Howard Ashman News

ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) of Connecticut is thrilled to announce its upcoming 2019-2020 Season. Featuring a mix of theatre favorites and new and innovative productions, there's something for everyone to enjoy. 

Disney, Will Smith and Make-A-Wish® launched the #FriendLikeMe Challenge today pegged to the upcoming release of 'Aladdin.' Will Smith, who stars in the film as the wish-granting Genie, is encouraging fans and celebrities to participate in the challenge and help show the world: Where there's a wish, there's a way. Part of a global cause marketing campaign, the challenge poses the question: 'If you were the Genie in Disney's 'Aladdin' and had the chance to grant three heartfelt wishes for someone, who would you share them with? Tag a friend on Twitter and/or Instagram. For every public post with #FriendLikeMe from April 29 through May 24, 2019, Disney will donate $5 up to $1 million to Make-A-Wish to help grant life-changing wishes to children battling critical illnesses all over the world. For more information, go to FriendLikeMe.org' or see the official release below.

The national tour of Disney's ALADDIN has arrived in Salt Lake City in all its splendor with an ode to old-school Broadway.

Today a new trailer for the film remake of Aladdin dropped featuring a sneak peek of the film's signature ballad, 'A Whole New World'. See the new promo below!

Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's modern classic, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, an international sensation that has played to over 35 million people worldwide in 13 countries. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice.

In support of its commitment to theater for all, Trinity Repertory Company announces its May 11, 2:00 pm Sensory-Friendly Plus! performance of Little Shop of Horrors.

THE LITTLE MERMAID is swimming over to Finland at Helsinki City Theater from August 27 to December 31, 2019.

It has been reported that among the new innovations for Disney's latest live-action remake Aladdin is a new song for Princess Jasmine, written by Tony and Academy Award-winning duo, Pasek & Paul!

Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) will honor writer and Tony Award-nominated performer Andrew Rannells with the 2019 Howard Ashman Award for his contributions to the LGBT community and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP), the premier professional summer theatre of northwest Illinois, opens its 58th consecutive summer season for 2019 on May 11 with the ABBA Tribute Band, Dancing Queen. Artistic Director Paul Stancato and Executive Director Dan Danielowski are busily making preparations for the opening.

Trinity Rep will conclude its dynamic 2018-19 Season with the primal and poetic Marisol by Obie award-winning playwright Jos Rivera. This production focuses on the sensational search for hope among the ruins.

Director David O'Hara has mounted one gorgeous-looking musical.

Theatre Aspen (Jed Bernstein, Producing Director) announced today the complete casts and creative teams for the company's 36th Season, which includes the Tony Award-winning musical Guys & Dolls, the smash-hit musical Little Shop of Horrors, and the Tony-winning play God of Carnage, as well as additional programming and special events for the summer. This season, loaded with talent from Broadway, national tours, and training programs from across the country, promises to provide one not-to-be-missed event after another. The 2019 Theatre Aspen main-stage season runs June 21st through August 17th at the Hurst Theatre in Rio Grande Park.

As it approaches its 2nd anniversary, the North American tour of Disney's Aladdin has announced that five new principal cast members will join the company starting on April 25 in Salt Lake City, where the hit Broadway musical will play a limited three-week engagement at The Eccles Theatre through May 12.

A spoiled prince (played by Fred Johanson) has turned into a beast as a punishment for his rudeness and stinginess. To regain human form, he must learn to love - and deserve to be loved. And he must do it before the time runs out ... To his aid he has all the enchanted inhabitants of the castle.

August 16th, 2019 kicks off Elm Street Cultural Arts Village's exciting new season for 2019 and 2020 - A Season To Prevail. Associate Artistic Director Siobhan Brumbelow discusses how each production links to the theme of prevailing:

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the summer extension of the hit production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, now running through Sunday, June 30. The show opened March 10 to rave reviews, with the Chicago Sun Times declaring "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is decidedly charming, with a killer love story," PerformInk proclaiming the production "boasts an excellent cast and terrific music, and moves far beyond the limits of traditional musical theatre," and the Chicago Reader noting "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS hits all the right notes." This hit sci-fi musical has devoured the hearts of audiences around the world for more than 30 years, following the story of floral assistant who stumbles across a new breed of carnivorous plant that promises to grant him fame, fortune and all his desires - as long as the blood keeps flowing.

Sinnger/Actress, Liz Rubino, to Debut New Show, 'Spring This Year,' at New York's well known cabaret 'Don't Tell Mama' on Saturday, May 18th @ 7:00 p.m.

Storyhouse in Chester has announced the cast for The Little Shop of Horrors taking place at the multi-award-winning venue from 10 May - 2 June.

THE LITTLE MERMAID is swimming over to Finland at Helsinki City Theater from August 27 to December 31, 2019.