Clifton Davis News

On this day in 2014, Disney's Aladdin, a new musical comedy based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, opened on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of “Good Times” actress Ja'Net DuBois. The New York Times states she passed away in her sleep on Monday at her home in Glendale, California.

The tribute album is certainly not a new concept, as artists have raised their voices in celebration of iconic musicians and songwriters in all sorts of creative ways over the years. So conventional wisdom would suggest, there's no new way to approach this concept? Well what if you celebrated a 'sound” – more specifically, you celebrated the personal influence and impact of a 'vocal range' in a particular genre? If you contemplate the creation of a modern day tribute to the impact of 'deep male voices' of the past in 'romantic ballad' settings, one name should instantly stand out from the all the rest – The Prince of Sophisticated Soul himself, Will Downing.

Laura Michelle Kelly and Clifton Davis lead the cast of Austen's Pride: A New Musical of Pride and Prejudice at The 5th Avenue Theatre.

Laura Michelle Kelly and Clifton Davis lead the cast of Austen's Pride: A New Musical of Pride and Prejudice at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Check out the cast in action in all new photos!

Most people are familiar with Jane Austen's a?oePride and Prejudicea??. Whether it's from the book, the mini-series, the movies (even the zombie one), or just from general pop culture, most people know the story. So, turning this into a musical is a bit risky especially with so many Austen-philes out there. But writers Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs, have pulled it off (to an extent) with their new musical a?oeAusten's Pridea??, currently at the 5th Avenue Theatre, and have even tripled the daunting task by making the melodies soar while fitting in the period, combining it with a story of Austen herself, and still retaining the charm and heart of a?oePride and Prejudicea?? along the way.

Laura Michelle Kelly and Clifton Davis lead the cast of Austen's Pride: A New Musical of Pride and Prejudice at The 5th Avenue Theatre.

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced the full cast for its new production of Austen's Pride: A New Musical of Pride and Prejudice, which is now in rehearsals and begins performances in Seattle on October 4, 2019.

THIRTEEN's American Masters and Latino Public Broadcasting's VOCES join forces to present the first documentary about Raúl Juliá, the versatile Puerto Rican actor whose work on stage and screen took the world by storm. American Masters a?" Raúl Juliá: The World's a Stage premieres Friday, September 13, 2019 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings), pbs.org/rauljulia and the PBS Video App in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Today's top stories: Full casting has been announced for The Rose Tattoo starring Marisa Tomei, and more!

The 5th Avenue Theatre announces that Laura Michelle Kelly and Clifton Davis will lead the cast of Austen's Pride: A New Musical of Pride and Prejudice as Jane Austen and as Mr. Bennet.

William F. Brown, the Tony-nominated American writer who is best known for his libretto to the long-running Broadway musical The Wiz, died on June 23 in Westport, CT, according to his longtime wife and collaborator, Tina Tippit. He was 91.

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Aladdin on Broadway, five current and former Genies stopped the show following yesterday's matinee to perform a medley of Aladdin hits. The five Genies included Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart, current star Michael James Scott, tour Genie Major Attaway, and current Broadway Genie standbys Juwan Crawley and Deonte L. Warren.

On this day in 2014, Disney's Aladdin, a new musical comedy based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, opened on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

NAMT has announced final casting for this year's Festival, along with programming details for the Songwriters Showcase and Midday Cabarets. The Festival of New Musicals will take place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is thrilled to announce final casting for the 30th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS along with The Songwriters Showcase and Midday Cabarets. The FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS takes place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Festival events kick off on Monday, October 22 with Thank You, 30! a gala event to celebrate the 30th Annual Festival.

This year, a living legend of musical theatre turns 90: Lyricist-bookwriter Tom Jones (who also, under a stage name) appeared in the original company of his most famous and wildly successful record-breaking musical, The Fantasticks. His collaborator, composer Harvey Schmidt, just recently passed away. The production's record-breaking run closed, on January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. Their shows also include 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, Celebration and many more. And celebration is what it's about when Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, return to celebrate Jones & Schmidt. Demas and Rice have based the show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Tom and Harvey. With very special guest Broadway's Hal Robinson who is also a Fantasticks alumni.

This year, a living legend of musical theatre turns 90: Lyricist-bookwriter Tom Jones (who also, under a stage name) appeared in the original company of his most famous and wildly successful record-breaking musical, The Fantasticks. His collaborator, composer Harvey Schmidt, just recently passed away. The production's record-breaking run closed, on January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. Their shows also include 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, Celebration and many more. And celebration is what it's about when Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, return to celebrate Jones & Schmidt. Demas and Rice have based the show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Tom and Harvey. With very special guest Broadway's Hal Robinson who is also a Fantasticks alumni.

BroadwayWorld was there for all of the magical opening night festivities, and Richard Ridge was on hand for the special purple carpet to chat with the evening's guests. Below, check out interviews with Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Kate Wetherhead, Michael Arden, Harvey Fierstein, Corey Cott, Josh Strickland, Alan Menken, Cheyenne Jackson, Laura Benanti and more!

Disney's Aladdin just welcomed Arielle Jacobs as Jasmine on Broadway. Jacobs originated the role in the Australian production in 2016 and is the sister of original Broadway star Adam Jacobs, currently leading the North American tour in the title role. Her previous Broadway credits include Wicked and In the Heights. Check out photos from her first official bows below!