Howard Ashman News

On June 8th, 2008 Paper Mill Playhouse opened its mainstage production of Little Shop of Horrors, a musical written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The musical is based on Roger Corman's 1960 sci-fi comedy and includes several show-stopping numbers including 'Skid Row (Downtown),' 'Somewhere That's Green,' and 'Suddenly Seymour,' as well as the title song. Little Shop of Horrors will run at the Millburn theatre from June 4 through July 6, 2008.

When Jared Gertner played The Lion in his high-school's 1996 production of 'The Wiz,' he won a Rising Star Award from Paper Mill Playhouse. Twelve years later, Jared returns to Millburn to finally step into the leading-man's shoes as the lovable geek Seymour in 'Little Shop of Horrors.' Just goes to show, ya never know!

On Saturday, June 7, ABC's 'Wonderful World of Disney' presents a special broadcast of Disney Pixar's FINDING NEMO, the Academy Award-winning film (Best Animated Feature, 2003). During the broadcast, Mark Indelicato of the hit ABC television series 'UGLY BETTY' goes back stage at Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID with star Sierra Boggess to discuss her iconic role as Ariel, in the beloved new Broadway musical.

Sierra Boggess, 'Ariel' in Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID, will perform on 'Live with Regis & Kelly' on Monday, June 9th between 9am - 10am.

Theatre Aspen is pleased to announce that casting is complete for its 2008 summer season.

Former New York Times Theatre Critic, and current OpEd Columnist Frank Rich has signed on as a creative consultant to HBO, it was announced today by Richard Plepler, co-president, and Michael Lombardo, president programming group and west coast operations.

John Treacy Egan, currently starring as Chef Louis in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid', will perform at Barnes & Noble as part of their 'Any Wednesday' series on Wednesday, May 28th at 6pm.

The nominations are out for the 2008 Tony Awards. IN THE HEIGHTS led the pack with 13 nominations, followed by SOUTH PACIFIC with 11 and AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, GYPSY and PASSING STRANGE with 9. Click in to see all the nominees!

The nominations are out for the 2008 Tony Awards. IN THE HEIGHTS led the pack with 13 nominations, followed by SOUTH PACIFIC with 11, SUNDAY IN THE PARK with George at 9 and AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, GYPSY and PASSING STRANGE with 7. Click in to see all the nominees!

Adrian Bailey, an ensemble member in the cast of The Little Mermaid on Broadway was injured after a fall through a trap door prior to the start of the Saturday matinee

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) announces its mainstage production of Little Shop of Horrors, a musical written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. It's a musical comedy to die for - literally! The musical is based on Roger Corman's 1960 sci-fi comedy and includes several show-stopping numbers including 'Skid Row (Downtown),' 'Somewhere That's Green,' and 'Suddenly Seymour,' as well as the title song. Little Shop of Horrors will run at the Millburn theatre from June 4 through July 6, 2008.

John Treacy Egan, currently starring as Chef Louis in Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID, will perform solo concerts at The Metropolitan Room on Sunday, May 11th at 9:30pm and Monday, May 26th at 9:30pm. Egan will perform songs from his debut CD, Count the Stars, which is available now on iTunes and Cdbaby.com. Count the Stars is a collection of standards and Broadway anthems including 'On the Street Where You Live,' 'This is the Moment' and 'How Glory Goes.' Prior to his role as Chef Louis in THE LITTLE MERMAID, Egan was seen on Broadway in The Producers and in the original cast of Jekyll & Hyde. He has appeared Off-Broadway in the original cast of such shows as When Pigs Fly! and Bat Boy-the musical. The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 West 22nd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenue). There is a $20 cover charge and a $15 minimum. Reservations can be made by calling (212) 206-0440. For more information, you can visit www.metropolitanroom.com. www.johntreacyegan.com Disney Theatrical Productions (Thomas Schumacher, Producer) is proud to present the Broadway production of THE LITTLE MERMAID, based on the Disney film and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. The company features Sierra Boggess as 'Ariel,' Sean Palmer as 'Prince Eric,' Norm Lewis as 'King Triton,' Tituss Burgess as 'Sebastian,' Eddie Korbich as 'Scuttle,' Jonathan Freeman as 'Grimsby,' Derrick Baskin as 'Jetsam,' Tyler Maynard as 'Flotsam,' John Treacy Egan as 'Chef Louis,' Trevor Braun and Brian D'Addario as 'Flounder,' and Sherie Rene Scott as 'Ursula.' THE LITTLE MERMAID takes place in a magical kingdom beneath the sea, where a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she's the girl with the perfect voice. Led by the award-winning director, Francesca Zambello, some of the theatre's most innovative artists have collaborated to create THE LITTLE MERMAID. The score features the classic songs: 'Part of Your World,' 'Kiss the Girl' and the Academy Award-winning Best Original Song, 'Under the Sea,' composed by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and his longtime collaborator, the late Howard Ashman, as well as 10 new songs by Mr. Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. The book for the new musical is by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Doug Wright. The original Broadway cast recording of THE LITTLE MERMAID was released by Walt Disney Records on Tuesday, February 26th and debuted at #26 on the Billboard 200. The album is available now at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, in music stores nationwide and at online retailers. Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID is currently playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The playing schedule for THE LITTLE MERMAID is as follows: Tuesday - Saturday evenings at 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2pm, and Sunday matinees at 3pm. Tickets for are $51.50 - $121.50 (includes a $1.50 facility fee), available through Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4747, online at www.DisneyOnBroadway.com, or in-person at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street).

THE LION KING ('Le Roi Lion') received three Moliere Awards (France's Tony Award) on Tuesday, April 29 for Best Musical, Best Costumes and Best Lighting for the French production, which is playing at the Théâtre Mogador in Paris.

Disney's lavish musical is the classic love story of Belle, a kind-hearted but misunderstood young woman, and the Beast, a pompous prince who has been turned into an animal by the spell of an enchantress. To break the spell, the Beast must learn to love and be loved. Belle could be his chance, if only the Beast can control his anger and find the heart that he never had as a man. But time is running out and if he does not learn his lesson soon, he will be doomed to live in isolation for all eternity.

Disney Live! Presents 'Three Classic Fairy Tales' to have worldwide premiere in Shanghai making it the first ever Disney Live! production to debut in Asia.

Experience the magic when American Musical Theatre of San Jose presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast, perfect entertainment for the entire family. The enchantment begins on May 13 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts where the show runs through May 25. The production is sponsored by Comerica Bank. Single tickets are now on sale.

On March 27, 2008 actress Emma Roberts and Jane Kaczmarek visited backstage at the LuntFontaine after checking out the show The Little Mermaid on Broadway.

Village Theatre announces its 2008-2009 Mainstage Season, comprised of five shows that explore the perils of young love and the thrill of a great story.

On Sunday, March 16th, 'CBS 2 News' Dana Tyler will visit back stage with Sherie Rene Scott and Tituss Burgess, stars of Disney's The Little Mermaid at 7:55am.

Sierra Boggess, star of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID, will be the featured guest on Seth's Broadway Chatterbox on Thursday, March 13th at 6pm. Seth's Broadway Chatterbox is a one hour weekly talk show at Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street), hosted by Seth Rudetsky. The show is taped in front of a live audience and airs on BroadwayWorld.com Radio Mondays at 7pm, Wednesdays at 10pm and Sundays at noon.