John Owen-Jones News

BroadwayWorld.com was there for all the festivities, and in the video below, Richard Ridge chats with current stars Sierra Boggess, Hugh Panaro, and Kyle Barisich at the big after paty at the New York Public Library. Plus Phantom veterans Ramin Karimloo, Kevin Gray, Rebecca Luker, and Howard McGillin chat about the milestone event. Check it out below!

The cast and creative team of The Phantom of the Opera- 25 Years on Broadway Gala Performance at the Majestic Theatre in New York City took a triumphant curtain call over the weekend on January 26, 2013. BroadwayWorld was there and brings even more coverage of the bows below!

BroadwayWorld was there and brings you footage of the landmark moments below! This special evening featured an extended curtain call with remarks from producer Cameron Mackintosh and director Harold Prince, a specially-taped video greeting from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (in London and unable to attend due to a back procedure) and original West End and Broadway star Sarah Brightman (their first joint interview in 30 years), a note from original Phantom star Michael Crawford and on-stage post-show performances from current stars Hugh Panaro and Sierra Boggess, joined by international 'Phantoms' John Owen Jones, Ramin Karimloo and Peter Jöback.

The cast and creative team of The Phantom of the Opera celebrated 25 Years on Broadway with a Gala Performance at the Majestic Theatre in New York City on Saturday night, January 26. BroadwayWorld was there for the after party and you can check out full photo coverage below!

The cast and creative team of The Phantom of the Opera- 25 Years on Broadway Gala Performance at the Majestic Theatre in New York City took a triumphant curtain call last night, January 26, 2013. BroadwayWorld was there and brings full coverage of the bows below!

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, directed by Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc., will welcome West End star and Platinum-selling Swedish recording star Peter Jöback to the New York cast this summer. Mr. Jöback will assume the title role for a limited engagement from Monday, April 29 through Saturday, August 24, 2012.

We've asked a few Les Mis obsessives to compare the movie casts with the others immortalised on recordings and on film...

We talk to the singer/actor about his recording career - and why he has no immediate West End plans...

Dress Circle has announced a CD Signing with John Owen-Jones today, 20th December 2012 at 6.30pm. John will be at our store on Monmouth Street, London to sign copies of his recently released CD single 'May Each Day.'

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 the musical's protagonist - Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman)!

Dress Circle has announced a CD Signing with John Owen-Jones on Thursday 20th December 2012 at 6.30pm. John will be at our store on Monmouth Street, London to sign copies of his recently released CD single ‘May Each Day.'

According to WalesOnline, West End Phantom of the Opera star John Owen-Jones has been cast in a new TV drama series about zombies, In the Flesh. The series will air on BBC Three next year.

Jo Whytock reviews the revamped 25th anniversary touring production

We talk to the Phantom about the UK tour and his new album Unmasked...

Award winning performer John Owen- Jones, who has regularly performed on stage, TV and radio in shows such as The Royal Variety Show, Friday Night Is Music Night, Children In Need, The Three Phantoms in Concert, This Morning and The Alan Titchmarsh Show - has justreleased his second album ‘Unmasked,' out on Sain Records, featuring favourite theatrical songs and a few surprises. The album contains a new interpretation of the Queen classic 'Love of My Life' recorded with the blessing of guitar legend Brian May and two duets with fellow Welshman, Bryn Terfel and classical artist, Natasha Marsh.

¡Estas son las imágenes que todos los fans del Fantasma han estado esperando! Las primeras fotos de la nueva producción del 25 aniversario de The Phantom Of The Opera de Andrew Lloyd webber en gira por UK, que se estrena en marzo de 2012 en el Theatre Royal Plymouth.

It's the photos that Phantom Phans have been waiting for - the very first images from the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA premiering which premiered Theatre Royal Plymouth in March 2012.

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 .