Walt Disney News

Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, announced today that Alan Horn has been named Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios effective June 11.

My Yard Goes Disney, the HGTV show that brought the coolest parts of Disney theme parks to backyards with miniature teacup rides, African safaris and Pirate-themed pools returns for its second season tonight, June 1, at 8 pm ET/PT. HGTV and Disney Parks will team up once again to surprise lucky families with Disney-inspired fantasy backyard makeovers they never thought possible. Along with host Brandon Johnson, HGTV brings even more of the magic, spirit and adventure of Disney to homes this season.

My Yard Goes Disney, the HGTV show that brought the coolest parts of Disney theme parks to backyards with miniature teacup rides, African safaris and Pirate-themed pools returns for its second season on Friday, June 1, at 8 pm ET/PT. HGTV and Disney Parks will team up once again to surprise lucky families with Disney-inspired fantasy backyard makeovers they never thought possible. Along with host Brandon Johnson, HGTV brings even more of the magic, spirit and adventure of Disney to homes this season.

The Beatles' classic 1968 animated feature film, Yellow Submarine, has been digitally restored for DVD and Blu-ray release on May 28 (May 29 in North America). The film's songtrack album will be reissued on CD on the same date.

The Veteran Center for the Performing Arts presents an evening exploring the soldiers experience through the timeless words of William Shakespeare - CRY HAVOC conceived by Stefan Wolfert and directed by Eric Tucker & Bruce Cervi. CRY HAVOC will open tonight, May 26th and run through Monday, June 4th at The Shakespeare Center LA - Studio Space, 1238 West 1st Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic give the world premiere of LA Phil Creative Chair John Adams' LA Phil-commissioned The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Thursday and Friday, May 31 and June 1, at 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3, at 2 pm, at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The latest of Adams' large-scale works is a full-evening oratorio and features the Los Angeles Master Chorale and six soloists: mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor, contralto Tamara Mumford, tenor Russell Thomas and countertenors Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings and Nathan Medley.

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

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced a complete retrospective of three-time Oscar-nominee Ridley Scott, whose career began in the 70's and who has continued to excite and enchant audiences with his remarkable storytelling ability. The retrospective runs from today May 25 through June 3 and includes the Director's cut of KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, a new 35mm print of THELMA & LOUISE and the chance for fans to catch all of their favorites on the big screen.

The classic Cyrano de Bergerac story, re-imagined and set in the contemporary world of hip-hop, rap and gospel music, is told in the Disney Channel Original Movie LET IT SHINE, premiering FRIDAY, JUNE 15 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT).

RUBICON THEATRE continues the company's 14th season tonight, May 24 with August Wilson's powerful and poignant drama GEM OF THE OCEAN.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) last night honored New York Theatre Workshop Board Chair Barbara Warner Howard and Disney Theatrical Group and its president Thomas Schumacher at its 2012 Spring Gala at the Plaza Hotel. BroadwayWorld was ther for the festivities, and brings you full photo coverage below!

On May 19, 2012 the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles hosted Elaine Stritch's hilarious, anecdote-heavy Stephen Sondheim tribute concert ELAINE STRITCH: SINGIN' SONDHEIM...ONE SONG AT A TIME. Met with boisterous, well-deserved standing ovations both at the start and at the end of the intermission-less program, Stritch was in usual top form, dispensing out acerbic comments and witty barbs about her life, her career, and her love and admiration--both personally and professionally--for the Broadway composer.

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 will go on sale to the public on Monday, 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.

This fall The Public Theater will unveil its revitalized downtown home as the Company celebrates a milestone year that also includes the 50th anniversary of the Delacorte Theater, home to Shakespeare in the Park. The revitalization will transform the lobby into a piazza where audiences, artists, and the public will engage with one another. A central element of the project is the addition of The Library at The Public Theater, a new lounge serving food and drinks on the lobby's expanded mezzanine level. The Library at The Public Theater is named in honor of the landmark building's original use as the Astor Library, New York City's first public library.

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 on Sunday, June 10 at 6:00 p.m.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic continues its collaboration with Deutsche Grammophon with the new release of two works by Shostakovich - the world premiere of the Prologue to Orango and Symphony No. 4. Both works, led by LA Phil Conductor Laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen, were recorded live at Walt Disney Concert Hall in December of 2011. The 2-disc set will be available June 19, 2012.

Pittsburgh CLO has announced casting for its summer season, which includes six shows, featuring the national tours of Come Fly Away and The Addams Family, and CLO original productions of A Chorus Line, Annie, Fiddler on the Roof and Sunset Boulevard. Notably, A CHORUS LINE brings on board a slew of the show's national tour veterans, ANNIE stars Sally Struthers as Miss Hannigan, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF features Broadway's Lewis J. Stadlen, Susan Cella, Hunter Herdlicka, Joel Robertson, Emily Shoolin and Kay Walbye. Liz Callaway and Walter Charles are set to star in SUNSET BOULEVARD.