Tim Rice News

Having already achieved a relatively successful career in the performing arts, Ian Watkins a lad from South Wales, could not have imagined on answering an ad for a pop band that STEPS would go on to be one of the biggest selling acts of the nineties, releasing eight albums and selling 20 million records worldwide. With 22 singles to their name, the band holds some impressive credentials. The only British band to have had more top ten hits are The Beatles, and to this day, STEPS command the record for the UK's biggest arena tour and still hold pop's highest Wembley Box Office figures.

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club presents a special theatrical performance, Broadway and Beyond. Thomas Schumacher, president and producer, Disney Theatrical Productions will host a musical journey into Disney's history on Broadway and beyond at the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The performance features an all-star line-up, including Heidi Blickenstaff (THE LITTLE MERMAID), Ashley Brown (MARY POPPINS and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Merle Dandridge (TARZAN and AIDA), Josh Strickland (TARZAN) and Alton Fitzgerald White (THE LION KING), who sing beloved songs from the award-winning musicals they starred in as well as classic tunes from the Disney on Broadway catalogue.

Promoting THE WAY HE WAS, Hamlisch's widow Balir Hamlisch revealed during the TCA press tour that her late husband 'had a very large music library... there's a lot, some unpublished,' said Blair Hamlisch. 'It's floor-to-ceiling, and I've been told it's one of the largest of a modern day composer.'

Producers Bill Kenwright, The Really Useful Group, David Mirvish, Troika Entertainment, Warner Bros. & The Nederlander Organization have announced that the first North American tour of the new stage adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ will make its L.A. debut at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre for a limited 3 week engagement; September 17 - October 6, 2013. Full casting for the tour is now complete.

Producers Bill Kenwright, The Really Useful Group, David Mirvish, Troika Entertainment & Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures just announced that casting is complete for the first North American tour of the new stage adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ, which will commence on September 10, 2013 at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV.

LET IT BE began previews Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at Broadway's St. James Theatre and opened on Wednesday night, July 24th. The show will play a limited engagement through December 29, 2013. Meet the cast below!

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce their annual FREE BROADWAY IN CHICAGO SUMMER CONCERT will take place tonight, August 5, 2013 at 6:15 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park (201 E Randolph St). Hosted by ABC 7 Chicago's Janet Davies, Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini, the headlining performance will feature cast members from the smash hit Broadway musical MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, as well as Broadway's biggest blockbuster WICKED, and showcase additional cast performances from ELF, EVITA, FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL, GHOST THE MUSICAL, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, ONCE and WE WILL ROCK YOU. The Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert at Millennium Park is sponsored by ABC 7 Chicago and produced in partnership with The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

David Benken, whose talent is amazing, has a long list of credits as Technical Director on Broadway.

Accoridng to the Broadway Dreams Foundation, Broadway veteran Donnie Kehr, will join the cast of the upcoming JERSESY BOYS movie as 'Norm Waxman.'

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM)announces their 2013-2014 season of shows, with eight touring Broadway productions and two specials coming to the Music Hall at Fair Park. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in professional live theatrical entertainmentfor 74 seasons, since 1941.

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM)announces their 2013-2014 season of shows, with eight touring Broadway productions and two specials coming to the Music Hall at Fair Park. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in professional live theatrical entertainmentfor 74 seasons, since 1941.

Today we are talking to an electrifying live performer who has made a major mark in the theatrical realm with his work as the title character in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL - PHANTOM 25 for short - as well as the originator of the role in its musical sequel, LOVE NEVER DIES - to say nothing of his long-standing and upcoming association with LES MIERABLES, at the O2, in Toronto this Fall and beyond - the one and only Ramin Karimloo. Espousing on the many major musical theatre roles he has essayed thus far as well as what he would like to take on in the future, Karimloo grants unprecedented access into his background and illustrates his experiences participating in some already classic once-in-a-lifetime events, such as PHANTOM 25 and LES MIZ at the 02. Most importantly, Karimloo clues us in on what we can expect from his series of shows this week at SubCulture as well as explains the history and future plans for his Broadway and Bluegrass - aka Broadgrass - tour. Additionally, Karimloo discusses the finer points of his forthcoming headlining role as Jean Valjean in the Toronto kick-off of the brand new LES MISERABLES revival and shares his memories of appearing on the Academy Awards this year with the film's cast. Also, Karimloo offers first news on his upcoming series of EPs, reflects on his past solo albums and how they developed, as well as comments on his recent UK TV recurring role on THE SPA ROOM and desire to pursue more TV/film work in the future, as well as shares his enthusiasm for GLEE - and much, much more!

PBS has officially announced the broadcast premiere of the new documentary all about EGOT - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards - recipient Marvin Hamlisch with the newly announced American Masters 2013 final entry MARVIN HAMLISCH: THE WAY HE WAS.

With exclusive access to Hamlisch's personal archival treasure trove and complete cooperation from his family, Marvin Hamlisch: The Way He Was (w.t.), premiering nationally Friday, December 27 at 9 p.m. on PBS

The Ogunquit Playhouse is going Technicolor with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's irresistible story of Joseph, his jealous brothers and one very colorful garment in this delightful musical parable that swirls on stage next week, July 31 through August 25

The Hollywood Pantages announced a change to its 2013-2014 Broadway Series lineup following the news that the national tour of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER has been postponed for a subsequent season.

BROADWAY SAN JOSE, a Nederlander Presentation announced a change to its 2013-14 Broadway Series lineup following news that the national tour of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER has been postponed for a subsequent season.

Charismatic stage performer and acclaimed MATILDA songwriter Tim Minchin drops some hints about his new stage musical in a new interview, confirming it will be yet another collaboration with director Matthew Warchus, among other tidbits.

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, and Saturday, Aug. 3; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, at the Lake Zurich Performing Arts Center, 300 Church St. in Lake Zurich. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door.

NME reports that Sir Elton John will be the recipient of the first-ever Brits Icon Award, to be presented at an awards ceremony on September 2. The event will be broadcast on ITV at a later date.