Cameron Mackintosh: Celebs Rumors

Broadway’s long-running The Phantom of the Opera, which has enjoyed a big box office upswing since announcing in September that it would close on February 18, won’t be making its exit quite so soon. Producer Cameron Mackintosh has given the show an eight-week extension, with a new closing date of April 16.

Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga will be returning to Broadway in 2025.

EXCLUSIVE: Aml Ameen, who portrays Dr.Martin Luther King in Rustin, reveals that he’s in talks with Film4 and the BFI to direct and star in the sequel to holiday romance Boxing Day, his feature directorial debut — and he has a second film, a crime saga called Night and Day that he wants to make soon. 

Les Miserables legend Martin McCallum has died at the age of 73.

It's less than two months until one of the most eagerly-awaited musical tours EVER heads to Manchester for its premiere run. Hamilton, the hit Broadway and West End show, is heading to Manchester on its first ever UK and Ireland tour.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor “My job is to make sure that every production, wherever it is in the world, is to make it seem like nobody has ever seen it before,” theater producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh says talking about his shows like “Cats,” “Miss Saigon,” “Oliver,” “Mary Poppins” and “Les Miserables.” It’s the latter which is currently dazzling audiences at Hollywood’s Pantages through Sept. 10 and has undergone a makeover for its latest incarnation. Over 71 million people worldwide have seen the show.

EXCLUSIVE: Joseph Fiennes has scored a winner with playwright James Graham’s knockout stage play Dear England, which will transfer from London’s National Theatre to the West End in the fall.

EXCLUSIVE: Shucked, the Broadway musical nominated for nine Tony Awards, will begin a London run on the West End next year, producer and theater owner Cameron Mackintosh announced today.

Broadway performance of “The Phantom of the Opera” was for phamily. The famous chandelier fell one last time over the heads of an invitation-only crowd at the Majestic Theatre, where the show’s composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Cameron Mackintosh were joined not only by famous friends and well-wishers, including Glenn Close and Lin-Manuel Miranda, but also former Phantoms, like Hugh Panaro and Howard McGillin, and former Christines, including Sarah Brightman (the 1988 original) and Sierra Boggess. They were surrounded by a host of past cast, crew and industry workers who had been affiliated with the show and its creatives over the course of its record-breaking run, the longest in Broadway history. There were even a few attendees in full Phantom attire, both the elaborate, skeleton-faced masquerade outfit and the iconic half-mask-and-cape ensemble.

EXCLUSIVE: House of the Dragon star Milly Alcock tells me that she will make her professional theater debut for London’s National Theatre playing the vengeful Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller’s powerful drama The Crucible.

Broadway in Hollywood has tuned up the slate of musicals for its 2023-24 season. Headed to the Pantages Theatre stage starting late this year are the touring productions of MJ The Musical, The Wiz, Chicago The Musical, Girl from the North Country, Mrs. Doubtfire, Peter Pan and Company.

Katie Reul editor “Company,” “MJ” and “The Wiz” are among seven shows coming to the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles for the 2023-2024 season, Broadway in Hollywood revealed Wednesday morning. The newly announced lineup consists of five L.A. premieres, one pre-Broadway L.A. premiere and the revival of a retired production. “MJ” will commence the season Dec. 20, marking the Tony Award-winning musical’s Los Angeles debut. Directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon and Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, the show centers its narrative around the creative legacy and unique sound of Michael Jackson.

A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical took in more than $1 million at the box office in the week leading up to, and including, its opening night on Sunday. Filling 91% of seats at the Broadhurst, the jukebox bio-musical joins & Juliet, Leopoldstadt and The Piano Lesson as one of the strongest newcomers of the fall season.

first reported on Friday that the composer’s “The Phantom of the Opera” would close on Broadway this winter after 35 years, the show took in $2 million in ticket sales by 8 p.m., producer Cameron Mackintosh told The Post.“The hills are alive with the sound of the music of the night!,” Mackintosh said on a phone call from London.The producer is pleased the box office boom and outpouring of affection from fans around the world, even though The Post scuttled his announcement plans (the news was set to drop next week.) Still, “Phantom” is definitely coming to an end in New York on Feb. 18, shortly after a lavish bash for its 35th anniversary.“Everyone thinks these shows can go on forever, but you can’t run a big show at these margins anymore,” the producer said, adding that the pre-pandemic running cost of “Phantom,” $800,000, has ballooned to $950,000 today.

You could have heard a pin drop during the gala opening night of Opera Australia’s production of The Phantom of the Opera August 26 at the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House. The audience was packed with celebrity Sydneysiders in bow ties and gowns but the real stars of the evening were Josh Piterman, Amy Manford, and Blake Bowden.This trio of truly gifted performers, surrounded by a stunning supporting cast and orchestra, powerfully delivered the musical’s signature songs, Music of the Night, Think of Me, All I Ask of You, the awesomely beautiful Masquerade, and of course the main title song, with vitality and power.This new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mega-musical adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s novel, overseen by producer Cameron Mackintosh, and director Seth Sklar-Heyn is simply superb on every level.While the story of an obsessive and dangerous love in 19th-century Paris is now familiar to many, it’s the exquisite attention to detail which delivers the magic to this new staging.The  27-piece orchestra under the musical supervision of Guy Simpson is phenomenal, and the production is elevated even further by truly glorious stagecraft. The Phantom of the OperaThe lush costuming by Jill Parker, recreating the original designs of the late Tony award-winning Maria Bjornson is stunning, and the hair and wig design by Angela Cobbin is perfection.The lighting design by Tony Award winner Paule Constable and the sound design by Mick Potter is also extraordinary, with some terrific video and projection design by Nina Dunn.There is also a wonderful use of pyrotechnics throughout the show and of course the thrilling and iconic moment when the chandelier falls towards the heads of the audience still inspires

In a new photoshoot with her 11-year-old daughter in HELLO! magazine, Rachel Stevens talks of her pride in how Amelie is now the one poised to reach for the stars, since taking to the stage in Sir Cameron Mackintosh's Les Miserables – and reveals the advice she has shared.READ MORE: Rachel Stevens wears Kate Middleton-style dress and we love itThe former S Club 7 singer and Dancing on Ice star, who is also mum to Minnie, aged eight, tells HELLO!, "Amelie really does lead this herself – I'm encouraging but not pushy, and from all the learning I've taken from my career, I try to give her the best advice I can and be there to answer her questions."WATCH: Rachel Stevens and Rosie Nixon share their hair and skincare secretsShe adds: "I've always said to both my girls, 'Someone might open the door, but you're the one who has to go through and prove what you can do.' Who knows where life will take Amelie, but as long as she's doing something she's passionate about and she's happy, as her mum, that's all I could wish for."PHOTO: Rachel Stevens stunning shares photo of rarely-seen daughter MinnieLOOK: Rachel Stevens turns up the glamour in silky dressIn their first joint photoshoot and interview, Amelie tells how, "The best advice my mum has given me is never give up on your dreams. If you put your mind to something you love, you can do anything." Rachel and her daughter share a sweet embraceOf her famous mum, Amelie adds: "It is really weird and funny to think how my mum was a pop star before I was even born.

Cameron Mackintosh ,the London theatre owner and impresario, nixed the idea of having a host introduce artists performing at Tuesday’s one-night only Old Friends tribute show ,honoring the legacy of musical theatre genius ,Stephen Sondheim who died ,aged 91 last November.

All eyes were on Judi Dench .

Paradise Square makes quite the reach. A musical about the build-up to New York’s horrific Draft Riots of 1863 reaches to the past to tell us about the present. It reaches across cultures to tell us about assimilation and appropriation. It reaches across styles of music and dance to celebrate diversity and commonality. It reaches to contain both epic realism and mythical nostalgia. And somewhere along the line it reaches a point of no return, when all that reaching just wears itself out.

Jessie Buckley is riding high this week after celebrating her first Oscar nomination.The Irish star, 32, is set to fight it out in the Best Supporting Actress category after being recognised for her starring role in The Lost Daughter, alongside fellow nominee Olivia Colman. Jessie's nod from the Academy is sure to make her a well-known star – but avid TV fans may remember when she got her big break over 10 years ago, on a show which was worlds away from the glamour of Hollywood.

Michael Appler Transgender actors and advocates for greater trans inclusion on Broadway gathered in the heart of Manhattan’s theater district on Monday. Called the Trans March on Broadway, the event was organized in response to producer Cameron Mackintosh’s recent statements that transgender casting in classic musicals is a “gimmick.” Participants seized upon the opportunity for transgender members of the industry to reclaim an ongoing debate about casting, inclusion and access.

Alexandra Billings, a trans actor who made Broadway history when cast as Wicked‘s Madam Morrible in 2020, has issued a strong rebuke to Cameron Mackintosh over comments the British theater producer made opposing the casting of trans performers in classic roles.

Hamilton is set to make its return in London’s West End this summer.Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical will resume at the Victoria Palace Theatre from August 19, nearly 18 months after theatres shut their doors last March because of COVID-19.Hamilton, which first opened in London in December 2017, is now booking until February 2022, with the cast yet to be announced.Theatregoers who had tickets for shows that were cancelled due to the pandemic will have them moved to an alternative date, which will be a comparable day of the week and seat location.If the date is unsuitable, customers can exchange it for a different performance or request a refund.Producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh told BBC News he was “delighted” to give the news of its return after

EXCLUSIVE: It’s A Sin actor Callum Scott Howells has signed with Duncan Millership at Anonymous Content.

Herbert Kretzmer, the journalist and lyricist knew for his English-language adaptation of the musical Les Miserables, has died. He was 95.

Tom Grater International Film ReporterHerbert Kretzmer, whose English lyrics for the then little-known French musical Les Miserables helped turn the show into a blockbuster production, has died at the age of 95.High-profile theatre figures including Tim Rice first shared the news and his agent has since confirmed it to the New York Times. Kretzmer passed away on Wednesday at his home in London, days after his 95th birthday.Alongside his work on Les Mis, the South African-born Kretzmer was a highly-regarded UK theater and TV critic for publications including the Daily Mail.

HERBERT Kretzmer, the Les Miserables lyricist, has died aged 95. The lyricist and journalist was best known for his adaptation of the famous musical.

Leo Barraclough Senior International CorrespondentHerbert Kretzmer, best known as the lyricist on the English version of the musical “Les Miserables,” and writer of songs such as “Goodness Gracious Me” and Charles Aznavour’s hit “She,” has died at 95.Tributes came in Wednesday from some of the leading lights of the British stage world. “Les Miserables” producer Cameron Mackintosh said: “It is terribly sad to hear that the great Herbert Kretzmer passed away last night after a period of illness.

Les Miserables will return to the stage for a special Christmas run, after closing nearly seven months ago amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Naman Ramachandran The finale of “Britain’s Got Talent” will feature performances from the combined companies of “Les Misérables – The Staged Concert,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Mary Poppins,” presented by renowned theater producer Cameron Mackintosh.Ant and Dec will host while Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Ashley Banjo will be on judge duty.The popular ITV show, created by Simon Cowell, took place this year largely without his physical participation as he broke his back following a bike accident early into its season.The Oct 10.

tweeted today. “I’ll do anything to prove that theatres can re-open safely.”The “Cats” composer apparently was referring to the vaccine being developed by Oxford University and the drug company AstraZeneca.

More shows will close and not reopen and more theatres will go out of business, the chief of the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre has warned.

Naman Ramachandran “The Phantom of the Opera” is the latest victim of the coronavirus pandemic. After a 34-year run at Her Majesty’s Theater in London’s West End theater district, Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical won’t be raising its curtains again.In a column in the U.K.’s Evening Standard newspaper, leading theater producer Cameron Mackintosh wrote: “Andrew and I have had to sadly permanently shut down our London and U.K.

“We will be back, but we need time to get back"

Cameron Mackintosh, one of the biggest names in British theater, has said that stage productions in the West End and on Broadway are unlikely to open until 2021. "For major producers both sides of the Atlantic, the truth is until social distancing doesn't exist anymore, we can't even plan to reopen," he said in an interview on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday.

By Tom Grater