Michael Crawford News

On January 9th, The Phantom of the Opera made Broadway history by becoming the longest-running production ever. The lavish musical, which will also reach its 18th anniversary on January 26th, reached its 7,486th performance on January 9th, overtaking Cats, the previous record-holder.

On January 9th, The Phantom of the Opera made Broadway history by becoming the longest-running production ever. BroadwayWorld was there to capture the festivities.

With Phantom of the Opera approaching its milestone performance on Jan. 9 as the longest running musical of all time, it seemed a perfect time to check in with the original star - Michael Crawford.

As Phantom of the Opera prepares to roll into the history books on Monday night, January 9, 2006 as the longest running show of all time, BroadwayWorld checked in with some of the many men behind the mask. Phantom alumni Kevin Gray, Cris Groenendaal, and Davis Gaines, along with Broadway's current Phantom Howard McGillin each shared their experiences of donning the mask.

On January 9th, The Phantom of the Opera will break the record and become Broadway's longest-running show

Plans are still under wraps for just how the show will celebrate it's longevity, but original star Michael Crawford's web site reports that he will take part in the celebration.

The soundtrack of the film version of The Phantom of the Opera has ranked as #2 on Billboard's Year End Chart for soundtracks

The production will star Josh Strickland as Tarzan, Jenn Gambatese as Jane, Merle Dandridge as Kala, Shuler Hensley as Kerchak, Chester Gregory II as Terk, Timothy Jerome as Professor Porter and Donnie Keshawarz as Clayton. Daniel Manche and Alex Rutherford will alternate in the role of Young Tarzan.

Tickets to the record-breaking performance on January 9th will be given away to 100 of the Phantom of the Opera fans who can correctly answer five trivia questions about the show.

On December 1st, Brad Oscar will sing a medley of Christmas favorites at the 2005 Christmas Pageant of Peace Opening Ceremony

Readers of the December 2nd edition of The New York Times can enter for a chance to win tickets to the record-breaking January 9th performance of The Phantom of the Opera

After 15 years away from the Broadway stage, and well-known as a romantic lead, British star Michael Ball is making his return to Broadway in the most anti-type of roles - Count Fosco in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White. Before being buried under latex, and a fat suit for an evening show, the star gave BroadwayWorld the scoop.

More casting has been set for the upcoming Broadway production of The Woman in White, which will open at the Marquis Theatre on November 17th and will star Maria Friedman and Michael Ball

Disney has announced that Tarzan will being previews on March 24, to open on May 10, 2006.

Beginning Monday, October 3, Howard McGillin, Broadway's longest-running Phantom, will return to the title role in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at The Majestic Theatre.

Crawford to follow performances in Virginia, Arizona and Texas with a show at the Casino/Resort on October 28th.

Confirming rumors online and off that have been swirling for months, Variety reports that the star is expected to sign imminently.

Holders of an American Express card can order tickets for Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White beginning on August 10th, while general tix go on sale on September 10th

Canadian actor Adam Brazier has been cast as romantic lead Walter in the upcoming Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White

Actor/director/writer Simon Callow will replace Anthony Andrews as Count Fosco in the West End production of The Woman in White