Alan Menken News

This past Wednesday and Thursday, South Bend was graced with the National Tour of "Beauty and the Beast" presented by NETworks. By far one of the best Disney animated films of its time, "Beauty and the Beast" presents the tale of a princess who is smart, confident, and doesn't need saved by Prince Charming. With a more mature theme and characters, Disney presented us with one of the best love stories of all time. "Beauty and the Beast" came roaring with beauty onto the Morris Performing Arts Center stage, and fans and audience members couldn't get enough of this stunning performance. I absolutely loved the revamped production of NETworks, "Beauty and the Beast" with direction by Rob Roth.

On May 14th, 2015, the Segal Centre for Performing Arts will host its bi-annual gala evening, marking the closing of its Segal ? Dora fundraising campaign and a highlight of its most successful theatre season to date.

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to South Bend as a special engagement to the Broadway Theatre League 2014-2015 Broadway in South Bend season. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at The Morris Performing Arts Center for two performances only this week, April 29 and 30.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment are thrilled to announce a season to satisfy musical theatre lovers everywhere with their 2015-16 season of shows!

Direct from Broadway, SISTER ACT, the hilarious, five-time Tony-nominated musical smash, is coming to a Columbus. Called 'In a word, DIVINE!' by the Associated Press, SISTER ACT opens at the Palace Theatre tonight, April 28, for a limited engagement.

Party like you're ALADDIN!

I have been a fan of Music Theatre of Connecticut for a while now, so when I entered their Melissa & Doug theater on opening night of Little Shop of Horrors, I was looking forward to a wonderful evening with this classic piece of musical theatre.

The Gallery Players announces EVITA, the final musical of their 48th Season. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, this epic musical is directed by Mark Harborth (Rent, Dreamgirls), choreographed by Elyse Daye Hart (Dreamgirls, A Little Night Music), with music direction by Emily Croome. Carman Napier (Next to Normal) fills the title role of the Argentinian legend, with Dale Sampson (Rent) as Che, and Jonathan Mesisca making his Gallery debut as Juan Peron. EVITA opens this evening, April 25th at 8pm and runs through Sunday, May 17th, 2015.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to Playhouse Square as part of the Star Performance Series. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at Playhouse Square this weekend, April 24-26, 2015. For information on the production, visit BeautyAndTheBeastOnTour.com.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club presents Badia Farha in Lady Sings For You tonight, April 24, 2015 at 11pm. Joined by her 6 piece band, Badia Farha (aka Lady Rose) brings her original songs and R&B Soul + style to 54 Below. Lady Sings For You features original songs from Badia's solo album Still Waiting? Her newly released radio hit Don't Know, a tribute to Carmen McCrae Aretha Franklin, and Roberta Flack as well as a bit of Bossa Nova Jazz.

NEWSIES, the Tony Award-winning 'critics' pick' Broadway musical smash, is touring the country. The production features Dan DeLuca as 'Jack Kelly', Steve Blanchard as 'Joseph Pulitzer',Stephanie Styles as 'Katherine', Angela Grovey as 'Medda Larkin', Jacob Kemp as 'Davey', Zachary Sayle as 'Crutchie', and Vincent Crocilla and Anthony Rosenthal alternating the role of 'Les.'

Aurora Theatre Academy's extensive array of Summer Camps for 2015 are right around the corner. Enrollment is now open for a coveted spot. Aurora Theatre Director of Education, Jaclyn Hofmann, has put together an incredible team of teaching professionals, most of whom you will recognize from professional theatrical productions around Atlanta or from the screen anywhere from Georgia Lottery commercials to HBO. This summer, Aurora Theatre Academy will prepare students of all skill levels to perform like professionals.  Located on the square in downtown Lawrenceville, all classes will culminate in a showcase in Aurora's exquisite facility. Aurora will also offer students both financial need and talent-based scholarship opportunities. 

Disney's live-action BEAUTY AND THE BEAST continues to add to its ranks! According to Variety, Stanley Tucci has joined the star-studded cast as 'Cadenza', a new character -- a grand piano described as 'a neurotic maestro.'

Back by popular demand, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) invites you to take a trip back under the sea for the return engagement of Disney's The Little Mermaid! This fun-filled, timeless tale will play for five performances only September 10 - 13 at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

While Broadway is heaven for theatergoers around the world, especially when the season reaches its fever pitch as it is right now, it can also be hell in the right hands. And, that's a good thing. As the exceedingly well-received new play HAND TO GOD which opened earlier this month proves, audiences adore a good scare - particularly when it is supported by a rich and dynamic dramatic basis upon which the horror-show can play out, which HAND TO GOD undoubtedly has in spades (and pitchforks). Needless to say, many of the most popular and successful musicals of all time have also dealt with demonic presences - even if in the case of Broadway's two biggest hits, they are misunderstood monsters. Indeed, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA remains the longest-running show in Broadway history, approaching its 20th year on the Great White Way, while Oz-themed witch-centric musical mega-hit WICKED remains one of the hottest tickets in town. With this week's news of Hollywood heartthrob Jake Gyllenhaal starring in an upcoming Encores! special limited-run production of cult hit and famous Off-Broadway mainstay LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - not to mention the big news of a brand new small screen version of the ultimate cult movie musical, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, being revived for a new generation - it seems more than merely appropriate to turn our attention to the scariest, bloodiest and best horror-themed musicals to date.

The Fabulous Fox Theatre is thrilled to announce its remarkable 2015-2016 U.S. Bank Broadway Series featuring five new hits that are making their St. Louis debuts.

Craving a show after the show? 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is expanding its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551. 54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming event:

Today we are celebrating this week's news announcement of Jake Gyllenhaal's musical theatre debut.

Fun Home, the highly-anticipated, Award-winning American musical, with music by four-time Tony Award nominee Jeanine Tesori, a book and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Lisa Kron and direction by Drama Desk nominee Sam Gold, officially opens on Broadway tonight, April 19th. Scroll down to learn more about the cast and watch interviews with the company!