Thomas Schumacher News

By popular demand, Disney's The Lion King will return to Cleveland for the first time since October 2021. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets here!

Disney's THE LION KING runs at Cadillac Palace Theatre until October 19. Get ticket info and details about this must-see Chicago show!

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will enchant audiences in Kansas City when it arrives at Music Hall October 28–November 2, 2025. The beloved Broadway classic will star Kyra Belle Johnson as Belle and Fergie L. Philippe as the Beast.

The Lion King celebrated its 11,000th performance on Broadway over the weekend at the matinee on Saturday, September 20th. See footage here and learn more about The Lion King.

We're falling into fall with a great Broadway read! This season, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 25 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's Fall 2025 reading list.

Theatre Aspen has revealed the two grant recipients from the 2025 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund. Learn more about the recipients and about the Fund here!

We recently asked our audience a few different questions in our regular newsletter - the first, asking how many live events they attend in a month. With options of 0-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 5+, our audience reported that they fall nearly evenly across the spectrum - indicating that the BroadwayWorld audience is an excellent cross-section of the casual theatergoer and the highly committed fan.

Based on Disney's 1991 Academy Award-winning animated film musical of the same name as well as Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s classic French fairy tale. Beauty & the Beast follows Belle, a bright, beautiful young woman who doesn't seem to fit in with her village.

The production features Peter Hargrave (Scar), David D’Lancy Wilson (Mufasa), Mukelisiwe Goba (Rafiki), Robert Creighton (Timon), Nick LaMedica (Zazu), Danny Grumich (Pumbaa), Gilbert Domally (Simba), and more.

Good morning, Broadway lovers! It’s a big news day with fresh faces, exciting sneak peeks, and some major industry updates lighting up the stage. Hadestown launched a brand-new Broadway cast (with first bow video too!), plus there are West End updates as Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts preps for her London debut.

Thomas Schumacher is transitioning out of his role as Disney Theatrical’s Chief Creative Officer after nearly 40 years with the company. Learn more about Schumacher and the changes to the company here!

The Lion King is welcoming Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi back as Rafiki beginning September 2. Pitjeng-Molebatsi stepped into the role temporarily earlier this year and is now taking it over officially following the final performance of longtime cast member Tshidi Manye.

On Tuesday night, Ainsley Melham returned to the Broadway production of Aladdin in the title role. Watch a video of the Boop! the Musical star taking his first bow back in the production!

The North American tour of Disney’s The Lion King will welcome David D’Lancy Wilson as Mufasa and Gilbert Domally as Simba. Wilson and Domally will begin performances on Tuesday, September 23 in Portland, OR at Keller Auditorium.

Disney’s The Lion King will welcome new cast members beginning Tuesday, August 19. Caleb Beltran and Julius-Raymond Weems IV will perform as Young Simba, while McKenzie Sherie Lewis and Emma Origenes will perform as Young Nala at certain performances.

Disney Theatrical Group, under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart, and Thomas Schumacher, Shea's Performing Arts Center, and Broadway presenting partner Albert Nocciolino will bring Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the first North American touring production of the musical presented by Disney in over 25 years, to Buffalo next week. 

Aladdin has announced that Ainsley Melham will return to the Broadway production in the title role beginning this month. Learn more about the upcoming run here!

Disney’s Aladdin has become the 14th longest-running Broadway show of all time, surpassing Miss Saigon with its 4,092nd performance. Now in its 11th year, Aladdin continues its historic run at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

On Thursday, CBS News journalist Gayle King, along with Oprah Daily creative director Adam Glassman, made their Broadway debuts in The Lion King, appearing in the opening number of the hit musical. Watch footage from rehearsals and the performance here!

Gavin Lee has made it to Pride Rock! The Tony nominee has officially joined the cast of The Lion King on Broadway as 'Scar.' Watch a video of his first bow now!