Howard Ashman News

Two Muses Theatre, the new professional theatre in West Bloomfield, Michigan, announces "Auditioning for the Musical Theatre Workshop" series every Saturday in April from 1:00-3:00 pm. Conducted in a Master Class format, the series will be led by Toni Babineau, AEA. Ms. Babineau's professional theatre experience includes leading roles on National Tour and Off Broadway; Audrey in The Little Shop of Horrors at the Orpheum Theatre in New York, directed by Howard Ashman; Peron's Mistress in the National Tour of Evita, directed by Harold Prince, and numerous additional regional and local roles.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh announce NETworks Presentations, LLC will bring the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, Disney'sBeauty and the Beast to Heinz Hall from April 3 through April 8, 2012. This is a presentation of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Denver Center Attractions welcomes home James May, Denver native, as Cogsworth in DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this theatrical production will come to life on stage at the Buell Theatre March 14-18. Tickets are now on sale at www.denvercenter.org or by calling 303.893.4100.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee- Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) has announced the 2012-2013 season, featuring four musicals and one play. Paper Mill Playhouse will open its 2012-2013 season with one, singular sensation, A Chorus Line. Winner of nine Tony® Awards including "Best Musical," A Chorus Line continues to resonate with audiences of every generation. In November, Millburn is alive with The Sound of Music. Based on Maria von Trapp's inspiring true life story, The Sound of Music features an unforgettable score by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein with such memorable songs as "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Edelweiss," and "Climb Every Mountain."

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Broadway San Jose. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes and dazzling production numbers including 'Be Our Guest' and the beloved title song,'Beauty and the Beast,' sung on this tour by Julia Louise Hosack who plays Mrs. Potts.

'There may be something there that wasn't there before' at Broadway San Jose this March 6th thru 11th! For a short, limited engagement Beauty and the Beast will be dazzling the San Jose stage. Hodges and Hodges set the stage for you so that you can begin to enjoy the show well before the curtain goes up on 'Beauty and the Beast.'

Anyone who knows me knows of my love for Howard Ashman. I consider the time he, Alan Menken and Tim Rice worked on Disney movies to be the Golden Age of Disney Musicals with "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin". Unfortunately, try as they may, Disney's attempts at making stage musicals out of "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin" have been less than stellar. Thank God we have the gem that is "Beauty and the Beast" to keep Howard's legacy alive. And while over the years the stage version has been toned down for touring, the majority of the magic is still there and they even managed a few surprises for me in the current production at the Paramount Theatre.

According to their website, Atlantic Productuctions will present the Asian premiere of Disney's Aladdin. The show will open at Manila's Meralco Theatre in November 2012. Casting has not yet been announced.

Loch Raven High School has announced its annual spring musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken is to be performed March 1, 2, and 3 at 7pm.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'A Catered Affair,' 'Barnum,' new musicals by Mark Messing and Leo Schwartz, 'Little Shop...' and a fall 'Assassins,' plus more!!!

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Seattle as part of the KeyBank Broadway at The Paramount series.

Stage Entertainment, in cooperation with Disney Theatrical Productions, will present the Dutch premiere of The Little Mermaid. After presenting Tarzan, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, the Netherlands is the first country to scoop the European premiere of the Disney musical. Disney's The Little Mermaid opens on Saturday May 12, premiering at Martini Plaza in Groningen and then playing larger theaters in the Netherlands. Casting will be announced soon.

The Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center 2012-2013 season, announced today, contains both new hits and familiar Broadway favorites. The five-show season package includes the most beautiful love story ever told, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the spectacular new 25th anniversary production of LES MISÉRABLES, the high-flying new musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and the feel-good musical with heart and soul, SISTER ACT.

According to the Toronto Star, Toronto's Dancap Productions has just announced the line-up for 2012. Included in the upcoming season are In the Heights (February 7-19), Shrek the Musical (March 20-April 1), West Side Story (May 8-June 3), Beauty and the Beast (July 3-22), Million Dollar Quartet (July 20-29), and Prince of Broadway (August 2012)

This summer, Tuacahn Amphitheatre will present the second production of Disney's Aladdin following its world premiere at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre last year.

At a press conference held at Barrington Stage Company's Stage 2, Artistic Director Julianne Boyd announced the complete season of performances that will take place in Downtown Pittsfield in the Mainstage, Stage 2 and Youth Theatre venues in 2012. Single tickets will go on sale February 15. Mainstage Flex Passes and Stage 2 Passes are on sale now by calling 413-236-8888 or online at www.barringtonstageco.org.

There are certain authors whose shows I never miss if possible. Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Terrence McNally, and Howard Ashman to name just a few. These are people whose work I rank among my favorites for the richness and compassion in their writing. Well, after yet another stunning work such as "How to Write a New Book for the Bible", currently playing at the Seattle Rep, I think I have another new favorite in Bill Cain.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast is coming to San Jose, California as part of the Broadway San Jose series.

The Farmington Players Barn is holding auditions for the hit musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. (Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken)

The Farmington Players Barn is holding auditions for the hit musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. (Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken)