News & Notes

Steinman's Wuthering Heights: MTV 9/14 @ 8pm - read more

MTV Set to Air Next Original Movie for Television 'Wuthering Heights' in September 2003

Music Driven Film Inspired By Bronte's Classic Novel Set to Feature

Erika Christensen ('Traffic' and 'Swimfan')

NEW YORK, July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- It was previously announced by MTV's Lois Curren, Executive Vice President, Series & Movie Development that "Wuthering Heights" will be the next original movie to appear on MTV. "Wuthering Heights" will be an adaptation of the classic novel by Emily Bronte about doomed and tragic love, conflicting passion and revenge -- updated for the MTV audience in a dramatic and music-driven tale.

The movie just finished production in Puerto Rico in May 2003 and will air in September 2003. A blockbuster group of young actors and actresses including Erika Christensen ("Traffic"), Mike Vogel ("Texas Chainsaw Massacre") Chris Masterson ("Malcolm in the Middle") Katherine Heigl ("Roswell") and Johnny Whitworth ("The Rainmaker") are set to star in this adaptation. Christensen will play the role that was immortalized by Merle Oberon in the 1939 classic movie also starring Sir Laurence Olivier. Christensen, Vogel and Whitworth will be making their on-screen singing debut.

Maggie Malina, Vice President MTV Original Movies, will serve as executive in charge of production. Jim Steinman (Meatloaf's "Bat Out of Hell") will executive produce the movie and will provide his signature sound in original songs written for and performed in the movie by Christensen and Vogel. Suri Krishnamma ("A Man of No Importance," "New Year's Day") is set to direct.

"Our movies to date have been infused with music, culture and originality," says Lois Curren. We are excited about our latest project because it captures all three of these aspects and we anticipate that the adaptation of this classic story will undoubtedly make an indelible impact with our audience."

"We have a tremendous cast of established talent along with some new, fresh faces who we are confident are poised to be the stars of tomorrow," commented Maggie Malina. "To date, we have had amazing success at finding new talent, casting them in our movies and watching them catapult to stardom - like Joy Bryant, Bow Wow and Beyonce Knowles all in their acting debuts. We're confident that our intuition will be right on with some of the new faces you'll see in 'Wuthering Heights'."

"Wuthering Heights" tells the story of CATE (Erika Christensen) and HENDRIX (Johnny Whitworth), young siblings living with their counterculture father EARNSHAW in a ramshackle lighthouse known as 'The Heights'. Cate is free-spirited and happy, but curious about the world outside her home. On his travels, Earnshaw encounters a reclusive homeless boy, HEATH (Mike Vogel), who he invites into their home. Heath is an intense child with natural musical abilities, and he draws immediate reactions from the family -- love from Cate, fatherly love from Earnshaw, and jealousy from displaced Hendrix.

Cate, in a desperate attempt to quash her feeling for Heath, accepts a hasty marriage proposal from EDWARD LINTON (Chris Masterson), a shy suitor. But their happiness is short-lived as Cate cannot escape her true feelings for Heath. As she withdraws, her adoring husband grows impatient and jealous. When Heath returns to reclaim the Heights from Hendrix, it's only a matter of time before he and Cate are reunited for one secret tryst.

MTV GREENLIGHTS AND GOES INTO PRODUCTION ON NEXT ORIGINAL MOVIE FOR TELEVISION "WUTHERING HEIGHTS"

Music Driven Film Inspired By Bronte's Classic Novel Set to Feature Erika Christensen ("Traffic" and "Swimfan")

Santa Monica, CA, April 21, 2003 - MTV's Lois Curren, Executive Vice President, Series & Movie Development announced today that "Wuthering Heights" has been greenlit as the next original movie to appear on MTV. "Wuthering Heights" will be an adaptation of the classic novel by Emily Bronte about doomed and tragic love, conflicting passion and revenge -- updated for the MTV audience in a dramatic and music-driven tale.

The movie is set to go into production in Puerto Rico in May 2003 and will air in Q3'03. A blockbuster group of young actors and actresses including Erika Christensen ("Traffic"), Mike Vogel ("Texas Chainsaw Massacre") Chris Masterson ("Malcolm in the Middle") Katherine Heigl ("Roswell") and Johnny Whitworth ("The Rainmaker") are set to star in this adaptation. Christensen will play the role that was immortalized by Merle Oberon in the 1939 classic movie also starring Sir Laurence Olivier. Christensen, Vogel and Whitworth will be making their on-screen singing debut.

Maggie Malina, Vice President MTV Original Movies, will serve as executive in charge of production. Jim Steinman (Meatloaf's "Bat Out of Hell") will executive produce the movie and will provide his signature sound in original songs written for and performed in the movie by Christensen and Vogel. Suri Krishnamma ("A Man of No Importance," "New Year's Day") is set to direct.

"Our movies to date have been infused with music, culture and originality," says Lois Curren. We are excited about our latest project because it captures all three of these aspects and we anticipate that the adaptation of this classic story will undoubtedly make an indelible impact with our audience."

"We have a tremendous cast of established talent along with some new, fresh faces who we are confident are poised to be the stars of tomorrow," commented Maggie Malina. "To date, we have had amazing success at finding new talent, casting them in our movies and watching them catapult to stardom - like Joy Bryant, Bow Wow and Beyonce Knowles all in their acting debuts. We're confident that our intuition will be right on with some of the new faces you'll see in 'Wuthering Heights.'

"Wuthering Heights" tells the story of CATE (Erika Christensen) and HENDRIX (Johnny Whitworth), young siblings living with their counterculture father EARNSHAW in a ramshackle lighthouse known as 'The Heights'. Cate is free-spirited and happy, but curious about the world outside her home. On his travels, Earnshaw encounters a reclusive homeless boy, HEATH (Mike Vogel), who he invites into their home. Heath is an intense child with natural musical abilities, and he draws an immediate reactions from the family --- love from Cate, fatherly love from Earnshaw, and jealousy from displaced Hendrix.

Cate, in a desparate attempt to quash her feeling for Heath, accepts a hasty marriage proposal from EDWARD LINTON (Chris Masterson), a shy suitor. But their happiness is short-lived as Cate cannot escape her true feelings for Heath. As she withdraws, her adoring husband grows impatient and jealous. When Heath returns to reclaim the Heights from Hendrix, it's only a matter of time before he and Cate are reunited for one secret tryst.

CAST INFORMATION

Erika Christensen stunned audiences as Michael Douglas' drug addicted daughter in Steven Soderbergh's Oscar and Golden Globe winning film, TRAFFIC. Recently, Christensen starred in two feature films, which were released in September 2002. In the high school thriller SWIMFAN, Christensen plays a student whose crush turns into an unexpected obsession, with Jesse Bradford and Shiri Appleby. Christensen was also seen as the daughter of ex-groupie, Susan Sarandon, in Fox Searchlight's THE BANGER SISTERS, co-starring Goldie Hawn and Geoffrey Rush. Christensen will next be seen this fall starring in Paramount Pictures' THE PERFECT SCORE.

Mike Vogel just wrapped the Warner Bros. feature film entitled GRIND for director Casey La Scala. GRIND chronicles four young boys as they journey across the United States to get on a coveted skateboarding tour. He stars opposite Adam Brody, Jennifer Morrison and Vince Vieluf. GRIND is scheduled to be released August 2003. Also upcoming for Vogel, is the remake of 11974 horror classic, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE set for release in October 2003, and co-starring Jessica Biel, Eric Balfour and Jonathan Tucker.

Christopher Kennedy Masterson, is a young and talented actor currently starring as a cast member of the FOX Emmy award-winning hit comedy, "Malcolm in the Middle". Chris portrays 'Francis,' Malcolm's eldest brother, a smooth-talking delinquent whose escapades land him in military school. He also had a reoccurring role this season on FOX's hit series "That 70's Show" where he played Todd, a nerdy, obsessed type manager of a cheese shop and Jackie's love interest. Masterson has also appeared in numerous films including the Wayans' Brothers film "SCARY MOVIE 2", "MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING" and "SINGLES".

Katherine Heigl is most widely recognized for her role on the WB hit show, "Roswell." Heigl made her feature debut at the age of 12 in THAT NIGHT which starred Juliette Lewis and C. Thomas Howell and later appeared in the Steven Soderbergh Depression-era drama, KING OF THE HILL. Those films laid the foundation for what was to be her breakout performance in Touchstone Pictures' MY FATHER THE HERO. Recently, Heigl has starred in "Critical Assembly" for NBC, "Romy and Michele" for ABC and "Love Comes Softly" for the Hallmark Channel.

Johnny Whitworth began his acting career appearing in such hit films as EMPIRE RECORDS, BYE, BYE LOVE, SOMEBODY IS WAITING and most notably, playing the leukemia victim Donnie Ray Black in "THE RAINMAKER" opposite Matt Damon and Jon Voight. Johnny also has appeared on the small screen on "NYPD Blue", "The Shield", Robert Altman's GUN, and BIRDLAND to name a few. Johnny's next film is the independent romantic comedy, KISS THE BRIDE.

WUTHERING HEIGHTS is written by Max Enscoe & Annie de Young who wrote DAY THE WORLD ENDED for HBO and THE GOGO'S for ABC. It is produced by Barstu Productions Inc. in association with Domain Cinema Inc. and Constellation Partners LLC. Paul Mason serves as Executive Producer for Barstu and Steven J. Brown and David Williams will be Executive Producers for Domain.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VHI, NICKELODEON/NICK at NITE, TV LAND and the THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of nine digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide. In addition, MTV Networks operates MTV Networks Online, a portfolio of leading Internet properties built to address every interest of today's music fan and Internet-savvy kid.

Jim will be the Executive Producer of this MTV Wuthering Heights movie and will both contribute to and supervise the program's music.

MTV Returns to 'Wuthering Heights' Once Moor

April 21, 2003

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Heathcliff, Heathcliff, no one should terrify the neighborhood. MTV is hard at work prepping a new version of Emily Bronte's gothic novel "Wuthering Heights." Displaying MTV's trademark touch with the classics, the new version of the story will be a contemporary retelling and it will be a musical. The film will star Erika Christensen ("Traffic"), Katherine Heigl ("Roswell") and Mike Vogel ("Grounded For Life"), according to The Hollywood Reporter .

Written by Max Enscoe and Annie deYoung and following in the footsteps of such literate MTV faire as "Carmen: A Hip Hopera," the new "Wuthering Heights" will feature Vogel as Heathcliff, Christensen as his all-consuming love Catherine and Isabella as Catherine's tortured sister.

Suri Krishnamma ("A Man of No Importance") will direct.

Astute fans of musical theater will note that "Wuthering Heights" has already added songs on several occasions including Bernard Herrmann's opera version, the not-so-immortal "Heathcliff" and Bernard Taylor's more recent version, which featured songs like "They Say He's a Gypsy" and "Heathcliff's Lament."

The novel has been adapted for the screen several times including the famous 1939 William Wyler version, starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon as well as a more recent TV version starring Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes.

Trio set to scale musical 'Heights' for MTV original

April 21, 2003

By Zorianna Kit and Nellie Andreeva

Erika Christensen, Mike Vogel and Katherine Heigl are in final negotiations to topline "Wuthering Heights," MTV's musical adaptation of Emily Bronte's classic novel.

The movie, written by Max Enscoe and Annie deYoung, takes a contemporary look at the tragic story of revenge and romantic love between the offspring of the Earnshaws, who live at Wuthering Heights, and their genteel, refined neighbors the Lintons.

"Wuthering Heights" centers on the saucy and selfish Catherine Earnshaw (Christensen), who falls in love with Heathcliff (Vogel), an orphan adopted by the Earnshaws, but marries her neighbor Edgar Linton instead. Meanwhile, Linton's sister Isabella (Heigl) marries Heathcliff but escapes after his ill temper makes her life miserable.

The project marks Christensen's onscreen singing debut.

Suri Krishnamma is set to direct the movie, overseen at MTV by executive vp series and movie development Lois Curren and vp original movies Maggie Malina.

Christensen, repped by WMA, James/Levy/Jacobson and attorney Michael Fuller, next stars in Paramount Pictures' "The Perfect Score." Her credits include "The Banger Sisters," "Swimfan" and "Traffic."

Heigl, best known for her role on the series "Roswell" and the feature film "Valentine," was recently tapped to star in UPN's drama pilot presentation "Vegas Dick." She is repped by WMA and Untitled Entertainment.

Vogel, repped by CAA and Management 360, next stars in New Line Cinema's "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and Warner Bros. Pictures/Gaylord Films' skateboarding feature "Grind." On TV, he co-stars on the WB Network series "Grounded for Life."

See the Box Office Announcement from the July 28th
New York Times (click here)

Ultimate Albums Air Date & Web Feature

VH1's "Ultimate Albums: Bat Out Of Hell" special with new interview (and piano playing) footage of Jim Steinman as well as most of Bat's key players premieres Sunday May 26, 10/9c. Visit VH1's Ultimate Albums: Bat Out Of Hell page which includes an exclusive interview with Jim as well as track by track liner notes, additional show times, a trivia game and more!

See the Full Page Dance of the Vampires New York Times Ad

(click here)

Forget Snow White…She's Blood Red

There are ecstatic love duets, close encounters, unbridled dancing, wild comedy and, of course, bats and a madman named Boris. Sarah has to choose between earthly love with Alfred, or eternal passion with Krolock in the Vampire State Building. (complete Dance Of The Vampires story synopsis)

Playbill Feature On Vampire Cast, Creative Team & CD

Headline: Rando, Carrafa to Dance with Crawford and Vampires on Bway and CD
Byline: "If you think Broadway musicals suck now - Just you wait…"
The fangy tuner with music and lyrics by Jim Steinman (Whistle Down the Wind, the upcoming Batman) will be helmed by Urinetown director John Rando. The project will reteam the helmer with choreographer John Carrafa (Urinetown, Into The Woods). (read more)

No other casting has been confirmed as of yet, but Rene Auberjonois has been offered a role and is currently in negotiations, according to his agent Peter Strain.

Broadway.com Casting Story

Broadway.com featured a story about the tentative cast of Broadway's Dance Of The Vampires. Max von Essen is quoted as saying: “I saw the show in Vienna,” von Essen told Broadway.com. “The score is totally incredible. It’s pop meets opera meets rock. I didn’t understand a word of it over there, but I remember loving the music. My role, Alfred, is such a great role—it’s really made for me vocally and dramatically.” (Read the full story here)

The Creative Team Of Dance Of The Vampires (click here)

Dance Of The Vampire Schedule Changes & Group Sales Info

Preview and Opening Dates for Dance Of The Vampires are now as follows:
Previews Begin: Oct. 14th. (1st matinee Oct. 23rd.)
Opening Night: November 21st.

Orchestra seats for groups of 20 or more are $76 for every night EXCEPT Saturday Evening.
Saturday Evening Groups Sales Tickets are $104.50
Group sales info. is available by calling 212 398 8383 or 800 223 7565

NYTimes Dance Of The Vampires Ad and AMEX Ticket Offer

An ad is scheduled to run in this Sunday's New York Times putting advance tickets on sale for American Express Gold, Platinum, Centurion and select Corporate card holders. This offer is tentatively scheduled to be valid May 5th - May 19.

Vittoria! (Aida) OperaBabes

There has been a lot of confusion surrounding the Steinman produced track Vittoria! (Aida) as recorded by the OperaBabes. This information is direct from Sony and is, hopefully, accurate.

• * Jim's original mix of Vittoria! is on the FIFA World Cup 2002 CD in most territories outside of the UK (where it has been replaced by One Fine Day).
• * On June 10th (tentative date) a single including a Vittoria! remix will be released worldwide, but again, different territories are free to choose another track if they desire.
• * A remix of Vittoria! is slated to appear on the OperaBabes debut release Beyond Imagination worldwide but NOT on the initial UK recording. The UK will get the Vittoria! remix as an added track in conjunction with a TV ad campaign in the Fall as part of a Christmas sales promotion.

"Vittoria!" is MAGNIFICO

The Jim Steinman produced Vittoria (Aida) is now available in certain regions of the world on "Fever Pitch - Official 2002 Fifa World Cup." Other release dates are as follows: France May 7 th, US - May 21st, Europe - May 25th. Please note - Steinman's track is not scheduled to be on the OperaBabes debut CD "Beyond Imagination" or the FIFA World Cup UK version. Order accordingly as you won't want to miss this stunner!

Tell Me All About It

Jim has interviewed (and played piano for) an upcoming VH1 program. "Ultimate Albums - Bat Out Of Hell" is tentatively scheduled to air in late May and also features interviews with many of Bat Out Of Hell's contributors. "Ultimate Albums'' is a new series that examines a single important record in each weekly one-hour episode, recounting in detail why it connected the artist and the audience, and how it forever changed their lives and our culture. (more about the series)

To Hell With That!

The Bat Out Of Hell II : Back Into Hell Deluxe Edition release has been canceled.

Stake Claim To Vampires

(Variety) USA Ostar Theatricals, Robert Boyett Theatricals and Lawrence Horowitz have joined David Sonenberg and Andrew Braunsberg as producing partners on "Dance of the Vampires." Barry Diller and Bill Haber's USA Ostar is currently repped on Broadway with the revival of "Noises Off." Horowitz, exec producer of TV's "A Moment of Truth" movies, had been a producer on the Broadway productions of "Electra" and "It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues." Boyett made his Broadway producer debut last autumn with "Hedda Gabler" and has also invested in "The Crucible," "Sweet Smell of Success" and "Topdog/Underdog." The veteran TV producer brought "Laverne & Shirley" and "Bosom Buddies," among other shows, to the tube.

"Dance of the Vampires" is based on Roman Polanski's 1967 film "The Fearless Vampire Killers." After a long run in Vienna, the musical by composer Jim Steinman and lyricist-book writer Michael Kunze was originally announced to open last fall at the Minskoff Theater. After the events of Sept. 11, it was pushed back a full year to September 2002. Now it has been moved to Nov. 14 due to changes in the creative team. Co-directors John Caird and Steinman have been replaced by John Rando ("Urinetown"). David Gallo is the new set designer. Other new names will be forthcoming, but Michael Crawford continues as the headliner.

That's Opera, Babe!

Jim has completed work producing a song for the Opera Babes. Titled "Vittoria!" - a composition by Giuseppe Verdi, the track will be featured on the spring 2002 Sony UK FIFA WORLD CUP CD as well as on the upcoming CD by the Opera Babes. Jim has also interview in support of the project.

The Opera Babes are soprano Rebecca Knight and mezzo-soprano Karen England. The two young ladies were picked to sing at the finals of the FA Cup and Champions League in 2001 after being spotted singing on the streets outside the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, England. Soon after they were signed to a record deal with Sony UK.

Back Into Hell...Again.

Meat Loaf's BAT OUT OF HELL II: BACK INTO HELL Expanded Into Two-CD DELUXE EDITION Featuring Three Versions Of 'I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)' to be released March 19, 2002. Press Release

NEW GARBO MUSICAL TO OPEN IN SWEDEN THIS YEAR

A new Swedish musical about the life of reclusive Swedish-born film legend Greta Garbo will open in Stockholm in September, Swedish news agency TT reported.

"Garbo the Musical" will feature new material about the star recently released by her relatives in the United States and music inspired by pop star Celine Dion, producer Mikael Hellqvist told the agency. Read More.

DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES - The Most Successful Musical Of 2001

12/12/01 Stella Entertainment Press Release - Stuttgart

Market Leader STELLA Entertainment AG's production of DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES has been seen by more than 600,000 visitors this year and is the most successful German musical of 2001. In addition, the trade magazine Musicals named DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES the distinguished recipient of the 2001 Reader's Choice Award for "Favorite Long-Running Musical."

The numbers speak for themselves! "DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES is the most successful musical in Germany," explains Klaus von der Heyde, Chairman of the Board of STELLA Entertainment AG. "It's a musical that's appealed to a completely new target group and has allowed us to bring a younger demographic of visitors into our theaters."

Since March 31, 2000, when the VAMPIRES began their mischief, crowds of people have found their way to Stuttgart - and more continue to come. On the 12th of December, 2001 the one-millionth visitor experienced DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES live in Stuttgart.

There are big plans in the coming years for Vampires. "The musical is doing so well that we plan to keep it in Stuttgart until at least 2004," said Klaus von der Heyde. In addition to this achievement, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES is expected to become the first original German-language production to transfer to Broadway, New York in the autumn of next year. German Press Release

Vampires Enlist You!

A temporary webpage has been established at -

There is a "news only" list you can subscribe to. Join and you'll receive automatic alerts (that will include website & show updates plus special information) direct to your e-mailbox.

Every hour of waiting just enhances our lust…

On October 5, 2001, David Sonenberg, producer of Dance Of The Vampires confirmed that the show would not open in April 2002 as had been initially planned. The tragic events of September 11, 2001 have made it necessary to reschedule. Here is the excerpt from the New York Times:

Delay for 'Vampires'

There is another Broadway postponement to report: "Dance of the Vampires," a musical based on the 1967 Roman Polanski film "The Fearless Vampire Killers," will not be seen this season.

Its producer, David Sonenberg, said yesterday that he had decided to push back the show's opening until next fall. The show, originally scheduled for late April, will instead open on Oct. 24 at the Minskoff Theater.

Mr. Sonenberg said most of the show's creative team, including John Caird, the co-director, was based in London, which caused myriad logistic delays. "We haven't been able to do anything productive since all this happened," he said. "We just realized there was no way to open before the Tony cutoff."

Coming To Broadway October 24, 2002!

Michael Crawford To Dance

NEW YORK (Variety) - Fourteen years after his blood-letting turn in "The Phantom of the Opera,'' actor Michael Crawford returns to Broadway this season in another musical of the macabre, "Dance of the Vampires.''

Based on Roman Polanski's 1967 movie spoof "The Fearless Vampire Killers," the show opens April 11 at the Minskoff Theater. Full Story

Casting Begins and Tentative Opening Dates Announced!

Casting for Dance Of The Vampires will begin September 4th in New York. Rehearsals are slated to start January 7, 2002. According to current plans, the first preview at Broadway's Minskoff Theater will be on March 5th and the show will officially open a month later on April 11th. All this point, all dates remain tentative.

And The Melody's Gonna Make Me Fly…

Steve Barton, Tanz der Vampire’s original Count von Krolock, died July 21, 2001. May he rest without pain, without fear. Godspeed, Steve.

Holy Garbo, Batman!

A long list of varied projects are still in development and making very good progress...they include, among others, Warner’s development of the Steinman/Ives musical Batman. MTV is still slated to produce Wuthering Heights California for next season, and Jim is creating yet another new musical based on the life of Greta Garbo. Greta Garbo The Musical is tentatively scheduled to open in 2002 in Stockholm, Sweden before, hopefully, moving to Berlin, London’s West End and Broadway. The show features a book by Warner Brown. Music will be composed and arranged by Michael Reed and Jim Steinman. The show’s director will be Scott Faris.

A WICKed Tribute!

John Wick, award-winning author and game designer (best known for his work on Legend of the Five Rings and 7th Sea for AEG), is developing a new Role Playing Game called Neverland and inspired by the music of Jim Steinman.

The Windy Cities:

Whistle Down The Wind - UK Tour 2001 - 2002

• Design by PAUL FARNSWORTH
• Lighting by NICK RICHINGS
• Choreography by HENRY METCALFE
• Musical director DAVID STEADMAN
• Produced & directed by BILL KENWRIGHT

The following information was provided by Bill Kenwright Ltd. and is subject to change. Please confirm all details of interest to you directly with the venue. Box office numbers have been provided.

• Sept. 14 - 29 Theater Royal, Plymouth - Box Office 01752267222
• Oct. 2 - 13 Kings Theater, Glasgow - Box Office 01412875429
• Oct. 15 - 22 Alhambra, Bradford - Box Office 01274752000
• Oct. 29 - Nov 5 New Theatre, Cardiff - Box Office 02920878889
• Nov. 12 - 19 Hippodrome, Birmingham - Box Office 01216227486
• Nov. 26 - ? To Be Confirmed
• Dec. 3 - 15 Apollo Theatre, Oxford - Box Office 01865244544
• Dec. 17 - Jan. 14 Empire Theatre, Liverpool - Box Office 01517083206
• Jan. 21 - Feb 2 Festival Theatre, Edinburg - Box Office 01315296000
• Feb. 4 - Feb16 Empire Theatre, Sunderland - Box Office 01915142517
• Feb. 18 - 25 Grand Theatre. Wolverhampton - Box Office 01902421447
• March 4 - 11 His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen - Box Office 01224641122
• March 18 - 30 Opera House, Manchester - Box Office 01612422525
• April 1 - 13 Mayflower Theatre, Southampton - Box Office 02380711811
• April 15 - ? To Be Confirmed
• April 22 - ? To Be Confirmed
• April 29 - May 6 Hippodrome, Bristol 01179299444

Vampire State Building

An English language reading of Dance Of The Vampires was held April 27th in New York for the show’s investors. A workshop production will be staged in mid-May for theater owners. The cast for the reading and workshop is as listed below:

• Steve Barton - Count von Krolock (Phantom Of The Opera)
• Sarah Uriarte Berry - Sarah (Les Miserables)
• Max von Essen - Alfred (Jesus Christ Superstar)
• William Youmans - Professor Abronsius (Titanic)
• Tom Alan Robbins - Chagal (The Lion King)
• Bertilla Baker - Rebecca (Titanic)
• Kate Shindle - Magda (Caberet - she is also the former Miss America, 1998)
• Jason Wooten - Herbert (Footloose, also Starmites 2001)
• Ken Jennings - Koukol (Sweeney Todd)

Dance Of The Vampires -

Book by Jim Steinman, David Ives and John Caird as adapted from the German libretto of Michael Kunze.

Music and Lyrics by Jim Steinman

Directed by Jim Steinman & John Caird

Executive Producer is Andrew Braunsberg

Produced by Elizabeth Williams & Anita Waxman

Planned Broadway arrival is early 2002.
Opening Date and Theater To Be Announced.

Brief Notes

Development of Batman - The Musical (Book by Ives, Music/Lyrics by Steinman) for Warner Brothers continues. The show may receive a reading later this summer.

Vampires Begin The Dance Toward Broadway

The reading for U.S. producers and investors of Dance Of The Vampires is planned for the last week of April in New York. John Caird will co-direct with Jim. David Ives (who wrote the book for the upcoming Warner Bros. Steinman/Ives musical - Batman) is now also involved in Dance Of The Vampires as the one of the projects librettists.

Going Batty

Thrilled with the final script (Ives) and score (Steinman) presented to them for Batman The Musical, Warner Bros. Has “green-lighted” the project for a late 2002 arrival in Gotham. Possible directors for the projects are being explored at this time.

A Hell Of A Cover

A Q Magazine special edition - The 100 Best Record Covers Of All Time features the cover art for Bat Out Of Hell. Art by Corben -Concept by Steinman. The write-up is featured on this web site at: 100 Best Covers

Forbidden Fires Burn In Boston

A new Steinman related project is now underway, with Jim's consent, called Forbidden Fire…The Musical Legacy of Jim Steinman. The project is the brainchild of Lisa "Lucky" DesPres, the talent coordinator and artistic director of one of the largest club venues in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Collaborating with Lisa are Angie Winterbottom and Emily DeGraff both longtime and profound Steinmaniacs. The show will be done revue style with Steinman songs serving as both the musical numbers and the emotional premise upon which each of the various scenes is written. Top caliber talent has already been recruited and Gary Cherone (formerly of Extreme / Van Halen and presently with Tribe of Judah) has been confirmed as one of the show's stars. Forbidden Fire plans a Fall 2002 opening in Boston with hopes of moving to New York shortly thereafter. A statement from Lisa follows:

"We're very fortunate to have a muse of such legendary standing as Mr. Steinman. It is our mission to reintroduce his music to the world in a way that allows the fundamental heroism to shine through. Though most (lay-persons) are familiar with a number his songs, they unfortunately don't make the connection. They don't know there is one man behind an epic body of work. We look forward to the resounding "WOW" when the general public realizes that the same man who brought them Paradise By The Dashboard Light, also brought them Total Eclipse and It's All Coming Back to Me Now. It's time for Jim and his music to be appreciated autonomously. In the manner one recognizes a Mozart composition - or on a more contemporary level, those of Leiber and Stohler. Indeed, few contemporary composers have enjoyed such longevity. Let us celebrate the artist who "made" the music as we've celebrated the artists who have performed it."

Lisa "Lucky" DesPres

Producer Forbidden Fire

More Bat To Love

On January 30th Legacy, a division of Sony Music, released an "expanded" version of Bat Out Of Hell. This new edition features two additional tracks recorded live at Nassau Coliseum in Hempstead (Long Island), New York in 1978. New tracks include Steinman's adaptation of classical composer Maurice Ravel's "Bolero"( which was used to open the stage show for the original Bat Out Of Hell Tour) and a blistering 15 minute "in-concert" version of the album's title track. Read a well-written review of this release here.

I'm Obsessed With Obsession

MTV announced, as part of it's plan to develop 10 new original movies, "Wuthering Heights." The Emily Bronte classic about obsessive love takes a new spin in a contemporary adaptation based on a screenplay by Jim Steinman and Patricia Louisiana Knop. Jim will be executive producer and compose the original score for the movie. The writers, Max Enscoe and Annie deYoung, are currently working on two horror-thriller scripts (Day The World Ended & The Spider) for HBO and expect their first cinematic release to come in Fall of 2001 with "Wooly Boys." MTV generally spends in excess of 4 million dollars per movie and expects to complete production on "Wuthering Heights" in late 2001 or early 2002.

We'll Miss It, No Matter What

Whistle Down The Wind has closed in London after a successful 2 1/2 year run that spawned the immensely successful single, No Matter What. Collectors will be interested to know that Donny Osmond covers that song on his current release "This Is The Moment."

After a West End run of over two and a half years, the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman musical, Whistle Down the Wind, will close at the Aldwych theatre on Saturday Jan 6th 2001.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said, "I am sad to see "Whistle Down the Wind" go, though a two and half year run is pretty good. Although with hindsight I feel I might have been treading water, the show did contain 'No Matter What', my biggest ever Number One hit in the UK, and many other songs of which I am extremely proud. That is why I will return to it."

There is talk about the show possibly changing theaters - (the Aldwych is not one of the many owned by ALW's RUG) - or taking it on tour. It's sad news because the musical is really very beautiful, consistently placed in the Top 10 selling shows of the West End and recouped it's investment.

Let The Revels Begin - Vampires Dance On Broadway

Dance Of The Vampires is scheduled to arrive on Broadway in Fall 2001.

The show will feature book, music and lyrics by Steinman and he'll also be co-directing.

Holy Cow - It's Batman

Work on Batman - The Musical, (a Warners Brothers project), continues. Steinman provides music and lyrics for a David Ives book. It will likely come to Broadway in the 2001-2002 season.

Isn't It Romantic?

Frank Wildhorn is developing a new concept in musical theater. His project is called The Romantics and on it he'll collaborate with a variety of lyricists, including Jim Steinman, Don Black and Stephen Schwartz. Wildhorn describes it as "a multi-layered project about ten couples." (Couples include Adam & Eve, Bonnie & Clyde, and F.Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald). Wildhorn hopes The Romantics will spawn two albums, a television special, material to use in a concert setting and two complete musicals. Wildhorn's wife (Jekyll and Hyde star) Linda Eder, is the female star of the show and will be featured in all female lead parts. Steinman will provide lyrics for the Ladyhawke section of the musical. Ladyhawke is the story of two lovers - cursed to walk through life together, yet endlessly apart. Separated by an evil spell, they alternate between animal (hawk or wolf) and human form - allowed to be together, both as humans, during the brief moments when day turns to night and night turns to day. A total eclipse helps bring an end to black magic that plagues them.

Until The Very End, I'm There

RUG Denies Whistle Down The Wind Closing Rumors

Rumors have been circulating, (largely started by remarks made by Andrew Lloyd Webber to Variety Magazine while doing press for his current musical, The Beautiful Game) that Whistle Down The Wind may close in January 2001. RUG denies this and is booking through Spring 2001. Whistle Down The Wind continues to do well - 2 1/2 years since opening, it generally ranks in the West End Top 10 and it's almost completely recouped all investment money. The Aldwych Theater, where Whistle is housed, is not one of the many West End theaters owned by RUG/ALW. My hope is that this philosophical and poignant work will continue to be available to audiences for many years to come.

No Matter Where There's Darkness, I Bring My Song To You:

Michael Ball sings No Matter What on his upcoming release "Michael Ball - This Time...It's Personal." The CD is scheduled for released on October 23rd with a video release scheduled to follow.

Forever's Gonna Start Tonight

Pia Douwes, Uwe Kroeger, Viktor Gernot and Marika Lichter teamed to perform four concerts in Vienna last September. The show, called "In Love Again...With Musicals," featured a Pia Douwes and Uwe Kroeger duet on Totale Finsternis (Total Eclipse Of the Heart) from Tanz der Vampire. A live recording release is planned and this number is slated for inclusion. A release date has not yet been announced.

Did You Get To Try Anything New?

In addition to the above, Jim continues to work on a variety of exciting projects. Although it's premature to discuss these "back burner" projects with certainty, they include developing new talent for the Ravenous Records label, developing a screenplay for TV, plus work on an assortment of musicals.

No Way Jose!

Jim Steinman is not involved with Meat Loaf's latest recording endeavor, Fun House.

Restless Records / DAS Label Press Release

23 YEARS AND 37 MILLION RECORDS LATER …

"BAT OUT OF HELL" GOES COUNTRY

Meat Loaf's "Bat Out Of Hell" was released in 1977 and has sold over 37 million copies since. A new spin on the extraordinarily successful rock-opera classic will feature various country artists covering the tunes on "Bat Out Of Nashville." More

On July 26th VH1 plans to air "Meat Loaf: To Hell and Back," a new original movie that tells Meat Loaf's version of his dramatic rise to fame in the 1970s, his subsequent fall as a result of personal and professional problems, and his return to fame after recording the sequel to Bat Out Of Hell in 1993 with Jim Steinman. W. Earl Brown ("There's Something About Mary") stars as Meat Loaf, Dedee Pfeiffer ("For Your Love") as Lesley Aday and Zachary Throne ("Frank Leaves for the Orient") as the Meat's legendary inventor, Jim Steinman. The film is directed by Jim McBride ("Great Balls of Fire," "The Big Easy").

Steinman and most others portrayed in the film, aside from Meat Loaf, were not consulted on the script with regard to accuracy or content.

Stuttgart's Tanz der Vampire stars Kevin Tarte and Barbara Köhler's performance of "Totale Finsternis" on the German TV station ZDF-Sendung on the program "Straße der Lieder" has been rescheduled. They are now tentatively scheduled to appear April 22nd.

The Stuttgart cast of Tanz der Vampire are also scheduled to appear on "Kinderquatsch mit Michael" on April 1st but that date is also subject to change.

Jim's record label, Ravenous, is now associated with the Columbia Records family of music. A variety of projects are being planned.