Alan Menken News

The Ogunquit Playhouse has announced the appointment of Brian Swasey to the position of Associate Producer. Brian is no stranger to the Playhouse as he directed the productions of The Berenstain Bears, and The Cat In The Hat. He is also no stranger to the seacoast area; he is originally from Portland, Maine, and is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Musical Theatre and Dance. Brian Swasey recently stated, 'Growing up in New England, and seeing many shows at the Ogunquit Playhouse, I leapt at the chance to return to the area and become a part of the Playhouse family as the new Associate Producer."

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 April 24-26, 2015. For information on the production, visit BeautyAndTheBeastOnTour.com.

El musical 'Sister Act' ha prorrogado su estancia en el Teatre Tívoli de Barcelona hasta el próximo 10 de mayo. En agosto el espectáculo se embarcará en una gira por España que visitará más de 20 ciudades.

Remember When Rock Was Young stars the multiple award winning, multi-talented singer, actor, and pianist Craig Meyer. He is considered to be the best Elton John tribute artist in the world, whose strong vocals, striking resemblance and amazing talent on the piano has audiences everywhere remembering when rock was young.

Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, Fairfield County's award-winning professional theatre company, concludes its 2014/2015 season with 'Little Shop of Horrors' the hit rock musical comedy about a hapless florist shop worker, the girl of his dreams and one very voracious plant. With book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. Performances are April 17-May 3, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm, Sundays at 2pm, at The Melissa & Doug Theatre at The New MTC, 509 Westport Avenue (behind the Jones New York and Nine West Outlet) in Norwalk, CT. Tickets range from $30-$50 ($5 discount for seniors/students) and are available by calling 203.454.3883 or visiting www.musictheatreofct.com

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 Saturday evening, April 25th at 8pm and runs through Sunday, May 17th, 2015.

Disney's NEWSIES had the honor of performing at the 137th Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of The White House on Monday, April 6. Cast members performed 'Carrying the Banner', 'Santa Fe' and 'Seize the Day.' Check out a look back below!

MSMT's 2015 season fires up on June 3rd with the heartwarming upbeat comedy THE FULL MONTY. This 10-time Tony Award-nominee is filled with honest affection, engaging melodies and a raucous mix of razor-sharp humor and toe-tapping pizazz, not to mention the most highly anticipated closing number in Broadway history!

What a renaissance - again! Although the period beginning with THE LITTLE MERMAID in 1989 through to the doubleheader of POCAHANTAS in 1995 and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME in 1996 and ending with MULAN in 1997 is considered by House Of Mouse superfans and many entertainment enthusiasts as the official Disney Renaissance era - meaning the company once again came to major prominence as a direct result of its animated musicals - it very much looks as if an entirely new type of Disney rebirth is in the process of occurring, spurred on by the worldwide success of the esteemed company's most successful animated feature to date, the highly theatrical and Broadway pedigreed FROZEN. Of course, in any way matching an era which in addition to MERMAID, POCAHANTAS, HUNCHBACK and MULAN shepherded BEAUTY & THE BEAST, ALADDIN and THE LION KING from inspiration to actuality would be a high order, if not outright impossible, yet it seems that the recent, current and upcoming spate of ingenuously timed and expertly devised projects that Disney possesses at the moment could put them in that stratospheric level of uber entity once again in the industry - and in the hearts and minds of millions around the world, as well.

Direct from Broadway, SISTER ACT, the hilarious, five-time Tony-nominated musical smash, is coming to Miami. Called 'In a word, DIVINE!' by the Associated Press, SISTER ACT opens at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County on April 14 for a limited engagement!

This April and May, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club presents Badia Farha in Lady Sings For You on Friday 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.

Casting has been announced for the Washington engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning smash hit musical will play an exclusive two-week engagement at National Theatre. The production will begin performances June 9 for a limited two-week engagement through June 21.

For ONE NIGHT ONLY tonight, April 1, 2015 at 9:30 p.m., Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre will offer an exclusive showing of Disney's NEWSIES. The event will be attended by special guests from the motion picture and national tour of the Broadway musical.

This April and May, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

Broadway World TV's Los Angeles Producer and on-air Host Michael Sterling, along with Co-Producer/ Videographer Paul Preston of Digital Mind Productions were on hand to meet and greet the creative team and other invited celebrity guests at the official red carpet opening for the eagerly-anticipated L.A. Premiere of Broadway's Tony® Award-winning smash hit musical, Disney's NEWSIES at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre March 26. The limited four-week engagement runs through Sunday, April 19, 2015.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to Pittsburgh. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, from tonight, March 31 to Sunday, April 5, 2015, as a season special part of the 2014-2015 PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series. This production is presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony, and Broadway Across America.

There is still some casting that is yet to be announced, but much of the cast has now signed on to take part in the much-anticipated film. Below, get to know the company and the roles that they will be playing!

In 1899 droves of newsboys from every borough of New York City banned together and went on strike against Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst and other wealthy newspaper owners, in a crusade to save children from menial wages and physical abuse. This was a first, where uneducated street kids stood up to the big suits and won. In 1992 Disney created the movie Newsies that went on to become a humongous hit. In 2012 Harvey Fierstein, Alan Menken and Jack Feldman came to Broadway with a musical show they created based on the film. Under the Disney banner, the first national tour of Newsies is currently onstage at the Pantages. All I can say is run, don't walk, to purchase tickets. The Newsies ensemble pulsates from the moment the lights hit the stage. It will jolt you, fulfill you and make you jump for joy.

The Los Angeles premiere engagement of Disney's NEWSIES celebrated its opening night last night, March 26th, at the Pantages Theatre for a limited run through April 19th. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities below!