Howard Ashman News

Ever since the success of Disney's The Lion King, Disney Theatricals have been trying to catch lightning in a bottle a second time. After the original production of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID closed on Broadway in 2009 (after a run of 685 performances), it underwent two years of intensive work to fine-tune and re-think the production. In 2014, Theatre Under The Stars produced this current revised version which includes new scenery and new costumes as well as flying.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to Charlotte. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center for one week only, tonight, Sept. 29, through Oct.4.

Lexus Broadway in Austin presented by Texas Performing Arts is proud to announce Theatre Under The Star's production of Disney's The Little Mermaid. This fun-filled, timeless tale will play tonight, September 29 - October 4, 2015 at Bass Concert Hall.

Episode 1 of Aladdin's Courtney Reed's new web series, #CourtneyChat,

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to Boston. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at the Boston Opera House January 6 - 10, 2016. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is part of the 2015-2016 Lexus Broadway In Boston Season.

Audiences will dive into the new season of The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati with Ariel and her aquatic friends in DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID JR. which has been adapted from Disney's 2008 Broadway production.  The show runs October 16-18, 24 & 25 at the Taft Theatre.

While promoting his new film HIGH-RISE this week at the 2015 San Sebastian Film Festival, actor Luke Evans spoke with Collider about Disney's highly anticipated live action remake of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

Today's the day! Cult favorite LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS famously begins with the narration: 'On the 23rd day of the month of September...' To celebrate the special day, we're bringing you the opening number form the hit 1986 film!

Tonight, September 23rd marks the opening of the sixth show of the Ivoryton Playhouse's 2015 season and it arrives fully fanged and demanding blood!

In a new interview with Movie'n'co UK, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST's Emma Watson briefly opens up about Disney's upcoming live-action take on the animated classic, confirming that the film will feature a 'deeper story,' and three new songs from Alan Menken. Check out her full interview below!

Paradise Theatre announces seven family-friendly and diverse musicals for its 2015-2016 Season as they launch capital campaign 'Act Local' to save the arts on the Peninsula by creating a new performing arts and education center in Gig Harbor.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present a season to satisfy musical theatre lovers everywhere with their 2015-16 season of shows!

Berkeley Playhouse at the Julia Morgan Theater proudly announces their eighth season. The ambitious season will see an increase of productions from four to six, their first 'R-rated' show, a world premiere commission, the first non-musical in the company's history, and a Bay Area premiere.

Jake Gyllenhaal made a triumphant musical debut this summer co-starring opposite Ellen Greene in Encores! Off-Center concert production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. In a recent interview with DP/30, Jake revealed how Jeanine Tesori convinced him to take on the project, what it was like sharing the stage with Greene, and so much more. Check out the full interview below!

Take a trip under the sea with Theatre Under The Star's production of Disney's The Little Mermaid! Presented by the New Orleans Theatre Association, this fun-filled, timeless tale will play today, Sept. 15, through Sept. 20 at the Saenger Theatre as part of the East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2015 - 2016 season.

I honestly don't think I can name a single person who I know who hasn't seen Disney's The Little Mermaid.  Not even one.  It has been a favorite of so many since the movie premiered in 1989.  The story is based off of a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen, and was adapted for the big screen with music written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.  It tells the tale of a 16-year-old mermaid named Ariel, who falls in love with Prince Eric, a land creature.  This love is forbidden by Ariel's father, King Triton.  Disobeying her father, Ariel goes on a quest with her friends Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle to make a deal with the sea witch Ursula that will turn her into a human so she can be with her love at last.

THE LITTLE MERMAID is perfect for little girls who want to be Ariel when they grow up, but adults may find it too simple a tale.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to New Orleans as part of the East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2015 - 2016 season, presented by the New Orleans Theatre Association. This elaborate theatrical production, produced by NETworks Presentations, will come to life on stage at the Saenger Theatre Dec. 29, 2015 - Jan. 3, 2016. For information on the production, visit www.BeautyAndTheBeastOnTour.com.

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal revealed that a Broadway musical is on the top of his 'to do list'.

Summer is on its way out, but Connecticut theaters are heating up with some exciting offerings this fall. Theater lovers have the best of both worlds here in the Nutmeg State: Broadway is just down the road, but we never even have to leave home to see exceptional theater thanks to the bevy of professional theaters that call Connecticut home too. This season looks particularly exciting and I'll share with you what I am most looking forward to reviewing this fall. There are other great shows scheduled this fall as well as through the 2016 season, but in the interest of space, I will concentrate on top picks for this fall.