Joel Schumacher News

In honor of this week’s US release of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL on DVD/Blu-ray - PHANTOM 25 for short - today we are focusing on the multitude of attributes that have made Andrew Lloyd Webber’s unforgettable gothic musical the most successful entertainment of all time, now in its 25th year onstage and about to reach 10,000 performances on Broadway, where it is the reigning longest running show of all time. The gargantuan excitement generated by and the enthusiastic reception enjoyed by PHANTOM for audiences worldwide is unprecedented, yet, the new ultimate presentation of the show - PHANTOM 25 - is even more spectacular and thrilling than any iteration of PHANTOM on any stage or screen thus far. Bringing together the cast of a lifetime with the electricity of a live audience, the HD preservation of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL is positively peerless in its sleekness, precision and polish of presentation. Never before - not even in the vaunted hands and cords of original show stars Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford - has the show been this contemporary, sexual and hypnotizing. Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom brings a rawness and austerity to the role that commands attention and Sierra Boggess is, in a word, supreme, as the young ingénue under the Phantom’s watchful musical tutelage. So, too, does Hadley Fraser’s perfectly painted Raoul hit the right mark, as do the rest of the exceptional cast in their commitment to making clear-cut, strong and colorful impressions in their roles. The LED-enhanced set is an imaginative reworking of the designs by Maria Bjornson and the musical staging is smooth and assured thanks to original show choreographer Gillian Lynne. Yet, the star of PHANTOM 25 is, unquestionably, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rapturous, rich and enveloping score. Bringing together an impressive and inspired assortment of genres in creating the quintessential pop opera, Lloyd Webber employs elements of grand opera, opera bouffe, operetta and musical theatre, as well as incorporates a diverse range of musical styles - even a little heavy metal guitar in the title song, as we shall see (and hear). The score of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s finest achievements and stands tall alongside his other classic scores for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA, CATS, SUNSET BOULEVARD among many other international hit shows. Indeed, the story and score of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is so very complex and decadent as to allow for a continuation of the story, score, characters and overall themes in the form of the new musical, LOVE NEVER DIES, which premiered in a new version in Australia last year and whose story traces the relationship of the Phantom, Christine and Raoul from the end of the original show all the way from Paris to Coney Island ten years later where PHANTASMA is the show everyone must experience thanks to a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows beyond the carousel. In today’s celebration of PHANTOM 25, we will take a look at the original music videos, the legendary Hal Prince production on Broadway and in the West End, the forthcoming LOVE NEVER DIES - coming to Fathom-equipped theaters nationwide later this month - all with a special spotlight on the most phantastic anniversary concert of all time, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL. (more...)

The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret’s RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT on April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret’s “American Icon” Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). This high energy, multi-media Cabaret celebrates the music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana and features pop favorites such as Livin’ La Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon-Bon, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Anything for You, Smooth, Let It Shine, and more, performed live with the Upright Cabaret band! (more...)

The Eugene OÂ’Neill Theater Center's star-studded 12th Annual Monte Cristo Awards honored tonight, April 16, the distinguished accomplishments and contributions of long-time Trustee Michael Douglas to the American Theater. The award was presented to Mr. Douglas by his wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. See photos of the honoree Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angela Lansbury and more below! (more...)

The Eugene OÂ’Neill Theater Center is poised for a star-studded evening to honor the distinguished accomplishments and contributions of long-time Trustee Michael Douglas to the American Theater. (more...)

CHRIS ISAACSON announces the performers for UPRIGHT CABARET's AMERICAN ICON SERIES' third show of their 3rd Season, RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT, starring Olivier Award-Winner LESLI MARGHERITA, American IdolÂ’s DAVID HERNANDEZ (Thousand Oaks and Hollywood Shows only) & LEXI LAWSON, (Rent, In The Heights)) and ROGELIO DOUGLAS, JR. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)) celebrating the music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana! (more...)

As first reported in Variety, actress Halle Berry has been cast in Joel Schumacher's upcoming thriller THE HIVE. Schumacher will direct the film which was penned by Thir13en Ghosts and Exit Wounds writer Richard D'Ovidio. (more...)

Individual tickets and table reservations are now available for the Eugene OÂ’Neill Theater CenterÂ’s 12th Annual Monte Cristo Award honoring Michael Douglas. Individual tickets are $750 and $1,000 (including event program listing), and are available online at www.theoneill.org. The award will be presented during a gala dinner at the Edison Ballroom in New York City on Monday, April 16th at 6:30pm. (more...)

Artes de la Rosa has announced the casting of New York based Actress Claudia Acosta for the upcoming Regional Premiere of the play ELECTRICIDAD by Luis Alfaro. (more...)

In honor of this week’s US release of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL on DVD/Blu-ray - PHANTOM 25 for short - today we are focusing on the multitude of attributes that have made Andrew Lloyd Webber’s unforgettable gothic musical the most successful entertainment of all time, now in its 25th year onstage and about to reach 10,000 performances on Broadway, where it is the reigning longest running show of all time. The gargantuan excitement generated by and the enthusiastic reception enjoyed by PHANTOM for audiences worldwide is unprecedented, yet, the new ultimate presentation of the show - PHANTOM 25 - is even more spectacular and thrilling than any iteration of PHANTOM on any stage or screen thus far. Bringing together the cast of a lifetime with the electricity of a live audience, the HD preservation of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL is positively peerless in its sleekness, precision and polish of presentation. Never before - not even in the vaunted hands and cords of original show stars Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford - has the show been this contemporary, sexual and hypnotizing. Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom brings a rawness and austerity to the role that commands attention and Sierra Boggess is, in a word, supreme, as the young ingénue under the Phantom’s watchful musical tutelage. So, too, does Hadley Fraser’s perfectly painted Raoul hit the right mark, as do the rest of the exceptional cast in their commitment to making clear-cut, strong and colorful impressions in their roles. The LED-enhanced set is an imaginative reworking of the designs by Maria Bjornson and the musical staging is smooth and assured thanks to original show choreographer Gillian Lynne. Yet, the star of PHANTOM 25 is, unquestionably, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rapturous, rich and enveloping score. Bringing together an impressive and inspired assortment of genres in creating the quintessential pop opera, Lloyd Webber employs elements of grand opera, opera bouffe, operetta and musical theatre, as well as incorporates a diverse range of musical styles - even a little heavy metal guitar in the title song, as we shall see (and hear). The score of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s finest achievements and stands tall alongside his other classic scores for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA, CATS, SUNSET BOULEVARD among many other international hit shows. Indeed, the story and score of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is so very complex and decadent as to allow for a continuation of the story, score, characters and overall themes in the form of the new musical, LOVE NEVER DIES, which premiered in a new version in Australia last year and whose story traces the relationship of the Phantom, Christine and Raoul from the end of the original show all the way from Paris to Coney Island ten years later where PHANTASMA is the show everyone must experience thanks to a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows beyond the carousel. In today’s celebration of PHANTOM 25, we will take a look at the original music videos, the legendary Hal Prince production on Broadway and in the West End, the forthcoming LOVE NEVER DIES - coming to Fathom-equipped theaters nationwide later this month - all with a special spotlight on the most phantastic anniversary concert of all time, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL. (more...)

Artes de la Rosa has announced the casting of New York based Actress Claudia Acosta for the upcoming Regional Premiere of the play ELECTRICIDAD by Luis Alfaro. (more...)

YoungArts, the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts is proud to welcome several world-renowned artists to Miami January 9-14, 2012, to serve as Master Teachers for YoungArts Week. Every year YoungArts selects approximately 150 of the nationÂ’s most talented 17-18 year old artists to travel to Miami for YoungArts Week, an all-expense paid weeklong gathering that includes master classes, workshops, readings, and exhibitions and performances that are open to the public. This yearÂ’s class of students will have the exclusive experience of participating in master classes with Robert Redford, Bill T. Jones, Jacques dÂ’Amboise, Jon Secada, Malcolm Gets and Debi Mazar. They will also participate in a special arts advocacy session with Robert L. Lynch (Americans for the Arts). (more...)

The 23rd annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Octavia Spencer with the Breakthrough Performance Award. Presented by Cartier, the Awards Gala will be held Saturday, January 7, at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Hosted by Mary Hart, the Awards Gala will also present awards to previously announced honorees George Clooney, Glenn Close, Michel Hazanavicius and Michelle Williams. The Festival runs January 5-16. (more...)

Lesli Margherita, star of the original West End production, will recreate her Olivier Award-winning role of Inez in the first international tour of ZORRO THE MUSICAL, opening next month at the Oriental Art Center in Shanghai. (more...)

Lesli Margherita, star of the original West End production, will recreate her Olivier Award-winning role of Inez in the first international tour of ZORRO THE MUSICAL, opening next month at the Oriental Art Center in Shanghai. (more...)

The 15th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Film Awards, presented by Starz Entertainment, have announced that the cast of DreamWorks Pictures and Participant Media's "The Help" - Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell, Ahna O'Reilly, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, Cicely Tyson and Mike Vogel - will be recognized at the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony with the "Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award." (more...)

UPCOMING GUESTS ON "THE LATE LATE SHOW with CRAIG FERGUSON" ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK (Monday through Friday, 12:37-1:37 AM, ET/PT, Following Broadcasts of the "Late Show with David Letterman") (more...)

Talk show listings for Monday, October 17. (more...)

Talk show listings for Monday, October 17. (more...)

Opening today in limited theatrical release is the drama, thriller TRESPASS starring Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman, Ben Mendelsohn, Cam Gigandet and Liana Liberato. The film is directed by Joel Schumacher. (more...)

Today we are analyzing all aspects of last nightÂ’s spectacular special presentation of the 25th anniversary of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA live from the Royal Albert Hall. This unprecedented full performance of the worldÂ’s most successful entertainment staged specifically for this event was simulcast live to hundreds of theaters around the world, with Fathom proving yet again - LES MISERABLES, SondheimÂ’s COMPANY and the ShakespeareÂ’s Globe Series, among many others, coming before - that they are the pioneers of perhaps the most exciting Broadway-related entertainment entity of the twenty-first century - live HD filming of theatrical enterprises. Over the course of the three hours of the complete musical as it has been performed on Broadway and the West End and around the world for twenty-five years, as well as a phantastic reception and encore featuring Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Cameron MackIntosh and four famous Phantoms - TorontoÂ’s Colm Wilkinson, the West EndÂ’s John Owen Jones, AustraliaÂ’s Anthony Warlow and the new incoming West End title player Peter Joback - PHANTOM 25 is the theatre event of the year. Yes, PHANTOM 25 may very well be the most exciting and engrossing live show ever filmed and the presentation was exceedingly superb in technical aspects - and, now, the mind boggles at how utterly brilliant and breathtaking the forthcoming Blu-ray will be based on last nightÂ’s performance (November in the UK, February in the US). Capturing the comedy in an enjoyable and surprising manner while still containing the menace and horror that gives it a distinct bite in the musical theatre realm (from the original director of SWEENEY TODD, Harold Prince, no less), and, most of all, arousing the most passionate and carnal of emotions in any willing and ready viewer. And so much more. PHANTOM 25 is now the crowning jewel of the showÂ’s legacy - the mask on the eponymous master magician and musicianÂ’s face that somehow manages to make him truly, finally complete. (more...)