Robert Lopez News

A devout theater fan knows no holiday, and thankfully, many of Broadway's most beloved shows and performers nationwide don't either. So what's a theater enthusiast to do on this Independence Day? Check out a sampling of this year's most exciting 4th of July offerings and click below to revisit some of your favorites saluting our nation in song!

The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is now accepting applications for its first year composer/lyricist class. The August 1, 2012 deadline is quickly approaching and applicants are asked to send in the requested materials as soon as possible. The Workshop begins September 17, 2012, and runs through June 2013. A recipient of the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre Award, the Lehman Engel Musical Workshop consists of approximately 250 composers, lyricists and book writers who are actively writing new works for the musical theatre.

The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is now accepting applications for its first year composer/lyricist class.

Theatre Aspen begins its 29th summer season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Avenue Q tonight, in the new Hurst Theatre, situated along the Rio Grande River. The theatre is unveiling a new lobby facility to complement the Hurst Theatre, which was erected last summer. Next up is the musical How I Became a Pirate, based on the beloved children's book by Melinda Long (July 10th - Aug 18th) and the film noir thriller The 39 Steps (July 25th - Aug 18th).

Cale Krise joins the Broadway cast of THE BOOK OF MORMON tonight starring in the role of Elder Cunningham. THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is playing at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street).

Original Broadway cast member Jared Gertner will star as Elder Cunningham in the First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON, launching in Denver from August 14-September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Gertner will join previously announced Gavin Creel as Elder Price. Samantha Marie Ware joins as Nabulungi, as well as Grey Henson as Elder McKinley and Kevin Mambo as Mafala Hatimbi.

Theatre Aspen begins its 29th summer season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Avenue Q tonight, June 25th, followed by the musical How I Became a Pirate, based on the beloved children's book by Melinda Long (July 10th - Aug 18th) and the film noir thriller The 39 Steps (July 25th - Aug 18th).

The Theatre Group at SBCC will return to performing in the beautiful, newly renovated Garvin Theatre with the irreverent musical AVENUE Q, July 11-28, 2012.

3-D Theatricals presents the third show of its 2012 season with the Three-time Tony Award-winning musical winner, AVENUE Q, music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, musical direction by David Lamoureux, director of puppetry is Christian Anderson and directed by 3-D Theatricals Executive Producer and Artistic Director T.J. Dawson and C.J. Porter. AVENUE Q will begin performances on Friday, July 13, with a press opening on Saturday, July 14 and perform through Sunday, July 29 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. AVENUE Q will then travel across town to perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. for three performances only August 3-5.

The Kleban Foundation last night presented the 22nd Annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist to Marcy Heisler. For the Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist, the judges declared a tie between Andrew Gerle and Matt Schatz. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the event below!

Theatre Aspen begins its 29th summer season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Avenue Q, on June 25th, followed by the musical How I Became a Pirate, based on the beloved children's book by Melinda Long (July 10th - Aug 18th) and the film noir thriller The 39 Steps (July 25th - Aug 18th).

The City of Cleveland Heights and Cain Park 2012 Theater Artistic Director Russ Borski previously announced that AVENUE Q opens Cain Park's 2012 season in the Alma Theater tonight, June 15 through July 1 (preview June 14). Paul Gurgol and Borski co-direct this Tony Award-winning musical.

The Theatre Group at SBCC will return to performing in the newly renovated Garvin Theatre with the irreverent musical AVENUE Q, set for July 11-28, 2012.

'Frozen', una nueva película de animación musical de Disney basada en el cuento de Andersen, se estrenará en 2013 y contará con canciones de Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon).

According to her official website, Broadway favorite Idina Menzel will lend her voice to Disney's next animated feature film, Frozen. Based on Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Snow Queen,' she will voice the title character, opposite Kristen Bell, who will voice 'Anna.' In the film, 'a young girl ventures to find Menzel's Snow Queen and end the perpetual winter that has fallen over their mythical kingdom.'

As previously announced, THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical, will make its West Coast premiere in a strictly limited 12-week engagement from September 5 through November 25, 2012 at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. Tickets for the engagement go on sale to the general public today, June 10.

Today, Tony Sunday, June 10, "60 Minutes" will re-air an interview with Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the four-time Emmy Award winning creators of "South Park" and the Tony Award-winning co-authors of THE BOOK OF MORMON. The interview originally aired in September, 2011. "60 Minutes" airs at 7:00 PM (ET) on CBS-TV.

The London production of THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of Nine 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical of the Year, will begin preview performances in the West End at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 25 February 2013 with tickets released for general sale on 13 September 2012.

According to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, Broadway's THE BOOK OF MORMON, is set to begin performances in the UK at the Prince of Wales Theatre, February 25, 2013, with an official opening later in March.