Disney Theatrical Productions News

'Tale as old as time' nails the complex simplicity of Beauty and the Beast the quintessential story of true love, the most difficult to obtain and sustain.  Disney's adaptation of the fairy tale with its sweepingly imaginative spectacle won over even the hardest of hearts. The animated film was such a tremendous hit in 1991 that it was adapted for the stage in 1994 with new songs by Tim Rice added to the Academy Award-winning movie score by deceased Howard Ashman. It ran worldwide until 2007 and proves undoubtedly that fairy tales retain a popularity that never dies... and that the story  translates beautifully to the stage with vibrant actors recreating all the animated figures.. This new production by 3-D Theatricals of Beauty and the Beast, which closed Sunday at the Redondo Performing Arts Center, was every bit as joyful and elegant as the original. I cannot say enough about T. J. Dawson's fabulous direction and casting and Mela Hoyt-Heydon's spectacular costumes that were built completely from scratch by 3-D Theatricals.

A group of Australia and New Zealand's most outstanding musical theatre performers and fresh faces has been announced for Disney's new musical comedy, Aladdin, it was announced today. They will be joined by Broadway performer Michael James Scott in the role of the Genie.

Disney Theatrical Productions today announced Nick Afoa will transfer to the London production of THE LION KING as Simba when the Australian season of the landmark musical concludes on Sunday 28 February.

Disney's Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical, will welcome new principal cast members Brad Weinstock (Omar) and Major Attaway (Standby Genie/Babkak/Sultan) to the cast beginning this month, it was announced today.

Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO, Kate Maguire, have announced the 2016 Summer Theatre Season and an assortment of lively presented acts at The Garage and The Colonial Theatre. An announcement with casting will be made within the next several weeks.

Hennepin Theatre Trust announced today that the Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin Season engagement of Disney's NEWSIES set a box office record for the highest-grossing one-week theatrical engagement at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. The award-winning musical grossed sales of $1,448,779.50 for the week ending Feb. 14, 2016 and attracted more than 20,000 patrons to the West Downtown MPLS Cultural District (WeDo) during its eight performances.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents How to Write a Musical That Works, Part Two: Conflict & Obstacles.

Disney's THE LION KING continues to reign across North America with a sold-out engagement in Tampa, which concluded on Sunday, Feb. 14, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. The triumphant four-week return grossed more than $5.6 million at the box office and entertained nearly 75,000 patrons during 32 performances.  

Updated this week! Check out upcoming Equity Auditions from Sunday, February 14, 2016 for both productions in your area and around the country including what/when/where and how to audition!

If she were really in China, what would Mulan's dramatic solo, 'Reflection' sound like in Chinese? Or what about Belle singing in French?

Gulfshore Playhouse (www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org) - Southwest Florida's premier professional theatre - presents Ken Ludwig's Moon Over Buffalo, a madcap comedy from the author of The Fox on the Fairway and The Game's Afoot, beginning today, February 13 through March 13 at The Norris Center in Naples.

Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the nation's largest non-profit theatre organization, announced the 2016/17 Broadway season featuring the pre-Broadway debut of FROZEN.

A brilliant cast of dancers from Broadway's biggest hits and some of the most sought-after dance companies will bring to life Pure Motion, an evening of dances by emerging choreographer Ray Mercer. Produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the evening will feature cast members from Broadway's An American in Paris, The Lion King and Wicked as well as past and current dancers from Ailey II, Company XIV, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater and more.

Gulfshore Playhouse (www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org) - Southwest Florida's premier professional theatre - presents Ken Ludwig's MOON OVER BUFFALO, a madcap comedy from the author of The Fox on the Fairway and The Game's Afoot, scheduled for February 13 through March 13 at The Norris Center in Naples.

As BroadwayWorld just reported, it's official -- FROZEN, a new musical based on Disney's Academy Award-winning musical film, is slated to join Disney hits ALADDIN and THE LION KING on Broadway at a theatre to be announced in spring 2018. Below, get ready for the blizzard with an in-depth look at the musical's creative team!

Long rumored, for the first time in forever, it's official -- Frozen, a new musical based on Disney's Academy Award®-winning musical film, is slated to join Disney hits Aladdin and The Lion King on Broadway!

YouTuber Daniel Coz returns with his latest viral medley featuring tunes from Disney's iconic animated film and musical ALADDIN. Check it out below!

Theatre Development Fund (TDF), the not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, will honor Disney Theatrical Productions and Thomas Schumacher, its president and producer, at TDF's Gala on Monday, March 14 at Manhattan's historic Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway @ 36th Street, NYC). 

Gulfshore Playhouse (www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org) - Southwest Florida's premier professional theatre - is pleased to announce the cast of its upcoming production of Ken Ludwig's Moon Over Buffalo, a madcap comedy from the author of The Fox on the Fairway and The Game's Afoot, scheduled for February 13 through March 13 at The Norris Center in Naples.

Disney's NEWSIES will play an exclusive two-week premiere engagement at Segerstrom Center for the Arts with performances May 17 - 29, 2016 in Segerstrom Hall. Individual tickets for NEWSIES start at $25 and may be purchased online at SCFTA.org, the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787. For inquiries about group tickets for 10 or more, call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236. The 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, May 28, 2016 will include audio description, open captioning and sign-language interpretation.