Laurence Connor News

Quentin Oliver Lee, the man behind the mask - the dynamic singer/actor leads the national company of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, now on tour throughout the United States - first stepped onstage in the iconic role during its Memphis run earlier this year and he freely admits that the experience left him eager to return to Tennessee to perform on the stage of Nashville's Andrew Jackson Hall.

Cameron Mackintosh announced full casting for the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of his acclaimed production of the Boublil and Schonberg musical "LES MISERABLES" playing at Manchester's Palace Theatre from 19 February - 30 March 2019.

What about the story keeps audiences coming back again and again to see The Phantom of the Opera? Is it the lushly romantic score composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber? Or could it be the costumes and scenery, so widely seen across the globe - and so easily identifiable as being from The Phantom - that they are considered iconic? Or could it be the mysteriously intriguing and sumptuously romantic Gaston Leroux story?

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will go on sale Sunday, October 14for the triumphant return engagement at the Detroit Opera House, January 24 - February 3, 2019. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version ofPHANTOM is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg's Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISERABLES, is on sale now for its much anticipated Cleveland engagement at Playhouse Square as part of the KeyBank Broadway Series direct from a celebrated two-and-a-half year Broadway engagement.

Les Miserables is a 'classic' many theatergoers have seen over and over again, with a reputation that comes with its own set of expectations. Because the show is practically timeless, new productions are faced with the challenge to come up with fresh ways to tell the story of Jean Valjean, while keeping the moments we've all grown to love intact. The latest national tour that recently opened at the Hippodrome Theatre does just that-and possibly more

There is a moment during the closing scene of Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock when the show transforms from a mere crowd pleasing musical, to a pure and unadulterated celebration. Having witnessed the young students of Horace Green Preparatory School fully evolve from disenfranchised, rule-following and generally unhappy children, to confident rock stars willing to 'stick it to the man,' the audience cannot help but leap to its feet and join the party at the top of Mount Rock. More than a local battle of the bands, it is a celebration of the importance of arts education, the power of inspiring teachers, the joys of finding one's voice, and of the mind-blowing capacity for so much talent to exist in such small bodies and at such an early age. Judging by the standing ovation that began before and continued throughout the curtain call, it is clear that the Orpheum audience was fully invested in these young characters, and that School of Rock had therefore done its job. Indeed, this culminating scene is the ultimate payoff that makes the two and a half hours that precede it entirely worth the investment. The only disappointment was that there was no after party on Beale Street. Armed with their instruments and boundless talent, something tells me that the students of Horace Green Preparatory School could most certainly have brought down the house.

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will make its highly anticipated premiere in Honolulu at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall August 7th - September 1, 2019 as part of the 2019 Broadway in Hawaii season. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America. This blockbuster production is part of a three-show series presented by Broadway in Hawaii beginning in the fall of 2019 that also includes The Illusionists - Live From Broadway and RENT - The 20th Anniversary Tour. The only way to secure your tickets now is by purchasing the three-show package or by ordering a group of 10+.  Visit www.BroadwayinHawaii.com for details.

Andrew Lloyd Webber announced today that the original West EndBroadway staging of the hit musical will make a return to the world stage in a new tour set to launch this February. No details yet on tour dates and cities have been announced.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit School of Rock - The Musical has announced new casting for the 2018-19 season. Merritt David Janes, previously from the original Broadway company and the Dewey Alternate on tour, is taking over the role of Dewey. Also joining the cast are Madison Micucci as Patty, Layne Roate as Ned, Gary Trainor as Dewey Alternate, Brian Golub as a swing and Jonathon Timpanelli as an ensemble member.

No need to bury the lede: this production of LES MISERABLES is the most true-to-Broadway theatrical experience I have ever had outside of the Great White Way. Cameron Mackintosh's subtle updates breathe new life into the classic material, and deliver one of those rarified theatrical moments in which everything comes together as intended - the kind of show where you catch yourself holding your breath, lest you miss a moment.

The North American tour of Miss Saigon launched this week at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI. Check out photos from the red carpet below!

The American Theatre Wing announced today that its annual Gala, which honored newly minted EGOT recipient Andrew Lloyd Webber last night at Cipriani 42nd Street, raised a record breaking total of $1,652,502 in support of the Wing's programs and the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative Legacy Fund, breaking all previous records.

Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg's Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISERABLES, will go on sale Monday, September 24 @ 10:00am EST for its much anticipated Rochester engagement at RBTL's Auditorium Theatre direct from a celebrated two-and-a-half year Broadway engagement. LES MISERABLES is a 2018-2019 M&T Bank Broadway Season Special Presented by the Rochester Broadway Theatre League and Albert Nocciolino.

The Balancing Act, the award-winning morning show on the Lifetime Channel, is excited to announce that it has begun shooting the fifth season of the popular series, "Broadway Balances America," sponsored by Broadway Across America

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, is now on sale for the triumphant return Dallas engagement at the Music Hall at Fair Park. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America. PHANTOM comes to Dallas as part of the Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) and Broadway Across America (BAA) Broadway season.

Cameron Mackintosh's forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of his acclaimed production of the Boublil and Schonberg musical "LES MISERABLES" is already set to break records ahead of opening at Curve, Leicester on Saturday 3 November 2018.

Make no mistake about it: School of Rock isn't your mum's - nor your nan's - Andrew Lloyd Webber musical extravaganza. There are no massive chandeliers to come crashing into the orchestra, no fascist dictators to fear, no silent screen divas yearning for a comeback, nor are there are any human-sized felines staring at you across the footlights. Nope, Sir Andrew (as he's known across the pond) has crafted an energetic rock musical that's based on a movie that starred Jack Black and it will rock your freakin' socks off!

Actress Lexie Dorsett Sharp remembers very clearly when the father of a former castmate came backstage after an opening night during a national tour in which the two women were performing to wish them well and to express how much he enjoyed the show.

The national tour of Miss Saigon has begun its rehearsals. The cast and creative team met the press recently, and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out the photos below.