Alan Menken News

Montreal's English theatre community gathered in celebration at the beautiful and historic Rialto Theatre on Monday October 26th for the 3rd annual METAs ceremony, honouring excellence in Montreal English theatre for the 2014-2015 Season.

Notre Dame's Department of Film, Television, and Theatre (FTT) announces LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, November 18-22 in the Decio Mainstage Theatre at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Directed and choreographed by guest artist Nathan Halvorson, who previously helmed FTT's production of Cabaret (2013), LITTLE SHOP will also feature puppets by special effects makeup artist and puppeteer RJ Haddy, who was a finalist on Season 2 of the Syfy channel's reality competition series FACE OFF.

The York Theatre Company has announced today Broadway's Klea Blackhurst (York's Call Me Madame) Mario Cantone (Assassins), Erin Davie (York's Silk Stockings, Side Show), Matt McGrath (Nice Work If You Can Get It), and Mary Louise Wilson (On the Twentieth Century), along with the acclaimed Yale Wiffenpoofs, have joined the roster of illustrious special guest performers who will gather to honor Broadway and Hollywood legend Angela Lansbury at 2015 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre on Monday, November 16, 2015 at Guastavino's (409 East 59th Street). 

Quest Theatre Ensemble will bring its visual artistry and immersive theatricality to the Alan Menken-Lynn Ahrens musical version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. This version with music by Menken, the multiple Oscar winning composer of Disney musicals Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Newsies; and lyrics by the Tony award-winning lyricist of Ragtime, Seussical and Once on this Island, was a hit for ten consecutive seasons at New York's Madison Square Garden and was later filmed by television in a production starring Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge. Quest's production will be directed by Quest Ensemble Director Andrew Park. A Christmas Carol will run from November 20 - December 20, 2015.

White Plains Performing Arts Center Conservatory Theatre presents Little Shop of Horrors, November 13-15. A gleefully gruesome musical spoof of the 1960 Roger Corman Film, this monster musical is about a hapless florist shop worker, Seymour, who offers his tender love and care to a plant that feeds on human blood. This plant, Audrey II, named after Seymour's secret love, quickly becomes a fascinating attraction in neighborhood called Skid Row. The score, composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman, (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin) follows the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown.

The Huntington Theatre Company presents the world premiere of CHOICE by award-winning playwright Winnie Holzman and directed by Sheryl Kaller (Next Fall on Broadway). The play officially opens tonight, October 28, and continues through November 15, 2015 at the South End / Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA.

Disney India brings the timeless classic Beauty and the Beast to the Indian stage for the first time ever. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this classic musical love story is presented to Indian audiences on the same scale as the mega-productions seen on New York's Broadway and on London's West End. Over 100 of the best musical theatre performers in India will bring the story of Beauty and the Beast alive on stage, with world class production values, lavish sets and gorgeous costumes, drawing inspiration from western and Indian influences.  BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the star-studded red carpet opening event below!

Updated this week! Check out upcoming Non-Equity Auditions from Sunday, October 25, 2015 for productions in your area and around the country.

Let me start by saying, Dear Readers, that "Little Shop of Horrors" is one of my all time favorite shows. In fact I was fortunate enough to see the incredible Encore's version with Ellen Greene back in July. In my opinion, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's show is one of those near perfect musicals. So you'll understand when I say that I'm pretty picky about the show when people attempt to put it up. And that is why I'm thrilled to say that the current production from SecondStory Rep, filled with fantastic voices and tons of fun completely gets how the show needs to be done.

Casting has been announced for the Fort Lauderdale engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, November 17 for a limited engagement through Sunday, November 29, 2015.

Watch Jonathan Freeman, star of Broadway's ALADDIN and Disney's original 'Jafar', perform a special Disney Villains Medley for Oh My Disney. Click below to hear him channel the Sultan's evil advisor, Ursula from THE LITTLE MERMAID, 101 DALMATIANS' Cruella de Vil, and Oogie Boogie from THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS!

Disney India today announced plans to bring the timeless classic Beauty and the Beast to the Indian stage for the first time ever. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this classic musical love story will be presented to Indian audiences on the same scale as the mega-productions seen on New York's Broadway and on London's West End. Over 100 of the best musical theatre performers in India will bring the story of Beauty and the Beast alive on stage, with world class production values, lavish sets and gorgeous costumes, drawing inspiration from western and Indian influences.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to the Triangle as part of the Encore Broadway at DPAC 2015 / 2016 season. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at DPAC from October 23-25, 2015. For information on the production, visit www.BeautyAndTheBeastOnTour.com.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to the Triangle as part of the Encore Broadway at DPAC 2015 / 2016 season. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at DPAC from October 23-25, 2015. For information on the production, visit www.BeautyAndTheBeastOnTour.com.

Broadway In Chicago has announced that Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, returns to Chicago in 2016.

Malcolm Gets (Tony Award nominee for Amour) and Ted Keegan (Star of Broadway's Phantom of the Opera) have joined the lineup for the Encompass New Opera Theatre (Nancy Rhodes, Artistic Director) gala to honor legendary Broadway performer BARBARA COOK and lyricist LEE ADAMS (Bye Bye Birdie, Golden Boy, Applause) with a star-studded musical salute on Sunday, October 25.

Aladdin's Jasmine, Courtney Reed, offers another episode of her inspirational web series, #CourtneyChat, where she and Broadway friends talk about important issues like feminism, having confidence and compassion.

The stage production of NEWSIES, now playing a limited run at the Providence Performing Arts Center, features the same stirring and beloved songs that captured the hearts of moviegoers, as well as newly choreographed, high-octane dance numbers that dazzle with gravity-defying leaps and spins.

The Providence premiere of Disney's NEWSIES opens tonight, October 20, at 7P at the Providence Performing Arts Center for a limited engagement through Sunday, October 25.

A taste of his performance from earlier this year in the musical's U.S. premiere production.