Sarah Brightman News

Since 1990 Meredith has originatied and recorded such roles as 'Betty Schaeffer' in 'Sunset Boulevard', 'Lily' in the RSC's 'The Secret Garden' and playing the iconic roles of 'Eponine' in 'Les Miserables' and 'Christine' in 'The Phantom of the Opera'.

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!

Happy Birthday Michael Crawford! In 1981, Crawford starred in the Original London production of Cy Coleman's Barnum (1981) as the illustrious American showman P. T. Barnum. He is best known for starring opposite Sarah Brightman in the original cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera as the title character. In 1986, Crawford began his performance in London, continuing on to Broadway in 1988, and then Los Angeles a year later, in 1989. He played the role for 2½ years and over 1,300 performances, winning an Olivier Award (Best Actor in a Musical) and a Tony Award (Best Performance By An Actor in a Lead Role, Musical). Beginning in February 2011, Crawford has played the role of the Wizard in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical version of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium.

Casa 0101 Theater in association with CoActive Content will present a new co-production of "The King of the Desert," written by Stacey Martino, performed by Rene Rivera, and helmed by Sal Romeo, all Lifetime Members of The Actors Studio.

Contra Costa County's only professional orchestra, California Symphony, presents its first annual Holiday Pops Spectacular, featuring soprano Tina Lloyd Meals and Voices of Musica Sacra Chorus.

The Broadway production of GODSPELL will host a special performance to benefit The Actors Fund on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 8pm. The Actors Fund will also be on hand to celebrate THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's 10,000th Broadway performance on Saturday, February 11 at 2pm.

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a concert featuring a cast and orchestra of over 200 and some special guest appearances by original cast members including Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman and Phantom alumni from Colm Wilkinson to Anthony Warlow. Andrew Lloyd Webber chatted with Australia's Nine News about what made the long-running show so successful, and you can watch the full video here.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Andrew Lloyd Webber will introduce a unique performance of the title number from the musical at this year's Royal Variety Performance. Starring four acclaimed ‘Phantoms' - Simon Bowman, Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo and John Owen-Jones, the performance will also feature international pop-star Nicole Scherzinger as ‘Christine'. The gala evening was recorded on 5 December at The Lowry in Salford in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and will be screened on ITV this Wednesday evening.

Sergei Polunin (Slave Master) and The Ballet Chorus of the Opera Populaire perform the ballet from Hannibal, as seen in Cameron Mackintosh's staging of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Andrew Lloyd Webber will introduce a unique performance of the title number from the musical at this year's Royal Variety Performance. Starring four acclaimed 'Phantoms' - Simon Bowman, Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo and John Owen-Jones, the performance will also feature international pop-star Nicole Scherzinger as 'Christine'.

Broadway's longest-running production of all time celebrates a triumphant quarter century on stage with The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall, coming to Blu-ray™ - with perfect hi-def picture and perfect hi-def sound- DVD, On Demand and Digital Download on February 7, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

If only for originating the title role in the longest-running and most successful musical in world history - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - which is merely one of the many impossibly impressive moments in a fifty-year career that truly defies description - Michael Crawford is known and loved the world over. From the Broadway and West End stage to the concert stage; the recording studio to the movie studio; performing everywhere imaginable - he has conquered it all. In a resume-spanning conversation that takes us from Broadway to Hollywood and to the stage of the London Palladium where he is now starring as the eponymous WIZARD OF OZ in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new theatrical adaptation of the classic film, Crawford and I take a look back at his many notable stage roles - among them, BILLY, BARNUM, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and, most recently, Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE WOMAN IN WHITE - and he also generously shares stories and recollections of the esteemed figures he has collaborated with over the years, including Barbra Streisand, John Lennon, Oliver Reed, David Foster, Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, Sarah Brightman and many more! Additionally, Crawford shares his insightful opinions on the state of theatre today and how it has changed over the course of his decades spent in show business, as well as looks ahead to returning to the concert stage following his departure from THE WIZARD OF OZ in the West End in February. So, catch Crawford while you can - and your little dog, too!

Principal cast changes have been announced for the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the longest-running show in Broadway history. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. and directed by Harold Prince, the musical phenomenon is in its unprecedented 24th year in New York, playing at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street). National Tour star Trista Moldovan makes her Broadway debut when she assumes the leading role of Christine Daaé beginning Friday, December 9. Ms. Moldovan is the fifteenth actress to take over as the Broadway production's leading lady. Check out Moldovan in action in the photos below!

Broadway's Teri Dale Hansen (The Boys from Syracuse, West End's Show Boat) and Nat Chandler (The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Phantom of the Opera) will appear in concert with a trio of musicians led by Mike Petry on Wednesday, December 7th at 7:00pm. The pair will perform Swingin' Holiday Celebration (produced by Broadway Pops International) featuring holiday favorites by Ellington, Guaraldi, Fitzgerald, Mercer and more.

Broadway's longest-running production of all time celebrates a triumphant quarter century on stage with The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall, coming to Blu-rayTM - with perfect hi-def picture and perfect hi-def sound- DVD, On Demand and Digital Download on February 7, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. On October 2, 2011, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Cameron Mackintosh marked the 25th anniversary of their beloved musical extravaganza, "The Phantom of the Opera," with a lavishly staged production at London's legendary Royal Albert Hall that was beamed live via satellite to cinemas across the globe.The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall marks the first time a live performance of the blockbuster musical has been made available for home viewing, making it a must-have anniversary release for fans everywhere.

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a concert featuring: Hadley Fraser as ‘Raoul', Kiera Duffy as ‘Carlotta', Sergei Polunin as ‘Slave Master' and Daisy Maywood as ‘Meg Giry', Ramin Karimloo as ‘The Phantom', Sierra Boggess as ‘Christine', Barry James as ‘Monsieur Firmin', Gareth Snook as ‘Monsieur André', Liz Robertson as ‘Madame Giry' and Wynne Evans as ‘Piangi', together with a cast and orchestra of over 200 and some special guest appearances by original cast members including Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman and Phantom alumni from Colm Wilkinson to Anthony Warlow. Click below to check out a sneak peek of Boggess and Karimloo's performance of 'The Point of No Return' as featured in the special DVD!

The Hangar Theatre's acclaimed 2011 CabarETC series comes to a close with Home for the Holidays, a celebration of the season starring Jeremy Webb and Nat Chandler.

Contra Costa County's only professional orchestra, California Symphony, presents its first annual Holiday Pops Spectacular, featuring soprano Tina Lloyd Meals and Voices of Musica Sacra Chorus.

Principal cast changes have been announced for the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the longest-running show in Broadway history. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. and directed by Harold Prince, the musical phenomenon is in its unprecedented 24th year in New York, playing at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street).