Tim Rice News

Radio Disney and Disney Theatrical Group have announced that Bella Mazziotti has won the 'Make Your Own Musical' Sweepstakes.

The entire entertainment world is reeling. We have lost one of our most iconic pop, R&B and soundtrack performers this evening - as well as a formidable movie star in her own right - Whitney Houston was just reported dead at the age of 48. Having had one of the most successful and most multimedia of careers of any multi-hyphenate star in recent memory, Houston scored multiple Grammys and racked up countless nominations over the course of her multi-decade recording career, yet her most notable contributions to the world of music reside in her outstanding soundtrack work - most of all, the songs for the film in which she made the transition into feature film leading lady, 1992's THE BODYGUARD. The biggest hit from THE BODYGUARD's blockbuster soundtrack was undoubtedly Houston's rendition of a Dolly Parton song originally recorded in 1974 and later made famous by Parton in the feature film version of the Broadway hit THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, "I Will Always Love You". In addition to Houston's sensational work on that mega-selling soundtrack - one of the Top 5 best-selling soundtracks of all time - she also provided her dramatic and vocal skills to the multi-platinum soundtracks to THE PREACHER'S WIFE and WAITING TO EXHALE, both films which she also starred in to much box office success. An Oscar-winning duet with Mariah Carey, "When You Believe" by WICKED's Stephen Schwartz from THE PRINCE OF EGYPT is yet another diadem in Houston's triple crown of accomplishments in the realms of music, film and television - having dominated all. Theatre fans may know Houston best for her incomparable portrayal of the Fairy Godmother in the incredibly successful 1997 ABC TV adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA starring Brandy and produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. In addition to Houston's contributions to THE BODYGUARD, THE PREACHER'S WIFE, WAITING TO EXHALE, THE PRINCE OF EGYPT and CINDERELLA, Houston also rose to fame early in her career for her rendition of "Home" from THE WIZ on THE Merv Griffin SHOW, as well as made a mark with a Cissy Houston duet on the CHESS international smash, "I Know Him So Well" on her second hit album. The last project Houston was working on prior to her death on Saturday night was the feature film musical SPARKLE, co-starring AMERICAN IDOL winner and Broadway standout Jordin Sparks. SPARKLE reportedly completed production of principal photography and soundtrack sessions, though it is not clear when the musical remake will now be released in light of Houston's unexpected death. No matter the circumstances of her life and death, Whitney Houston most surely left a legacy that will never be forgotten by those that adored her for her vast multitude of talents and many notable accomplishments in all areas of entertainment.

Disney Theatrical Productions, Broadway Across America and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of THE LION KING will go on sale to the public on Saturday, February 11. Tickets will be available for purchase in person at the box office starting at 8 a.m., online at www.arshtcenter.org and by phone at 11 a.m.

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 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. Recently, Roger and Martin posed for a special photo shoot with People Magazine and below, we bring you a look behind-the-scenes at the shoot!

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY will continue its Winter/Spring 2012 season with the debut of three time Tony Award-nominated singer and actress Judy Kuhn from March 6 to March 10. Her new show, exploring themes of love and happiness, will present an eclectic mix of theater and pop music by Joni Mitchell, Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Cohen, Cole Porter and more. She will be accompanied by Music Director Dan Lipton. The shows will take place at the Loews Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).

Rehearsals begin tomorrow, Thursday, February 9, for The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's hit production of 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 begin March 1) at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street).

Happy Birthday Sherie Rene Scott! On Broadway Scott has starred as Christine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, garnering nominations for a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award; Amneris in Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida (2000), for which she won the Clarence Derwent Award and was a Drama League Honoree; Sally in Tommy (1993); Marty in Grease (1995-96); Maureen in Rent (1997); and originated the role of Ursula in The Little Mermaid (2007). In 2010 Scott starred in the critically acclaimed production Everyday Rapture, which Scott wrote with co-author Dick Scanlan. She most recently starred as Pepa in the musical adaptation of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.

Disney Theatrical Productions, Broadway Across America and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of THE LION KING will go on sale to the public on Saturday, February 11. Tickets will be available for purchase in person at the box office starting at 8 a.m., online at www.arshtcenter.org and by phone at 11 a.m.

The Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center 2012-2013 season, announced today, contains both new hits and familiar Broadway favorites. The five-show season package includes the most beautiful love story ever told, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the spectacular new 25th anniversary production of LES MISÉRABLES, the high-flying new musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and the feel-good musical with heart and soul, SISTER ACT.

Here's a reason to Like the Official JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Facebook page if you aren't a fan already! The Broadway-bound Stratford Shakespeare Festival hit production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is offering a few lucky Facebook Fans (and guests) an opportunity to win two passes to a private cast performance on Friday, February 17 at a secret location as well as tickets to an upcoming performance of JESUS CHRIST SUPSERSTAR at the Neil Simon Theatre. To enter to win, go to: https://www.facebook.com/SuperstarOnBroadway?sk=app_165767496839617 Hurry, contest ends Monday, February 13 at midnight, EST.

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier today, Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE WIZARD OF OZ is slated to have its North American premiere in Toronto in 2013.

Ricky Martin has a busy couple of months in store, 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. Additionally, Martin will guest star on tomorrow night's 'Spanish Teacher' episode of GLEE at 8pm on FOX. In celebration of this Broadway-bound star, we bring you a clip from his last Broadway role- as Marius in Les Miserables. Click below to check it out!

According to the Toronto Star, Toronto's Dancap Productions has just announced the line-up for 2012. Included in the upcoming season are In the Heights (February 7-19), Shrek the Musical (March 20-April 1), West Side Story (May 8-June 3), Beauty and the Beast (July 3-22), Million Dollar Quartet (July 20-29), and Prince of Broadway (August 2012)

The 2012-2013 Mirvish Production season announcement took place this morning, and features the World Premiere of Jason Robert Brown's Honeymoon in Vegas, an all-Canadian cast for Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's The Wizard of Oz and the smash-hit Book of Mormon. Members of the media, subscribers and eager theatre lovers filled the Ed Mirvish Theatre to hear the announcement, which also included La Cage Aux Folles, Sister Act and Backbeat plus the pre-Broadway run of Flashdance and the directorial debut of Colm Wilkinson in Bloodless.

Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA will open at the Manatee Players on February 23 and play through March 11.

According to The Telegraph, the London musical THE LION KING will be embarking on its first national tour beginning August of 2012.

Josh Young makes his Broadway debut as 'Judas Iscariot' in The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's production of Jesus Christ Superstar directed by Des McAnuff at The Neil Simon Theatre. Preview performances beginMarch 1, 2012 with an opening on March 22.

One of the foremost male pop stars of the last twenty years is undeniably 'Livin' La Vida Loca' crooner Ricky Martin, so his deigning of appearing on next week's GLEE as a new Spanish teacher, David Martinez, is a cause celebre for fans of the Latin superstar, GLEE, or, even, for those who follow the artists whom he covers on the episode - LMFAO's 'Sexy And I Know It' and, the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna. Recalling the golden days of television when hit parade variety shows would cover top chart hits when they were fresh and new, Ricky Martin tackling Madonna two days after the Super Bowl - with, supposedly, a LMFAO cameo occurring during her highly anticipated performance on Sunday - and taking on one of the year's biggest songs so far, 'Sexy And I Know It', is pop culture must-see TV if there ever were any. Ricky Martin and Madonna are undeniably two of the most theatrical pop culture mainstays of the last few decades and their collective media super-blitz thanks to Martin's GLEE appearance and Madonna's Super Bowl performance is encapsulated perfectly in Martin's essaying of Madonna's classic caliente pop hit, 'La Isla Bonita'. Both Martin and Madonna can certainly command a stage - and an audience of thousands; or, even, millions, as they shall both prove yet again on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively - so, let's take a look at what we can look forward to from these two entertainment icons as we enter one of the most celebratory weekends of the year. First down!