Michael Crawford Concert Date Announced for September 17 in Mesa, Arizona

Arizona's new Mesa Arts Center announced its inaugural line-up today which kicks off with an appearance by Michael Crawford on September 17, 2005. The Arts Center has also announced that Crawford will be joined by longtime concert and stage Christine co-star Dale Kristien, a chorus, and of course orchestra. For more information on that concert appearance, click here for the Mesa Arts Center web site.

Recently reported first here on BroadwayWorld was the news that Crawford had declined to appear on Broadway in The Woman in White, and that the star's next career plans include a handful of concert dates this fall throughout the United States. The first of the confirmed concerts is set take place with the New York Pops Orchestra at Virgina's Ferguson Center for the Arts on September 12, 2005, with additional venues expected to be announced shortly in the September / October timeframe. It's expected that all US concerts will be conducted by Crawford regular, and BroadwayWorld.com Standing Ovations 3 vet MD, Larry Blank.

Tickets for the Ferguson Center for the Arts appearance go on sale to subscription members in early June, with sale to the general public beginning on Saturday, August 6. For more information, visit their web site at www.cnu.edu/fergusoncenter.

Juggling both film and stage careers, Michael Crawford had established himself as one of London's finest leading men long before he opened as "the Phantom" in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera beginning one of the most widely acclaimed and memorable performances in theatre history. Few stars are as widely connected to a single role as Crawford is to "the Phantom." His Los Angeles and Broadway performances earned an astonishing catalogue of critical recognition including the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the Los Angeles Dramalogue Award and Drama Critics Award.

Since leaving "Phantom" after nearly four years in the role in London, New York and Los Angeles; Crawford has become a multi-platinum recording artist and one of the worlds's most sought after concert and stage performers, playing to sold-out venues around the globe. In addition to his recent concert work, stage credits in London and on Broadway include Billy, Flowers for Algernon, Black Comedy, Dance of the Vampires and Barnum.

Michael Crawford's most recent theatrical appearance took place in 2004, originating the role of Count Fosco in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White, for which he won both the Variety Club, and WhatsOnStage.com awards. The Woman in White is set to make its US bow this fall, with no word on whether or not Crawford will take part.

Film and television work include Hello, Dolly! starring Barbra Streisand, directed by Gene Kelly, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Knack, The Jokers, How I Won the War with John Lennon, The Games, Hello and Goodbye, Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Condorman.

Crawford's solo recording career includes Michael Crawford performs Andrew Lloyd Webber, A Touch of Music in the Night, On Eagle's Wings, Michael Crawford in Concert, Songs from the Stage and Screen, With Love, A Christmas Album, and Michael Crawford: A Disney Album.

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