Alan Menken News

New BroadwayWorld.com Poll - Which song from ALADDIN is your favorite?

DC BroadwayWorld takes a look at the upcoming 2013-2014 and talks with Act Two program leadership and participants about what makes the intensive musical theatre training program so special.

Nothing Moves like NEWSIES on Broadway. Plan Ahead! See NEWSIES for just $73*. Get tickets now for select performances August 31 - November 20.

Today in 2009, The Little Mermaid closed at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, where it ran for 685 performances. The Little Mermaid is based on the animated 1989 Disney film of the same name and the classic story of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. The musical's book is by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman (written for the film) and new lyrics by Glenn Slater. The original cast featured Sierra Boggess in the title role of Ariel, Sean Palmer as Prince Eric, Brian D'Addario and Trevor Braun alternate as Flounder, Norm Lewis as King Triton, Sherie Rene Scott as Ursula, Tituss Burgess as Sebastian, Tyler Maynard as Flotsam, Derrick Baskin as Jetsam, Jonathan Freeman as Grimsby, and John Treacy Egan as Chef Louis.

The cast will feature Karen Mason as Sue. Ms. Mason has appeared in Broadway'sWonderland, Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, Sunset Boulevard, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Play Me a Country Song as well as Goodspeed's Heartbeats at The Norma Terris Theatre. Opposite her as Dan will be Tony-nominated Mark Jacoby whose credits include Broadway's Elf, Sweeney Todd, Man of La Mancha, Ragtime,Showboat, Grand Hotel, The Phantom of the Opera and Sweet Charity. Mr. Jacoby performed at the Goodspeed Opera House in On The Twentieth Century.

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the Internet, is excited to announce a new feature to its comprehensive regional coverage - the Featured Regional Theater of the Week! Each week, BWW will introduce its readers to a regional theater located in one of our (over 130!) coverage cities. By exploring these different venues, their history and showcasing the production seasons, BWW continues its commitment to expand our presence in communities and cities across the United States. This Week's Featured Regional Theater: Arvada Center for the Arts in Arvada, CO

It was announced today by Lylle Breier, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Special Events for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 'The El Capitan Theatre is the only theatre in the world screening 'The Little Mermaid' in 3D.' This exclusive presentation also features a live preshow sing-a-long with Sofia from Disney's 'Sofia the First' along with a special live appearance by Ariel after the movie. El Capitan guests will also receive an exclusive giveaway at every show from Disney Junior (while supplies last).

Piedmont Players Theatre (PPT) introduces the cast of the Tony Nominated Musical LEAP OF FAITH, with Book by Janus Cercone & Warren Leight, Music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Glenn Slater (Producing Partner: Novant Health).

Little Shop of Horrors, with Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Music by Alan Menken, Based on the film by Roger Corman, Screen play by Charles Griffith and originally produced by the WPA Theatre (Klye Renick, Producing Director), as well as the Orpheum Theatre, New York City by the WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh and the Shubert Organization, will be directed by Adam Ewing with musical direction by Anne Britt at the Gallery Theater.

Today in 2012, Sister Act closed at the Broadway Theatre, where it ran for 561 performances. Sister Act is a musical written by Cheri Steinkellner and Bill Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane, with lyrics by Glenn Slater and music by Alan Menken. It is based on the hit 1992 film comedy of the same name. Patina Miller, who originated the role of Deloris in the West End production, reprised the role on Broadway, making her Broadway debut. The original cast featured Victoria Clark (Mother Superior),Fred Applegate (Monsignor), Sarah Bolt (Sister Mary Patrick), Chester Gregory (Eddie), Kingsley Leggs (Curtis), Marla Mindelle (Sister Mary Robert) and Audrie Neenan (Sister Mary Lazarus).

Carly Rae Jepsen recorded a cover of THE LITTLE MERMAID tune 'Part Of Your World' for a project with Disney, and you can check out a sneak peek of the upcoming music video below -- plus, listen to the full track, and watch a behind-the-scenes video with Jepsen onset!

There's an old show business adage that if you give the audience a strong ending, they'll forgive most anything that came before. And it's a good thing that still holds true for "Sister Act" currently playing at the Paramount Theatre as the top of the show was filled with painfully forced dialog and exposition but the show managed to break that habit (pun intended) and end on a much stronger note. Not brilliant but stronger.

Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI) www.mtishows.com, has secured worldwide licensing rights to three of Broadway and Off-Broadway's most recent hits, SISTER ACT, AMERICAN IDIOT and MURDER BALLAD. The three shows are the newest productions to join MTI's global theatrical licensing catalogue.

Nine of the Fox Theatre's 2013-2014 U.S. Bank Broadway Series shows will go on sale Saturday, September 7 at 10am. From 10am to 2pm, the public is invited to view the newly restored auditorium ceiling and to enjoy free tours of the theatre.

SISTER ACT, the family friendly, over the top spectacle with nuns that rock, opens at The Paramount Theatre tonight, August 20th for a limited engagement!

Newsies is currently in its second year on Broadway and is still bringing audiences to their feet nightly at the Nederlander Theatre. In the video below, stars of the show, Jess LeProtto, Kara Lindsay, and Corey Cott chat with Entertainmemt Tonight about their favorite part about starring in the show, reasons for its success, and the possibility of a movie remake. Watch the full interview below!