Universal Studios News

There will be major cast changes in the legendary musical 'LES MISERABLES' at the Queen's Theatre from Thursday 23 June 2011. Caroline Sheen will play ‘Fantine', Alexia Khadime ‘Eponine', Craig Mather ‘Marius', Katy Secombe ‘Madame Thénardier', Liam Tamne ‘Enjolras' and Lisa-Anne Wood ‘Cosette'. They join the previously announced Alfie Boe as ‘Jean Valjean', Matt Lucas as ‘Thénardier' and Hadley Fraser as ‘Javert'.

The hills will be alive in Thousand Oaks as Cabrillo Music Theatre proudly announces its brand-new production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

Ed Shea, Artistic Director, announced that 2nd Story Theatre will return to the historic Bristol Statehouse, 240 High Street, Bristol, RI for a production of Nuts by Tom Topor. Nuts will be directed by Mark Peckham.

On May 14, Universal Orlando guests are in for a big-time treat - Nickelodeon stars Big Time Rush will perform live at Universal Studios Florida's Music Plaza stage.

Nominated for a Tony for Best Revival of a Play, the New York production drew a great deal of attention for the performers' extended period of nudity in the first act.

Cameron Mackintosh's new 25th anniversary production of Les Misérables welcomes J. Mark McVey to the role of Jean Valjean beginning in Tempe, AZ, at ASU Gammage June 7-12, 2011. The all new production of Les Misérables features glorious new staging and spectacular reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.

The Entertainment Capital of L.A.(SM) lets down its hare to welcome the loveable characters from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's eagerly-anticipated live action/CG-animated comedy 'Hop' to its family-friendly program 'Hunt for 'Hop' at Universal Studios Hollywood(SM)' it was announced today.

Reprise Theatre Company presents Ray Romano Live for one performance only on Tuesday, June 7 at 8:00 pm, at Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA. Ticket sales from Ray Romano Live support Reprise's mission to produce musical theatre of the highest artistic quality and to make this art form accessible to new audiences through education and outreach programs.

What if you were suddenly faced with the now-or-never chance to leave your spouse for your lover, no messy strings attached? Would you take it? Michelle Clunie (Queer as Folk) and Vs. Theatre Company artistic director Johnny Clark star in the Los Angeles premiere of The Mercy Seat, Neil LaBute's caustically funny examination of opportunism in the wake of tragedy. Ron Klier directs a six-week run, opening March 19 at [Inside] the Ford. Pay-what-you-can previews take place on March 17 and 18.

Actor/Comedian Jon Lovitz' stand-up comedy special, 'Jon Lovitz Presents,' with a premiere date of April 23rd at 9:00 p.m. ET on Showtime Networks, is available now for pre-order on Amazon.com and on DVD and iTunes, May 24, 2011.

On Saturday, Universal Studios played host to the Wisteria Lane Block Party in Universal City, California.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the performers for its third show of their season, I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND: The Music of The Beatles, which will include James Snyder (Broadway: Cry-Baby, Pasadena Playhouse: Dangerous Beauty), Tom Lowe (London: Les Miserables, Cats) and Elizabeth Brackenbury (Vanities, Rock Of Ages), performing the music of The Beatles, and their own selections, under the musical direction of Todd Schroeder, in a one night only concert - I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND which will perform on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 7:30PM at the NEW Cabaret Lounge at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada.

MAD COW THEATRE announces the 2nd Annual Entertainment Designers Forum, celebrating top designers in the Entertainment Industry and raising money for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in memory of Stephanie Girard.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the performers for its third show of their season, I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND: The Music of The Beatles, which will include James Snyder (Broadway: Cry-Baby, Pasadena Playhouse: Dangerous Beauty), Tom Lowe (London: Les Miserables, Cats) and Elizabeth Brackenbury (Vanities, Rock Of Ages), performing the music of The Beatles, and their own selections, under the musical direction of Todd Schroeder, in a one night only concert - I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND which will perform on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 7:30PM at the NEW Cabaret Lounge at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada.

David Elzer &Peter Schneider, producers of the smash-hit, award-winning productions of The Marvelous Wonderettes and Life Could Be A Dream, are thrilled to announce that their critically-acclaimed, smash-hit, Ovation Recommended, world premiere original musical, HAVING IT ALL, music by John Kavanaugh, book by David Goldsmith & Wendy Perelman, lyrics by David Goldsmith, conceived by Wendy Perelman, with musical direction by Greg Nabours and directed by Richard Israel is EXTENDING through Sunday, May 29 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood.

Southern California's leading up-and-coming musicians will bring down the house when Universal CityWalk celebrates 'Spring Break Live,' a free, outdoor concert series taking place on weekends through May 7, 2011.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the performers for its third show of their season, I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND: The Music of The Beatles, which will include James Snyder (Broadway: Cry-Baby, Pasadena Playhouse: Dangerous Beauty), Tom Lowe (London: Les Miserables, Cats) and Elizabeth Brackenbury (Vanities, Rock Of Ages), performing the music of The Beatles, and their own selections, under the musical direction of Todd Schroeder, in a one night only concert - I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND which will perform on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 7:30PM at the NEW Cabaret Lounge at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada.

On May 14, Universal Orlando guests are in for a big-time treat - Nickelodeon stars Big Time Rush will perform live at Universal Studios Florida's Music Plaza stage.

Tickets for Cameron Mackintosh's new 25th anniversary production of LES MISÉRABLES are now on sale for the premiere Omaha engagement at the Orpheum Theater. The all new production of LES MISÉRABLES features glorious new staging and spectacular reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. The production will run in Omaha Tuesday, April 26 through Sunday, May 1, 2011 and is being presented as part of the Omaha Performing Arts and Broadway Across America Broadway Series. Tickets for LES MISÉRABLES start at $25 and can be purchased at the Ticket Omaha Box Office in the Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th and Douglas streets, Omaha, Neb.; online at TicketOmaha.com; or by calling 402-345-0606. For group sales call 402-661-8516 or toll-free at 866-434-8587.

The Mercy Seat - Vs. Theatre Company presents the Los Angeles premiere of Neil LaBute's scathing, trenchant and caustically funny examination of opportunism in the face of tragedy. Set on September 12, 2001, less than twenty-four hours after terrorists brought down the World Trade Center, The Mercy Seat introduces us to lovers Ben and Abby. Ben was supposed to have been working in the Twin Towers on that fateful day; but was playing hooky with Abby, his mistress and boss. Suddenly the two see a new possibility for their future that didn't exist just a day earlier. Will Ben let his family know he's alive?