The Phantom of the Opera - 1996 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 15

Al Hirschfeld immortalized celebrities, politicians, Broadway productions, films, television shows and beyond with his iconic linear drawings for nine decades, establishing himself as one of the most important contemporary portrait artists. Over a decade since the legendary artist drew his final line drawing, he continues to inspire. This spring, Hirschfeld will be celebrated with the publication of a new book and a major exhibition at the New-York Historical Society.

Jenni Barber, Quentin Earl Darrington, Bradley Dean, Dan Fogler, Ana Gasteyer, Josh Lamon, Aaron Lazar, Alyse Alan Louis and Rema Webb will join the previously announced Jonathan Groff in the Encores! Off-Center production of William Finn and James Lapine's A New Brain, running June 24 - 27, 2015. The production will be directed by James Lapine, with choreography by Josh Prince.

The Program Launch for the second half of 2015 shows that the Independent Music Theatre team comprising Luckiest Productions (David Campbell, Lisa Campbell and Richard Carroll), Neglected Musicals (Michelle Guthrie), and Neil Gooding Productions, the driving force behind Hayes Theatre Company, have no intention of slowing down are staying true to their vision to provide a permanent home for small-scale musical theatre and cabaret.

As one of the nation's leading regional theaters and producing partners for Broadway, Paper Mill Playhouse has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows for the Great White Way.

The Gallery Players announces EVITA, the final musical of their 48th Season. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, this epic musical is directed by Mark Harborth (Rent, Dreamgirls), choreographed by Elyse Daye Hart (Dreamgirls, A Little Night Music), with music direction by Emily Croome. Carman Napier (Next to Normal) fills the title role of the Argentinian legend, with Dale Sampson (Rent) as Che, and Jonathan Mesisca making his Gallery debut as Juan Peron. EVITA opens this evening, April 25th at 8pm and runs through Sunday, May 17th, 2015.

The new musical comedy Something Rotten!, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin), with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Wayne Kirkpatrick and Golden Globe Award nominee Karey Kirkpatrick and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and best-selling author John O'Farrell, officially opens on Broadway tonight, April 22, 2015 at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch interviews with the cast!

Al Hirschfeld immortalized celebrities, politicians, Broadway productions, films, television shows and beyond with his iconic linear drawings for nine decades, establishing himself as one of the most important contemporary portrait artists. Over a decade since the legendary artist drew his final line drawing, he continues to inspire. This spring, Hirschfeld will be celebrated with the publication of a new book and a major exhibition at the New-York Historical Society.

The Stage reported that Cameron Mackintosh has criticised the Olivier Awards for not showcasing commercial theatre as it was originally created to do.

Acclaimed British actor Earl Carpenter will return to the role of Javert in Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Claude-Michel Schonberg & Alain Boublil's LES MISERABLES beginning Tuesday, May 12 at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). Will Swenson will give his final performance as Javert Sunday, May 10. Carpenter performed the role on Broadway last summer while Swenson was on hiatus from the production for another project.

Roald Dahl's The Twits, directed by John Tiffany, is mischievously adapted from Roald Dahl's story. Enda Walsh turns The Twits upside down and brings this revolting revolution to the Royal Court's stage from tonight, April 7, through May 31, 2015.

The Gallery Players announces EVITA, the final musical of their 48th Season. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, this epic musical is directed by Mark Harborth (Rent, Dreamgirls), choreographed by Elyse Daye Hart (Dreamgirls, A Little Night Music), with music direction by Emily Croome. Carman Napier (Next to Normal) fills the title role of the Argentinian legend, with Dale Sampson (Rent) as Che, and Jonathan Mesisca making his Gallery debut as Juan Peron. EVITA opens Saturday evening, April 25th at 8pm and runs through Sunday, May 17th, 2015.

What a renaissance - again! Although the period beginning with THE LITTLE MERMAID in 1989 through to the doubleheader of POCAHANTAS in 1995 and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME in 1996 and ending with MULAN in 1997 is considered by House Of Mouse superfans and many entertainment enthusiasts as the official Disney Renaissance era - meaning the company once again came to major prominence as a direct result of its animated musicals - it very much looks as if an entirely new type of Disney rebirth is in the process of occurring, spurred on by the worldwide success of the esteemed company's most successful animated feature to date, the highly theatrical and Broadway pedigreed FROZEN. Of course, in any way matching an era which in addition to MERMAID, POCAHANTAS, HUNCHBACK and MULAN shepherded BEAUTY & THE BEAST, ALADDIN and THE LION KING from inspiration to actuality would be a high order, if not outright impossible, yet it seems that the recent, current and upcoming spate of ingenuously timed and expertly devised projects that Disney possesses at the moment could put them in that stratospheric level of uber entity once again in the industry - and in the hearts and minds of millions around the world, as well.

Bristol Riverside Theatre explores what it means to be an American with its production of Ragtime tonight, March 17-April 12.

Due to popular demand, the New York Philharmonic and Warner Bros. will present an additional performance of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, a program celebrating classic Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons with the New York Philharmonic playing the music live while the animation is screened.

Tony Award-winning costume designer, JESS GOLDSTEIN (currently represented on Broadway with Jersey Boys and On the Town), and scenic designer DOUGLAS W. SCHMIDT are among the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 1, at 6:30pm, at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Goldstein was selected to receive the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design and Mr. Schmidt will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

Mr and Mrs Twit are not very nice. In fact they're extremely nasty. They're nasty to each other, and they're VILE to everyone else. They hold a family of monkeys hostage in a cage and force them to stand on their heads. ALL THE TIME. We told you they weren't very nice. Can the monkeys find a way to show those vicious Twits what for?

Bristol Riverside Theatre explores what it means to be an American with its production of Ragtime on March 17-April 12. The Tony Award-winning musical with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens is directed by Keith Baker and features Leslie Becker, Derrick Cobey, David Edwards, Tamar Greene, Michael Thomas Holmes, Matt Leisy and Ciji Prosser. Supporting roles will be played by Ciaran Barlow as Edgar, Will Connell as Houdini, Jim Conte as Grandfather, Stephen Dagrosa as Willie Conklin, Sarah J. Gafgen as Emma Goldman, and Chelsey Jean as Evelyn Nesbitt. The ensemble includes Rajeer Alford, Amy L. Armstrong, Charles Michael Bendas, Daniel Bontempo, Elena Camp, John DiFerdinando, Jessica Gruver, Brian Michael Henry, Adam Hoyak, Angelica Jackson, Jessica M. Johnson, Walter E. Tucker, Dwayne Washington, and Paul Weagraff.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: SNOW ORCHID, THE LION, 'EXTREME HAPPINESS' and LIVES OF THE SAINTS all begin off-Broadway tonight!

During last night's SUPER BOWL broadcast, Liam Neeson starred in a spot for the mobile game'Clash of Clans'.

The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for the Muny's 2015 Season, which opens on June 15 with My Fair Lady. 'This is a thrilling roster of artists,' said Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. 'We look forward to bringing their vision and talent to our grand stage.'

Netflix has shared the slate of movies and TV shows which will be available for streaming beginning January 2015. Check out the list below!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include coverage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Chicago becoming the second-longest running show in Broadway history, Nene Leakes in CINDERELLA, and more!

Broadway stalwart Jeff McCarthy joins the all-American cast of the Broadway musical CHICAGO, which is set to play Solaire Resort and Casino's The Theatre from next Wednesday, December 3, to Sunday, December 21. McCarthy will play the role of criminal lawyer Billy Flynn, alongside Bianca Marroquin's Roxie Hart, Terra C. MacLeod's Velma Kelly, Jacob Keith Watson's Amos Hart, Roz Ryan's Matron 'Mama' Morton, and C. Newcomer.

Check out footage from the special performance and interviews with the stars below!

On Sunday, November 23 (7 p.m.), in a celebratory landmark performance, the company of Broadway's record-breaking hit musical CHICAGO welcomed back its four original stars -- Tony Award winners Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton and Joel Grey. CHICAGO has surpassed the run of iconic Broadway blockbuster CATS with a record-breaking 7,486 performances, making it the second longest-running show in Broadway history. Only one show -- The Phantom of the Opera -- has run longer than CHICAGO. BroadwayWorld was there for the after-party and brings you photos below!