Howard Ashman News

Drayton Entertainment will present a knockout playbill in 2019 packed with Broadway blockbusters, hilarious comedies, stirring tributes, fun-filled family musicals and a few more dramas than in previous seasons. Artistic Director Alex Mustakas continues his bid to bring a wide variety of crowd-pleasing productions to the award-winning charitable not-for-profit theatre organization's seven stages throughout Ontario.

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2018/2019 season with Disney's Beauty and the Beast, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, book by Linda Woolverton, and direction by Alan Souza. Disney's Beauty and the Beast was originally directed by Robert Jess Ross and originally produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. Disney's Beauty and the Beast runs November 9, 2018 - January 27, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, November 15 at 8:00 p.m.

Rockdale Musical Society is proud to present Disney's The Little Mermaid with Book by Doug Wright, Music by Alan Menken, and Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater. The show will run from September 7th, through September 16th, 2018.

Trinity Rep will open its 2018-19 Season with Pride and Prejudice by Kate Hamill, adapted from the novel by Jane Austen. This classic "will they or won't they" romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy is infused with fresh vitality and hilarity in this effervescent new comedic adaptation, directed by Birgitta Victorson.

Anyone who has heard Janis Joplin knows her immediately - the give-all intensity, the great songs, and that rawly emotive voice. A Night With Janis Joplin presents an imagined concert, held a week before her untimely death, with the legendary performer joined by some of her most significant influences - from Aretha Franklin to Nina Simone to Bessie Smith to Odetta. "Exhilarating…Remarkable…A joyful ruckus" (Washington Post).

Disney Theatrical Productions and Broadway In Detroit announced today that tickets for the long-awaited engagement of Disney's Aladdin will go on sale to the public on Sunday, September 9.  The hit Broadway musical will begin performances at the Detroit Opera House on December 12, 2018 for a limited engagement of five weeks through January 13, 2019. 

Kids of all ages will be enchanted by the WST for Kids' production of Disney's ALADDIN, JR.. Based on the classic 1992 Disney movie, and updated to include Alan Menken's new songs written for the 2014 Broadway production, this hour-long musical will be performed LIVE at Walnut Street Theatre September 22 - 30, 2018.

Trinity Rep announces auditions for children 8-12 years of age for its upcoming production of beloved New England tradition, A Christmas Carol.  Auditions will take place Saturday, September 8, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at Cardi's Furniture, at 999 Newport Avenue, Attleboro, MA.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has just announced casting for its next Broadway Center Stage production of Little Shop of Horrors, running October 24-28, 2018 in the Eisenhower Theater.

The recent Disney smash feels like it's eighty years old rather than less than ten- but in this case, that's a good thing.

BroadwayWorld has an inside look at the Drury Lane's rehearsals for Little Shop of Horrors, with music by Alan Menken, book by Howard Ashman, direction and choreography by Scott Calcagno, and music direction by Roberta Duchak. Little Shop of Horrors runs September 6 - October 28, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is Thursday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m.

What do a sadistic dentist, a floral shop owner, a meek plant-lover, and a girl with low self-esteem all have in common? Find out when you see the Music Circus premiere of Little Shop of Horrors at Broadway at Music Circus! Based on the 1966 cult-classic film of the same name, the musical features a score by Alan Menken (of Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Mermaid fame) in the style of 1960s doo-wop, Motown and rock, and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman (Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast).

Trinity Rep has received a $255,000 multi-year grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to support the implementation of its new, three-year strategic plan, which calls for doubling the number of new subscribers by 2020 and broadening its marketing and offerings to attract a more diverse audience.

Rockdale Musical Society is proud to present Disney's The Little Mermaid with Book by Doug Wright, Music by Alan Menken, and Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater. The show will run from September 7th, through September 16th, 2018.

Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino is pleased to announce the playbill for the 2019 season. Featuring 12 productions, it's built around a theme of Breaking Boundaries, which will also be explored through more than 150 thought-provoking and entertaining events at the Forum.

An eye-popping event that only Disney could produce...That is the spectacle ALADDIN that is completing it's run at Shea's Buffalo Theatre. This stage adaptation of the family favorite film is packed with more visual effects and glorious costumes than one is likely to see in 3 other Broadway shows combined.

Long Island's BroadHollow Theatre Company continues a terrific Summer season with a superb production of the musical Little Shop Of Horrors. This incarnation runs at East Islip's BayWay Theatre through August 26 continuing at their Elmont location beginning September 1st. Directed by Jason Allyn and boasting an excellent cast, this is based on the classic 1960 film. Book writer Howard Ashman pens (and writes the lyrics for) the theatre staple's heartfelt story and Alan Menken's music is a fun fusion of 1960s Rock & Roll, Doo-wop and Motown. You'll more than likely be familiar with the scores' popular tunes including the title song and 'Suddenly, Seymour'.

Paper Mill Playhouse announced today that individual tickets for the theater's 2018-2019 season will go on sale to the public on Monday, August 20 at 10:00am.

Trinity Rep announces tickets to its 2018-19 Season will go on sale tomorrow, August 14, 2018, beginning at 10:00 am. Tickets start at $25 and will be available for purchase by phone at (401) 351-4242, online at www.trinityrep.com, or in person at the theater's box office at 201 Washington Street, Providence. The 2018-19 Season is one of the largest the company has ever produced and one of the most diverse.

I had the pleasure of seeing The Little Mermaid in the MTW 2011 Season, so I was really looking forward to seeing it again this season. I must say, it did not disappoint. With all the brilliant singing, colorful costumes and sets, and spritely choreography, The Little Mermaid is a perfect season finale!