearsals, working with Andrew Lloyd Webber, being back at the London Palladium and working alongside some of her fellow Sound of Music collaborators and her thoughts on our Dorothy, Danielle Hope.

Meet our Totos - Bobby, Razzamatazz, Dazzle and Topper - who are currently following the yellow brick road at the London Palladium, as The Wizard of Oz moves into its second week of preview performances! In this exclusive video clip, we get a glimpse of the specially-trained dogs who are playing Dorothy's faithful four-legged friend, in training and rehearsing with the cast. It's a dog's life...

Stage Entertainment ha abierto una nueva convocatoria de audiciones para buscar a los protagonistas infantiles del musical El Rey León, que llegará al Teatro Lope de Vega de Madrid en otoño de 2011.

Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center turns the spotlight on the newest hits from Broadway in its 2011-2012 season, announced today. Houston theater audiences will be captivated with new Broadway shows this season!

Upcoming MTI Shows - 2/13 for Budapest

Casa Mañana's production of Evita will close in Fort Worth, February 13 at Casa Mañana Theatre. The production stars Broadway veterans Lauren Kennedy and Kevin Gray. Tickets are on sale now.