John Owen-Jones News

On April 30, critic Caryn James will lead a conversation regarding why Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN is more relevant than ever in this election year at 92Y. Set to appear are several of the show's stars: James Earl Jones, John Larroquette, Michael McKean, Jefferson Mays and director Michael Wilson.

¡Estas son las imágenes que todos los fans del Fantasma han estado esperando! Las primeras fotos de la nueva producción del 25 aniversario de The Phantom Of The Opera de Andrew Lloyd webber en gira por UK, que se estrena en marzo de 2012 en el Theatre Royal Plymouth.

It's the photos that Phantom Phans have been waiting for - the very first images from the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA premiering which premiered Theatre Royal Plymouth in March 2012.

What we're looking forward to in 2012

Controversy is never too far offstage in any Simon Cowell production - manufactured, actual or otherwise - and the debut season of the US edition of his international smash reality singing competition THE X FACTOR on Fox has been overloaded with drama, meltdowns, breakdowns and buckets of tears. Stars have been made and dreams have been broken - par for the course, as always, on a singing show like this. Yet, no one on the show, whether judge or participant - no, not even Paula Abdul, Rachel Crow or the flasher himself - has been met with the irate hate and all-around ire of fans and critics alike quite like new judge Nicole Scherzinger. Sure, Simon cajoles her and criticizes her too much - to much winning effect - amping up the competition amongst the four judges, as is his wont - and, really, that's the whole hook of the show, anyway. The ex-Pussycat Dolls front-woman (remember 'Don't Cha'?), Scherzinger has had middling success in her solo career post-Pussycats in the US, yet she has racked up #1 hits overseas, and, had her last album not been plagued with stateside release issues, perhaps there would be a larger audience more aware of her repertoire and irreproachable talent here on these shores. Alas, many are meeting her for the first time in her new role as an X FACTOR judge - responsible for the most difficult category, no less; the Over 30s - and perhaps that is not the best light to make first impressions under. No matter what her judging abilities are, the girl can clearly sing - and sing well - which is more than can be said of many in similar roles on other singing-centered shows (or even this one). In addition to that, she has shown a remarkable stage presence - particularly in her essaying of the role of Maureen (made famous in the original Broadway cast by WICKED Tony Award winner Idina Menzel) in RENT at the Hollywood Bowl, directed by Neil Patrick Harris - and, even more recently, has displayed her legit side with her stunning performance of the title song from Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - alongside four famous Phantoms - at the Royal Variety Performance last week for the queen. Just last night, Scherzinger took center stage on the X FACTOR's results show to sing her surprisingly strong new single, 'Pretty' - an episode which also saw the final remaining contestant under her tutelage remaining in the competition, Josh Krajcik, survive another week and make it into the Top 4 - and proceeded to positively set the night alight. Haters can hate, but Scherzinger undoubtedly proved any naysayers wrong insofar as her fierce talent and reason for appearing on the show as a judge is concerned - no question. Post-Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger seems to be flying high - lest we forget: she also won DANCING WITH THE STARS early last year - and the stages of New York and London seem a perfect place for her to show off her considerable triple-threat abilities in the future, whether near or far. Plus, if she can make it in show business with that last name, you have to at the very least appreciate her striving for authenticity at all times - like it or not. Scherzinger not only sings like an angel, she looks like one, too. She is the whole package and definitely possesses the X factor - and maybe a Y and Z, too.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, '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! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: December 3-9 .

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Andrew Lloyd Webber introduced a unique performance of the title number from the musical at this year's Royal Variety Performance. Starring four acclaimed ‘Phantoms' - Simon Bowman, Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo and John Owen-Jones, the performance also featured international pop-star Nicole Scherzinger as 'Christine'. See the performance below!

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Andrew Lloyd Webber will introduce a unique performance of the title number from the musical at this year's Royal Variety Performance. Starring four acclaimed ‘Phantoms' - Simon Bowman, Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo and John Owen-Jones, the performance will also feature international pop-star Nicole Scherzinger as ‘Christine'. The gala evening was recorded on 5 December at The Lowry in Salford in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and will be screened on ITV this Wednesday evening.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Andrew Lloyd Webber will introduce a unique performance of the title number from the musical at this year's Royal Variety Performance. Starring four acclaimed 'Phantoms' - Simon Bowman, Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo and John Owen-Jones, the performance will also feature international pop-star Nicole Scherzinger as 'Christine'.

Andrew Lloyd Webber visits a rehearsal for the 2011 Royal Variety Performance.

In the latest episode of 'John vs. Killian,' the two stars of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA face off on Guitar Hero, costumes and all!

In the latest episode of 'John vs. Killian,' the two stars of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA challenge each other to a game of Twister...in costume! John Owen-Jones stars as the Phantom while Killian Donnelly plays Raoul in the UK Tour.

Cameron Mackintosh has announced details about the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA premiering at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in March 2012, with previews from 27 February and a press night on 13 March 2012. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will star John Owen-Jones and Earl Carpenter, who will share the role of ‘The Phantom' and Katie Hall who will play the role of ‘Christine'. Full tour schedule with casting details and on sale dates are below.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, October 16, 2011 - Sunday, October 16, 2011.

Click below to watchMusic of the Night by Colm Wilkinson, Anthony Warlow, John Owen-Jones, Peter Loback, Ramin Karimloo and the Ensemble sing an encore of 'Music of the Night' at the PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 25th Anniversary performance.

Sarah Lark will make her debut at The Pheasantry on Monday October 17th in a cabaret evening presented by The Stephen Sondheim Society.

This past weekend, Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL Albert Hall celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Check out video from the celebration below including composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, producer Cameron Mackintosh and choreographer Gillian Lynne; Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess, who played The Phantom and Christine in the 25th Anniversary production; and special guests Colm Wilkinson and John Owen-Jones!

This past weekend, Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL Albert Hall celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Check out photos from the celebration below!

It was March 12, 1994 when a young, 15 year-old Rob Diamond saw THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway for the first time, and came home on 'cloud nine', my life forever changed. I still remember vividly falling asleep that night listening to and discovering Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Steve Barton and more on the show's original cast recording. I did this listening to a cassette tape that my parents had (which I had of course never before listened to), on my Walkman.

Today we are analyzing all aspects of last night'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 world'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, Sondheim's COMPANY and the Shakespeare'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 - Toronto's Colm Wilkinson, the West End's John Owen Jones, Australia'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 night'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 show's legacy - the mask on the eponymous master magician and musician's face that somehow manages to make him truly, finally complete.