Prince Hal News

Today we are fortunate enough to feature an illuminating discussion with the star of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL - PHANTOM 25 for short - who is also known for her appearances on Broadway and the West End in shows like THE LITTLE MERMAID, MASTER CLASS and the PHANTOM OF THE OPERA sequel itself, LOVE NEVER DIES - the one and only Sierra Boggess! In this PHANTOM-based conversation, Sierra and I analyze the phenomenal live PHANTOM 25 performance itself - to go along with our pre-performance chat from last year (available here) - and she describes all of the time, talent and art that went into putting it all together in celebration of the show's 25th year onstage - led by legendary producer Cameron Mackintosh, of course. In addition to a complete performance rundown, we also dissect the character of Christine and the importance of her journey over the course of the musical thriller to its themes of social acceptance, the power of musical performance, and, above all else, love - which, as we know, never dies. Additionally, she shares her ample enthusiasm for the simply tremendous DVD and Blu-ray experience of PHANTOM 25 (also, my SOUND OFF review of the live performance is available here) and details the experience of having now played Christine in three distinctly different PHANTOM-based experiences - PHANTOM in Las Vegas, LOVE NEVER DIES in the West End and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA LIVE AT THE ALBERT HALL.

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul and his wife Carol attended Phantom-The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian in Las Vegas as part of their 55th wedding anniversary celebrations yesterday, February 1. Following the performance, the couple had the opportunity to go backstage to meet the stars of the show Anthony Crivello ("The Phantom") and Kristen Hertzenberg ("Christine").

Next up in its continuing series Dark Nights, The New Group presents Re-imagining Baal on Sunday, February 5 at 4:00pm. Reservations required at seats@thenewgroup.org (space is limited). Suggested donation: $20.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary seven-time Tony Award-winning musical, EVITA, will feature Christina DeCicco (Glinda in Wicked, Sister Act) as the 'Eva Peron' alternate when the show opens this Spring n Broadway. DeCicco will play 'Eva' on Wednesday evening and Saturday matinee performances- with the exception of Wed. March 14 and Wed. April 4, when Elena Roger will play both matinee and evening performances.

With rehearsals now underway for the new Broadway production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary seven-time Tony Award-winning musical, EVITA, the Marquis Theatre Box Office (1535 Broadway - entrance on 46th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue) officially opens today, Monday, January 30 at 10AM. The musical stars Olivier Award-winning Argentinean actress Elena Roger making her Broadway debut as Eva Peron, world renowned music artist Ricky Martin as Che and Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris as Juan Peron. The cast will also feature Christina DeCicco as the alternate for Eva Peron (Weds eve; Sat mat), Max von Essen as Magaldi and Rachel Potter as the Mistress. Directed by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford, EVITA begins previews on March 12 and Opening Night is set for April 5, 2012.

On Friday, I had the exceptional honor of talking to the most successful composer in the world, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, all about the unprecedented new HD film version of his thrilling new musical coming to movie theaters in February, a continuation of the story begun in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, titled LOVE NEVER DIES. In addition to outlining the impossibly detailed process of bringing a production as complex as the Simon Phillips Australian staging of LOVE NEVER DIES to the big screen, we also discuss the genesis of the show and what an immense achievement it is to now have the original musical - in the form of the 25th anniversary Royal Albert Hall production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - as well as the sequel - LOVE NEVER DIES - committed to celluloid, mere months apart. Also, 2012 is certainly the year of the Lord on Broadway thanks to new revivals of two of his most beloved musicals, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and EVITA (the latter starring Ricky Martin), as well as the 10,000th performance of PHANTOM on Broadway. Plus, Lloyd Webber clues us in on which musical of his he would like to film next - SUNSET BOULVEVARD, with either Madonna or original Tony-winning star Glenn Close - and he also elaborates on the indescribable allure of the Phantom legend, now, nearly thirty years after the original show's debut and expresses his enthusiasm for the revolutionary new age of theatre-on-film we are experiencing now - all of that and much, much more!

This weekend, BroadwayWorld will be presenting an illuminating InDepth InterView with legendary composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber all about the enchanting new performance capture film version of his PHANTOM OF THE OPERA sequel, LOVE NEVER DIES. Until that chat, let's take a look back at some of the finest Andrew Lloyd Webber-related performances related to the entertainment dynasty built upon his operatic pop musical version of the classic Gaston Leroux novel that is about to celebrate its 10,000th performance on Broadway later this month, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, as well as its continuation, LOVE NEVER DIES, and the two revivals of his two classic 70s hit stage collaborations with previous InDepth InterView participant Sir Tim Rice coming back to Broadway in a big way - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and EVITA. Plus, a look at the new Simon Phillips-directed production of LOVE NEVER DIES coming to Fathom-equipped movie theaters nationwide on February 28 and March 7, with DVD & Blu-ray after that, as well as the PHANTOM 25 DVD & Blu-ray being released in the US on February 7. It's a busy time of year for phans, clearly! Fetch your favorite mask and check out these four Andrew Lloyd Webber delicacies before they arrive!

The Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival's 2012 preview performances begin February 17, opening a season dedicated to Executive Director Paul Nicholson, who is retiring at the end of the season after 33 years at OSF.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey today announced its 2012 season - the 50th Anniversary season of the state's largest professional theatre dedicated to Shakespeare and other world classics, and the longest running Shakespeare Theatre on the East Coast. Founded in 1963 in Cape May by Paul Barry and Philip Dorian as the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, the company was invited to take up residence at Drew University in 1972. 2012 also marks the 40th Anniversary of the Theatre's residency in Madison.

Producers Aubrey Dan, Martyn Hayes and Peter W. Lamb for Dancap Productions Inc., today announced that PRINCE OF BROADWAY, the new musical celebrating legendary Broadway director and producer Harold "Hal" Prince will open directly on Broadway in November 2012 and will forgo the pre-Broadway engagement in Toronto.

The landmark trial of the Scottsboro Boys is brought to life in Philadelphia Theatre Company's production of the multiple Tony-nominated musical The Scottsboro Boys with music and lyrics by the legendary team of John Kander and Fred Ebb and book by David Thompson, running January 20-February 19 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Russell Crowe's Chicago vocal coach, a hot new Broadway star, three productions at the North Shore Center, 'Show Boat,' Jessie and Darren's dreams come true and more....

Bay Area Cabaret welcomes back renowned jazz guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli with two performances Sunday, February 26, 2012. At the 2:30pm show, Pizzarelli will be joined by his wife, Broadway actress Jessica Molaskey, to present their acclaimed Cafe Carlyle show When Worlds Collide, a portrait of their marriage. At 5pm, Pizzarelli and his quartet will present his award-winning Duke Ellington tribute Rockin' in Rhythm. The concerts take place in the historic Venetian Room of The Fairmont San Francisco (950 Mason Street) Sunday, February 26, 2012. Tickets for each show ($45 general) are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or by phone at City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

After more than six years and nearly 2,700 performances, Phantom-The Las Vegas Spectacular will end its historic run at The Venetian on September 2, 2012. This stunning theatrical spectacle will never be seen again once the final curtain closes in Las Vegas. Tickets for all remaining performances are on sale now.

Each year, the Library of Congress selects twenty-five culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films to be added to the National Film Registry and preserved. This year's films spanned everything from cartoons (Bambi) to silent films (The Kid) - and a film that inspired a Broadway show as well as a Broadway show that inspired the film.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, December 25, 2011 - Sunday, December 25, 2011.

Today, as a well-earned holiday surprise for all of the millions of Broadway babies who read Broadway World all year long, we have a sneak preview of next year's upcoming InDepth InterView with leading lady stage superstar Sierra Boggess, best known to Broadway and West End audiences for her creation of the title role in THE LITTLE MERMAID, as well as originating the role of Christine in both PHANTOM VEGAS - the Las Vegas iteration of the international sensation THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, directed by original helmer Hal Prince - and LOVE NEVER DIES, the recent Andrew Lloyd Webber-penned musical sequel to the original thriller/romance tuner, as well as her most recent essaying of the role in the absolutely phantastic 25th anniversary production THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL, which will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in the US in 2012. Before we get to all about PHANTOM 25 - lest we forget, Ms. Boggess was also generous enough to tell us all about the show when it was still in rehearsals (you can read that chat here) - Boggess shares her affection for another recent InDepth InterView participant who shared the stage with her at the thrilling encore for PHANTOM 25 - the one and only Phantom of legend himself, Michael Crawford, as well as all about her participation in the yearly ASTEP charity concert CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK CITY and the cast recording of it featuring herself along with Raul Esparza, Andy Karl, Orfeh, Constantine Maroulis and many more! Plus, insight into her preparations for her next Broadway role, that of Rebecca in the lavish stage spectacular REBECCA and much, much more!

The landmark trial of the Scottsboro Boys is brought to life in Philadelphia Theatre Company's production of the multiple Tony-nominated musical The Scottsboro Boys with music and lyrics by the legendary team of John Kander and Fred Ebb and book by David Thompson, running January 20-February 19 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents Season's Greetings by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones.

The New York Pops orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke, celebrates the holidays with swinging seasonal favorites on December 16 and 17, 2011 at 8:00pm. Reineke has been heralded by The New York Times as 'young and vigorous, with a playful attitude that has been a pops orchestral tradition since the heyday of Arthur Fiedler...a polished, welcoming host.' John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey, the couple The New York Times called 'a musical match made in heaven,' will perform with the orchestra in a program featuring festive holiday tunes such as 'We Need a Little Christmas', 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year', 'Go Tell It On the Mountain', 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy', 'I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm' and 'Little Bolero Boy'. Essential Voices USA, conducted by Judith Cluman, will also join The New York Pops in the festive concert at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.