Howard Ashman News

Bristol Riverside Theatre announces its mainstage 2013-2014 season including two comedies, two adaptations and a one-man show. The new season features the Philadelphia area premiere of Steve Solomon in My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm STILL in Therapy, Pride and Prejudice by Jon Jory, Todays with Morrie by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, Laughter on the 23rd Floor by Neil Simon, and Little Shop of Horrors by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.

The full cast of Disney's Aladdin, a new musical based on the Academy Award winning animated film, began rehearsals today in New York City. Aladdin will launch at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre (formerly the Canon) November 1, 2013 to January 5, 2014. Opening night there is November 21, 2013. BroadwayWorld has photos of the cast in rehearsal below!

Kentwood Players proudly presents the comedy rock musical 'Little Shop of Horrors' with book by Howard Ashman and music and lyrics by Alan Menken, from tonight, September 13 through October 19.

Little Shop of Horrors, with Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Music by Alan Menken, Based on the film by Roger Corman, Screen play by Charles Griffith and originally produced by the WPA Theatre (Klye Renick, Producing Director), as well as the Orpheum Theatre, New York City by the WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh and the Shubert Organization, will be directed by Adam Ewing with musical direction by Anne Britt at the Gallery Theater.

Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre is delighted to present Disney's Academy Award winning film 'The Little Mermaid' for the first time ever in thrilling Disney Digital 3D from today, September 13 through October 13, 2013.

For 36 years, JPAS has continued to bring the best in the performing arts to venues from Jefferson Parish, the Metro Area, to the North Shore and beyond. Thanks to loyal patron support we have grown to become Louisiana's largest professional touring company. Our offerings are abundantly varied and our outreach is extensive. This season is no exception!

Kentwood Players proudly presents the comedy rock musical "Little Shop of Horrors" with book by Howard Ashman and music and lyrics by Alan Menken, from September 13 through October 19, 2013 for a six-week run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm with Sunday matinees at 2pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045. The production is directed and choreographed by Michael-Anthony Nozzi with musical direction by Joshua Eli Kranz, and produced by Shari Barrett and Sheridan Cole Crawford by special arrangement with Music Theatre International. The production features original Audrey II puppets designed by Michael-Anthony Nozzi and costumes designed by Maria Cohen and Arlene Cohen.

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.

It was announced today by Lylle Breier, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Special Events for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 'The El Capitan Theatre is the only theatre in the world screening 'The Little Mermaid' in 3D.' This exclusive presentation also features a live preshow sing-a-long with Sofia from Disney's 'Sofia the First' along with a special live appearance by Ariel after the movie. El Capitan guests will also receive an exclusive giveaway at every show from Disney Junior (while supplies last).

Director Greg Trax brings the horrific Audrey II to sing its way into infamy on the Gettysburg Community Theatre stage

Little Shop of Horrors, with Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Music by Alan Menken, Based on the film by Roger Corman, Screen play by Charles Griffith and originally produced by the WPA Theatre (Klye Renick, Producing Director), as well as the Orpheum Theatre, New York City by the WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh and the Shubert Organization, will be directed by Adam Ewing with musical direction by Anne Britt at the Gallery Theater.

Musicals Tonight! the Obie-winning company dedicated to the revival of neglected musicals kicks off its 16th NY season with Cole Porter'sMexican Hayride (October 8 - 20) directed by Thomas Sabella-Mills, with music direction by James Stenborg.

Carly Rae Jepsen recorded a cover of THE LITTLE MERMAID tune 'Part Of Your World' for a project with Disney, and you can check out a sneak peek of the upcoming music video below -- plus, listen to the full track, and watch a behind-the-scenes video with Jepsen onset!

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre under the direction of Artistic Director Kurt Beattie officially announces the 2014 mainstage season. Next year, ACT has a balance of plays that are smart and beautiful, hilarious and zany, as well as thrilling and suspenseful. Fresh from Broadway is the Seattle premiere of the Tony Award Winner for Best Play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, by Christopher Durang. Also on deck for 2014 is the off-Broadway hit, Bethany by Laura Marks. Back from directing the Broadway opening of First Date, director Bill Berry will mount the infamous cult musical hitLittle Shop of Horrors for the intimate Falls Theatre. Heavy hitters and famous authors Sam Shepard, Steve Martin, and Woody Allen will have their one-act plays combine for a summer triple bill, and Arthur Miller's The Price will offer a look at an expertly crafted drama that remains timeless. ACT is honored to work with writer/actor Ayad Akhtar, winner of this year's Pulitzer Prize for Disgraced, on his recent play, a revised version of The Invisible Hand.

Kentwood Players proudly presents the comedy rock musical 'Little Shop of Horrors' with book by Howard Ashman and music and lyrics by Alan Menken, from September 13 through October 19, 2013 for a six-week run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm with Sunday matinees at 2pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045. The production is directed and choreographed by Michael-Anthony Nozzi with musical direction by Joshua Eli Kranz.

Anyone who's seen any of the annual Zilker summer musicals in Austin's Zilker Park know that, though the productions are free to the public, the entertainment value and quality are always top-notch. Zilker's 55th annual production, Little Shop of Horrors, does not disappoint. This is a dazzling, colorful, and hysterically funny take on a staple of musical theater. The shop may be little, but the entertainment value is gigantic.

At today's 'Broadway & Beyond...Celebrating the Stars of Disney on Broadway' event at Disney's D23 expo, stage stars Heidi Blickenstaff, Merle Dandridge, Ashley Brown, Josh Strickland, and Alton Fitzgerald White debuted a brand new song from the Broadway-bound production of ALADDIN, titled 'Somebody's Got Your Back.' Check it out, courtesy of Attractions Magazine, below!

After receiving critical acclaim and box office sellouts earlier this season for Stephen Sondheim's Assassins and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Music Box Musicals will round out its inaugural season with an up-close-and-personal presentation of the cult classic Little Shop of Horrors at The Music Box Theater, 2623 Colquitt, Houston, TX, today, August 8 through August 31, 2013.

Columbus Children's Theatre will present Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr. today, August 7-18, 2013 at the Park Street Theatre located at 512 N Park Street.

Earlier this year, on March 18, Van Dean, Kenny Howard, and Michael J. Moritz, Jr. brought together a melange of Broadway's most impressive young talent for WHEN I GROW UP: BROADWAY'S NEXT GENERATION, a cabaret concert at 54 BELOW. Kenny Howard says that this group inspired him 'not only with their talents but also with a maturity that is far beyond their years.' For this cabaret concert, the children tackle the adult repertoire of their heroes, taking on music from SPRING AWAKENING, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, AVENUE Q, [TITLE OF SHOW], and more.