Laurence Olivier News

Today we begin a special series consisting of five entries total, each of which will highlight a different facet of the rich and wonderful world of William Shakespeare and all with a particular emphasis on the controversial new feature film that explores the time, place, politics and goings-on of the Elizabethan era and focuses on the possibility that the true author of the esteemed plays we now know may very well have been someone else entirely - Edward de Vere - and how the question of the canon's true creation then comes into play - ANONYMOUS. "All the world's a stage," after all, so it should come as no surprise that acts of lust, bloodshed and betrayal would exist in the actual life - or even the supposed one - of the man who created the most bloody and thought-provoking tragedies in the history of literature - whoever he may have actually been. Perhaps some brief analysis of the finest leading players, most memorable lines and moments, as well as an exploration of other notable acts of grand betrayal in Shakespeare's plays will aid us on the journey to understanding the thesis of ANONYMOUS and bring us into a closer relationship with the individual who penned the greatest plays in the English language. Kicking off the five days of Top 5s, here is a look at the best leading men to have done Shakespeare onstage and onscreen this century and last - featuring Kenneth Branagh, Ian McKellen, Al Pacino, James Earl Jones, and, the ANONYMOUS narrator (and a confirmed Oxfordian himself), Sir Derek Jacobi!

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.

As previously announced by BWW's Spain Editor Juanjo Gonzalez, DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS (Thomas Schumacher, producer and president) in association with STAGE ENTERTAINMENT SPAIN (Julia Gomez Cora, general director), Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon (Mayor of Madrid) and Simon Amselem (Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company Spain and Portugal), have announced the Spanish premiere of Disney's landmark musical event, THE LION KING, to open October 21 at Lope de Vega Theatre on Madrid's Gran Via.

The musical adaptation of BRIDGET JONES, composed by British pop star Lily Allen and Greg Kurstin, is gearing up to take its bows in the autumn of 2012.

Disney Theatrical Group and Stage Entertainment announce the landmark musical event The Lion King will open tonight at the Lope de Vega Theatre in Madrid, Spain.

Following acclaimed performances internationally, Theatre for a New Audience, in association with Baryshnikov Arts Center, will present the New York premiere of C.I.C.T. / Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord's Fragments from the texts by Samuel Beckett for only 29 performances at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, 450 West 37th Street.

The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) is pleased to announce that its 2011-2012 season of dance will open with the world-renowned Mark Morris Dance Group at the Mahalia Jackson Theater on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 8:00 PM.

Grammy Award-winning Riverdance composer Bill Whelan returns to the Irish Arts Center for AN EVENING WITH BILL WHELAN along with world-renowned fiddler Athena Tergis, an orchestra and special guests including singer Morgan Crowley and Irish dancer Mick Donegan, for four performances only, Saturday, October 29 through Tuesday, November 1, nightly at 7:30 PM. The Irish Arts Center is located at 553 West 51 Street.

On October 18, 2011 stage and screen actor Patrick Stewart will be joining STC's Artistic Director Michael Kahn for his first installment of 'Classic Conversations'.

Click below to watchMusic of the Night by Colm Wilkinson, Anthony Warlow, John Owen-Jones, Peter Loback, Ramin Karimloo and the Ensemble sing an encore of 'Music of the Night' at the PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 25th Anniversary performance.

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, now in its 25th Anniversary Season, announces a special appearance this Monday, October 17, at Sidetrack Chicago, 3349 N. Halsted, with Follies cast members Susan Moniz (Sally Durant Plummer) and Brent Barrett (Benjamin Stone). Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Follies opened to rave reviews at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Wednesday, October 12. Due to high ticker demand, the show has been extended by one week, through November 13, 2011.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today the extension of its celebrated 25th Anniversary Season opening production of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Follies, directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin, now playing through November 13, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater's production of Follies runs through November 6, on Navy Pier. Starring in the Chicago production, directed by Gary Griffin, are Hollis Resnik as Carlotta, Brent Barrett as Benjamin, Caroline O'Connor as Phyllis, Robert Petkoff as Buddy and Susan Moniz as Sally. Complete performance highlights have been released and Broadwayworld brings you a look below!

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater's production of Follies runs through November 6, on Navy Pier. Starring in the Chicago production, directed by Gary Griffin, are Hollis Resnik as Carlotta, Brent Barrett as Benjamin, Caroline O'Connor as Phyllis, Robert Petkoff as Buddy and Susan Moniz as Sally.

The award-winning actor ALEC BALDWIN will host a new podcast 'HERE'S THE THING,' announced WNYC, the nation's most listened-to public radio station, today.

Pick Up Performance Co(s), the artistic vehicle for Obie award-winning artists David Gordon and Ain Gordon, performs Dancing Henry Five, featuring Rockford native Karen Graham, ABT and New York City Ballet principal dancer Robert La Fosse and actress Valda Setterfield, presented by The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. Performances are Thursday-Saturday, October 13-15 at 8 p.m. at The Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

Trevor Nunn's production of James Goldman's The Lion in Winter, produced by the Theatre Royal Haymarket Company, runs from 5 November 2011 - 28 January 2012, with press night on 15 November 2011. Set and costume designs are by Stephen Brimson Lewis with music by Steven Edis, sound by Paul Groothuis and video design by Ian William Galloway. Check out photos of the cast in rehearsal below!

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton.

ENNIO: The Living Paper Cartoon, returns to New York for the first time in over a decade. For nine performances only, September 27th - October 12th, The New York Musical Theatre Festival presents the Jonathan Reinis (two-time Tony Award-winner for Dame Edna: The Royal Tour and Russell Simmon's Def Poetry Jam) and Glynis Henderson (international producer of Stomp) production featuring international sensation Ennio Marchetto at the 47th Street Theatre (304 West 47th Street).

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) will host to a panel of distinguished speakers that includes Tony Award-winning director Anna Shapiro and platinum-selling recording artist Matt Nathanson for Chicago Ideas Week Talk: Creative Process on Saturday, October 15 at 10 a.m. in CST's Courtyard Theater.