Disney Theatrical Productions News

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the Internet, is excited to announce a new feature to its comprehensive regional coverage - the Featured Regional Theater of the Week! Each week, BWW will introduce its readers to a regional theater located in one of our (over 130!) coverage cities. By exploring these different venues, their history and showcasing the production seasons, BWW continues its commitment to expand our presence in communities and cities across the United States. This Week's Featured Regional Theater: Arvada Center for the Arts in Arvada, CO

The Jungle has arrived in Boston! Rehearsals at the Huntington Theatre Company begin today for the world premiere adaptation of The Jungle Book. The production, wholly reimagined for the stage by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman (Candide) is based on Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling's 1893 collection of stories set in the Indian jungle and Walt Disney's 1967 animated film. Zimmerman's adaptation is a music-and movement-filled adventure of young Mowgli's coming-of-age in the animal kingdom featuring the movie's best-loved songs in wholly new Indian-inspired arrangements. Legendary Academy Award and Grammy winner Richard M. Sherman - whose numerous songwriting credits with brother Robert B. Sherman include the motion pictures The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The AristoCats - collaborates on this production, providing Music Director Doug Peck access and permission to adapt songs that Sherman and his brother wrote for the film, plus never-before-heard material. Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Gattelli with Indian dance consultant Hema Rajagopalan combine elements of classical Indian dance forms with jazz, tap, and more to enhance the storytelling.

The PETER AND THE STARCATCHER National Tour celebrated its official opening night on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver, CO. Check out a look back at the evening's festivities below!

Broadway's landmark musical event THE LION KING, the fifth longest-running show in Broadway history, is pleased to welcome AARON NELSON as Simba, beginning performances on Tuesday, August 27, 2013.

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, the five-time Tony Award winning musical play written by Tony Award nominee Rick Elice and directed by Tony Award-winner Roger Rees and Tony Award?nominee Alex Timbers, will play the Hobby Center for a limited engagement from October 15 - 20. Tickets for PETER AND THE STARCATCHER go on sale to the public Sunday, August 25.

Omaha Performing Arts received a special tribute from Disney Theatrical Productions to commemorate years of successful engagements in Omaha, including the recent record-breaking return of Disney's THE LION KING. Omaha is one of the first cities in the United States to receive this recognition. A handcrafted lioness mask was specially made for the occasion and is a replica of the one originally created by renowned designer, Michael Curry and the Tony-Award winning director of Disney's The Lion King, Julie Taymor. This rare award is Disney's method of honoring outstanding achievement by the presenting organizations in markets where the production has played.

The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment, is pleased to announce that the producer, cast, and management of Disney's THE LION KING have added a special performance to benefit The Fund today, August 22 at 1:00pm at The Belk Theater in Charlotte, NC. The Acting Company will donate their time and talent for this performance that will directly benefit The Actors Fund.

Justine Lambert and Kenneth Nowell's 'The Goddess,' a modern-day fairy tale about an open marriage, receives its world premiere at the Write Act Rep Theatre, 309 East 26th Street, beginning Thursday October 10. Directed by Alice Jankell, this new comedy features a cast of five including Tricia Alexandro, Claudia Mason, Larry Mitchell, Sarah Nedwek and Chris Stack. Produced by the Looking Glass Theatre, now in its 20th season, the four-week engagement plays through Sunday November 3, with an opening set for Sunday October 13 at 3pm.

The National High School Musical Theater Awards (NHSMTA) selected 62 finalists from tens of thousands of students to compete for the coveted Jimmy Award for Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress, earlier this summer at the Minskoff Theatre. Hosted by the Tony Award-nominated stars of Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana, the fifth annual performance showcase featured dynamic ensemble and solo performances exclusively from the musical theater cannon. Sarah Lynn Marion, from Fullerton, CA and Taylor Varga, from Newtown, CT took home the big awards for the evening. Check out highlights below!

SAN ANTONIO (August 19, 2013) - Peter and the Starcatcher, the five-time Tony Award winning musical play written by Tony Award nominee Rick Elice and directed by Tony Award-winner Roger Rees and Tony Award-nominee Alex Timbers, will play the Majestic Theatre for eight performances October 22-27. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m., tomorrow, Friday, August 23.

Newsies is currently in its second year on Broadway and is still bringing audiences to their feet nightly at the Nederlander Theatre. In the video below, stars of the show, Jess LeProtto, Kara Lindsay, and Corey Cott chat with Entertainmemt Tonight about their favorite part about starring in the show, reasons for its success, and the possibility of a movie remake. Watch the full interview below!

The producers of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, the five-timeTony Award-winning musical play written by Tony Award nominee Rick Elice and directed by Tony Award winner Roger Rees and Tony Award nominee Alex Timbers, present the National Tour, which kicks off in Denver, Colo, tonight, August 15, 2013 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club presents a special theatrical performance, Broadway and Beyond. Thomas Schumacher, president and producer, Disney Theatrical Productions will host a musical journey into Disney's history on Broadway and beyond at the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The performance features an all-star line-up, including Heidi Blickenstaff (THE LITTLE MERMAID), Ashley Brown (MARY POPPINS and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Merle Dandridge (TARZAN and AIDA), Josh Strickland (TARZAN) and Alton Fitzgerald White (THE LION KING), who sing beloved songs from the award-winning musicals they starred in as well as classic tunes from the Disney on Broadway catalogue.

Newsies is currently in its second year on Broadway and is still bringing audiences to their feet nightly at the Nederlander Theatre. BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you an exclusive look at the just-released new televsion spot for the Tony-winning musical below!

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will serve as the third city in the country to present an autism-friendly performance of Disney's THE LION KING, tailored to the needs of adults and children on the autism spectrum. The special performance is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 2:00 pm., at the Benedum Center, 237 Seventh Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Great seats are still available and can be purchased on the Cultural Trust website at www.TrustArts.org/Autism. For additional information call (412) 456-2670.

In advance of its world premiere musical production The Jungle Book, Huntington Theatre Company teams up with Zoo New England in August for Jungle Book Days at the Zoo. Families are invited to visit the Franklin Park Zoo today, August 3 and the 31st and Stone Zoo on August 24 for Jungle Book-themed fun and activities including zookeeper encounters where visitors can learn more about some of the animals featured in Kipling's stories, a scavenger hunt through the zoo among the exhibits, interactive storytelling by Huntington teaching artists, face painting, a coloring contest, and more.

Just yesterday, 2013 Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis ('Beasts of the Southern Wild') visited The Lion King on Broadway and BroadwayWorld was there for the special occasion. Check out photos of Wallis with the cast below!

In advance of its world premiere musical production The Jungle Book, Huntington Theatre Company teams up with Zoo New England in August for Jungle Book Days at the Zoo. Families are invited to visit the Franklin Park Zoo on August 3 and 31 and Stone Zoo on August 24 for Jungle Book-themed fun and activities including zookeeper encounters where visitors can learn more about some of the animals featured in Kipling's stories, a scavenger hunt through the zoo among the exhibits, interactive storytelling by Huntington teaching artists, face painting, a coloring contest, and more.

Exclusively at Disney's D23 Expo August 9–11 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Disney fans are invited to explore the incredible roster of film, stage, and music projects on the horizon at The Walt Disney Studios, with a variety of panel discussions, sneak peeks, and exhibits.