1. 2012
    1. May
      1. Jesus Christ Superstar UK Arena Tour
      2. Andrew to receive BASCA Fellowship
      3. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jessie J reunite
      4. Andrew and Gary Barlow present Sing to the Queen
      5. Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar Tony nominations
    2. April
      1. The Palace Theatre
    3. March
      1. Andrew to appear on Steve Wright in the Afternoon
      2. Love Never Dies number 1 in mid-week charts
      3. Wizard of Oz nominated in 2012 Olivier Awards
      4. Andrew announces casting panel for ITV1 Superstar
      5. Love Never Dies released in the UK
      6. Andrew discusses Love Never Dies on Daybreak and Front Row
    4. February
      1. Andrew on The One Show
      2. Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber team up for Diamond Jubilee song
      3. Andrew to make special announcement on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show
      4. Andrew to appear on PBS
      5. Love Never Dies US Movie Release
    5. January
      1. Andrew on ABC's 'The View' and CBS 'This Morning'
      2. ITV1 and Andrew Lloyd Webber today announce ‘Superstar’
  2. 2011
    1. December
      1. Andrew at The Royal Variety Performance
    2. November
      1. Andrew to appear on BBC Radio 3 'Private Passions'
      2. English Heritage Angel Awards winners
    3. October
      1. Angel Award nominees to be featured on tonight’s Culture Show
      2. Angel Awards coverage on BBC 2’s Culture Show continues tonight
      3. Jesus Christ Superstar celebrates 40 years!
      4. The English Heritage Angel Awards coverage continues on BBC 2’s Culture Show
      5. Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway
      6. Andrew at The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary
    4. September
      1. Andrew discusses the English Heritage Angel Awards on BBC 2’s Culture Show
      2. Andrew attends Love Never Dies filming
      3. Finalists for the English Heritage Angel Awards announced
      4. Latest on The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Celebration
    5. August
      1. Andrew attends Love Never Dies final performance at The Adelphi
      2. Andrew attends The Sound of Music in Norwich
    6. July
      1. Jesus Christ Superstar to move to La Jolla Playhouse
      2. Love Never Dies receives 10 Helpmann Award nominations
      3. The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall
      4. Andrew appears on CNN’s ‘Piers Morgan Tonight'
    7. June
      1. Andrew on the Stratford Festival production of Jesus Christ Superstar
      2. Andrew Lloyd Webber attends 65th annual Tony Awards
      3. Andrew announces The English Heritage ‘Angel’ Awards
      4. Andrew lends his support to 1711 Walk
      5. Andrew attends Love Never Dies premiere in Melbourne
    8. May
      1. ALW Foundation to invest in the Arts
    9. April
      1. Andrew on CNN’s ‘Piers Morgan Tonight’
      2. Andrew Lloyd Webber: A Passion for the Pre-Raphaelites new documentary for ITV1
      3. Andrew in rehearsal with Julian Lloyd Webber and Jiaxin Cheng
      4. When Piers Met Andrew Lloyd Webber
      5. Andrew to perform with Julian Lloyd Webber at his 60th birthday Gala Concert
    10. March
      1. Andrew to appear on Chris Evans’ BBC Radio 2 this Friday
      2. There's NOSE place like home
    11. February
      1. Love Never Dies’ Leading Men win Whatsonstage.com Awards
    12. January
      1. Andrew and Danielle Hope on The One Show
      2. Andrew varies his Variations for the South Bank Sky Arts Awards
      3. 100 years of The London Palladium
      4. Andrew Talks Wine!
  3. 2010
    1. December
      1. Andrew and Danielle attend A Night of Heroes
      2. Royal Variety Performance broadcast
      3. Andrew Lloyd Webber special guest on Friday Night is Music Night
      4. A statement from Andrew
      5. Andrew Lloyd Webber to greet the Royal Party at this year’s Royal Variety Performance
    2. November
      1. House of Lords debate on Media Ownership
      2. Andrew and Tim Rice appear on The Culture Show
    3. October
      1. Phantom celebrates 10,000 performances in the West End
      2. Highclere Castle
      3. Over The Rainbow…Where Are They Now?
      4. Happy Birthday to the London Palladium…
      5. Andrew hosts centenary celebration for the London Palladium
      6. Love Never Dies Australian premiere announced
      7. Andrew to perform in Julian Lloyd Webber’s 60th Anniversary Gala
    4. September
      1. Weekend Wogan - Live from the Palladium
      2. We're off to see the Wizard – and it's Michael Crawford!
      3. Andrew to appear on Michael Ball Show this Friday
    5. August
      1. Hello! magazine photoshoot with Andrew
    6. July
      1. Lord Rowe-Beddoe presents Andrew with key to the Wales Millennium Centre
      2. Andrew visits Cardiff for a special announcement about Sophie Evans
      3. Preserving Our Heritage
      4. Andrew calls for increased prostate cancer screening
      5. Love Never Dies album number one across key retailers in China
    7. June
      1. Sale of Pablo Picasso's Angel de Fernandez de Soto
      2. Tell Me on a Sunday national tour, starring Claire Sweeney
    8. May
      1. A statement from Andrew
      2. Oz Blog: The winner is revealed...
      3. The last Dorothy mission....
      4. Oz Blog: The Final Countdown
      5. Danielle you are Dorothy… and here comes Dangerous Dave as Toto!
      6. Danielle is your Dorothy!
      7. Danielle, Lauren and Sophie have a go at Polo!
      8. The winning Dorothy to release charity single
      9. Sierra meets the Dorothys!
      10. Oz: Blog: Andrew makes his final choice and the final three are revealed
      11. Oz Blog: The Fantastic Four
      12. Bombay Dreams Movie Announcement
      13. Andrew to appear on The Graham Norton Show
      14. Andrew meets Bobby...
      15. Oz Blog: The second sing-off
      16. Oz Blog: A Dorothy Cull...
      17. We’re off to see The Wizard of Oz!
      18. From Nancy to Dorothy: A message from Sam and Niamh
      19. Oz Blog: An Emotional Goodbye
      20. Oz Blog: An audience with the Lord
      21. Andrew and the Dorothys get ready for their close up...
      22. An Over the Rainbow update from Andrew
    9. April
      1. Andrew gets ready for next week's Over The Rainbow
      2. It's Toto time for Andrew...
      3. Oz Blog: Standing ovations as we say another goodbye
      4. Oz Blog: A chorus of Angels...
      5. Oz Blog: Another sad goodbye...
      6. Behind the scenes at Over The Rainbow
      7. Oz Blog: Making a Song and Dance
      8. Oz Blog: It's goodbye to another of our Dorothies...
      9. Oz Blog: A Class Act
      10. Oz Blog: The first Dorothy flies over the rainbow
      11. Oz Blog: The first live show... and the public get to choose
      12. West End Story: What Nancy, Joseph and Maria Did Next
    10. March
      1. Oz Blog: 20 become 10...
      2. Oz Blog: Over The Rainbow kicks off with weekend special
      3. Behind the scenes on "Wetten, Das?"
      4. Filming the Over The Rainbow trailer
      5. Andrew’s off to see the Wizard… and revisiting the South Bank Show
      6. BBC ONE Follows the Yellow Brick Road, Over the Rainbow
      7. The South Bank Show Revisited
      8. Andrew and Katherine Jenkins on Dancing On Ice
    11. February
      1. Andrew’s TV appearances this weekend
      2. Lloyd Webber, Universal Music forge new partnership in recording, publishing
      3. Andrew Lloyd Webber to appear on Weekend Wogan this Sunday
      4. Andrew in Manchester...
      5. 'Love Never Dies' premieres at The South Bank Show Awards
    12. January
      1. Andrew Inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame
      2. Love Never Dies World Exclusive for The South Bank Show Awards
      3. Andrew begins his search for Dorothy
      4. My Health Diary
  4. 2009
    1. December
      1. Full Love Never Dies cast announced
    2. November
      1. A message from Andrew
      2. Could you be Dorothy?
      3. Update on Andrew's health
    3. October
      1. Thank you from Andrew
      2. A press statement from Andrew's office.
      3. Andrew Lloyd Webber on Stephen Gately
      4. Andrew honoured by Theater Hall of Fame
      5. Love Never Dies global launch
      6. Welcome to the Andrew Lloyd Webber site
    4. September
      1. Bono is one of “The Boys In The Photograph”
      2. Andrew and Ben Elton in Toronto
      3. 9,000 performances of Phantom on Broadway
      4. Andrew seeks Dorothy... and Toto!
      5. 'Love Changes Everything' performed at Kennedy memorial
    5. August
      1. Backstage with Connie Fisher
    6. July
      1. Andrew reveals that Michael Jackson wanted to play the Phantom
    7. May
      1. I'd Do Anything Finalists star in the West End
      2. Mark Cook on the Eurovision final
      3. Jade Ewen at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest
      4. Andrew in Moscow
    8. April
      1. The Boys in the Photograph opens in Canada
      2. Andrew questions budget Tax proposals
      3. Love Never Dies...
      4. Andrew Lloyd Webber Leads House of Lords Debate
    9. March
      1. A Beginner's Guide to Eurovision
      2. Mark's top Eurovision outfits
    10. February
      1. Mark's Eurovision Top 10
      2. Andrew congratulates AR Rahman on his double Oscar glory
      3. Joseph voted Best Musical Revival
      4. Mark's in Malta...
      5. So you want to be a real Eurovision fan?
      6. Moscow here we come...
    11. January
      1. Your Country Does Need You! Jade is the winner
      2. We meet Eurovision's Bucks Fizz
      3. And then there were three...
      4. Unbreak our Eurovision hearts
      5. The Eurovision zoo...
      6. Chris Moyles The Musical?
      7. Triumphant night for TV's Nancy
      8. A Lulu of a Eurovision
      9. Double whammy Grammy
      10. Grammy Award Winner joins Andrew in his quest for Eurovision glory
      11. Lee Mead's final performance as Joseph in the West End
      12. The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber sets new record
      13. Your Country Needs Them...
      14. The first instalment from our Eurovision blogger
  5. 2008
    1. December
      1. Meet our Eurovision blogger!
      2. Andrew meets Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
      3. Andrew in conversation with Josh Groban
    2. November
      1. Theatregoers to benefit from Chancellor‘s VAT cut
      2. 25 years of Cats in Japan!
      3. Andrew to judge Eventing International
      4. BBC Radio 1s Dave and Dom big Eurovision break?
    3. October
      1. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Surprise for Simon Cowell
      2. Lloyd Webber recruited to pen UK's 2009 Eurovision entry
      3. UK premiere of Phantasia
      4. Special birthday album release today
    4. September
      1. Free tickets for redundant bankers
      2. More birthday celebrations for Andrew in Ireland
      3. Andrew's 60th birthday celebrated by BBC concert in Hyde Park
    5. July
      1. Problem Solved - Elicia Mackenzie is Canada's Maria
      2. Andrew makes surprise trip to see Canada Maria's
      3. The Likes of Us is released for amateur licence to NODA
    6. June
      1. Starlight Express celebrates 20 years of productions in Bochum, Germany
      2. Thank you from Jodie, Jessie and Samantha
      3. Andrew congratulates Jodie
    7. May
      1. Rachel leaves I'd Do Anything semi final
      2. It's goodbye Niamh!
      3. Andrew to receive Woodrow Wilson Award
      4. Andrew and the Nancy's meet Celine Dion
      5. I'd Do Anything Results: Sunday 11th May
      6. The Phantom of the Opera goes digital!
      7. Andrew's speech to the House of Lords
      8. I'd Do Anything Results: Sunday 4th May
      9. Could Jenna be Nancy?
    8. April
      1. Andrew bids farewell to Francesca
      2. Andrew appears on American Idol
      3. I‘d Do Anything: Blog 3
      4. Andrew's Other Passion
      5. I‘d Do Anything: Blog 2
      6. Andrew to receive Classical BRIT Award
    9. March
      1. I‘d Do Anything: Blog 1
      2. A Tribute Concert for Steven Pimlott
      3. Thank you to chinamusical.net
      4. Playbill Unmasks Phantom Lyricist
      5. Andrew Lloyd Webber to be ‘American Idol‘ mentor
      6. Michael Ball Meets Andrew Lloyd Webber
      7. I'd Do Anything begins on BBC1
      8. Andrew and Madeleine set the record straight
      9. Andrew's Special Award from SOLT
    10. February
      1. Joseph is still amazing audiences 40 years on
      2. Andrew and Julian join tribute to the late Ian Adam
      3. Andrew joins guest presenters at the Brits
      4. Andrew appears in Hollyoaks
  6. 2007
    1. December
      1. Andrew to help BBC find Oliver!
      2. TV to watch this Christmas
      3. Andrew and Ben visit Liverpool
    2. November
      1. Andrew Lloyd Webber welcomes the Government's announcement on Music in Schools
      2. How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Scoops International Emmy
      3. Andrew on Amy Winehouse
      4. Joseph Raises £600k for Children in Need
      5. Supporting Children in Need
      6. Any Dream Will Do shortlisted for National Television Award
    3. October
      1. Andrew helps the Dutch find their Evita
      2. Lee Signs Polydor Record Deal
      3. Joseph Children in Need single
      4. How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? nominated for Emmy Award
      5. The Maria and Joseph Finalists Find Success
      6. Canada to be the next nation to Solve a Problem Like Maria...
    4. September
      1. Joseph on Children in Need:Tickets Available
      2. Andrew at ArtsEd
  7. 2006
    1. December
      1. Andrew is honoured at the Kennedy Center
    2. November
      1. The Sound of Music opens at the London Palladium
    3. June
      1. The 2006 revival of Evita
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  3. We're off to see the Wizard – and it's Michael Crawford!
We're off to see the Wizard – and it's Michael Crawford!

24th September 2010

We're off to see the Wizard – and it's Michael Crawford!

MICHAEL CRAWFORD is to star as The Wizard in ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’s new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ.

Michael, internationally renowned for originating the title role in The Phantom of the Opera and loved by millions for his role as the hapless Frank Spencer in the classic British sitcom, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, will star alongside DANIELLE HOPE, the winner of the BBC’s smash hit Over The Rainbow, when the show opens at the LONDON PALLADIUM next year.

Danielle captured the hearts of the country and will now step into the ruby slippers of Dorothy, the role immortalised by Judy Garland.

They will be joined by Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and Dorothy’s little dog Toto – as the most magical adventure of all comes to the West End. With brand new songs by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER and TIM RICE, The Wizard of Oz previews from Monday 7th February 2011 (Press Night: Tuesday 1st March at 7pm).

An eagerly anticipated new addition to London’s West End, The Wizard of Oz promises to be the biggest theatre event of the year. Developed from the ever-popular 1939 MGM screenplay, The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage by the award-winning creative team who delighted audiences of all ages with their recent London Palladium revival of The Sound of Music.

This new production, produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bill Kenwright, contains all the much-loved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score including; ‘Over the Rainbow’, ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’, ‘If I Only Had a Heart’ and ‘We’re Off to See the Wizard’. All the favourite characters and iconic scenes are there, plus a few surprises along the way – not just “lions and tigers and bears” but some new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice adding extra colour to the story as it moves from film to stage, as well as marking the first time they have worked together in over 30 years on a new production. Audiences will be captivated as The London Palladium is transformed into the mythical Emerald City with breathtaking special effects and scenery to bring to life the real story of Oz.

The London Palladium, arguably the world’s most famous theatre and this year celebrating its 100th birthday, is a great favourite with performers and audiences alike and has a very rich entertainment history presenting variety, pantomime and spectacular family musicals. Just one aspect of the elaborate stage design for The Wizard of Oz will be a restoration of the legendary revolving stage which everyone remembers from the finale of Television’s Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said, “We will be going a lot further than simply presenting the movie on stage. We have re-visited the original novel and re-conceived our “Oz” as a piece of new musical theatre using the wonderful Arlen/Harburg songs and adding a few new ones where there are gaps. I am really looking forward to bringing The Wizard of Oz to life on stage. I am delighted that Michael Crawford, a legend of musical theatre, will take on the role of the Wizard and can’t wait to work with him once more”.

Michael Crawford said, “I didn’t hesitate at all when Andrew asked me to take on the role of the Wizard. Working with him and Tim on a brand new production of this timeless classic is so thrilling and I am already looking forward to starting rehearsals later in the year.”

Michael Crawford’s hugely successful career spans four decades, and includes his unforgettable performance in the hit show Barnum at the London Palladium, and the role of Count Fosco in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman in White. He is a multi Olivier and Tony-award winning star whose acclaim encompasses theatre, television and film and he was appointed an OBE in 1988.

The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum is directed by Jeremy Sams, choreographed by Arlene Phillips, music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E Y Harburg, with additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice with the set and costumes designed by Rob Jones.

Tickets are available from The London Palladium Box Office on 0844 412 2957 or online from www.wizardofozthemusical.com.

Further news will be released in October.

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