Alan Menken News

For Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner Alan Menken - his musical based on the book and film The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz is what he calls 'a passion project, definitely.' Menken's version of Duddy Kravitz as a musical, which he co-wrote with David Spencer, was originally produced in the 1980's in Philadelphia. 'We did it in Philadelphia and we had a provision in the contract where we had to have a first class production (which Philadelphian wasn't) in order for the rights to merge, and when that didn't happen nobody could do (license) this musical…' Menken told me from inside the Segal Centre in Montreal while on break from rehearsals.

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts is delighted to announce seven new performances to its world premiere production of The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz: The Musical, based on the novel by Mordecai Richler, with book and lyrics by David Spencer and an original music by eight-time Oscar winning composer Alan Menken.

You can't help but cheer for the loveable Newsies in Disney's Broadway musical based on the real news boy strike of 1899 and the financial flop film they produced on the matter in 1992. Disney's Newsies is a well written, incredibly designed, choreographed, and acted hit! Audiences are getting all of the great Disney quality music they've come to expect from legendary composer Alan Menken along with a story line that is as timely as ever with university, teacher, and grocery workers strikes appearing almost daily in the headlines.

Disney Theatrical Productions and the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) announced today that tickets for the highly anticipated Providence engagement of Disney's NEWSIES will go on sale to the public on Monday, July 27 at 10A. 

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Beaches,' 'Kinky Boots' and 'Gotta Dance' show how a pre-Broadway tryout is done, while 'Fancy Nancy,' 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Pinocchio' go for a younger demographic. Meanwhile, Ravinia, Grant Park and Three Oaks (MI) do summer concerts, and The Music Theatre Company announces its own surprise demise.

I am a longtime fan of Whoopi Goldberg with her Sister Act movies ranking as some of my all-time favorites. So, as you can imagine, I am thrilled I finally had the opportunity to see the musical adaptation that Ms. Goldberg produced on Broadway at Long Island's Gateway Theatre. This lively production runs through July 18th at the gorgeous Bellport venue.

Minneapolis Musical Theatre's (MMT) Leap of Faith makes its area premiere April 29-May 22, 2016, at Hennepin Theatre Trust's New Century Theatre. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2015. To purchase and for more information, call 612.455.9501, visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or buy in person (no service fees) at the New Century Theatre (615 Hennepin Ave., street level, City Center).

Creative YouTube poster Salliethesalad has shared a mashup of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars mega hit song 'Uptown Funk' and a scene from the 1992 cult Disney Film NEWSIES, starring Christian Bale. Check it out below!

Bill Hanney's award winning Theatre By The Sea (TBTS) is set to take family audiences on an underwater musical adventure with a spectacular musical production of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID. This highly anticipated theatrical event starts Wednesday July 22 and plays through Saturday, August 15. Press night is scheduled for Friday, July 24 at 8:00pm

Paradise Theatre announces seven family-friendly and diverse musicals for its 2015-2016 Season as they launch capital campaign 'Act Local' to save the arts on the Peninsula by creating a new performing arts and education center in Gig Harbor.

The 20th edition of the Lincoln Center Festival, which runs through August 2, 2015 will unfold in six venues on and off the Lincoln Center campus. There will be a total of 58 performances by artists and ensembles from Germany, China, England, Ireland, Russia, USA, and Japan.

The New York International Fringe Festival and CitySalt Theatricals present The Crack in the Ceiling starring Josh Grisetti* (It Shoulda Been You). Performances begin Saturday August 15th at 8:30pm at The Lynn Redgrave Theatre (Venue #13) - 45 Bleeker Street. Created and written by James Harvey with direction by Stephen Tyler Davis.

Cast members from the Broadway company of the hit Disney musical will be performing at the White House for the Kids' State Dinner this Friday, July 10, First Lady Michelle Obama announced. The performance will be streamed live tomorrow around 12:30 p.m. at this link: http://wh.gov/live.

As BroadwayWorld exclusively reported last month, Paper Mill Playhouse's recent production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, based on the novel by Victor Hugo and the Disney animated film, may not be Broadway-bound, but it will get a cast recording. The American Premiere Studio Recording of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the only stage collaboration from two masters of the American musical Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, will be released on Monday, November 20th. CLICK HERE to sign up for pre-sale information!

As our readers have been asked since we shared the sad news on June 19, 2015 that Danny McNie, 34, beloved son, brother, friend, singer, actor, and humanitarian, quietly passed away, services are set for Michigan this weekend. Click here for more details. 

Maine State Music Theatre held it third panel discussion devoted to its production of Sister Act on July 1, 2015, at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. Actors Kingsley Leggs and David Girolmo, stage manager Mark Johnson, music director Jason Wetzel, and MSMT Managing Director Stephanie Dupal spoke to Broadway World's moderator Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold and a full house of enthusiastic MSMT patrons about the challenges of putting on this large scale show that has proved to be another huge hit for the company.

Ellen Greene doesn't just reprise her iconic performances as Audrey, she deepens it.

The team of Benj Pasek & Justin Paul was literally “on the move” when I had the chance to chat with them about Dear Evan Hansen, their latest project, for which DC is fortunate enough to be the host for the world premiere, thanks to Arena Stage's dedication to nurturing new work. Benj and Justin were, in fact, driving to DC to begin the final stages of preparation for the July 10 first preview of the show. As it turns out, this was their very first visit to Arena Stage, and they were excited, and more than ready to be there. But first, we talked.