Jodi Benson News

Last night, November 5 , The Wonderful World of Disney presented The Little Mermaid Live! The production honored the 30th anniversary of the beloved animated classic with a never-before-seen hybrid format that will take viewers on a magical adventure under the sea as live musical performances by a star-studded cast are interwoven into the broadcast of the original feature film.

Presentado por Jodi Benson, la voz original de Ariel en la película de Disney, este show especial de Disney en el canal ABC estuvo protagonizada por Auli'i Cravalho, Queen Latifah y Shaggy.

In honor of the 30th anniversary of the hit Disney animated film, The Little Mermaid, ABC aired a live musical event on Tuesday, November 5. The Little Mermaid Live! featured Auli'i Cravalho (Ariel), Queen Latifah (Ursula), Shaggy (Sebastian), Graham Phillips (Prince Eric) and John Stamos (Chef Louis) .

Broadway and Disney royalty Susan Egan gave audiences a special treat during the Broadway Princess Party's recent return to Feinstein's/54 Below as she performed the original song 'Where Have All the Mothers Gone' with lyrics by Egan and music by Brian Haner. Check out this video to see her performance with music direction and arrangement by Benjamin Rauhala!

For nearly 4 years the BROADWAY PRINCESS PARTY has been wowing and pleasing audiences at Feinstein's/54 Below with their songs and tiaras and more fun than any single Disney show can bring. The BROADWAY PRINCESS PARTY at 54 Below Takes Audiences To Once Upon A Time... A Couple Of Times

This Month, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Once again, SYFY and SYFY WIRE will take over New York Comic Con -- providing both Con-goers and fans at home wall-to-wall coverage and activations from the pop culture mega-event, held October 3-6 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. SYFY WIRE's partnership with NYCC producer ReedPOP continues, with SYFY WIRE once again serving as the official streaming partner for the 2019 Con, delivering exclusive original coverage and content both online and on air…and it's all LIVE! Additionally, SYFY will feature panels and screenings for fan faves and upcoming originals alike. 

Elsie Fest, New York City's first music festival featuring stars and songs of the stage and screen, will return for its 5th year this fall! A line-up has not yet been announced, but pre-sale begins today for tickets to the October 5th event.

BroadwayWorld previously reported Halle Bailey will take on the role of Ariel in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid set to go into production next year.

The National Tour of Falsettos celebrated its official opening in Dallas this week! Let's see what the critics have to say!

In honor of its 30th anniversary, two-time Academy Award®-winner (Best Original Score and Best Original Song “Under the Sea,” 1989) “The Little Mermaid,” dives into the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection with all-new bonus features and a sing-along mode.

In honor of its 30th anniversary, two-time Academy Award®-winner (Best Original Score and Best Original Song “Under the Sea,” 1989) “The Little Mermaid,” dives into the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection with all-new bonus features and a sing-along mode. The magical, musical tale of mermaid princess Ariel — along with loveable sidekicks Sebastian and Flounder, and the love-to-hate sea witch Ursula — is shore to make a splash with all generations when it comes home for the first time Digitally in HD, 4K Ultra HD  and Movies Anywhere on Feb. 12, and on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on Feb. 26.

Yesterday, Sutton Foster, Joshua Henry, Alex Newell, Grant Gustin, Jodi Benson, the cast of Be More Chill and more joined Darren Criss at the fourth annual Elsie Fest! BroadwayWorld was there and brings you exclusive highlights from the outdoor music festival below! 

Central Park was the place to be yesterday, as theatre fans from all over gathered to celebrate the fourth annual Elsie Fest! Elsie Fest is a one-day outdoor music festival that celebrates the stars and songs from the stage and screen, giving festival goers a unique experience to their favorite musicals.

Casting is now complete for the foot-stompin' musical Honky Tonk Angels. This performance, playing from September 19 - September 30, will be directed by DAVID HEMSLEY CALDWELL, returning to the Lyceum for his 20th production, and musically directed by SAM CLEIN. The production features SHARON MALANE as Darlene, ERIN MCCRACKEN as Angela, and SHELBY RINGDAHL as Sue Ellen.

It has been announced that the festival will be led by Two-time Tony Award winning actress, singer and dancer Sutton Foster (TV Land's Younger, ABC Family's Bunheads, Anything Goes, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Violet ), three-time Tony Award nominee Joshua Henry (Hamilton, Carousel, Violet, Shuffle Along,The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess), Emmy nominated songwriter, musician and actor Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and actor and Atlantic Records recording artist Alex Newell (Glee, Once on this Island).

The new product lineup that General Mills announced today is all about "capturing the moment." The company has foods which span the globe, for everyone, at any moment of the day.

I specifically asked to see this show for three reasons. One - until last night I had never seen The Little Mermaid. (GASP!) There, I said it. Doubly strange perhaps since I actually know Jodi Benson, original star of the Disney classic. Two - I wanted to see the incredible Emily Ann Theatre & Gardens. What a gorgeous venue! This compound is an artist's dream and Wimberley is fortunate to be home to this gem. And three - I wanted to see what magic director Bridget Farias Gates would bring to this production. Gates, a Best Director winner (Broadway World Austin) enjoys an impeccable reputation as one of Austin's most beloved and respected artists - no small feat in a city teeming with talent. As expected, Gates delivered a powerful production with a cast and crew more than ready to wow the audience. The Emily Ann Theatre is very blessed to have Gates as their artistic director.

I specifically asked to see this show for three reasons. One - until last night I had never seen The Little Mermaid. (GASP!) There, I said it. Doubly strange perhaps since I actually know Jodi Benson, original star of the Disney classic. Two - I wanted to see the incredible Emily Ann Theatre & Gardens. What a gorgeous venue! This compound is an artist's dream and Wimberley is fortunate to be home to this gem. And three - I wanted to see what magic director Bridget Farias Gates would bring to this production. Gates, a Best Director winner (Broadway World Austin) enjoys an impeccable reputation as one of Austin's most beloved and respected artists - no small feat in a city teeming with talent. As expected, Gates delivered a powerful production with a cast and crew more than ready to wow the audience. The Emily Ann Theatre is very blessed to have Gates as their artistic director.

The New York Pops' 35th Birthday Gala, Part of His World: The Songs of Alan Menken was held on Monday, April 30, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, presented by The New York Pops. Check out photos from the after party below!