Gary Marsh News

Disney Junior, a new multiplatform destination for kids age 2-7, one that reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary, will debut MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT), anchored by the new animated series 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates.' Five other new series also join the Disney Junior schedule: the short form titles 'Mickey Mousekersize,' 'Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps' (supporting Disney's Magic of Healthy Living initiative) and 'A Poem Is...' (narrated by Jennifer Garner and Katie Holmes, among other familiar voices), and full length series 'Babar and the Adventures of Badou' and 'Tinga Tinga Tales.' Viewers' current favorites, 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,' 'Handy Manny,' 'Special Agent Oso,' 'Jungle Junction' and 'Imagination Movers,' will also be seen on Disney Junior.

Yesterday, August 18, Disney's 'Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam' premiered at Alice Tully Hall in New York City. BroadwayWorld brings you coverage of the premiere below.

Disney Channel has ordered up a second season of its newest out-of-the gate hit, 'Good Luck Charlie' -- just three months after its premiere. Development has also begun on a holiday-themed 'Good Luck Charlie' Disney Channel Original Movie. The movie, being written by Geoff Rodkey ('R.V.,' 'Daddy Day Care'), will star the talented series cast, Bridgit Mendler, Jason Dolley, Bradley Steven Perry, Mia Talerico, Leigh-Allyn Baker and Eric Allan Kramer. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.

Disney Channel has ordered a fourth season of its Emmy Award-winning sitcom 'Wizards of Waverly Place,' and is in development on the sequel to 'Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie,' cable TV's second-highest rated scripted telecast of all time in Total Viewers (13.5 million), Kids 6-11 and Tweens. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. Production on the fourth season is scheduled to begin in August with show runners Vince Cheung and Ben Montanio ('Married with Children,' 'Greetings from Tucson') executive-producing. Todd J. Greenwald ('Hannah Montana,' 'Saved By the Bell: The New Class') is the series creator and also an executive producer.

STATE OF THE ARTS (SOTA), the new, weekly performing arts radio series - Mondays at 4:00 pm PST on LATalkRadio.com - has partnered with BREAKDOWN SERVICES as its presenting sponsor, it was announced today by SOTA co-producers/co-hosts and theatre professionals MICHAEL STERLING & PAUL STROILI.

Disney Channel has ordered 'Shake It Up!,' a buddy comedy centered around a teen dance show, created by Chris Thompson ('Laverne and Shirley,' 'Bosom Buddies,' 'The Naked Truth,' 'Action') and executive-produced by Thompson and Rob Lotterstein ('The War at Home,' 'Ellen'). It stars 12-year-old Bella Thorne ('Big Love') and 13-year-old Zendaya. The multi-camera series will begin production in Hollywood, California, in July for a scheduled Fall 2010 premiere on Disney Channel. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.

A second season of 'I'm In The Band,' a music-filled, live-action comedy series about a teenager who realizes his wildest dream when he joins his favorite 'vintage' rock band, has been ordered by Disney XD, it was announced today by Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. Production will resume in June in Hollywood, California.

Richard M. Sherman, two-time Oscar and Grammy winning composer of the scores of "Mary Poppins" and "The Jungle Book" and more than 150 songs heard in Disney films and theme parks, will make a rare personal stage appearance, singing and telling the stories behind his songs, in "A Supercalifragilistic Evening with Richard M. Sherman," for three performances only, February 26 and 27 at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre.

Richard M. Sherman, two-time Oscar and Grammy winning composer of the scores of "Mary Poppins" and "The Jungle Book" and more than 150 songs heard in Disney films and theme parks, will make a rare personal stage appearance, singing and telling the stories behind his songs, in "A Supercalifragilistic Evening with Richard M. Sherman," for three performances only, February 26 and 27 at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre.

Richard M. Sherman, two-time Oscar and Grammy winning composer of the scores of "Mary Poppins" and "The Jungle Book" and more than 150 songs heard in Disney films and theme parks, will make a rare personal stage appearance, singing and telling the stories behind his songs, in "A Supercalifragilistic Evening with Richard M. Sherman," for three performances only, February 26 and 27 at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre.

Richard M. Sherman, two-time Oscar and Grammy winning composer of the scores of "Mary Poppins" and "The Jungle Book" and more than 150 songs heard in Disney films and theme parks, will make a rare personal stage appearance, singing and telling the stories behind his songs, in "A Supercalifragilistic Evening with Richard M. Sherman," for three performances only, February 26 and 27 at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre.

Gary Marsh, the Disney mastermind behind the High School musical programming for the mouse, can add one more notch to his belt today as he was promoted to Chief Creative Officer of the Disney Channel. He formerly held the post of Disney Channel Entertainment President.

Renowned choreographer and director, Jeffrey Hornaday ('Flashdance,' 'A Chorus Line', 'Shout'), will helm 'High School Musical East Meets West,' the fourth movie in the franchise that is a cultural sensation around the world. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide.

A big screen film, entitled Haunted High School Musical, will be the next entry in Disney's wildly successful 'High School Musical' franchise

The runaway success of Disney Channel's 'High School Musical,' the sound track from which has hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard pop-music charts twice this year, has renewed interest in the teen musical genre -- and among the musical productions benefiting is 'In Your Dreams,' a musical written and produced by Miramax-linked screenwriter Zeke Farrow and scored by Marc Shaiman-protégé Lucian Piane.