Howard Ashman News

Raleigh Little Theatre has announced its 2017-2018 season - scroll down for highlights!

After an exciting first half to the 2017 season, Woodlawn Theatre in San Antonio will host an equally exciting line-up for its second half. Three productions will bow on the the Woodlawn stage including HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG.

Don't feed the plants! Audrey II and the gang of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will bring the rock comedy musical to the Atwood Concert Hall at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts this February.

Playwright Jake Brunger and composer Pippa Cleary have been creating musicals together since they met at Bristol University in 2008. Their work includes Jet Set Go!, The Great British Soap Opera and an adaptation of Sue Townsend's beloved The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 . The latter begins a London run at the Menier Chocolate Factory this week.

Ghostlight Records will release the premiere cast recording of the musical Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater - based on the recent production by the New York City Center's Encores! Off-Center musical theater series - in digital and physical formats on Friday, July 28. The album is available for pre-order starting today, Friday, July 7.

For the second musical of its 37th season, Moonlight Stage Productions plans to make a splash with Disney's The Little Mermaid from July 19 through August 5. Get a first look at the cast below!

The summer season continues at Bill Hanney's Theatre By The Sea (TBTS) with one of the most popular family musicals of all time, a brand new production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST playing for the first time at the historic barn theatre.  The beloved tale will enchant audiences of all ages starting Wednesday, July 19 and ending Saturday, August 12.

Feeling the urge to let your imagination run wild, your spirit to soar or to just leave the world in which you live and go on an adventure? Sounds like a trip to the theater is in order! Luckily, companies all over the Volunteer State have been hard at work, creating new productions to transform and to transport, shows that will entertain you this summer. That's where THE NASHVILLE THEATER CALENDAR comes in handy: Peruse our listings every week to find out what shows you should see!

This July, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman made their mark with the early Disney musicals, and always included a sense of "home" and "belonging". As much as Disney's The Little Mermaid is a princess-story aimed at the pre-teen audience, it also has a deeper message of being a fish out of water, only in Ariel's case she is a fish in water who doesn't belong.

Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's modern classic, Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice.

Feeling the urge to let your imagination run wild, your spirit to soar or to just leave the world in which you live and go on an adventure? Sounds like a trip to the theater is in order! Luckily, companies all over the Volunteer State have been hard at work, creating new productions to transform and to transport, shows that will entertain you this summer. That's where THE NASHVILLE THEATER CALENDAR comes in handy: Peruse our listings every week to find out what shows you should see!

Find out what's happening at The Wild Project!

Broadway In Chicago has announced that Disney's ALADDIN and the Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I will make 1776 half-price tickets available through the League of Chicago Theatres' Hot Tix program today, June 28, beginning at 12 PM through Sunday, July 9, 2017.

???????Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's modern classic, Disney's Beauty and the Beast.  Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice. 

It's interesting to imagine just what fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen would think of the musical version of THE LITTLE MERMAID (book by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken, and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater) that's now gracing the stage of The MUNY. Though he might quibble with the liberties the book takes with his story, I think he would be absolutely blown away by the performances and stagecraft that are on display. It's a terrific and captivating production that doesn't skimp on the eye candy. Though the Disney film has been around since 1989, it's still a hugely popular movie for members of the younger set, and the equally successful musical has been beguiling audiences for almost 10 years as well. It's timeless charms are a perfect match for the MUNY's vast expanses, which are filled with imaginative imagery that families will find exquisitely appealing.

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is proud to be producing a new and original production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST uniquely conceived for our trademark theater-in-the-round. The beloved tale will delight New England audiences for three weeks starting Tuesday, July 11 and ending Sunday, July 30.

Bill Hanney's award winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is proud to be producing a new and original production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST uniquely conceived for our trademark theater-in-the-round. The beloved tale will delight New England audiences for three weeks starting Tuesday, July 11 and ending Sunday, July 30.

'A Whole New World' kicks off the summer youth program with Aladdin JR., based on the iconic animated film and featuring an Academy Award-winning score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Soar to new heights on a magical, flying carpet ride filled with romance, adventure and hilarious hijinks. When street urchin Aladdin vies for the attention of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, he uses a genie's magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Iago, Jafar, the Genie and more beloved characters come to life in this fantastical musical that celebrates the power of love and friendship. Aladdin JR. is directed and choreographed by Carolanne Marano, with Musical Direction by Miriam Arichea. The production opens July 7 and runs for 5 performances only through July 9.

Disney's Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical, recently welcomed new Broadway cast members Telly Leung (Aladdin) and Major Attaway (Genie). Scroll down for a first look at them onstage, plus learn more about Leung as he steps into the title role in the video below!