Thomas Schumacher News

Pandemics can't stop Broadway Global Producer of the Year nominations!

Stars in the House continued Thursday night (8pm) for Genies In A Bottle with Juwan Crawley, James Monroe Iglehart, Michael James Scott, Major Attaway, and Trevor Dion Nicholas.

Members of the Original Cast of Broadway's 'The Lion King' reunites after 23 years to uplift and celebrate the fact that even in the midst of this unprecedented time, 'He Lives in You'.

As BroadwayWorld first reported last year, a new North American tour of Elton John and Tim Rice's Tony-winning Broadway smash Aida was previously set to premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2021. Plans have changed however. BroadwayWorld has learned that the musical will no longer be a part of the Paper Mill season. A rep confirmed: 'We look forward to continuing our partnership with Disney on Aida and other projects in the future.'

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier today, Disney Theatrical Productions has just announced that Frozen will not return to Broadway when theatre comes back, but the Disney magic will continue in other projects. According to the New York Times, development continues for a new Beauty and the Beast, which is aiming to open in the US in 2022; a new version of Aida, which will open in Germany in 2022; and a fully  musicalized version of Hercules.

The Broadway production of Frozen will not reopen as a result of the industry-wide shutdown and resulting economic fallout. The production's final performance was Wednesday evening March 11, having played 825 performances and 26 previews.

Tickets to Disney's Frozen will go on sale Friday, May 15, 2020 at 10 a.m. From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony-nominated Best Musical, will play an exclusive 2-week premiere engagement at Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center beginning October 7, 2020 with performances playing through October 18, 2020. Opening night is set for Wednesday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m.

BroadwayWorld has learned that the Paper Mill Playhouse will present the launch of a new production of Disney's AIDA, CLUE, BRUCE, and THE WANDERER's rescheduled engagement for their 2020-2021 season.

The cold never bothered them anyway! Watch two elementary school theater directors quickly summarize the plot of Frozen.

Make sure to set your DVRs, because on Friday, March 13 cast members from a?oeFrozen,a?? a?oeThe Lion King,a?? and a?oeAladdin,' will stop by the Tamron Hall Show to celebrate 25 years of Disney on Broadway. The episode will also feature  a special performance from a?oeAladdin.a??

The New York Pops will additionally honor Nicola M. Heryet, Principal of Avison Young; June Freemanzon, founding board member of The New York Pops; and Ron Schaefer, Founder of French Woods Festival for the Performing Arts, at its 37th Birthday Gala, Into the Unknown! The Songs of Kristen & Bobby Lopez, on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, presented by The New York Pops.

Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) and Broadway Across America (BAA) have announced tickets to Disney's Frozen will go on sale Friday, March 6, 2020. From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, will play an exclusive four-week premiere engagement at the Music Hall at Fair Park beginning Wednesday, June 17, 2020, with performances playing through Sunday, July 12, 2020. Opening night is set for Thursday, June 18 at 7:30pm.

On Monday night, Michael McElroy and Broadway Inspirational Voices celebrated the 'Silver Anniversary Gala Concert & Live Auction', honoring Disney Theatrical Productions for their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Today's top stories: Presley Ryan is Beetlejuice's new Lydia, and more!

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, a new North American tour of Elton John and Tim Rice's Tony-winning Broadway smash Aida will premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2021 before beginning a North American tour, directed by original company member Schele Williams. This will not be the same Aida of Broadway past, however.

Five Broadway shows of the past and three of the present all have one man in common... Thomas Schumacher. As the president and producer of Disney Theatrical Group, Schumacher has quickly become one of the most influential voices on Broadway, overseeing the development, creation, and execution of all Disney live entertainment around the globe.

The Broadway community mourns the loss of beloved actress, director, and multiple Tony Award® winner Zoe Caldwell, who passed away on February 16, 2020 at age 86. To commemorate her life and work, the lights of all Broadway theatres in New York will dim for one minute on Friday, February 28th at exactly 7:45pm.

Play on Players (Gainesville, GA) and Red Phoenix Theatre Company (Buford, GA) performed highlights from Disney's Newsies JR. at the 2020 Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta.

Public booking opens for Disney's Frozen on 6 March at 10am. The production will reopen the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane, on 11 November, with previews from 30 October 2020; and is currently booking until 28 March. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and book by Jennifer Lee, Frozen a?' directed by Michael Grandage - opens for groups and schools booking on 24 February 2020.

Omaha Performing Arts and Disney Theatrical Group are proud to offer a sensory friendly performance of Disney's The Lion King Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Omaha's Orpheum Theater. Performed in a supportive and judgment-free environment, this show will provide the opportunity for families and friends with children or adults affected by autism and other sensory issues to enjoy the shared experience of live theatre.