Disney Theatrical Productions News

Better Nate Than Ever, the acclaimed debut novel by Tim Federle that was just named an Amazon Best Book of the Month, was released yesterday, February 5 from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. The hardcover novel (and e-book edition) is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold. The Drama Book Shop just celebrated the release of the book with a Q&A and book signing with the author, Tim Federle, moderated by Tom Schumacher. Check out photos from inside the event below!

Better Nate Than Ever, the acclaimed debut novel by Tim Federle that was just named an Amazon Best Book of the Month, has been released today, February 5 from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. The hardcover novel (and e-book edition) is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold.

Newsies has just announced nationwaide auditions that start this weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Accoridng to the casting notice the show is seeking: males, 16-22, of all ethnicities, who are strong and technically trained dancers who also tap and sing well. Acrobatics/tumbling a plus. For additional information, click here.

Disney Theatrical Productions will be hosting open auditions, seeking possible future replacements for the Broadway and Touring companies of The Lion King. Auditions for the adult roles of Simba and Nala will be held in Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Auditions for the roles of Young Simba and Young Nala will take place in New York City at the Apollo Theater.

This past weekend, Nigel Lythgoe and Adam Shankman of "So You Think You Can Dance" attended a performance of Newsies, the Tony Award winning new American musical, and visited with the cast backstage afterwards. Cast members Evan Kasprzak and Jess LeProtto have both competed on the Fox dance competition, in seasons five and eight respectively. Check out backstage photos below!

The Drama Book Shop (250 W. 40th Street, NYC) will host a Q&A and book signing with Tim Federle, author of the Broadway coming-of-age novel Better Nate Than Ever, on February 5th at 5:30 PM. The Q&A will be moderated by Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions. Already earning rave reviews from critics and celebrities alike, Better Nate Than Ever, Federle's debut novel, is being released the same day by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. The book recently launched at the Junior Theater Festival, for an enthusiastic audience of over 4000 theater-loving kids.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Andy Richardson will replace Andrew Keenan-Bolger as 'Crutchie' in Newsies, which is currently playing at the Nederlander Theatre. As BroadwayWorld previously announced, Keenean-Bolger will soon leave the production to star in the pre-Broadway engagement of Tuck Everlasting at Boston's Citi Performing Arts Center. Richardson, who currently plays 'Romeo' will assume the role on March 11.

Now, Disney Theatrical Productions has confirmed that Aladdin, a new musical based on the Academy Award winning animated film, will play its pre-Broadway engagement at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre(formerly the Canon) November 13, 2013 to January 12, 2014 and will open at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre in 2014. The show will feature music by Alan Menken; lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin with a book by Beguelin. Casey Nicholaw will direct and choreograph.

Sherri Shepherd, co-host of ABC's Emmy Award-winning talk show "The View," recently made a one night cameo appearance in the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit musical, NEWSIES. Scroll below for photos of her night on the Broadway stage!

Peter and the Starcatcher will follow Avenue Q, Rent and Million Dollar Quartet by opening off Broadway at New World Stages. According to Telecharge, the show will begin off-Broadway on March 18. The show just played its final performance on Broadway yesterday, January 20, and BroadwayWorld brings you coverage from the final curtain call below!

Peter and the Starcatcher, the five-time Tony Award-winning play by Tony Award-nominee Rick Elice, will play its final Broadway performance today, January 20, 2013, ending its nearly year-long run. Directed by Tony Award-winner Roger Rees and Tony Award-nominee Alex Timbers, Peter and the Starcatcher began performances on March 28, 2012, and opened April 15, 2012, and is playing at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Before the production lands in its new home at off-Broadway's New World Stages this March, BroadwayWorld takes you on a journey through Starcatcher's beginnings (and ending) on Broadway!

The View's Sherri Shepherd recently fulfilled her lifelong dream when she made her Broadway debut in the SMASH hit, Tony Award winning musical, NEWSIES. During her one-night only appearance, Shepherd will take viewers backstage, up close and personal with the creative team, cast and crew - with all the backstage antics and opening night jitters on 'The View's JANUARY 25th episode airing 11:00 am/ET on ABC.

After Peter and the Starcatcher plays its final performance on Broadway on January 20, 2013, the show will follow Avenue Q, Rent and Million Dollar Quartet by opening off Broadway at New World Stages. According to Telecharge, the show will begin off-Broadway on March 18. Casting has yet to be announced for the show's next incarnation.

On Tuesday, Tom Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Productions, hosted a party to celebrate 'Better Nate Than Ever', the Broadway young readers novel by Broadway dancer Tim Federle. Among the guests were Sherie Rene Scott, 'Peter and the Starcatcher' writer Rick Elice and co-director Roger Rees, Julie Halston and Dee Hoty. Scroll below for photos!

Executive Producer Mike Isaacson announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2013 Season, which opens on June 17 with Monty Python's Spamalot. 'This is a phenomenally talented group of artists, and I'm thrilled to be working with all of them. Last season our audience inspired us to take many risks and push ourselves far. These directors and choreographers are already working on ways to top last season's level of excitement and excellence.'

Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. DETROIT's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Detroit Opera House stage from Wednesday, February 13 to Sunday, March 10, 2013. The press opening night is Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Disney Theatrical Productions, Broadway Across America-Austin and Texas Performing Arts announced today that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING will go on sale to the public on Friday, September 28 at 10:00 a.m. Austin's most eagerly awaited return will once again leap onto the Bass Concert Hall stage tonight, January 16 through Sunday, February 10.

Longtime public relations professional Matt Polk has launched Polk & Company, a new public relations and media strategies office to open on Monday, January 14, 2013.

The next stage in the beloved title's evolution begins this year as Music Theatre International starts licensing to North American professional theatres. Already in high demand from theatres around the world, Mary Poppins will first be mounted at Drayton Place Entertainment - Dunfield Theatre in Ontario Canada this March with these theatres to follow: Tuacahn Amphitheatre (Ivins, UT), The MUNY (St Louis, MO), Music Theatre of Wichita (Wichita, KS), Maine State Music Theatre (New Brunswick, ME), Rainbow Stage (Winnipeg, Manitoba - CA), Coeur D'Alene Summer Theatre (Coeur D'Alene, ID), Marriotts Theatre (Lincolnshire, IL). Other upcoming productions will be announced.