Merwin Foard News

Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC is one of the most oft-produced and popular musicals of all time and this week has welcomed both spectacular news and saddening news regarding the past, present and future of the beloved family-friendly musical. Iconic original leading man Theodore Bikel passed away at the age of 91 earlier this week, forever closing the book on the first man to ever sing 'Edelweiss', one of the score's most beloved gems, not to mention portray Captain Von Trapp in the original Broadway production. Yet, on the horizon looms a brand new national tour of the tuner set to star a brand new discovery named Kerstin Anderson in the role of Maria Von Trapp alongside a fresh-faced cast including Ben Davis, Ashley Brown, Merwin Foard, Dan Tracy and more, all under the direction of Jack O'Brien. Considering the legendary legacy of the beloved title, now is an ideal time to list ten of my personal favorite things pertaining to the rich history of the musical on stages and screens both large and small.

Below, watch as director Jack O'Brien previews what's to come!

In honor of today's big casting announcement for the new brand new national tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, BroadwayWorld introduces you to the star of the production, PACE student Kerstin Anderson! Check out videos from her official YouTube page below!

BroadwayWorld has just learned that casting has been announced for the brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien. This lavish new production launches this September at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, under the auspices of the Center Theatre Group, and will then tour North America for multiple seasons, playing multi-week and week-long engagements.

Follow the cast of Disney's ALADDIN as they take a trip to The White House to performs at the 2015 Kids' State Dinner.

Earlier today, First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed ALADDIN stars Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), James Monroe Iglehart (Genie), Courtney Reed (Jasmine) and several members of the Aladdin ensemble to perform a selection of highlights from the Tony-winning hit musical at The White House Kids' State Dinner. The performance garnered a standing ovation, with the First Lady thanking the cast, calling the performance 'perfection.' She even joined in on a sing-along version of one of the show's most popular numbers, 'Friend Like Me.' Scroll down for photos from the performance!

ALADDIN's James Monroe Iglehart took to Instagram today after performing at the White House for this year's Kids' State Dinner. Monroe captioned the shot, 'We Came. We Sang. We Pet The Dogs. White House.' Scroll down for a photo of the cast with the Obamas' dogs Sunny and Bo, plus watch the full performance!

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!

Get glam ALADDIN-style!

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!

Disney's Aladdin, the Tony Award-winning new musical comedy based on the Academy Award®-winning animated film, is in its second year on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street).  Aladdin opened to critical acclaim on March 20th, 2014 at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre and went on to receive 24 major theatrical award nominations. Below, watch as Aladdin and Jasmine themselves (Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed) record the musical's most beloved ballad- 'A Whole New World.'

Disney's Aladdin, the Tony Award-winning new musical comedy based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, celebrates one year on Broadway March 20th at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street).

Disney's Aladdin, the Tony Award-winning new musical comedy based on the Academy Award®-winning animated film, celebrates one year on Broadway today, March 20th at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street). Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the cast celebration, which included a beautiful cake designed by Beth Bennett from Bebe Bakes!

Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed, the stars of ALADDIN on Broadway sharewhat they've learned from playing Broadway's most romantic couple in this all-new video titled 'You Can't Wish for Love.'

Disney's Aladdin, the Tony Award-winning new musical comedy based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, is pleased to announce that original stars Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Tony Award nominee Jonathan Freeman (Jafar), Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart (Genie) and Courtney Reed (Jasmine) have extended their contracts with the production through February 21, 2016. The four actors have led the 'sublime' (NY1) Aladdin company since its pilot production at Seattle's Fifth Avenue Theatre in the summer of 2011 and garnered critical acclaim when the Broadway production opened on March 20, 2014.

ALADDIN's Adam Jacobs was recently visited by Jane Krakowski and Lou Diamond Phillips, taking to Twitter to post photos. Check them out below!

ALADDIN's Tony Award-winner James Monroe Iglehart (jmiglehart) recently posted a photo to Instagram featuring another Tony winner. The caption says, 'Yep, Jane Krakowsi loves the Genie!' Check out a larger version of the adorable moment below!

Check out the show's appearance on last night's JEOPARDY and test your ALADDIN trivia knowledge below!

Disney's Aladdin, the Tony Award-winning new musical comedy based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, will be the subject of an entire category on tonight's (January 15) episode of 'Jeopardy!,' marking only the third time the show has dedicated an entire category to a single Broadway show. For the first time in the history of 'Jeopardy!,' the show will incorporate performance footage from Aladdin in each of the category's clues.