British singer Sarah Brightman is to travel into outer space.

The classical singer, who was once married to theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, will become the eighth civilian to visit the International Space Station after she undertakes a six-month training program in Moscow, Russia next year.

Brightman is even hoping to achieve her dream of performing a song while orbiting Earth.

She told a press conference on Wednesday, "I am planning to become a space flight participant... My journey is about realizing aims and dreams. (I would like to) sing a song from space."

theater impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber feels like a new man after undergoing hip replacement surgery.

The British composer, who has previously overcome a battle with prostate cancer, had a hip resurfacing several weeks ago, which replaces damaged parts in the hip joint with metal implants in a bid to combat arthritis.

And now the operation has been completed successfully, Lloyd Webber is ecstatic with the results.

The 63 year old tells Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, "I feel so much better. The best thing is that now I can exercise again, I can go swimming, which I love.

"I was putting ...

Ian Fleming based his James Bond character on composer Andrew Lloyd Webber's former father-in-law.

The theatre impresario's TV personality daughter Imogen has revealed the writer drew inspiration for his superspy from her grandfather.

She says, "He's based on my mother's father. He served under Ian Fleming in the war in naval intelligence, and my grandfather is one of the men James Bond is based upon. It's a very cool claim to fame."

Nicole Scherzinger is reportedly in talks to play Mary Magdalene in a new big screen adaptation of hit musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

The pop star and TV talent show judge is being lined up to play Jesus' female disciple in a re-imagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock opera, which was made into a film in 1973.

Scherzinger has been in negotiations with Webber since earlier this year after falling in love with the music, according to Britain's Sun.

A source tells the publication, "Nicole is a big fan of the songs and was desperate to be involved. She can sing and dance equ...

2010 was an incredible year in the world of showbiz, with the usual headline-grabbing antics, scandal, sleaze, celebrity births, star weddings, and bitter break-ups.

Here, WENN takes a look back at 2010...

January

Matthew McConaughey became the first new celebrity dad of 2010 when he and Camila Alves welcomed baby Vida into the world, but they weren't the only couple celebrating births. Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell experienced the joys of fatherhood all over again, while supermodel Claudia Schiffer and actress Monica Bellucci were bursting with excitement after announcing their pregnan...

Hollywood star Kevin Spacey has been named among the top 10 most influential people in British theatre. The "American Beauty" star took over as artistic director of London's Old Vic theatre in 2003 and has since established himself as a powerful force in the U.K. arts industry, landing him in 10th place on trade paper The Stage's top 100.

Leading the pack are husband and wife team Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire, who own the Ambassador Theatre Group, the largest organization in the West End, beating producer Cameron Mackintosh into second place and music impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber ...

If the image of Dolly Parton was indeed to be carved in stone atop a great mountain in her native East Tennessee hills, it would be a worthy honor among the hundreds of honors and awards she has already received - for her accomplishments over the past 50 years as a singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, worldwide touring artist, Hollywood actor and TV personality, Broadway entrepreneur, author, amusement theme park owner, celebrated philanthropist, and more.

Not the least of those accomplishments is her litany of hit songs and signature compositions spanning five distinct decades...

Acclaimed British songwriter Tim Rice is to be honored with the 2,375th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Oscar winner Rice will be inducted into the famous Tinseltown landmark by Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook on November 20.

Rice has contributed lyrics to hit Disney movies Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King - and was named a Disney Legend in 2002 - but he enjoyed much of his success with theater impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The two Brits first teamed up to pen the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the late 1960s.

As lyricist behind...

Artist Damien Hirst has bought a portrait of Paris Hilton made entirely from porn magazine covers for an undisclosed sum.

The Jonathan Yeo artwork was bought by the Brit just before Yeo exhibited his new collection of porn portraits at a former restaurant supply store in the Bowery, New York on Friday. The other Outsiders exhibits feature Tony Blair, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Rupert Murdoch.

Yeo plans to give Hilton proceeds from the sale of Paris, 2008 as a "lighthearted" gesture.

-Click to View Gallery

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News N...

Lopping off 30 minutes is a start, but isn't nearly enough. At FOX's up-fronts last week, the network's executives made the startling announcement that "American Idol's" results show will be limited to a half-hour next season. A great cheer rose up from "Idol" nation at the news, as this will surely limit the time for ex-contestants pretending to have music careers on the nation's biggest show.

Of course, this news was met with a drop of cynicism. Lisa de Moraes of The Washington Post wrote that FOX's announcement of the time reduction was simply the executives' "way of reminding us ...

On April 22's episode of American Idol, renowned composer and lyricist Andrew Lloyd Weber stood patiently trying to teach a blank-eyed Jason Castro the song, "Memory" from one of history's most popular musicals, "Cats." Smiled the clueless Castro, "I didn't even know a cat was singing it."

Quell'horror! Is this the extent of musical theater knowledge possessed by today's generation? In fairness, Castro is from Texas, not exactly around the corner from Broadway. Perhaps had there been a big-screen version of "Cats," more people under the age of 30 would be hip to the magic and majesty...

British journalist-turned-TV talent show judge Piers Morgan beat country star Trace Adkins to win Thursday night's live final of Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice.

Morgan won the battle - billed by Trump as "good versus evil" - by raising the most money for his chosen charity, thanks to a little help from music mogul pal Simon Cowell, who handed over $100,000 for a shopping trip with Trump's daughter Ivanka.

Former British royal Sarah Ferguson and musical maestro Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber also stepped in, with the theater impresario donating a pair of opening night tickets for the...

Finalist Amanda Overmyer was eliminated last night from the American Idol competition after she received the fewest votes. On Tuesday's performance show, Overmyer, 23, from Mulberry, IN, sang "Back in the U.S.S.R."

Ryan Seacrest also announced that music superstars Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond and Andrew Lloyd Webber will be mentors this season.

On Tuesday, March 25 (8:00-9:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), the Top 10 finalists (Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Chikezie, David Archuleta, David Cook, Jason Castro, Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay and Syesha M...

Rockers Franz Ferdinand could follow in the footsteps of Andrew Lloyd Webber and write their own stage musical. The Glaswegian band, who were critically acclaimed for their soundtrack in BAFTA winning film Hallam Foe, plan to write a stage musical after the release of their next album.

Lead singer Alex Kapranos says, "After we've finished the album, we're definitely going to look more at doing some other things.

"Writing for Hallam Foe was a lot of fun.

"We hear Belle And Sebastian were working on a musical film and possibly I'd like to write a musical too. Who knows? Maybe I...

Michael Jackson once urged fellow grown-up child star Donny Osmond to change his name - or risk spiraling into obscurity. Osmond reveals he sought out the King Of Pop's advice after his own pop career had petered out and he was broke.

The Puppy Love singer recalls, "(He said) change your name, your name is poison."

Osmond says his career was turned around by a savvy promoter, who released Soldier Of Love in 1988 without revealing the '70s heart-throb was the singer.

The hit became a favorite of theater impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, who then hired Osmond to front his musica...

Screen veteran Elizabeth Taylor has joined the race to play Sunset Boulevard diva Norma Desmond on the big screen. Meryl Streep, Glenn Close and Barbra Streisand are all believed to be on a shortlist being considered by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who composed the music for his version of the 1950 film classic.

However 75-year-old Taylor is convinced she is perfect for the role of Desmond, played famously by Gloria Swanson. She says, "Sunset Boulevard is the kind of vehicle that could suit me now."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

Meryl Streep, Glenn Close and Barbra Streisand are fighting to play Sunset Boulevard diva Norma Desmond on the big screen, according to Hollywood reports. The ladies are reportedly on a shortlist being considered by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who composed the music for his version of the 1950 film classic.

London's Daily Telegraph reports all three stars have been in discussions about taking on the role of Desmond, played famously by Gloria Swanson.

Close played the role onstage in Los Angeles and originated the role on Broadway, while Streisand has recorded versions of Sunset Boulevar...

Geffen Records is proud to present the debut EP from Emmy Rossum (The Phantom of the Opera, Mystic River, The Day After Tomorrow, Poseidon).

"This music is who I am," says 20-year-old Emmy Rossum of her self-titled debut on Geffen Records. "In the movies, I've always felt like one piece of the puzzle. But this is all me. It's my baby. I get to write, direct and star. And that's the most fulfilling thing. It's everything I've always wanted to do. This music is so close to me. It's something new… You can't categorize it."

With a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as Christ...

Queen rocker Brian May has blasted Andrew Lloyd Webber's use of TV talent shows to find new recruits for his stage shows. The guitarist, who penned long-running Queen musical We Will Rock You, which runs on London's West End, is angered by the music impresario's approach to his search for new stars - branding the American Idol-style contests unfair.

Actress Connie Fisher triumphed to win the part of Maria Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music in How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, while Lee Mead became Joseph in the musical of the same name through show Any Dream Will Do.

May say...

Singer Jason Donovan stepped down from his stage role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, because he feared he would end up like ageing British crooner Cliff Richard.

The former Neighbours actor and '80s pop hunk enjoyed his time as the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's London theatre production of the biblical tale during the early 1990s, but felt he had to quit before he became typecast.

He says, "The adulation and the money were incredible. But I didn't want to be a new Cliff Richard in a satin suit any more. I didn't want to stay complacent on one level and not ...

VH1 joins Princes William and Harry in commemorating the life of their mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, with the "Concert for Diana," broadcast live from Wembley Stadium on her birthday Sunday, July 1, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. EDT and 8:00 a.m. PDT.

Music fans will be able to enjoy the concert across a variety of VH1 platforms. The 6-hour concert will be broadcast live in its entirety on VH1, be streamed live on VH1.com and be simulcast on MHD: Music High-Definition, MTV Network's high-definition music channel. The concert will also air on VH1 Classic starting one hour after the li...

*Hip-hop star Kanye West will collaborate with dance duo Daft Punk on a track for his upcoming album. The rapper will team up with the French house DJs - Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter - on a single called Stronger, which will feature on his new album Graduation. West also announced to MTV his plans for a new tour called Glow In The Dark.

*Veteran broadcaster Irving Waugh Jr. has died following a long-illness. He was 94. Waugh is famed for bringing country music to television and was behind the annual International Country Music Fan Fair - now the CMA Music Festival. ...

Irish singer-turned-nun Sinead O'Connor has recorded a version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar tune, I Don't Know How To Love for her new album Theology. The project also features her rendition of traditional reggae spiritual Rivers of Babylon, with new lyrics O'Connor has written.

The peace-loving Nothing Compares 2 U singer insists her new album is her attempt to bring peace to a violent world. She says, "Theology is an attempt to create a place of peace in a time of war.

"It is my own personal response to what has taken place and is affecting everyo...

Tori Amos is working on a secret musical and aims to become the next Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rolled into one. The pop pianist, who recently released new album American Doll Posse, has let it slip that she's embarking on a stage project set for the West End and Broadway.

She tells website Me-me-me.tv, "I think I am writing a musical! I'm gushing but I'm under lock and key."

"I'm trying to be Lloyd Webber and Rice. I'm trying to be both (of them). I'm busy.

"This is such a big project - a double record, 23 songs and the extras."

Amos, who has sold more than 15 mil...

Andrew Lloyd-Webber has overtaken Paul McCartney in the wealth stakes, after he was named the second richest music man in Britain, worth an estimated $1.5 billion.

The music impresario is worth 50 million more than the former Beatle after gaining major profits in his hit British TV talent search How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, which asked the public to vote for who they wanted as the leading lady in London musical The Sound Of Music.

As a result of the show and the subsequent musical's popularity, Lloyd-Webber's earnings rose by $100 million - up from $1.4 billion in 2006 ...

Theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber threatened to sue ex-wife Sarah Brightman after she revealed to the media he was well-endowed. The soprano, who was married to Lloyd-Webber for six years, reveals she faced legal action when she commented on the musical legend's manhood on British talk show So Graham Norton.

She says, "Well endowed? I was put in a difficult position when I said it.

"There are many great things about him, that was what popped out. I had Andrew's lawyers on the phone to me the next day, but a week later he changed his tune.

"He has the most beautiful eyes....

Andrew Lloyd Webber is looking for a few good Elvises to play the role of Pharoah in his upcoming London revival of Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The theatre impresario and his fellow producers feel that an Elvis Presley impersonator will add freshness to the role.

In a posting on the upcoming production's website, producers insist the impersonators "must be able to sing and dance in the Elvis style".

Auditions will be held tomorrow at London's Adelphi Theatre.

Previews of the show will begin on July 6 and the musical will open at the Adelphi Theatre on July 18....

Andrew Lloyd Webber has abandoned his long-held plans to compose a musical based on controversial novel The Master and Margarita. Lloyd Webber had hoped to adapt Mikhail Bulgakov's book, but has now decided the Russian novel is too dense to be turned into a musical.

He says, "I've decided it's un-doable. It's just too difficult for an audience to contemplate. It's a very complicated novel."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

Music impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber has taken the blame for The Sound Of Music star Connie Fisher's recent vocal injury.

Fisher, who was cast in the role of Maria after winning British TV talent show "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?" last year, recently returned to the London stage show after taking two weeks off due to illness.

And Lloyd Webber, who produces the show, admits Fisher's illness was essentially his fault.

He says, "I blame myself - she had an injury to one of the muscles in her throat.

"Connie made one mistake. She did 98 performances on the trot, e...

"Walk the Line" star Reese Witherspoon (1976), "Into the West" star Matthew Modine (1959), actress/singer Stephanie Mills (1957), Swedish actress Lena Olin (1956), British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (1948), jazz guitarist George Benson (1943), Swiss actor Bruno Ganz (1941), British singer/songwriter Roger Whittaker (1936), character M. Emmet Walsh (1935), "Star Trek" captain William Shatner (1931), American composer Stephen Sondheim (1930), French mime Marcel Marceau (1923), "The Streets of San Francisco" star Karl Malden (1912), and Marx Brother Chico Marx (1887; d. 1961).