Walt Disney News

Electric Youth, a dynamic ensemble of talented, young singer-dancers trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), departs on a three-week concert tour of Austria and Italy on June 15. Backed by an eight-piece band of Boston's finest musicians, Electric Youth offers high-powered family entertainment with an extensive range of contemporary pop, classic rock and Broadway hits. The ensemble performed a Bon Voyage Concert at Showcase Live on June 10 for an enthusiastic crowd, providing an exciting and energetic send-off for their European adventure.

In anticipation of the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie 'Let It Shine,' which premieres FRIDAY, JUNE 15 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT), DisneyChannel.com/LetItShine is debuting all new videos and activities that encourage kids to express themselves in their everyday lives.

Profiles in History, run by Joe Maddalena, announces new dates for their "Treasures from the Hollywood Vaults" auction in July. The auction will take place over four days beginning Thursday, July 26 through Sunday, July 29.

The 2012 Tony Awards have finished, with big wins for ONCE, Audra McDonald, James Corden and more. BroadwayWorld brings you a recap of the winners' remarks below. Whether you missed an honoree or just want to re-live the moment, scroll down to read each winner's acceptance speech!

Electric Youth (EY), the international touring ensemble of talented singer-dancers trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), will perform at Showcase Live at Patriot Place in Foxborough tonight, June 10 at 6:00 p.m.

In 1966 the Hallmark Hall of Fame presented a television adaptation of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt's Off Broadway musical THE FANTASTICKS. Ricardo Montalban appeared as El Gallo and Bert Lahr and Stanley Holloway were the two fathers. The young lovers were played by Broadway's favorite ingenue, Susan Watson, and a clean-cut young man named John Davidson who had made a strong impression on Broadway audiences as Lahr's son in the musical FOXY.

Today, the Los Angeles Philharmonic received ASCAP's first place award for programming of contemporary music as part of the 2011-2012 ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming presented at the League of American Orchestra's 67th Annual Conference in Dallas, TX.

Entertainment Weekly reports that an outside attorney for the CBS network has filed for a temporary restraining order in U.S. District Court which would block ABC from premiering its new hidden casmera series THE GLASS HOUSE.

Music-Theatre Group previously announced a special interview with Diane Paulus and Randy Weiner, to be moderated by Thomas Schumacher (Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group) tonight, June 7th at the Dimenna Center for Classical Music (450 W. 37th Street between 9th and 10th) at 7:30 p.m.

Walt Disney Pictures has released the first trailer from the animated comedy WRECK IT RALPH, opening in 3D and 2D theaters on November 2. Check it out below!

Last night's star-studded event at the Geffen Playhouse and the pre-show host committee dinner at Los Angeles' The Backyard restaurant grossed over $1 million for the Geffen Playhouse's education, outreach and artistic initiatives. The fundraiser, honoring Hollywood legend Carol Burnett and Chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment Jim Gianopulos, was co-chaired by Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Robert A. Iger and his wife, journalist Willow Bay. See below for photos from the event, featuring Burnett, Dick Van Dyke, Warren Beatty, Jane Lynch, Annette Bening, Helen Mirren, Matthew Morrison and more!

Building on its landmark nutrition guidelines established in 2006, The Walt Disney Company today became the first major media company to introduce new standards for food advertising on programming targeting kids and families.

The Beatles' digitally restored 1968 animated feature film, YELLOW SUBMARINE, makes its worldwide digital release debut today, exclusively on The iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com/TheBeatles).

Electric Youth (EY), a dynamic ensemble of talented, young singer-dancers trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), will headline the Fourth of July entertainment for U.S. Troops and families stationed abroad at Aviano Air Force Base. The Independence Day performance highlights EY's 9th European concert tour, featuring engagements throughout Austria and Italy from June 15 to July 8.

Disney Channel has ordered a third season of the dance-driven buddy comedy 'Shake It Up,' it was announced today by Adam Bonnett, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Channels Worldwide. 'Shake It Up' premiered in November 2010, ranked as the #1 series of 2011 among Tweens 9-14 and for second quarter 2012-to-date, is the #1 TV series among Kids 2-11 (2.0 million/4.9 rating) and Kids 6-11 (1.6 million/6.7 rating) [Source: NTI, U.S. ratings, most current, as dated]. Production on the third season will begin this summer.

Disney Channel has ordered a third season of the dance-driven buddy comedy SHAKE IT UP, it was announced today by Adam Bonnett, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Channels Worldwide.

As announced earlier in the season, Performance Network Theatre has been in the process of restructuring their non-profit organization to increase the support of their award-winning Artistic department, while creating greater capacity in Management. PNT is happy to announce the appointment of Erin Sabo as the Managing Director, allowing the theatre to adopt the dual management structure that is the industry standard for producing professional theatres, as well as expand its Artistic programs.

Emmy Award winning actress Jane Lynch will host this year's Backstage at the Geffen fundraiser, which recognizes leadership in the theater community while raising support for the theater's artistic and outreach initiatives, honoring Hollywood legend Carol Burnett and Chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment Jim Gianopulos. Ms. Burnett will receive the Distinction in Theater Award and Mr. Gianopulos will be presented with the Distinction in Service Award by entertainment icon and longtime colleague Warren Beatty. The star-studded event will be co-chaired by Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Robert A. Iger and his wife, journalist Willow Bay. This irreverent evening of laughter, music and stories, which is sponsored by City National Bank, will be held tonight, June 4, 2012 at the Geffen Playhouse.

Broadway Across Canada and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of MARY POPPINS go on sale to the public today, June 4 at 10 a.m. Calgary's most eagerly awaited stage production will begin performances at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditoriumon Tuesday, July 31 for a limited engagement of one week through Sunday, August 5. The opening night is Tuesday, July 31 at 8pm.