Robert Elhai News

Based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name, The Lion King tells the story of Simba, a young lion who is supposed to succeed his father Mufasa, as King of Pride Rock. But when Simba's Uncle Scar kills Mufasa, Simba runs away from home after being tricked into thinking that he was responsible. As he comes of age, Simba learns some valuable perspective to go back and take his rightful place as King.

The Kleban Foundation recently announced the winners of its 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist -- Stacey Luftig -- and its 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist -- Daniel Goldstein. Since its inception, Kleban Prize winners have been selected by judging panels comprised of the theatre's most respected artists and administrators. The judges making the final determination this year were two-time Tony Award-winning actress Judith Ivey, Michael Price (Former Executive Director, Goodspeed Musicals), and Andrew Zerman (Casting Director and Vocal Coach).

The Kleban Foundation recently announced the winners of its 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist -- Stacey Luftig -- and its 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist -- Daniel Goldstein. The 2016 prizes will be presented today, February 8, 2016, in a private ceremony (by invitation only) hosted by ASCAP and BMI at ASCAP.

2015 was my 5th full year as a Twin Cities Theater Blogger, and I saw a record high 200+ shows. When I look at those numbers, or at my busy schedule, I sometimes think, why do I do this? Why do I devote all of my free time to this part-time job for which I don't get paid? And then I see a show that reminds me why I do this. That reminds me why I started going to theater, why I started writing about theater, why I think theater (and specifically music-theater) is the most beautiful and powerful art form we have. LULLABY is one such show. This new original play-with-music is everything I want music-theater to be: funny, smart, relevant, relatable, moving, poignant, with awesome songs and a brilliant cast and creative team pouring their heart and souls into the work. This is the first of 20 new works of 'theater musically' that Theater Latte Da has committed to developing by 2020 in a project they're calling 'Next 20/20.*' It's an exciting thing to create the future of music-theater, and LULLABY has set the bar high for this project.

The Kleban Foundation is pleased to announce that the 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist has been awarded to Stacey Luftig and the 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist has been awarded to Daniel Goldstein.

The Fred Ebb Foundation in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company presents the eleventh annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to Stacey Luftig and Phillip Palmer. The award, named in honor of the late award-winning lyricist Fred Ebb, will be presented by Karen Ziemba tonight, November 30th from 6-8pm at a by-invitation-only ceremony in the Penthouse Lounge of The American Airlines Theater.

The Fred Ebb Foundation in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company will present the eleventh annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to Stacey Luftig and Phillip Palmer.  The award, named in honor of the late award-winning lyricist Fred Ebb, will be presented by Karen Ziemba on Monday, November 30th from 6-8pm at a by-invitation-only ceremony in the Penthouse Lounge of The American Airlines Theater.

Featuring a wonderful combination of dazzling and unique artistry, Elton John and Tim Rice's strong score, and many strong performances, even those who have been there done that and seen The Lion King before can likely still find something to appreciate in the current national tour.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announces nine awards granted from their National Fund for New Musicals, a major funding program to support NAMT member not-for-profit theatres in their collaborations with writers to create, develop and produce new musicals. Now in its sixth year, the Fund will provide grants totaling $35,500 to nine organizations across the country.

Theater Latte Da previously announced that a season of four adventures in musical storytelling and the continuation of a major new work development program will comprise its 16th Season. Slated for production are Steerage Song at The Lab Theater (today, September 25 - October 20, 2013), All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 at the Pantages Theatre (December 19-22, 2013), Cabaret at the Pantages Theatre (January 15 - February 9, 2014), and Our Town at The Lab Theater (March 12 - April 6, 2014). In spring 2014, the company will bring back NEXT: New Musicals in the Making, their program to develop new works for the musical theater canon.

Theater Latte Da announced yesterday that a season of four adventures in musical storytelling and the continuation of a major new work development program will comprise its 16th Season. Slated for production are Steerage Song at The Lab Theater (September 25 - October 20, 2013), All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 at the Pantages Theatre (December 19-22, 2013), Cabaret at the Pantages Theatre (January 15 - February 9, 2014), and Our Town at The Lab Theater (March 12 - April 6, 2014). In spring 2014, the company will bring back NEXT: New Musicals in the Making, their program to develop new works for the musical theater canon.

Theater Latte Da announced today the cast for C., book and lyrics by Bradley Greenwald, music by Robert Elhai. This musical adaptation of the play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand is being developed as part of NEXT: New Musicals in the Making, a major new work program to develop new musical theater in the Twin Cities.

Theater Latte Da opens its inaugural year of NEXT: New Musicals in the Making with When the Moon Hits Your Eye by Jon Marans.

Theater Latte Da opens its inaugural year of NEXT: New Musicals in the Making with When the Moon Hits Your Eye by Jon Marans.

Theater Latte Da announced today the line-up for the inaugural year of NEXT: New Musicals in the Making, a major new work program to develop new musical theater in the Twin Cities. NEXT opens with When the Moon Hits Your Eye, running April 12-14, followed by C., running April 19-21, and closes with Bessie's Birthday, running April 26-28, all performed at The Lab Theater in the Minneapolis Warehouse District.

A very special Valentines-themed Southern Songbook concert, Desire and Death: Love songs on yearning and loss, will be hosted by Honeydogs frontman Adam Levy and the Local Show's Dave Campbell on Monday, February 14 at 7:30pm. Guest musicians include John Munson, Aby Wolf, Darren Jackson, Alicia Wiley, Holly Newsom, Alexei Casselle, Chastity Brown, Minor Kingdom (Kristian Melom), Grant Cutler and Ryan Paul.

A very special Valentines-themed Southern Songbook concert, Desire and Death: Love songs on yearning and loss, will be hosted by Honeydogs frontman Adam Levy and the Local Show's Dave Campbell on Monday, February 14 at 7:30pm. Guest musicians include John Munson, Aby Wolf, Darren Jackson, Alicia Wiley, Holly Newsom, Alexei Casselle, Chastity Brown, Minor Kingdom (Kristian Melom), Grant Cutler and Ryan Paul.

Disney's THE LION KING celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a gala performance at London's Lyceum Theatre on Sunday 18th October 2009. Former cast members along with the show's award-winning creative team gathered with a host of celebrities and friends to celebrate 10 triumphant years in the West End.

Disney's THE LION KING will celebrate its 10th Anniversary with a gala performance at London's Lyceum Theatre on Sunday 18th October 2009. Former cast members along with the show's award-winning creative team will gather with a host of celebrities and friends to celebrate 10 triumphant years in the West End.