Michael Crawford to Star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s New Wizard of Oz

Original Phantom star Michael Crawford will tackle another iconic role when he plays the Wizard in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new West End production of The Wizard of Oz. Joining Crawford as Dorothy Gale will be Danielle Hope, the winner of the BBC’s hit television show Over The Rainbow, a reality talent search to cast the part. The musical will begin performances February 7, 2011 at the London Palladium in the West End.

Crawford famously originated the role of P.T. Barnum in Cy Coleman’s musical Barnum, for which he won his first Olivier Award. He won another Olivier, and a Tony Award, when he originated the role of The Phantom in Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. He was most recently seen in the West End in Lloyd Webber’s The Woman in White.

As previously announced, in addition to all the songs from the well-loved Oscar-winning film score for The Wizard of Oz—“Over the Rainbow,” “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” “If I Only Had a Heart” and “We’re Off to See the Wizard”—the production will feature new songs by Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, their first collaboration in more than 30 years. The pair previously worked together on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.