Deen Van Meer News

Music, magic and merriment come together when Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida present the 29th annual 'Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade' holiday TV special, airing today, December 25 on the ABC Television Network. Cast members from Disney's Newsies: The Musical, 'carry the banner' down Main Street, U.S.A., with a performance from the Tony Award-winning musical.

Music, magic and merriment come together when Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida present the 29th annual 'Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade' holiday TV special, airing December 25 on the ABC Television Network.

The cast of Newsies, The Tony Award winning new American musical, led by Corey Cott as Jack Kelly, will perform the show-stopping number "Seize the Day" in-studio on tonight's November 13 (8:00PM-9:00PM) episode of "Dancing with the Stars: All Stars" on the ABC Television Network.

Laurence Connor and James Powell's direction of the current tour is energetic and lively from opening to close. There are cleverly paid notes of homage to Trevor Nunn and John Caird's original direction of the piece. Yet, the team really takes advantage of being able to breathe new life into the show, almost completely restaging every scene. Likewise, they have taken the opportunity to present a grittier and more realistic LES MISERABLES.

The cast of NEWSIES, The Tony® Award winning new American musical, led by Corey Cott as Jack Kelly, will perform the show-stopping number "Seize the Day" in-studio on the Tuesday, November 13 (8:00PM-9:00PM) episode of "Dancing with the Stars: All Stars" on the ABC Television Network.

Betsy Morgan is heading to Houston for the first time in the touring production of LES MISERABLES. She tells me she has "pseudo-family" in town, and she is looking forward to seeing those family and friends in addition to everything that Houston has to offer. One of her first big parts was originating Leslie in the musical GIANT, which is all about Texas, so she is excited to see some of the Historic aspects of our city. Taking time out of her busy schedule, she chatted with me about her life in the theatre, LES MISERABLES, touring, and performing as Fantine.

In this touring rendition of the P.L. Travers story (on which the 1964 Disney musical starring Julie Andrew and Dick Van Dyke was based), some of the telling in Julian Fellowes book is more "British" - darker -- than we might expect.

Utah native Thayne Jasperson talks about his debut on Broadway as Darcy in NEWSIES, his desire to play Tarzan and how he doesn't want to grow up.

A technically reimagined 'Les Miserables' stormed the stage of San Francisco's Orpheum theatre for its 25th anniversary victory lap, electrifying a wildly enthusiastic audience and keeping them on the edge of their seats for the entire performance.

One of the most popular, highly-regarded stage musicals of all time, LES MISÉRABLES is, to put it simply, a moving, overtly theatrical epic. In this rich-looking--and rich-sounding--tour production, the emotional resonance seems more palpable than ever. The beautifully refreshed 25th Anniversary edition will continue to wow audiences at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts through June 24, with future stops in San Francisco, San Diego and Thousand Oaks, CA this summer.

Jess, a 'So You Think You Can Dance' finalist last year, is a Broadway veteran at 19.

This week has a great show playing at the Bass Concert Hall in Austin, Texas. MARY POPPINS takes the stage and it is non-stop entertainment.

If I said that Newsies hasn't improved any since its premiere engagement at Paper Mill would you roll your eyes and mumble something about how haters are going to hate?

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: SEMINAR gets a new cast, HOW TO SUCCEED celebrates first birthday, NEWSIES takes a Broadway bow, and so much more!

Newsies, the new American musical currently in previews at the Nederlander Theatre for a strictly limited performance run following its critically-hailed stint at Paper Mill Playhouse last fall. BroadwayWorld has just gotten our digital ink-stained hands on the first production shouts from Broadway. Check 'em out below!

South Florida theater fans are in for an array of Broadway hits as the awesomely cool, ROCK OF AGES, opens the all musical Broadway in Miami 2012 - 2013 season at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami Dade County. Scheduled to launch the season with a bang, from October 9-14, ROCK OF AGES will be followed by the high-stepping Broadway Musical for the entire family, MARY POPPINS, set to bring in the New Year, January 1-6; the return of the world's greatest musical, LES MISÉRABLES, in a brand new 25th anniversary production, February 26 - March 3; the outlandishly colorful PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT will keep audiences on their feet with its parade of dance-floor favorites, April 2-7; and Best Musical Tony Winner of 2010 MEMPHIS will make its triumphant Miami debut with its explosive dancing and powerhouse songs, May 7-12.

South Florida theater fans are in for an array of Broadway hits as the awesomely cool, ROCK OF AGES, opens the all musical Broadway in Miami 2012 - 2013 season at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami Dade County. Scheduled to launch the season with a bang, from October 9-14, ROCK OF AGES will be followed by the high-stepping Broadway Musical for the entire family, MARY POPPINS, set to bring in the New Year, January 1-6; the return of the world's greatest musical, LES MISÉRABLES, in a brand new 25th anniversary production, February 26 - March 3; the outlandishly colorful PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT will keep audiences on their feet with its parade of dance-floor favorites, April 2-7; and Best Musical Tony Winner of 2010 MEMPHIS will make its triumphant Miami debut with its explosive dancing and powerhouse songs, May 7-12.

The 25th anniversary tour of LES MISÉRABLES brilliantly captures the intense emotion and sublime beauty of its theatrical predecessor.

There's really nothing like the first time you see one of your favorite shows. The first time I saw "Hairspray" I leapt to my feet on the final note. The first time I saw "West Side Story" I was on the edge of my seat for these tragic lovers. And the first time I saw "Les Miserables" I wept through the entire thing. There really is nothing like the first time. And the 5th Avenue's current touring production of "Les Miserables" is really nothing like my first time. With its complete lack of subtlety and heart, the only thing it has going for it is the amazing voices singing these wonderful songs.

There's really nothing like the first time you see one of your favorite shows. The first time I saw "Hairspray" I leapt to my feet on the final note. The first time I saw "West Side Story" I was on the edge of my seat for these tragic lovers. And the first time I saw "Les Miserables" I wept through the entire thing. There really is nothing like the first time. And the 5th Avenue's current touring production of "Les Miserables" is really nothing like my first time. With its complete lack of subtlety and heart, the only thing it has going for it is the amazing voices singing these wonderful songs.