Howard Ashman News

Jake Gyllenhaal, Ellen Greene, Taran Killam, Eddie Cooper, Joe Grifasi, Tracy Nicole Chapman, Marva Hicks and Ramona Keller star in the Encores! Off-Center concert production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, running for three performances, July 1-2, 2015 at New York City Center. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below! 

Earlier this week, BroadwayWorld announced a new partnership with renowned caricature artist Ken Fallin, a life-long theater enthusiast, who has drawn many Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. Fallin previously drew for BroadwayWorld and our readers have long wanted his return, so it is with great pleasure that we welcome him back! Be sure to check back for more of Ken's exclusive art. Below, check out his illustration of Michael Cerveris, Judy Kuhn, Sydney Lucas, Emily Skeggs, and Beth Malone in Fun Home!

Eddie Cooper and Joe Grifasi join Ellen Greene, Jake Gyllenhaal and Taran Killam in the Encores! Off-Center concert production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, running for three performances, tonight, July 1, and tomorrow, July 2, 2015 at New York City Center.

Disney's Aladdin, the Tony Award-winning new musical comedy based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, is now in its second smash year on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street). Heidi Klum and Adam Lambert visited Aladdin over PRIDE weekend! Scroll down for photos of them backstage with the cast!

Producer with Broadway in Branson, Justin Tranchita, announced that Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID, has been cancelled abruptly.  It was scheduled to run through the end of September at The Whitehouse Theatre.  

Today, BroadwayWorld kicks off a brand new interview series titled HOW I GOT THE JOB shining a special solo spotlight on a performer in which they share candid recollections and revisit the point at which they became involved with a particular project on their resume, whether it be stage piece, film or TV project... To kick off the series, we are talking to an internationally recognized stage and screen star CELEBRATED for her iconic originating role in the popular stage musical and subsequent feature film adaptation of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, the fiercely idiosyncratic Ellen Greene. Opening up about her experiences in landing that unforgettable part, Greene also previews what audiences can expect from her return to the stage as art of the hotly anticipated Encores! Off-Center mounting of the musical co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal at City Center later this week. Additionally, Greene reflects on some of her other standout appearances over the years, such as the acclaimed 1976 New York Shakespeare Festival production of THE THREEPENNY OPERA and David Rabe's IN THE BOOM BOOM ROOM at the Public Theater, not to mention the legendary cult musical RACHAEL LILY ROSENBLOOM (AND DON'T YOU EVER FORGET IT), plus her notable ongoing collaboration with TV mastermind Bryan Fuller on HEROES, PUSHING DAISIES and HANNIBAL and much more.

The men of Disney's hit Broadway musicals Aladdin and The Lion King were photographed exclusively for OUT, modeling summer's sexiest swimwear - go behind the scenes of the shoot below!

"This season is going to be an adventure set to music," says Vicki Richards, Executive Artistic Director of Paradise Theatre, Gig Harbor's only live theater and performing arts education center, "as we launch an entire season of musicals along with our capital campaign, 'Act Local'.  

Prince Ali has found his London home! The Daily Mail reports that Broadway's Aladdin, originally in talks to open at the London Palladium or the Dominion, has finally secured the West End's Prince Edward Theatre.

Get glam ALADDIN-style!

The Hollywood Pantages, a Nederlander Theatre, announced today the addition of eight shows available as options to the already on sale 2015-2016 SEASON. This new lineup of shows includes the return of Six Hollywood Pantages favorites. The Added Optional Shows will include Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, RIVERDANCE - THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR, MAMMA MIA!, ONCE, RAIN - A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES & last season's smash hit, KINKY BOOTS.

Town Hall presents Broadway Rising Stars: a national showcase that introduces New York audiences to the next generation of up-and-coming talent as chosen by a panel of discerning judges from among the most outstanding new graduates from schools such as the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, CAP21, Circle in the Square Theatre School, Marymount Manhattan College, The New School, NYU's Steinhardt Department of Music and Performing Arts, NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and other acclaimed institutions. The 2015 Rising Stars is spearheaded by Scott Siegel, creator/writer/host of Town Hall's beloved Broadway by the Year series. Nightlife-winner Scott Coulter directs and acclaimed singer/songwriter Howard Fishman provides musical direction.

Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley does not disappoint with its sumptuous production of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID--a Broadway musical as much deserving of success as the hit animated film on which it's based. With a shimmering score that features both old and new favorites, it has all the makings of a hit. Hale Centre Theatre's production does justice to the material in a massive production that shimmers in its own right.

Taran Killam stopped by last night's LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS and talked about his short-lived career in musical theater, including starring roles in Music Man, Evita, and The Wizard of Oz.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning, worldwide smash hit, Broadway musical is returning to Fort Lauderdale as a 2015-2016 Broadway in Fort Lauderdale season option. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts June 15-19, 2016. For information on the production, visit www.BeautyAndTheBeastOnTour.com.

Broadway's ALADDIN stars Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed were featured on last night's episode of ABC's 'The Bachelorette.'

Get glam ALADDIN-style!

Swim with Sebastian, float with Flounder and become part of Ariel's underwater world in the Wasatch Front's local company premiere of Disney's The Little Mermaid, at Hale Centre Theatre. Tickets are on sale now for the Disney classic, slated to run today, June 5 through August 1, in West Valley City in more than 75 consecutive performances.

 Little Shop of Horrors, Slow Burn Theatre Company's final production in the West Boca High Performing Arts Theatre before moving to their new home at the Broward Center, is a devilishly delicious mash up of sci-fi and Broadway, fertilizer and Faust, and of rock, doo-wop, and Motown.   This 'horror and rock-n-roll musical comedy' has delighted audiences of all ages for over thirty years, and includes several well-known songs, including the title song, 'Skid Row (Downtown)', 'Somewhere That's Green', and 'Suddenly, Seymour'.

The Lobby Project, a series of free pre-show events presented in conjunction with the third season of New York City Center's Encores! Off-Center series, will take place June 24 - July 18 at City Center. The events will place the Off-Center musicals in the context of their legacies and provide insightful explorations of the work the audience is about to experience.