Howard Ashman News

Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) will honor Tony and Emmy Award-winning playwright and librettist Terrence McNally, whose art and activism have profoundly affected the visibility and understanding of HIV/AIDS. McNally will receive the 2014 Howard Ashman Award, named for the Grammy and Academy Award-winning lyricist, who passed away in 1991 due to complications from AIDS. The Howard Ashman award is given annually to honor theater professionals who have made a difference in the fight to end the epidemic.

A great set, a great plant, and great leads make for a show that is so much fun that it should not be missed.

Geva Theatre Center's Artistic Director Mark Cuddy and Executive Director Tom Parrish are proud to announce the 12 major productions of the much anticipated 2014-2015 Season, the non-profit's 42nd year of making professional theatre of a national standard in Rochester.

Today we are talking to one of the most successful and accomplished composers and lyricists in Broadway and Hollywood history all about his participation in next week's hotly anticipated charity event UPRISING OF LOVE, co-produced with Bruce Cohen, hosted by Jane Lynch and starring Sting and Patti LuPone, among others - the one and only Stephen Schwartz. Schwartz sheds lights on what inspired him to curate the evening, as well as previews some of the entertainment set to be on hand and what audiences can expect from the Dustin Lance Black-penned benefit to raise awareness of gay bullying and support equal rights for all. Additionally, Schwartz looks back at his many major musical landmarks and touches upon the current revival of PIPPIN as well as long-running Broadway hit WICKED and the currently in development film adaptation of it. Plus, Schwartz comments on the upcoming screen-to-stage adaptation of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, currently set to premiere in La Jolla later this year. Furthermore, Schwartz shares news on the development of several current projects he is working on at the moment, including the new stage musical based on the life of Emanuel Schikaneder and the animated big screen A.R. Rahman collaboration MUMBAI MUSICAL, with remarks on the recent stateside premieres of new musical MY FAIRY TALE and musical revue SNAPSHOTS, too. All of that, thoughts on Ariana Grande and Kanye West sampling 'Popular', GLEE covering 'Defying Gravity', reflections on some lesser-known compositions from his solo albums RELUCTANT PILGRIM and UNCHARTED TERRITORY, thoughts on a Broadway production of CHILDREN OF EDEN and much, much more!

Bainbridge Performing Art's 2014 - 2015 season opener is LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a household name, thanks to a highly successful film version and a score by the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. Check out photos below!

Imagine Productions of Columbus will present Little Shop of Horrors, Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Music by Alan Menken October 8-19, 2014. Based on the film by Roger Corman, the show is located at Wall Street Night Club. Directed by Ryan Scarlata.

Today in 2009, The Little Mermaid closed at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, where it ran for 685 performances. The Little Mermaid is based on the animated 1989 Disney film of the same name and the classic story of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. The musical's book is by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman (written for the film) and new lyrics by Glenn Slater. The original cast featured Sierra Boggess in the title role of Ariel, Sean Palmer as Prince Eric, Brian D'Addario and Trevor Braun alternate as Flounder, Norm Lewis as King Triton, Sherie Rene Scott as Ursula, Tituss Burgess as Sebastian, Tyler Maynard as Flotsam, Derrick Baskin as Jetsam, Jonathan Freeman as Grimsby, and John Treacy Egan as Chef Louis.

This September and October 54 BELOW presents a lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.

Disney's Aladdin, the new musical comedy based on the Academy Award®-winning animated film, opened to critical acclaim on March 20th, 2014 at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre. Below, check out a just-released lyric video for one of the show's well-known anthems, 'Prince Ali.'

Beloved Broadway legend Bernadette Peters attended Aladdin yesterday, stopping backstage to posewith James Monroe Iglehart and Adam Jacobs. Check out a look back at her visit below!

Tony winning actor James Monroe Iglehart, who portrays 'Genie' in the musical, honored the original Genie, late actor Robin Williams, by leading the theater audience in a sing-along of 'Friend Like Me.'

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above, inTriArts Sharon Playhouse's production of Disney's The Little Mermaid, running today, August 13-24.

Disney's Aladdin, the new musical comedy based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, opened to critical acclaim on March 20th, 2014 at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre. Just last night, KISS' Paul Stanley stopped by to check out the new musical and you can check out a photo of him with the cast backstage below!

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to the Majestic Theatre as part of the North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio 2014-2015 Series. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage for eight performances September 30 - October 5. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., today, August 8.

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above, inTriArts Sharon Playhouse's production of Disney's The Little Mermaid, running August 13-24.

2014 Tony Award-winning Best Featured Actor In A Musical himself, James Monroe Iglehart, recently appeared on long-running TV talk show THE VIEW and takes viewers behind the scenes of his appearance as part of a new clip now available to view.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to the Majestic Theatre as part of the North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio 2014-2015 Series. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage for eight performances September 30 - October 5. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, August 8.

Director and choreographer Kyle Donahue of Fox Valley Repertory and the Youth Ensemble bring Disney's Aladdin Jr. to the Fox Valley Area. Under the musical direction of Debra Stombres, the FVR Youth Ensemble brings this all-time Disney classic of magic, splendor and true love to life on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage August 1-10, 2014 (4051 East Main Street, St. St. Charles).

Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Executive Director Julie Ann Kornak have announced BrightSide Theatre's 4th Season - 2014-2015 - 'Celebrating Friends & Family' - It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Rumors, and The Sound of Music. 'These three pieces of theatre entertain us as we celebrate what it means to have the love of friends and family in our lives,' explains Executive Director Julie Ann Kornak. From the warmth of the holiday spirit, to the hilarious lengths we go to help our friends, to creating our own loving families as we travel the journey of life - come celebrate at the theatre with friends and family.

Jarrett Koski's direction is tight and imaginative, and though we may miss certain perks that would come with a full-scale production of the show, the concert version is simply stunning.