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Someone upstairs must have been keeping an eye out for Josh Gad, who appeared to make a miraculous recovery in time for Saturday’s Jesus Christ Superstar performance at Hollywood Bowl.

After missing Friday’s opening night due to a Covid diagnosis, during which John Stamos filled in as King Herod, the Tony nominee made a surprise return to the cast on Saturday to finish out the musical’s limited three-show run.

“What a joy getting to surprise everyone and stand side by side with my incredible and otherworldly cast tonight at the @hollywoodbowl,” wrote Gad on Instagram. “Honored to bear witness to this masterclass in musical theater led by the finest talents this side of the planet.”

Gad previously shared a photo of himself in costume, teasing in the caption: “See you all Sunday night.”

Stamos was announced as Gad’s replacement just hours before opening night, after Gad...

Adam Lambert is championing Cynthia Erivo in Jesus Christ Superstar, despite backlash surrounding her casting as the titular role.

In Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical, the Tony Award winner portrayed Jesus alongside the American Idol alum as Judas at the Hollywood Bowl for the first three nights of August.

When news of Erivo’s casting was announced, it was criticized because she is a Black queer woman. However, Lambert doesn’t share the same concerns, and admitted in an interview with Billboard that he was “excited by the challenge” of the Oscar nominee leading Jesus Christ Superstar.

“Cynthia’s brilliant. Her voice, presence, and simultaneous power and vulnerability absolutely blows my mind and working with her has been a dream,” he said. “I’m excited by the challenge of presenting the audience with a production led by a female, Black ‘Jesus’ and encourage the audience to expand their minds a bit.

As Cynthia Erivo channels the Son of God, her Judas is coming to her defense.

Ahead of this weekend’s star-studded Jesus Christ Superstar concert at Hollywood Bowl, Adam Lambert defended the casting of Erivo in the eponymous biblical role, which has drawn backlash from some circles over the Tony-winning actress being a Black LGBTQ woman.

“Cynthia’s brilliant. Her voice, presence, and simultaneous power and vulnerability absolutely blows my mind and working with her has been a dream,” Lambert told Billboard. “I’m excited by the challenge of presenting the audience with a production led by a female, Black ‘Jesus’ and encourage the audience to expand their minds a bit. Originally utilizing rock and roll, Jesus Christ Superstar is supposed to provoke and challenge, that’s the point. And shouldn’t the teachings of Jesus transcend gender?”

Erivo was cast as Jesus back in February, the actress addressed the discourse in an interview.

The Hollywood Bowl performance of Andrew Lloyd Weber's Jesus Christ Superstar is finally here! See all the highlights, like Cynthia Erivo singing "Gethsemane", below! The productoin is at the Hollywood Bowl for two more nights. This new production sees Jesus Christ Superstar returning to its rock roots, featuring lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo as director and choreographer and Tony and Grammy award winner Stephen Oremus as musical director and conductor, and is produced in association with Neil Meron and Robert Greenblatt. The production also includes scenic designer Jason Ardizzone-West, Costume Designer Emilio Sosa, projection designer Peter Negrini, lighting designers Tyler Lambert-Perkins and Tyler Glover, sound designer Jonathan Burke, and hair and makeup designer Brandi Strona, with casting...

Ahead of his opening night performance as ‘Judas’ in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl tonight, Grammy Award-nominated Adam Lambert teamed up with Andrew Lloyd Webber to release a showstopping new rendition of “Heaven On Their Minds.” This reimagined recording of the iconic song, released via The Other Songs label, opens the world-famous musical and is now available everywhere digitally and is available to pre-order on limited edition 7” vinyl Here. Executively produced and arranged by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the new track was produced by Martin Terefe. “I was thrilled when Andrew asked me if I wanted to record a studio version of ‘Heaven On Their Minds’,” Lambert previously told Variety....

John Stamos is sliding into the golden slippers of King Herod just hours before the curtain comes up on Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl.

Stamos’ last minute casting comes after Josh Gad announced yesterday that he would no longer occupy the throne on Friday night.

“It is with enormous heartbreak that I inform you all that unfortunately, I have contracted a virus known as Covid (remember that little bastard from season one of ‘Earth really sucks right now’?)” Gad wrote in on Instagram.

Stamos is not just a pretty face. Beyond his acting chops, he’s been a musician for decades, most famously playing with the Beach Boys on a regular basis. He also participated in the Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie and played Corny Collins in Hairspray at the Bowl in 2011.

“I am grateful for the chance to step into the gold lamé,” wrote Stamos on Instagram.

Following his casting news as King Herod in the Hollywood Bowl’s upcoming Jesus Christ Superstar concert, Josh Gad has dropped out of the show after coming down with Covid.

With opening night on Friday, the Tony-nominated actor announced his diagnosis with a statement Wednesday on Instagram while praising the show as “one of the greatest things you will ever see.”

“It is with enormous heartbreak that I inform you all that unfortunately, I have contracted a virus known as Covid (remember that little bastard from season one of ‘Earth really sucks right now’?)” he wrote in the statement shared on Instagram.

“Anyway, out of an abundance of caution and respect for my cast, I will not be performing in Jesus Christ Superstar this weekend (unless I test negative),” added Gad. “It truly breaks my heart, but I can assure you all that the show is going to be one...

Rachel Zegler is returning to her starring role in Evita on Friday after making an unexpected exit during her Thursday night performance.

The actress, who is performing in her London stage debut as former first lady of Argentina Eva Perón in director Jamie Lloyd’s revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, exited the stage during the show’s Thursday evening performance, due to illness.

According to People magazine, Zegler’s departure was announced during the show’s intermission. Understudy Bella Brown reportedly stepped in for Zegler for Act 2 and received a standing ovation that lasted nearly five minutes.

“Today really showed just how important swings and covers are within this industry,” Brown wrote in an Instagram Story. “They are pillars of a show!! A proud day to be at Evita.“

Despite having stepped away from the Thursday show, Zegler was scheduled to return and perform Friday evening, her rep confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

BroadwayWorld has learned that Rachel Zegler will return to Evita with performances as scheduled beginning tonight, after she abruptly departed the show last night due to illness. At press time, Zegler is expected to perform tonight, 25 July at 7:30 pm. Rachel Zegler is starring as Eva Peron in The Jamie Lloyd Company’s West End production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita. James Olivas portrays Juan Perón opposite Zegler and Diego Andres Rodriguez (Che), joined by Aaron Lee Lambert as Agustín Magaldi and Bella Brown as The Mistress / Alternate Eva. The Ensemble are Carl Au, Gabriela Benedetti, Shakara Brown, Damian Buhagiar, Kyeirah D'Marni, Sally Frith, DeAngelo Jones, Lucas Koch, Natasha Leaver, Michael Lin,...

Tony Award-nominee Adam Pascal is set to star as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at Studio Tenn. The production will run from May 7 - 24, 2026. Jesus Christ Superstar features lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The musical explores the biblical portrayal of the extraordinary events that led to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of his betrayer, Judas Iscariot. The production which features an iconic 1970s rock score contains numbers including “Superstar,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” and “Gethsemane.” About Adam Pascal Tony Award nominee Adam Pascal is best known for his role as ‘Roger’ in the original 1996 cast of Jonathan Larson's musical Rent on Broadway and later reprised his role in...

The original Alice Cooper band has dropped the new song “Up All Night,” which arrives just over a week before the release of the reunion album The Revenge of Alice Cooper on July 25th.

The mid-tempo rocker kicks off with Alice’s smoky vocal over a thick blues riff. The band picks up the pace during the chorus as Cooper sings a breezy major-key refrain, the 77-year-old shock rocker slipping in a bit of tongue-in-cheek innuendo: “Till the morning light / I can keep it up all night.”

Get Alice Cooper Tickets Here

Cooper and his bandmates will be celebrating the release of the reunion album with a special listening event and Q&a session at Rough Trade East in London on July 24th, the day before the LP drops. Alice Cooper, Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith, Michael Smith, and producer Bob Ezrin will all be in attendance, with Sir Tim Rice hosting the Q&a.

Update: Phillipa Soo will take the role of Mary Magdalene in next month’s Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl, and Josh Gad has been cast as King Herod.

Previous, July 11: Milo Manheim and Raúl Esparza have joined the cast of next month’s Hollywood Bowl production of Jesus Christ Superstar starring the previously announced Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert.

Manheim will play the role of Peter and Esparza will play Pontius Pilate. Erivo is playing Jesus and Lambert is Judas. Additional casting will be announced. Sergio Trujillo directs.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical will be performed on Friday, August 1, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 2, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, August 3, at 7:30 p.m.

Manheim currently stars as Wally Clark in Paramount+’s YA drama series School Spirits, which released its second season earlier this year.

Phillipa Soo and Josh Gad are rounding out the star-studded cast of the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production of Jesus Christ Superstar!

The Tony-nominated actors have joined the cast as Mary Magdalene and King Herod, respectively.

Previously announced cast members include Cynthia Erivo as Jesus, Adam Lambert as Judas, Milo Manheim as Peter, and Raul Esparza as Pontius Pilate.

“‘Jesus, I am overjoyed to meet you face to face…’ The @hollywoodbowl will never be the same when @adamlambert, @phillipasoo, @cynthiaerivo, me, and this extraordinary cast are done with it,” Josh wrote on Instagram with the below photo from rehearsals.

Other newly announced actors for the three-night-only production are Zachary James as Caiaphas, Tyrone Huntley as Simon, and Brian Crum as Annas.

Tony winner Sergio Trujillo will direct and choreograph the highly anticipated production of the classic musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Performances will take place on August 1, August...

Rachel Zegler's alternate, Bella Brown, makes her debut as ‘Eva Perón’ in Jamie Lloyd’s new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita at The London Palladium tonight! Brown, who is typically seen as the Mistress in the acclaimed musical, will play select performances in the title role on Monday evenings. See photos here! The production has released a first look at Brown as Eva. More of a sneak peek will be available later as she takes to the balcony of the London Palladium to perform "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" for the first time. Rachel Zegler took to Instagram to wish Brown well on her first performance, stating that she "could not be in better hands" for her debut. "She is the loveliest,...

Additional cast members have been revealed for the Hollywood Bowl's production of Jesus Christ Superstar on August 1, 2 and 3, 2025. Joining Cynthia Erivo as Jesus and Adam Lambert as Judas are Milo Manheim (Disney Channel Zombies; Seymour in off-Broadway Little Shop of Horrors) as Peter; and Raúl Esparza (Tony-nominated Bobby in Company; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) as Pontius Pilate. This new production sees Jesus Christ Superstar returning to its rock roots, featuring lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo as director and choreographer and Tony and Grammy award winner Stephen Oremus as musical director and conductor, and is produced in association with Neil Meron and Robert...

Shiki Theatre Company has released a first look at its Japanese-language production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, now running at the Maihama Amphitheater. The production is scheduled to close on March 15, 2026. The musical is staged just steps from Tokyo Disney Resort®, forming the basis for several themed packages combining show tickets with park access and hotel stays. These include bundled options such as show tickets plus entry to Tokyo Disneyland® or Tokyo DisneySea®, and accommodations at partner hotels like the Disney Ambassador Hotel® or other official Tokyo Disney Resort® hotels. The production features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton. The general manager is Mirai Ashishu, with David Churcher serving...

The Muny has announced the full cast for its upcoming production of Evita, which returns after nearly 25 years to the James S. McDonnell Stage in Forest Park. Evita, the pop-rock masterpiece by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, runs July 18-24. “Evita is bold, emotional and powerful — as is this cast,” said Muny Artistic Director & Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. “We're thrilled to bring together this extraordinary company to create this masterpiece.” Joining previously announced principals Katerina McCrimmon (Eva), Paulo Szot (Juan Perón), Omar Lopez-Cepero (Che) and Daniel Torres (Agustín Magaldi) is Sabrina Santana. Rounding out the cast are Andrés Acosta, Leyla Ali, Marissa Barragán, Leah Berry, Patrick Blindauer, Jordan...

Rachel Zegler stirs hearts in the theatrical revival of Evita, delivering a fierce performance under direction that rewrites the musical rulebook.

London’s West End pulses with revolutionary energy thanks to Evita, the iconic work by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, now reborn with unprecedented force through the bold vision of director Jamie Lloyd and a star turn from Rachel Zegler, who makes her British stage debut with a commanding presence that redefines her career.

Far from traditional, this daring production—first acclaimed in 2019 at Regent’s Park and now reimagined for the London Palladium—transforms Eva Perón’s story into a visceral spectacle, part rock concert, part political rally. Live cameras project Zegler’s now-legendary Don’t Cry For Me Argentina to audiences both inside and outside the theatre; she doesn’t just perform—she builds a new legend from the ground up.

Clad only in a black bra,...

Rachel Zegler has taken the West End and its sidewalk by storm in her starring turn as Eva Peron in The Jamie Lloyd Company’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita. The production opened this week to an ecstatic crowd. Check out video from the opening night curtain call below! Read reviews for the production here! James Olivas portrays Juan Perón opposite Zegler (Eva Perón) and Diego Andres Rodriguez (Che), joined by Aaron Lee Lambert as Agustín Magaldi and Bella Brown as The Mistress / Alternate Eva. The Ensemble are Carl Au, Gabriela Benedetti, Shakara Brown, Damian Buhagiar, Kyeirah D'Marni, Sally Frith, DeAngelo Jones, Lucas Koch, Natasha Leaver, Michael Lin, Dianté Lodge, Louis Mackrodt, <a...

Could it be time for Jamie Lloyd to hit the pause button? The prolific director, whose radically reimagined Sunset Blvd. last month won Tony Awards for best musical revival and lead actress Nicole Scherzinger, is rolling out productions at such a rate that his template — big stars, event theater, a style that might be described as minimalist swagger — is beginning to look entrenched, and a bit hit-or-miss.

Spectacle worked wonders with his recent, disco-dancing Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell. But while there was a glorious opportunity for a revisionist take on Evita — to reconfigure the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice mega-musical from the 1970s for a more politically confused and troubled age — Lloyd has simply turned up the volume.

The result feels decidedly erratic. The central performance from Rachel Zegler at times gives you goosebumps, but at others is in desperate need of direction...

Be Our Guest at Disney’s newly reimagined 30th Anniversary production of Beauty And The Beast, the breathtaking musical filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love. The new national tour of the iconic musical is now underway. Read the reviews as they come in below! This enchanting and timeless tale has been brought to life like never before, with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes. The show boasts the Oscar-winning and Tony Award-nominated score, including the classic songs “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Reuniting to create this new production are members of the original Tony Award-winning artistic team, including composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, with direction and choreography by Olivier Award nominee Matt West, scenic design by...

Over the last couple of weeks, Londoners have been gathering every night in the street under the London Palladium balcony to watch Rachel Zegler’s powerful rendition of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita, directed by Jamie Lloyd.

Yesterday’s official opening night was no exception. As ticketed guests walked down the red carpet into the theater, hundreds of people queued for hours on the sidewalk to catch a glimpse of Zegler as Eva Perón for free during her viral balcony scene. Deadline was among the rapt crowd.

Zegler walked onto the balcony just after 9pm to an adoring audience that cheered her on throughout the 7-minute performance. The outdoor scene was shot live and then relayed onto a big screen to the audience seated in the auditorium. Although Zegler’s Perón urged the crowd not to cry for her, several...

As the new Jame Lloyd production of Evita, starring Rachel Zegler, is now officially open in London, the show could be eyeing Broadway sooner than we think. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, sources close to the production were looking at a 2027 transfer. Now, according to Deadline, the show might come stateside as early as next year. "I would love for it to go straight away," said director Jamie Lloyd, hinting at the 2026 transfer. "That’s when I would like it to go, as soon as possible, really." Tim Rice agreed, stating, "We’re not getting any younger are we?" Lloyd also revealed that he already has advisors checking out potential venues for the Broadway run. Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals would...

Exclusive: Jamie Lloyd (Sunset Blvd.) is not prepared to sit on his hands and wait another two years to take the electrifying West End production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita starring an unbelievably incandescent Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) to Broadway. “I would love for it to go straight away,“ he told this column, stressing that means early next year.

Rice is in agreement with the director, telling Deadline that he wants to see Evita in New York as soon as it’s ready to go. “We’re not getting any younger are we?” says the lyricist nodding towards the composer he’s known for more than six decades.

Some connected to the show would rather wait until 2027 but Lloyd emphasizes that he’s eager for 2026. “That’s when I would like it to go, as soon as possible, really,” he said, a point he repeated...

Rachel Zegler has taken the West End and its sidewalk by storm in her starring turn as Eva Peron in The Jamie Lloyd Company’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita. Read reviews for the production! James Olivas portrays Juan Perón opposite Zegler (Eva Perón) and Diego Andres Rodriguez (Che), joined by Aaron Lee Lambert as Agustín Magaldi and Bella Brown as The Mistress / Alternate Eva. The Ensemble are Carl Au, Gabriela Benedetti, Shakara Brown, Damian Buhagiar, Kyeirah D'Marni, Sally Frith, DeAngelo Jones, Lucas Koch, Natasha Leaver, Michael Lin, Dianté Lodge, Louis Mackrodt, Mireia Mambo, Mia Mullarkey, Perry O’Dea, Alysha Sontae, Monica Swayne, Jon Tsouras and Harrison Wilde, with Myla Carmen, Barney Hudson, Nathan Louis-Fernand, Kirsty Anne Shaw, Ricardo Spriggs and Regan Bailey Walker as Swings. Auora Breslin, Lois Haidar,...

Rachel Zegler got emotional as she stood at the center of the stage after her performance in Evita got a massive standing ovation.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning Evita has returned to the London Palladium, narrating the story of Argentine political leader Eva Perón, aka Evita. From her rise to power to her death, the play captured it all.

During the curtain call for the play, Zegler, who plays the titular character, stood among her co-stars in a stunning white gown. As the crowd erupted in cheers, Zegler got visibly emotional on stage, shedding a few tears at all the love that was right in front of her. Check out the wholesome moment below:

Rachel Zegler gets emotional after a massive standing ovation during the ‘Evita’ curtain call pic.twitter.com/rEd8OfeHti

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 30, 2025

Needless to say, it was a huge moment for the...

As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, the first-ever Broadway revival of Chess has found a home at the Imperial Theatre, beginning performances Wednesday, October 15, 2025, and officially open Sunday, November 16, 2025. Chess is the iconic musical where power and passion collide, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s America versus Russia at the World Chess Championship, where the espionage and romance are as complicated and exhilarating as the game itself. For the two players and the woman torn between them, everything—personal, professional, and political—is at risk… and nobody’s rules are the same. Chess famously had an interesting road to Broadway in 1988 and has been through many changes since then. Learn about all of them, plus the historical context of the piece and the journey of its creators (Tim Rice,...

This afternoon, it was announced that the first-ever Broadway revival of Chess will play at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre, beginning performances Wednesday, October 15, 2025, and officially open Sunday, November 16, 2025. Starring Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge), Emmy Award nominee Lea Michele (Funny Girl) and Nicholas Christopher (Sweeney Todd), exclusive presale tickets will be available to fans who signed up on the official website beginning Wednesday, June 25 at 11Am Et. Tickets will be on sale to the general public beginning Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 11Am Et via Telecharge by calling 212-239-6200 or visiting Here through Sunday, March 15, 2026. Learn more about the history of Chess. Featuring a new book by Emmy Award winner Danny Strong (“Dopesick”), with music and lyrics by Emmy and Tony Award nominees Abba’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner Tim Rice (Evita), and based on an idea...

Lea Michele will have a homecoming on Broadway this year when she stars in the upcoming revival of Chess.

It was just announced that the musical will be playing the Imperial Theatre, which is the same venue where Lea made her Broadway debut 30 years ago.

Lea played the role of Young Cosette in Les Miserables from 1995 to 1996 at the Imperial Theatre. The Spring Awakening 15th Reunion Concert, which was filmed for an HBO documentary, also took place at the Imperial.

Chess will be Lea‘s sixth Broadway show and she’s starring alongside Tony winner Aaron Tveit and rising star Nicholas Christopher in the new production.

Keep reading to find out more…

Preview performances begin on October 15, 2025 ahead of an official opening night show on November 16, 2025.

An exclusive fan pre-sale begins on Wednesday (June 25) at 11am Et and the general public can buy tickets starting on Thursday (June 26) at 11am Et.

Chess, the first-ever Broadway revival of the Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus & Tim Rice musical which will star Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher, will begin previews at the Imperial Theatre on Wednesday, October 15, with an opening date of Sunday, November 16, producers announced today.

The production, previously announced, will feature a new book by Emmy winner Danny Strong (Dopesick) in place of Rice’s original (the musical is based on Rice’s original idea). Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) is on board to direct.

The fall revival will mark Michele’s return to Broadway following her acclaimed 2022-23 run in Funny Girl. Tveit is a 2021 Tony winner for his performance in Moulin Rouge!, and Christopher last appeared on Broadway in the 2023 revival of Sweeney Todd.

Additional casting and creative team will be announced shortly.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, June 26, a day after presale tickets are...

With Jamie Lloyd’s radical revival of Evita currently lighting up the stage and sidewalk in front of the London Palladium, industry chatter is intensifying around a possible 2027 Broadway transfer. According to Baz Bamigboye of Deadline, sources close to the production are tight-lipped, but insiders suggest that aligning schedules for a New York run is already being quietly considered. Industry whispers also suggest Zegler is being eyed for Maria in a potential Sound of Music revival at Lincoln Center, though no plans have been confirmed. If it happens, the revival would mark Zegler’s Broadway musical debut, she previously appeared in Romeo and Juliet opposite Kit Connor in 2024. Though a 2026 transfer is reportedly off the table due to scheduling conflicts, including Tim Rice’s upcoming Chess...

Rachel Zegler is currently starring in a new revival of the musical Evita on London’s West End and we just learned that Broadway audiences will be waiting a long time to see the production.

Evita is being directed by Jamie Lloyd, who recently brought his West End production of Sunset Blvd to Broadway, winning Tony Awards for himself and star Nicole Scherzinger.

With Evita in previews right now, the show is already receiving rave reviews and Rachel is especially getting incredible buzz for her performance. One moment in the show has already gone viral on social media and in London. Speculation for a Broadway transfer began when the production was first announced and now a report explains why the transfer won’t happen until 2027.

Keep reading to find out more…

The musical was written by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice, who both have major projects heading...

Exclusive: Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) is a sensation as her voice soars through the London Palladium’s auditorium — and beyond — portraying Eva Perón in Evita, the classic Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd-Webber show directed by Jamie Lloyd. Also, Zegler, all 5-foot-2 of her, is the biggest star in town, with punters adding $200,000 and more to the box office daily since previews began a week ago, bringing the total advance, as of late Friday afternoon UK time, to in excess of $9 million for a 12-week summer run.

Broadway might get a taste of Zegler’s “highflying, adored” Evita, as one of the show’s songs puts it, in 2027, but more on that farther down the column.

Michael Harrison, who produces Evita for the Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals partnership along with the director’s Jamie Lloyd Company, declines to discuss the production’s box office figures, though he agrees that they’re “healthy.

Performances are now underway for The Jamie Lloyd Company’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, starring Rachel Zegler. Check out an all new first look photo of Zegler below! The production, directed by Jamie Lloyd, is now in previews and opens at The London Palladium on July 1, running until September 6. Additionally, it was announced that a vinyl, featuring Zegler performing "Don’t Cry For Me Argentina", will be released on July 4. Pre-order the vinyl here. James Olivas will play Juan Perón opposite Zegler (Eva Perón) and Diego Andres Rodriguez (Che), joined by Aaron Lee Lambert as Agustín Magaldi and Bella Brown as The Mistress / Alternate Eva. The Ensemble are Carl Au, Gabriela Benedetti, Shakara Brown, Damian Buhagiar, Kyeirah D'Marni, Sally Frith, DeAngelo Jones, Lucas Koch, Natasha Leaver, Michael...

Glee makes it three straight at the Tonys.

When Darren Criss picked up a Tony Award on Sunday night for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical for his turn in Maybe Happy Ending, the veteran star became the third straight Glee alum to win a trophy on Broadway’s biggest night. He followed hot on the heels of Jonathan Groff, who won his first Tony last year for Merrily We Roll Along (and he was nominated this year in the same category as Criss for Just in Time), and Alex Newell, who won best featured actor in a musical for Shucked in 2023.

Criss accepts his Tony during Sunday’s ceremony. Theo Wargo/Getty Images

While the springboard from screens big and small to the stage is busier than ever, the wins deepen the validation for Ryan Murphy and his beloved Fox musical TV series,...

Cynthia Erivo said she “can’t please everyone” when asked about the online anger directed at her casting as Jesus in August’s Hollywood Bowl concert staging of Jesus Christ Superstar. The Emmy-, Grammy- and Tony-winner was replying to conservative commentators—posts amplified by Elon Musk among them—that called the engagement “blasphemous” and “anti-Christian bigotry”.

The production plays the 17,500-seat venue on 1–3 August, its first appearance at the Bowl since 2016. Erivo headlines a company led by director-choreographer Sergio Trujillo and music supervisor Stephen Oremus; Adam Lambert will sing Judas. The Los Angeles Philharmonic announced the show in February as a centre-piece of its 2025 summer season, driving early ticket demand across the three-night run.

Criticism erupted almost immediately after that announcement and surged last week under hashtags such as #NotMyJesus, promoted by right-wing influencers and a Florida pastor during a livestream that drew 120,000 views on X. In a separate interview...

Cynthia Erivo has responded to the backlash she received for her upcoming lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl.

After it was announced earlier this year that the Wicked star would be playing Jesus in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical, some conservatives were quick to criticize her for taking the role as a Black queer woman. However, during a recent interview with Billboard, Erivo couldn’t help but laugh at the negative response.

“Why not?” she said of her casting. “You can’t please everyone. It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off. So hopefully they will come and realize, ‘Oh, it’s a musical, the gayest place on Earth.’”

The actress will take to the stage at the famed Hollywood venue from Aug. 1-3, alongside Adam Lambert, who is set to play Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Cynthia Erivo is addressing the criticism over her casting in the upcoming three-night production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

The Wicked: For Good star shut down the negativity around her, scoring the titular role of the Hollywood Bowl production.

“Why not?” she told Billboard about the outcry from conservative critics. “You can’t please everyone. It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off. So hopefully they will come and realize, ‘Oh, it’s a musical, the gayest place on Earth.'”

Performances of the musical will start on August 1 and run through August 3. Sergio Trujillo is set to direct and choreograph the special presentations, with Stephen Oremus serving as musical director and conductor.

Erivo is not a stranger to the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical as she previously portrayed Superstar’s Mary Magdalene in the two-volume all-female 2020 concept...

Everybody's playing the game this fall! As BroadwayWorld reported earlier this week, Chess is coming back to Broadway for the first time since it premiered in 1988. The new Broadway revival, which has yet to announce its exact production timeline, will star Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher as Freddie Trumper, Florence Vassey and Anatoly Sergievsky, respectively. It's been over three decades since a full production of the musical has been seen on a Broadway stage. While many of its songs have become beloved standards, the show's plot remains largely unknown to today's audiences. With months until performances begin, study up on everything you need to know about Chess. The Early Development of Chess In the 1970s, lyricist Tim Rice, who was already known for his...

The Lion King’s Original Title, Scrapped Scenes & Forgotten Songs Will Leave You Stunned ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Disney’s The Lion King wasn’t always the roaring success we remember. In fact, it was almost called King of the Jungle, per sources. The catch? Lions don’t live in the jungle. Once the creators realized this, the iconic title was changed, setting the stage for what’d become one of Disney’s most beloved animated classics.

Almost 25 years ago, The Lion King introduced us to the circle of life, hakuna matata, and the savanna’s most intense sibling rivalry. As Disney prepared for the live-action remake, it was the perfect time to look back on the original’s legacy and uncover its most surprising secrets.

Back in production, The Lion King was overshadowed by Pocahontas. Many top animators jumped to work on Pocahontas, expecting it to be the bigger hit.

Just days after teasing that a big announcement was on the way, Lea Michele has confirmed that she will be back on Broadway this year!

Lea will be starring in a Broadway revival of the classic musical Chess alongside Tony winner Aaron Tveit and rising star Nicholas Christopher.

Chess features music written by Abba’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and Egot recipient Tim Rice. It’s billed as “the iconic musical where power and passion collide, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s America versus Russia at the World Chess Championship, where the espionage and romance are as complicated and exhilarating as the game itself. For the two players and the woman torn between them, everything—personal, professional, and political—is at risk… and nobody’s rules are the same.”

The revival will be directed by Michael Mayer, who previously worked with Lea on both Funny Girl and Spring Awakening,...

It's official! As BroadwayWorld first reported last week, Chess is coming back to Broadway. Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge), Emmy Award nominee Lea Michele (Funny Girl) and Nicholas Christopher (Sweeney Todd) will lead the first-ever Broadway revival of Chess as Freddie Trumper, Florence Vassey and Anatoly Sergievsky, respectively, in Fall 2025 at a Shubert theater to be announced. Featuring a new book by Emmy Award winner Danny Strong (“Dopesick”), with music and lyrics by Emmy and Tony Award nominees Abba’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner Tim Rice (Evita), and based on an idea by Tim Rice, this new production will be directed by Tony Award winner Michael...

At Tuesday night's 2025 Sports Emmy Awards, Lady Gaga took home her first Emmy. She won for Best Music Direction of "Hold My Hand" for the Super Bowl Lix pregame show. With previous victories at the Oscars and Grammys, that places her just a Tony Award short of Egot.

This marked her fifth try at winning an Emmy following nominations for her variety specials Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek Live!, and One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, plus the special class program Super Bowl Li Halftime Show Starring Lady Gaga.

Lady Gaga won her Academy Award for the song "Shallow" from the 2018 film A Star Is Born. She is a 14-time Grammy Award winner, with the first for The Fame and "Poker Face" in 2010 and the most recent earlier this year for...

Rehearsals are now underway for The Jamie Lloyd Company’s forthcoming production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, starring Rachel Zegler and Diego Andres Rodriguez. Check out all new photos from rehearsal below! The production, directed by Jamie Lloyd, opens at The London Palladium on 1 July, with previews from 14 June, and runs until 6 September. Rachel Zegler (Eva Perón), Diego Andres Rodriguez (Che), James Olivas (Juan Perón), Aaron Lee Lambert (Agustín Magaldi) and Bella Brown (The Mistress / Alternate Eva) are joined by Carl Au, Gabriela Benedetti, Shakara Brown, Damian Buhagiar, Kyeirah D'Marni, Sally Frith, DeAngelo Jones, Lucas Koch, Natasha Leaver, Michael Lin, Dianté Lodge, Louis Mackrodt, Mireia Mambo, Mia Mullarkey, Perry O’Dea, Alysha Sontae, Monica Swayne, Jon Tsouras and Harrison Wilde as Ensemble, with Myla Carmen, Barney Hudson, Nathan Louis-Fernand, Kirsty Anne Shaw, Ricardo Spriggs and Regan Bailey Walker as Swings. Auora Breslin, Lois Haidar, Siena Merilind-Wu and...

Katerina McCrimmon, Paulo Szot, Omar Lopez-Cepero and Daniel Torres will star in Evita when the powerful pop-rock musical returns to the Muny stage after nearly 25 years. Evita, the masterpiece by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, runs July 18-24 and is presented by Emerson. The production is led by Josh Rhodes (director/choreographer), Lee Wilkins (associate director/choreographer), Ben Whiteley (music director/conductor) and Junior Cervila (tango choreographer). The design team includes Natalia Nieves-Melchor (assistant choreographer), Adam Koch (scenic designer), Brian C. Hemesath (Costume Designer), Paige Seber (lighting designer), John Shivers and David Patridge (sound designers), Steven Royal (video designer) and Kelley Jordan (wig designer). “This is a powerhouse cast for the landmark...

Tim Rice is working on music for an upcoming animated film! The Egot winner, who has written songs for Disney classics like The Lion King and Aladdin, will pen three new songs for the upcoming film The Land of Sometimes, from Two Daughters Entertainment and Nottage Productions. The film is set to be released in late 2025. Two Daughters is partnering with major music labels Sony Music Masterworks on the soundtrack album, and Universal Music Publishing Group on the publishing catalogue which includes the original audio book. “The timeless quality of the storytelling in The Land of Sometimes reminded me of some of the films I’ve enjoyed working on the most,” said Sir Tim Rice. “So this talented team of producers has lured me back to the silver screen after all these years.” The cast includes Ewan McGregor (Beauty and...

Legendary songwriter Tim Rice, whose credits include Disney classics “The Lion King” and “Aladdin,” is making his return to animated features after a 25-year absence, joining the animated film “The Land of Sometimes” from Two Daughters Entertainment and Nottage Productions.

The Egot winner — a rare distinction held by only 21 artists who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards — has signed on to pen three new songs for the animated feature slated for release in late 2025. Rice achieved this elite entertainment grand slam through his work on everything from Broadway musicals to Disney blockbusters.

The film boasts an A-list voice cast featuring Ewan McGregor (“Beauty and the Beast”), Helena Bonham Carter (“The Crown”), Alisha Weir (“Matilda: The Musical”), Jessica Henwick (“The Matrix Resurrections”), Asa Butterfield (“Sex Education”) and comedy legend Mel Brooks.

Directed by Leon Joosen (“Saving Santa”), the film follows twins Alfie and Elise as they’re transported to...

If Sir Elton John's career had only spanned the 1970s, he would still be a music legend, an icon of glam and progressive rock. Fortunately, he forged on, segueing into each new era of rock and branching into film and Broadway with comparable success and his signature aplomb and style. We've undertaken a nearly impossible task -- narrowing a huge catalogue of memorable compositions down to the 25 best.

John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, and showed an affinity for playing the piano at a young age. In 1967, he answered an ad for songwriters and met Bernie Taupin, which led to a long and successful collaboration, with Taupin writing lyrics to which John composed music. It took a few years of struggling, but in 1970 they had their first top ten hit with "Your Song." In 1972, "Honky Chateau" became his first of seven consecutive number one albums in a three-year period.

On Sunday 16 March 2025, ITV broadcasts Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh!

Season 7 Episode 11 Episode Summary

“Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh” is set to bring another delightful episode to viewers on ITV. In this upcoming show, Alan welcomes a star-studded lineup, featuring actor Samantha Bond, musical theatre icon Sir Tim Rice, and beloved Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney. Each guest is sure to add their unique charm and personality to the program.

The episode promises to be both entertaining and informative. Alan will introduce some adorable young alpacas, sure to capture the hearts of animal lovers. These cute creatures are bound to bring smiles and laughter to the audience.

In addition to the fun with alpacas, Chris Hull will share his expert advice on revitalising lawns for the spring season. His tips will help viewers prepare their gardens for the warmer months ahead, making it a perfect time to get outside and enjoy nature.

Rachel Zegler will be making her London theater debut this summer!

On Friday morning (March 14), it was announced that the 23-year-old Golden Globe winner will be playing Eva Perón in the West End revival of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s musical Evita.

Directed by Jamie Lloyd, the show will run for a limited 12-week engagement from June 14 through September 6 at the London Palladium.

Keep reading to find out more…“Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ together on my back patio,” Rachel shared in a statement with Deadline.

“The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd’s singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honour unlike any other,” she continued. “The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can’t wait to make my West...