Thomas Schumacher News

The Orange County Performing Arts Center and producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher announced today that the award-winning musical MARY POPPINS will begin performances at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa on Thursday, July 14, 2011 for a limited engagement of three weeks through Sunday, July 31, 2011. Opening night is set for Friday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m.

After flying high in Los Angeles for 13-weeks, MARY POPPINS folded her umbrella at the Ahmanson Theatre for the final time on Sunday, February 7. During the premiere engagement, the production played 100 performances, entertained over 188,000 theater patrons, grossed $13.7 million at the box office and achieved the milestone of being Los Angeles' highest grossing theatrical event in 2009.

Stephen Sondheim, Harold Prince, James Gandolfini, Patti LuPone, Liz Smith, Christine Ebersole, Lesley Stahl, Joni Evans, Cynthia McFadden, and Michael Feinstein were just a few of the stars who gathered at the Carlyle Hotel last night to celebrate the 85th birthday of its most famous resident, Elaine Stritch. In honor of the event, Stritch herself celebrated with an hour long performance of 'At Home At The Carlyle: Elaine Stritch Singin' Sondheim...One Song At A Time.'

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher are pleased to announce that Caroline Sheen will reprise the role of 'Mary Poppins' in the North American Tour of MARY POPPINS, after originating the title role in the critically acclaimed UK Tour. Sheen replaces Ashley Brown, who will play her final performance in Los Angeles at The Ahmanson Theatre on Sunday, February 7. Sheen joins the production in Tempe, AZ where performances begin at ASU Gammage Auditorium on Thursday, February 11 for a limited engagement of 3 weeks through Sunday, February 28, 2010. The opening night is Friday, February 12 at 7:30pm.

On Wednesday, January 20, Disney's THE LION KING welcomed its one millionth guest to the Parisian production at the Mogador Theatre. This landmark number of theatre patrons adds to an already celebratory year in which THE LION KING, presented by Stage Entertainment Ltd, Disney's licensed presenting partner in Europe, entered its 3rd season in the French capital, making it the longest-running musical in Parisian history.

Disney Theatrical Productions welcomed Oscar, Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg (moderator of ABC's THE VIEW) to the cast of Broadway's landmark musical event, THE LION KING - for one night only - on Thursday, January 14 at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street, NYC). Goldberg appeared in a series of surprise cameos throughout the 8pm performance. The appearance marks a return for Goldberg to the legit stage and her Lion King roots, having originated the voice of Shenzi the Hyena more than 15 years ago in the 1994 Disney animated feature.

The Junior Theatre Fest will pay tribute to the leadership and dedication of Music Theatre International (MTI) Chairman Freddie Gershon by renaming its annual student awards for excellence in theater 'The FreddieG's.' In 1995, he created MTI Education, the first educational division in a major musical theater licensing firm, which over the past 15 years has literally transformed the marketplace for age appropriate performance material for young performers. During this year's festival, taking place January 15-17, composer Stephen Schwartz ('Wicked') will be on hand to celebrate Gershon's accomplishments within musical theatre.

In the great tradition of multitalented stars, Broadway's newest diva Ashley Brown makes her solo record debut with her jazz vocal album, 'Speak Low.' Speak Low will be released nationwide on January 12, 2010 via Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight Records and Sony distribution. The album gets its digital release via online outlets today, November 10.

In the great tradition of multitalented stars, Broadway's newest diva Ashley Brown will make her solo record debut with her jazz vocal album, 'Speak Low'. Speak Low will be released nationwide on January 12, 2010 via Ghostlight Records and Sony distribution. Speak Low is the title track on a thoughtfully curated collection of American Songbook standards that also includes a sexy and imaginative medley of two great standards, 'Smile' and 'Make Someone Happy'. The album is filled with passionate, seductive interpretations of a wide range of songs covering jazz and Broadway standards. Speak Low is a collection of Ashley's personal favorites and will consist of new arrangements of such well known classics as 'My Funny Valentine', 'I'll Be Seeing You', 'My Only Love' and 'The Very Thought of You.'

In the great tradition of multitalented stars, Broadway's newest diva Ashley Brown will make her solo record debut with her jazz vocal album, 'Speak Low'. Speak Low will be released nationwide on January 12, 2010 via Ghostlight Records and Sony distribution.

On Friday December 18, Disney's award-winning production of THE LION KING will play its 4,265th performance to become the 9th longest-running musical in West End history.

Imaginations will soar, hearts will dance and applause will thunder when more than 1,500 students, teachers, and Broadway professionals raise their voices in celebration of on-stage and backstage excellence in musical theater at the 2010 Junior Theater Festival, it was announced today by Timothy A. McDonald, Founding Chairman of iTheatrics and Nick Manos, President of Atlanta's Theater of the Stars. The Junior Theater Festival is the world's largest musical theater festival dedicated to groups working with elementary and middle school students and is presented by Music Theatre International and is hosted and produced by iTheatrics and Atlanta's Theater of the Stars. The 2010 Festival will be held at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA on January 15-17, 2010.

Broadway's perfectly magical musical MARY POPPINS is pleased to welcome JONATHAN FREEMAN to the company as Admiral Boom and Bank Chairman on Saturday, December 12 (2pm matinee). Produced by Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh, MARY POPPINS performs at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street).

Broadway Across America and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of MARY POPPINS will go on sale to the public on Friday, December 11, 2009 at 9:00am.

The North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of MARY POPPINS will go on sale to the public for a LIMITED-TIME HOLIDAY SALE now through December 31, 2009.

A rep for the Tony Awards has revealed that The Tony Awards Administration Committee will hold its first meeting of the 2009 - 2010 season on December 10.

Broadway Across America - Atlanta and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of MARY POPPINS will go on sale to the public on Sunday, December 6 at noon.

Laura Michelle Kelly and Christian Borle took time out of their busy schedules to greet the media a few weeks back at the world famous Broadway eatery, Sardi's Restaurant (234 West 44th Street). BroadwayWorld.com was there for the 'Jolly Holiday' as the two new leads met the press!

Broadway's perfectly magical musical MARY POPPINS is pleased to welcome Valerie Boyle to the company as Mrs. Brill, tonight, Friday, December 4 at 8pm. Produced by Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh, MARY POPPINS performs at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

Laura Michelle Kelly and Christian Borle took time out of their busy schedules to greet the media a few weeks back at the world famous Broadway eatery, Sardi's Restaurant (234 West 44th Street). BroadwayWorld.com was there for the 'Jolly Holiday' as the two new leads met the press!