Tim Rice News

Disney's Beauty and the Beast is coming to San Jose, California as part of the Broadway San Jose series.

It is a rare enough occurrence for a genuine born and bred Broadway star to emerge post-millennium, but one as astonishingly versatile as Raul Esparza, having scored accolades since his blazing debut in a string of hit plays and musicals, ranging from Mamet and Sondheim and Pinter to CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG and his aforementioned Broadway bow in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, is a downright cause for celebration. Esparza makes his grand return to the Broadway stage in a musical with his upcoming starring role in Alan Menken & Glenn Slater's adaptation of the Steve Martin film LEAP OF FAITH, featuring a country and gospel influenced score and a spirited, energetic production by Christopher Ashley (who, incidentally, helmed Esparza's first Broadway show, ROCKY HORROR). While Esparza has been seen in many - most, if not quite all - Broadway seasons in the decade since 2001, he has also scored in leading roles in regional productions such as 2002's spectacular SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG revivals, part of the unprecedented Sondheim Celebration, as well as the Cincinnati Playhouse COMPANY, directed by John Doyle, which transferred to Broadway and was subsequently preserved on DVD and Blu-ray, in addition to being presented on PBS as part of Great Performances. Besides Esparza's many notable musical revival performances (lest we forget his essaying of the Emcee in CABARET), he also created the Broadway iterations of his roles in the controversial and brilliantly scored TABOO, produced by Rosie O'Donnell and composed by Boy George, as well as the stage adaptation of the hit family classic CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, as well as originating the lead role in TICK, TICK...BOOM! Having played three of Sondheim's most memorable male roles was not enough, though, apparently, for Esparza recently took on the part of the hapless Hapgood in Sondheim's ANYONE CAN WHISTLE when it was revived at City Center's Encores! - with Tony-winners Donna Murphy and Sutton Foster his co-stars, no less - with much success. Yet, in one of a myriad of examples of the broad spectrum of Esparza's abilities, it is instructive to remember he first made a name for himself with the role of Che in an Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice show, directed by no less than the ultimate man of the theatre himself, Harold Prince - EVITA, which, of course, is being revived this season with Ricky Martin in the role of Che. Besides Esparza's many musical roles throughout the past decade and prior, he has also carved out a seriously impressive straight drama resume, having appeared in plays by the great playwrights of our age, such as Pinter (THE HOMECOMING), Mamet (SPEED-THE-PLOW), Stoppard (ARCADIA) and, the greatest of all, Shakespeare (AS YOU LIKE IT, part of Shakespeare In The Park). ROCKY HORROR to ARCADIA to, now, with LEAP OF FAITH, Esparza constantly and consistently surprises fans and audiences alike with his audacious choice in roles and electrifying performances that are indelibly enjoyable in their uniqueness, variety and sheer breadth of emotion - time and time again. Yes, indeed, Raul Esparza is the best of the best Broadway has to offer, so let us hope LEAP OF FAITH is the ideal star vehicle for one of the most charismatic and multi-talented leading men of the 21st century and that it brings him his well-deserved Best Actor Tony at last.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director and 2-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opens March 22, 2012 (previews began March 1) at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). We are very excited to share a first look at the production photos below!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Jesus is back on Broadway, Raul Esparza feels the spirit, Norm Lewis sings for the Public, and so much more!

ALMOST ELTON JOHN AND THE ROCKET BAND stars multi talented singer and pianist Craig A. Meyer whose credits include appearances in Film, Television, even Broadway, accompanied by 'The Rocket Band.' The show tours all around America at every venue from private parties to concert halls.

Following his current run in the West End production, Marti Pellow will join the UK tour of Willy Russell's smash hit musical Blood Brothers for five weeks only.

Check out this new footage of THE WIZARD OF OZ at the London Palladium. It features Sophie Evans as Dorothy and Russell Grant as The Wizard, plus the two songs 'We're Off to See the Wizard' and 'The Land of Oz'.

'Beauty and the Beast' has captured the hearts and minds of millions of people around the globe and Broadway San Jose has brought this treasure to the stage.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Bring It On,' season announcements from Broadway In Chicago, Porchlight and Paramount, Idina and Kristin tour dates, Andrew Lloyd Webber in movie theaters and more....

Disney Theatrical Productions and Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center announced today that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING will go on sale to the public on Saturday, March 10 at 10 a.m. Houston's return will leap onto the Hobby Center stage on Tuesday, July 10 for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, August 12. THE LION KING's sold-out eight-week Houston premiere engagement in 2002 at Jones Hall was followed by a sold-out six-week return engagement in 2006 at the Hobby Center.

Tomorrow, March 7 Andrew Lloyd Webber will appear on ITV's Daybreak (8:20am) and BBC Radio 4's Front Row(7:15am) to chat about the Love Never Dies film, which is set to be released on DVD in the UK on March 12.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh announce NETworks Presentations, LLC will bring the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, Disney'sBeauty and the Beast to Heinz Hall from April 3 through April 8, 2012. This is a presentation of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director and 2-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, opens March 22, 2012 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Previews began March 1. Broadway friends welcomed the new production to the block and BroadwayWorld was there for the photo op.

Edward Gero and Patrick Andrews star in Red at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, produced in association with Goodman Theatre.

Get a sneak peek of The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's hit production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, which began previews at the Neil Simon Theatre on March 1. Directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director Des McAnuff, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will open on March 22. Watch as the cast rehearses and hear what they have to say about the production below!

Stage Entertainment, en asociación con The Walt Disney Company, vuelven a presentar en España el aclamado musical 'La Bella y La Bestia'. El estreno de la gira tendrá lugar el 6 de septiembre en el Teatro Calderón de Valladolid, y visitará un total de 17 ciudades.