Earl Carpenter News

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group announced earlier today that their spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera will launch a North American tour beginning this November in Providence, R.I at the Providence Performing Arts Center. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, will play more than 20 multi-week engagements through next year, including Cincinnati, OH and Minneapolis, MN. A complete tour schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. First unveiled in March, 2012 in Plymouth, England, this reinvented PHANTOM has been an enormous box-office and critical hit throughout the U.K. Check out photos and highlights from the newly imagined production below!

From the Producers of THREE PHANTOMS comes an evening of equally fantastic 'musical mayhem'. A Touch of West End comes to the Royal Armouries Hall in Leeds for one night only.

The highly-anticipated film version of LES MISERABLES is now in theaters! To celebrate the release, BroadwayWorld brings you an in-depth look at the characters and the actors who portray them. Today, it's all about Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe)!

Birmingham Hippodrome has announced details of one of its busiest years ever, with no fewer than three West End blockbusters, a ballet premiere, new opera productions and the return of several popular favourites. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the season in the video below.

The UK touring production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA features Earl Carpenter as 'The Phantom' and Katie Hall as 'Christine'. They are joined by Simon Bailey as 'Raoul', Angela M. Caesar as 'Carlotta', Andy Hockley as 'Monsieur Firmin', Simon Green as 'Monsieur Andre', Elizabeth Marsh as 'Madame Giry', Vincent Pirillo as 'Ubaldo Piangi', Hannah Cadec as 'Meg Giry' and Olivia Brereton as 'Christine' at certain performances. Check out new photos of the cast in action below!

What we're looking forward to in 2012

Controversy is never too far offstage in any Simon Cowell production - manufactured, actual or otherwise - and the debut season of the US edition of his international smash reality singing competition THE X FACTOR on Fox has been overloaded with drama, meltdowns, breakdowns and buckets of tears. Stars have been made and dreams have been broken - par for the course, as always, on a singing show like this. Yet, no one on the show, whether judge or participant - no, not even Paula Abdul, Rachel Crow or the flasher himself - has been met with the irate hate and all-around ire of fans and critics alike quite like new judge Nicole Scherzinger. Sure, Simon cajoles her and criticizes her too much - to much winning effect - amping up the competition amongst the four judges, as is his wont - and, really, that's the whole hook of the show, anyway. The ex-Pussycat Dolls front-woman (remember 'Don't Cha'?), Scherzinger has had middling success in her solo career post-Pussycats in the US, yet she has racked up #1 hits overseas, and, had her last album not been plagued with stateside release issues, perhaps there would be a larger audience more aware of her repertoire and irreproachable talent here on these shores. Alas, many are meeting her for the first time in her new role as an X FACTOR judge - responsible for the most difficult category, no less; the Over 30s - and perhaps that is not the best light to make first impressions under. No matter what her judging abilities are, the girl can clearly sing - and sing well - which is more than can be said of many in similar roles on other singing-centered shows (or even this one). In addition to that, she has shown a remarkable stage presence - particularly in her essaying of the role of Maureen (made famous in the original Broadway cast by WICKED Tony Award winner Idina Menzel) in RENT at the Hollywood Bowl, directed by Neil Patrick Harris - and, even more recently, has displayed her legit side with her stunning performance of the title song from Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - alongside four famous Phantoms - at the Royal Variety Performance last week for the queen. Just last night, Scherzinger took center stage on the X FACTOR's results show to sing her surprisingly strong new single, 'Pretty' - an episode which also saw the final remaining contestant under her tutelage remaining in the competition, Josh Krajcik, survive another week and make it into the Top 4 - and proceeded to positively set the night alight. Haters can hate, but Scherzinger undoubtedly proved any naysayers wrong insofar as her fierce talent and reason for appearing on the show as a judge is concerned - no question. Post-Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger seems to be flying high - lest we forget: she also won DANCING WITH THE STARS early last year - and the stages of New York and London seem a perfect place for her to show off her considerable triple-threat abilities in the future, whether near or far. Plus, if she can make it in show business with that last name, you have to at the very least appreciate her striving for authenticity at all times - like it or not. Scherzinger not only sings like an angel, she looks like one, too. She is the whole package and definitely possesses the X factor - and maybe a Y and Z, too.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: December 3-9 .

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Andrew Lloyd Webber introduced a unique performance of the title number from the musical at this year's Royal Variety Performance. Starring four acclaimed ‘Phantoms' - Simon Bowman, Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo and John Owen-Jones, the performance also featured international pop-star Nicole Scherzinger as 'Christine'. See the performance below!

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Andrew Lloyd Webber will introduce a unique performance of the title number from the musical at this year's Royal Variety Performance. Starring four acclaimed ‘Phantoms' - Simon Bowman, Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo and John Owen-Jones, the performance will also feature international pop-star Nicole Scherzinger as ‘Christine'. The gala evening was recorded on 5 December at The Lowry in Salford in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and will be screened on ITV this Wednesday evening.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Andrew Lloyd Webber will introduce a unique performance of the title number from the musical at this year's Royal Variety Performance. Starring four acclaimed 'Phantoms' - Simon Bowman, Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo and John Owen-Jones, the performance will also feature international pop-star Nicole Scherzinger as 'Christine'.

Andrew Lloyd Webber visits a rehearsal for the 2011 Royal Variety Performance.

Cameron Mackintosh has announced details about the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA premiering at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in March 2012, with previews from 27 February and a press night on 13 March 2012. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will star John Owen-Jones and Earl Carpenter, who will share the role of ‘The Phantom' and Katie Hall who will play the role of ‘Christine'. Full tour schedule with casting details and on sale dates are below.

On November 9th, 2006, the opening night of Broadway's Les Miserables, BroadwayWorld introduced the artwork of Christine Jimenez. Recently, the talented artist created more caricatures and portraits of Les Miz stars in honor of the show's 25th Anniversary, and is one again pleased to share them with BWW readers.

Cameron Mackintosh's current touring production of Les Miserables will run at London's Barbican Theatre, it's English-language birthplace in 1985, for 22 performances through October 2, 2010. A Queens Theatre staple for nearly 22 years in the West End, this new run will mark the first time in London that the same musical has run simultaneously.

Cameron Mackintosh's current touring production of Les Miserables will run at London's Barbican Theatre, it's English-language birthplace in 1985, for 22 performances through October 2, 2010. A Queens Theatre staple for nearly 22 years in the West End, this new run will mark the first time in London that the same musical has run simultaneously.

Dress Circle is delighted to announce that we will be welcoming the cast of Les Miserables to our Covent Garden Store on Friday 17th September.

Dress Circle is delighted to announce that we will be welcoming the cast of Les Miserables to our Covent Garden Store on Friday 17th September.

According to Dress Circle, a special 25th anniversary two-disc edition of 'Les Misérables Live!' will be released in the UK on September 13. The recorded cast includes Madalena Alberto, Ashley Artus, Earl Carpenter, Gareth Gates, Katie Hall, Rosalind James, and other members of the 2010 UK Tour. The tour will play at the Barbican Theatre in London for 22 performances, beginning on September 14.

According to Dress Circle, a special 25th anniversary two-disc edition of 'Les Misérables Live!' will be released in the UK on September 13. The recorded cast includes Madalena Alberto, Ashley Artus, Earl Carpenter, Gareth Gates, Katie Hall, Rosalind James, and other members of the 2010 UK Tour. The tour will play at the Barbican Theatre in London for 22 performances, beginning on September 14.