Maree Johnson

Wake Up With BWW 4/26: DRAMA LEAGUE Award Nominations, and More!

Today's top stories include the announcement of the nominations for the Drama League Awards! Plus, check out all new photos and video from opening night of Funny Girl on Broadway!

Jordan Donica, Maree Johnson, and Kanisha Marie Feliciano Join THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

The latest in The Phantom of the Opera Broadway casting news. Jordan Donica, who made his Broadway debut in PHANTOM playing 'Raoul,' will return to the role beginning Sunday, May 29 for a limited engagement.  Maree Johnson will return to the Broadway cast as 'Madame Giry' on Monday, May 16 and more.

BWW REVIEW: Guest Reviewer Kym Vaitiekus Shares His Thoughts On HANDA OPERA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

What a joy to see an enormous production of The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney harbour against the city skyline. And enormous is the word. The stage is 2.5 times larger than any indoor Australian stage.

Doris Dear's GURL TALK Moves to YouTube

Doris Dear's GURL TALK is changing things up.

The Award-Winning Series 'Doris Dear's Gurl Talk' Comes to YouTube

The Telly Award winning series 'Doris Dear's Gurl Talk', is about to premier on YouTube! After being a 'most trending', series on the 'BroadwayonDemand' streaming network, It's coming to YouTube for everyone to enjoy FOR FREE!

VIDEO: Emilie Kouatchou Talks Starring as 'Christine Daaé' in PHANTOM on THE TODAY SHOW

After making history as the first black woman to play Christine Daaé in the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, Emilie Kouatchou sat down with Sheinelle Jones on The TODAY Show to discuss her groundbreaking debut. Jones also sat down with casting associate Joseph Hayes to discuss the importance of diversity and representation on Broadway.

Rebecca Eichenberger Will Step In as Madame Giry in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Opera Australia will soon present the upcoming new Sydney production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which will be the first major outdoor production of the musical. The Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour season of PHANTOM, directed by Simon Phillips with set and costume design by Gabriela Tylesova, will open on Sydney’s iconic over-water stage on March 25.

Cast Announced for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in Sydney

One of the longest-running and most successful musicals of all time, the trio playing the iconic leads will be Melbourne-born Joshua Robson as The Phantom, Brisbane performer Georgina Hopson as Christine and acclaimed West End and Broadway musical theatre performer Callum Francis as Raoul Vicomte de Chagny.

Photos: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Celebrates 34 Years on Broadway

Just last night, The Phantom of the Opera celebrated its 34th anniversary! Emilie Kouatchou took over the role of Christine Daae beginning at last night's performance. She is the first Black actor to play the role on Broadway. Following the performance, the current Phantom, Ben Crawford, gave a speech honoring the show.

VIDEO: Ben Crawford Gives a Speech at THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's 34th Anniversary Curtain Call

Last night, The Phantom of the Opera celebrated its 34th anniversary! Emilie Kouatchou took over the role of Christine Daae beginning at last night's performance. She is the first Black actor to play the role on Broadway. Following the performance, the current Phantom, Ben Crawford, gave a speech honoring the show.

VIDEO: Emilie Kouatchou Talks Starring as 'Christine Daaé' in PHANTOM on THE TODAY SHOW

After making history as the first black woman to play Christine Daaé in the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, Emilie Kouatchou sat down with Sheinelle Jones on The TODAY Show to discuss her groundbreaking debut. Jones also sat down with casting associate Joseph Hayes to discuss the importance of diversity and representation on Broadway.

VIDEO: First Look at Emilie Kouatchou as Christine in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway

Emilie Kouatchou will take over the role of 'Christine Daaé' in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, beginning on Wednesday, January 26 at 7PM.  Check out all new footage of her in the role!

VIDEO: Watch the Cast of PHANTOM Perform on GOOD MORNING AMERICA

The cast of Phantom of the Opera performed a medley of the title-track and 'Masquerade' live in Times Square this morning on Good Morning America and we've got the video. Watch the current leads.

VIDEO: Hangin' on 44th Street with THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's Ben Crawford

New York will be New York again when the lights at the Majestic Theatre are shining bright, and that day is just weeks away! The Phantom of the Opera will reopen for its 33rd record-breaking year on Broadway on October 22, led by Ben Crawford in the title role.

VIDEO: Watch Nick Cordero 'One of the Great Ones' Memorial Tribute

In honor and celebration of Nick's memory, over 150 of his friends, colleagues, and family from all over the world came together to sing the song that will keep Nick in our hearts forever 'One of the Great Ones' from A Bronx Tale. The resulting video was featured during the streaming of the memorial.

#TBT: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Becomes The Longest-Running Musical In Broadway History

The legendary musical The Phantom of the Opera has been bringing the music of the night to Broadway audiences for over 31 years, and 14 years ago today, the production surpassed Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats to become the longest-running musical in Broadway history! To celebrate the history-making anniversary, we're throwing it back to that special night with the Tony-winning original Phantom Michael Crawford and Howard McGillin commemorating the special occasion!

Featured in this week's event was: Chicago (Donna Marie Asbury, Dylis Croman, Cristy Candler, Tonya Wathen, Tony Yazbeck, Peter Nelson, Amos Wolff, Denny Paschall, Eddie Bennett) Rebecca (Jill Paice, Ryan Silverman, Maree Johnson), Evita (Christina DeCicco, Max von Essen, Rachel Potter), Newsies (Corey Cott, Kara Lindsay, and Julie Foldesi), RENT (Anthony Federov, Sean Michael Murray, Emma Hunton, Shaleah Adkisson), and a special guest performance by Sista's: The Musical. Check out the performaces from the cast of Chicago below, which included 'All That Jazz,' 'Roxie,' and 'All I Care About Is Love.'

Featured in this week's event was: Chicago (Donna Marie Asbury, Dylis Croman, Cristy Candler, Tonya Wathen, Tony Yazbeck, Peter Nelson, Amos Wolff, Denny Paschall) Rebecca (Jill Paice, Ryan Silverman, Maree Johnson), Evita (Christina DeCicco, Max von Essen, Rachel Potter), Newsies (Corey Cott, Kara Lindsay, and Julie Foldesi), RENT (Anthony Federov, Sean Michael Murray, Emma Hunton, Shaleah Adkisson), and a special guest performance by Sista's: The Musical. Check out the performaces from the cast of Rent below, which included: 'One Song Glory,' 'What You Own,' and 'Take Me or Leave Me.'

Featured in this week's event was: Chicago (Donna Marie Asbury, Dylis Croman, Cristy Candler, Tonya Wathen, Tony Yazbeck, Peter Nelson, Amos Wolff, Denny Paschall) Rebecca (Jill Paice, Ryan Silverman, Maree Johnson), Evita (Christina DeCicco, Max von Essen, Rachel Potter), Newsies (Corey Cott, Kara Lindsay, and Julie Foldesi), RENT (Anthony Federov, Sean Michael Murray, Emma Hunton, Shaleah Adkisson), and a special guest performance by Sista's: The Musical. Check out the performaces from the cast of Evita below, which included: 'Buenos Aires,' 'Anothe Suitcase, Another Hall,' and 'High-Flying, Adored.'

The best of Broadway will be presented FREE on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with "106.7 Lite FM's Broadway in Bryant Park 2012" - a lunchtime series that began July 12 at 12:30 p.m. on the Bryant Park Stage. Sponsored by Resorts World Casino New York City and hosted by Lite FM's on-air personalities, the twelfth annual presentation of open-air, On- and Off- Broadway lunch hour performances will run through August 16. Featured in this week's event was: Chicago (Donna Marie Asbury, Dylis Croman, Cristy Candler, Tonya Wathen, Tony Yazbeck, Peter Nelson, Amos Wolff, Denny Paschall) Rebecca (Jill Paice, Ryan Silverman, Maree Johnson), Evita (Christina DeCicco, Max von Essen, Rachel Potter), Newsies (Corey Cott, Kara Lindsay, and Julie Foldesi), RENT (Anthony Federov, Sean Michael Murray, Emma Hunton, Shaleah Adkisson), and a special guest performance by Sista's: The Musical. Check out the performaces from the cast of Rebecca below! For details, schedule updates and a chance to win free Broadway tickets, fans can listen to 106.7 Lite FM on the station's website, www.1067litefm.com, as well as on iHeartRadio.com and the iHeartRadio mobile app, Clear Channel's best-in-class customizable digital listening service, that delivers everything listeners want in one free, fully-integrated service: instant access to more than 1,000 of the nation's most popular live broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities, plus user-created Custom Stations inspired by favorite artists and songs. Read more: http://broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-TV-Sneak-Peek-of-Broadway-Bound-REBECCA--Cast-Performs-at-Broadway-in-Bryant-Park-20120809#ixzz23579fq4o