Michael Crawford PBS Special & Concert Tour on the Way

Tony-winner Michael Crawford's official charitable fan association and web site reports that the star is in the early planning stages of a new PBS special and concert tour, "hopefully for late 2007 or early 2008." Crawford who has been on the concert circuit in between recent theatrical runs has been adding in new songs, video material and biographical bits as of late as the first tastes of what's said to be a brand-new show. The site also reports that "he is hoping this new show will be ready for PBS filming in late 2007, but that is yet to be determined.

Juggling both film and stage careers, Michael Crawford had established himself as one of the stage'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' 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. 2005-2006 saw the star performing in numerous sold out concerts in the United States, Australia and New Zealand as well as an appearance at the record breaking performance of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.

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."

Visit Crawford's official charitable fan association at www.mcifa.com for more information.

Photo of Michael Crawford by Genevieve Rafter Keddy