Alan Menken News

Producers Whoopi Goldberg, Stage Entertainment and Troika Entertainment have announced that the North American Tour of the five-time Tony Award nominated musical SISTER ACT will begin its second year of performances. The tour opened on October 2, 2012 at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre and is still rocking the rafters across the country. SISTER ACT opened to stellar reviews and continues to receive them across the country.

After his spin with composing a song for ABC's comedy THE NEIGHBORS, Deadline reports that the network has ordered an off-cycle pilot for a fairytale musical comedy from Menken, lyricist Glenn Slater, and NEIGHBORS creator Dan Fogelman.

Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story starring Kurt Jenkins as Buddy Holly returns by popular demand to rock the Ogunquit Playhouse's season to a close from tonight, October 2 to October 20. If you saw this record-breaking show last year, come see it again. For those of you who missed it now is your chance to see one of the most popular shows in Playhouse history!

Announcing SBCT's 2014 Season - a year filled with incredible stories all played out live on stage. Stories to make you laugh with joy, cry in pain, shudder in terror, and smile in wonder. 2014 offers some new and rare opportunities to experience theatre in exciting ways:

Today we are talking to a recognizable and well-known character actor who has appeared in a number of notable stage and screen properties over the course of his fifty-year career, Shakespeare to COCO to CITY OF ANGELS to STAR TREK and galaxies far, far beyond - Rene Auberjonois. Detailing the finer points of his participation in a number of wildly different stage properties - from his Broadway debut in Lee J. Cobb's Lincoln Center KING LEAR through to COCO opposite Katharine Hepburn, a starring role in CITY OF ANGELS, as well as the infamous DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and Larry Gelbart's SLY FOX this century, and many more - Auberjonois paints a vivid picture of the working actor throughout the decades. Additionally, Auberjonois also outlines his favorite moments in participating in a number of Robert Altman's most memorable movies - MASH and MCCABE & MRS. MILLER among them - and shares stories from the sets of many of his best-known and best-remembered film appearances - THE EYES OF LAURA MARS and many more included. Plus, Auberjonois also comments on some of his favorite TV parts to date, including his enduring STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE legacy and his most recent projects such as the animated series POUND PUPPIES and ARCHER. Most importantly, Auberjonois offers insight into his indelible participation in the enduring Disney animated family favorite THE LITTLE MERMAID, including how the recent 3D re-release and this week's special features-packed Blu-ray has introduced his famous voice and theatricality to a whole new generation. All of that, thoughts on Broadway now versus the Golden Age, his continued patronage in supporting renown charity Doctors Without Borders, working on Stephen Schwartz's GEPPETTO for Disney and much, much more awaits in this uniquely compelling career-spanning conversation with a stage and screen stalwart.

Bristol Riverside Theatre continues its season with Jon Jory's adaptation of Pride & Prejudice in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's beloved novel. Running October 29-November 24, the production, directed by BRT's Artistic Director Keith Baker, features the ensemble cast ofJessica Bedford, Grant Chapman, Rose Fairley, Michael Gamache, Jessica Gruver, Michael Halling, Hannah Kahn, Samantha Kuhl, Mark LeVasseur, Robert Ian Mackenzie, Topher Mikels, Erin Mulgrew, Mary Elizabeth Scallen, and Jo Twiss.

Multi-Grammy Award-winning recording artist and repeat Broadway performer Toni Braxton returns to the stage in the jazz and blues revue AFTER MIDNIGHT next year it was announced this week, so, today, we salute the smoky chanteuse about to bring her unmistakable allure back to the Great White Way in a major way.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is a family event that takes a small Sci-Fi premise and adds a plant, some rockin' music, and a wild group of characters on a roller coaster of fun! Bring the whole family!

Broadway's master songman, Mandy Patinkin, accompanied by Paul Ford on piano, will bring his critically acclaimed theatre concert to Merrill Auditorium thanks to Portland Ovations for one performance only on Friday, October 18 at 8pm. Tickets are on-sale now at PortTIX, the box office at Merrill Auditorium,207.842.0800 or by visiting portlandovations.org.

Producers Whoopi Goldberg, Stage Entertainment and Troika Entertainment announce casting for the North American Tour of five-time Tony Award nominated musical SISTER ACT which plays The Buell Theatre September 24 through October 6 only. Tickets are on sale now at denvercenter.org.

Got green thumb? Check this out. But, wait, there's more!

Disney's Aladdin Jr. will be presented at The Historic North Theatre in Danville, VA on Friday, October 4th (8:00pm), Saturday, October 5th (8:00pm) and Sunday, October 6th (3:00pm Matinee). Aladdin, Jr. is a bright, fast-paced, fun-filled show for the whole family. The Academy award-winning score includes favorite songs and offers audiences a chance to "enjoy the choral melodies of 'Arabian Nights' and 'Prince Ali'; to watch as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine escape from the evil Jafar in 'One Jump Ahead,' and as they fall in love with 'A Whole New World'; and to laugh and sing along as the Genie transforms Aladdin in 'A Friend Like Me.'" Under the direction of Mimi Grubb, the show features music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $8.00 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased on the theatre's website: www.TheNorthTheatre.com or by calling the box office at 434-793-SHOW (7469).

Starring in the Musical Salute are Kennedy Center Award Honoree/Tony Award winner Barbara Cook, four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein, Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, record setting multi-Tony Award winnerHarold Prince, beloved TV and Stage Icon Charlotte Rae, multiple Academy, Grammy, Drama Desk Award winnerStephen Schwartz, Academy and Grammy Award winner David Shire and nine time Tony Award winner Tommy Tuneamong others, all performing songs with lyrics written by Mr. Harnick.

Newsies is currently in its second year on Broadway and is still bringing audiences to their feet nightly at the Nederlander Theatre. Jodi Benson, who voiced 'Ariel' in Disney's animated feature 'The Little Mermaid,' stopped by the show and posed with the cast backstage. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos below!

For 36 years, JPAS has continued to bring the best in the performing arts to venues from Jefferson Parish, the Metro Area, to the North Shore and beyond. Thanks to loyal patron support we have grown to become Louisiana's largest professional touring company. Our offerings are abundantly varied and our outreach is extensive. This season is no exception!

Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story starring Kurt Jenkins as Buddy Holly returns by popular demand to rock the Ogunquit Playhouse's season to a close from October 2 to October 20. If you saw this record-breaking show last year, come see it again. For those of you who missed it now is your chance to see one of the most popular shows in Playhouse history!

The project is 'a period drama, which re-imagines The Hunchback Of Notre Dame through the eyes of beautiful Gypsy Esmeralda.'

The biggest day of the year for Broadway fans is only four days away as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS sets the stage for the 27th AnnualBroadway Flea Market & Grand Auction (#bwayflea). The all-day, outdoor market features one-of-a-kind theatre treasures, once-in-a-lifetime onstage and backstage experiences and your favorite stars from Broadway's biggest shows.