THE LION KING CELEBRATES 22ND ANNIVERSARY ON BROADWAY WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Broadway’s award-winning best musical THE LION KING celebrates its 22nd anniversary on Wednesday, November 13 at the Minskoff Theatre.

In the past year alone, The Lion King hit several historic milestones. In May the entertainment blockbuster reached over 100 million guests worldwide, in June the Broadway production hit 9,000 performances, and this past October the London production celebrated its 20th anniversary in the West End. This summer several of the show’s creators including Elton John, Lebo M, and Hans Zimmer — collaborated on the 2019 version of the film, executive produced by Julie Taymor and Thomas Schumacher, which has gone onto extraordinary worldwide success.

ABOUT THE LION KING

After 22 landmark years on Broadway, The Lion King continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.  Since its premiere on November 13, 1997, 25 global productions have been seen by more than 100 million people.  Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King has made theatrical history with three productions worldwide running 15 or more years and three others running 20 or more years.  Performed over its lifetime in nine different languages (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), productions of The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway; London’s West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; on tour across North America, Japan, and the U.K. & Ireland, with a separate production touring internationally, for a total of nine productions running concurrently across the globe.  Having played over 100 cities in 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment titles in box office history.          

The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards®:  Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical.  The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design. 

The show’s director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show’s ongoing success.  The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor continues to supervise new productions of the show around the world.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs from the Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.  The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to Lebo M’s rich choral numbers.

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated The Lion King feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay.  Other members of the creative team include:  Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (production supervisor). Anne Quart serves as a co-producer.

In the Broadway company of THE LION KING:

“Scar” is played by STEPHEN CARLILE, L. STEPHEN TAYLOR is “Mufasa,” TSHIDI MANYE is the baboon shaman “Rafiki,” CAMERON POW portrays the hornbill bird “Zazu,” BEN JEFFREY is the warthog “Pumbaa” and FRED BERMAN is the meerkat “Timon.”  Mufasa’s son, “Simba,” the lion prince born to be king, is played by BRADLEY GIBSON and ADRIENNE WALKER is the lioness “Nala.” 

The show also features JAMES BROWN-ORLEANS (“Banzai”), BONITA J. HAMILTON (“Shenzi”) and ENRIQUE SEGURA (“Ed”).  The role of “Young Simba” is alternated between HAVEN ALEXANDER and JESUS DEL ORDEN and the role of “Young Nala” is alternated between SURI MARRERO and ALIYA “JO” RAMEY.

For more information, visit LionKing.com

CHAT W/ MAJOR ATTAWAY, THE Genius "Genie" OF BROADWAY’S ALADDIN

Get tickets to ALADDIN: http://www.broadway.com/shows/aladdin-broadway/ In this episode of Character Study, ALADDIN's Major Attaway takes us inside the lamp to witness how he goes from a gentleman to a Genie. FEATURING Major Attaway DIRECTED BY Alexander Goyco

The Broadway company of the Disney musical Aladdin welcomed and celebrated the return of Major Attaway in the role of the Genie beginning September 23 at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

Attaway followed Michael James Scott, who played his final performance on September 22. Attaway previously played the Genie on Broadway from February 2016 through February 2019.

The cast currently features Clinton Greenspan in the title role, Arielle Jacobs as Jasmine, Tony nominee Jonathan Freeman as Jafar, Brian Gonzales, Mike Longo, and Brad Weinstock as Aladdin’s sidekicks Babkak, Kassim, and Omar, respectively, JC Montgomery as Sultan, and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago.

Art Shrian had a interesting chat with Major Attaway about his character, Genie-us, his exciting, well-celebrated comeback at Broadway’s Aladdin and a lot more wonderful stuff! Listen to this mynewyorkeye exclusive interview below:

Based on the Oscar-winning animated film—which was recently adapted into a live-action feature—Aladdin is now in its sixth year on Broadway.

The Disney Theatrical Productions title features music by Tony and Oscar winner Alan Menken, lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman, Tony and Oscar winner Tim Rice, and Tony nominee Chad Beguelin, with a book by Beguelin. The production is directed and choreographed by Tony winner Casey Nicholaw.

ABOUT MAJOR ATTAWAY 

(Genie). Joyous Broadway Debut!  National tour: Aladdin (Genie). Regional: Hot Mikado (Mikado), Stagger Lee (T-Bone), Hands on a Hardbody (Ronald), Little Shop of Horrors (A2), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Ken), Frosty the Snowman (Frosty). 

Television: “Orange Is the New Black” (DeShaun McAdams).  Video Games: “Borderlands 3 (Clay),” “Battleborn” (Ghalt).

Follow on: @majorattaway #BigTexGenie

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Aladdin on Broadway, 5 current and former Genies - Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart, current star Michael James Scott, tour Genie Major Attaway, and current Broadway standbys Juwan Crawley and Deonte L. Warren - stopped the show following today's matinee with a medley of Aladdin hits.

Chat w/ Clinton Greenspan, the Title Star of Broadway’s Aladdin

Get Tickets to ALADDIN: https://www.broadway.com/shows/aladdin-broadway/ Go beyond the palace walls as as Clinton Greenspan turns into the title star of Disney's ALADDIN before a show.

The Broadway company of the Disney musical Aladdin welcomed Clinton Greenspan, who starred in the North American tour of Aladdin, in making his Broadway debut. He succeeded Jacob Dickey. Major Attaway has returned to the role of the Genie on Broadway which began on September 23. Attaway previously played the Genie on Broadway from February 2016 through February 2019.

Based on the Oscar-winning animated film—which was recently adapted into a live-action feature—Aladdin is now in its sixth year on Broadway.

Art Shrian had a wonderful chat with Clinton Greenspan about his role as Aladdin, his experience at Broadway performing our much-loved disney character and a lot more! Listen to the whole interview below:

About Clinton Greenspan:

Clinton Greenspan (Aladdin) is making his Broadway debut in Aladdin! National Tour: Aladdin. Other credits include Romeo & Juliet; Dreamgirls (Dallas Theater Center) and Fiddler on the Roof (Casa Manana). NYMF (2014). Studied at KD Conservatory. Insta: @clinton_patrick

Aladdin cast:

The cast currently features Arielle Jacobs as Jasmine, Tony nominee Jonathan Freeman as Jafar, Brian Gonzales, Mike Longo, and Brad Weinstock as Aladdin’s sidekicks Babkak, Kassim, and Omar, respectively, JC Montgomery as Sultan, and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago.

The Disney Theatrical Productions:

The Disney Theatrical Productions title features music by Tony and Oscar winner Alan Menken, lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman, Tony and Oscar winner Tim Rice, and Tony nominee Chad Beguelin, with a book by Beguelin. The production is directed and choreographed by Tony winner Casey Nicholaw.

Full Casting Announced as Rehearsals Begin for The Frozen North American Tour

The Frozen North American tour will launch in Schenectady, NY prior to an official opening at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles this fall.

As previously announced, the Frozen North American tour will star Caroline Bowman as Elsa and Caroline Innerbichler as Anna, the sisters at the heart of the joy-filled musical. Joining them are principal cast members Austin Colby (Bowman’s husband) as Hans, F. Michael Haynie as Olaf, Mason Reeves as Kristoff, Jeremy Morse as Weselton, and Collin Baja and Evan Strand alternating as Sven.

Rounding out the principal cast are newly announced company members Stella Cobb (Young Anna), Alyssa Kim (Young Elsa), Jaiden Klein (Young Elsa), and Arwen Monzon-Sanders (Young Anna).

Frozen will also feature Caelan Creaser, C.K. Edwards, Michael Everett, Berklea Going, Michael Allan Haggerty, Tyler Jimenez, Hannah Jewel Kohn, Marina Kondo, Dustin Layton, Nika Lindsay, Tatyana Lubov, Adrianna Rose Lyons, Ralph Meitzler, Kelly Methven, Michael Milkanin, Kyle Lamar Mitchell, Jessie Peltier, Naomi Rodgers, Daniel Switzer, Zach Trimmer, Brit West, and Natalie Wisdom.

From the producers of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, will launch a North American tour this fall, commencing in Schenectady, NY prior to an official opening at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. Heralded by The New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen has emerged as the biggest hit musical of the last two Broadway seasons, breaking four house records at its New York home, the legendary St. James Theatre.

For more information, including a list of currently announced cities, visit FrozenTheMusical.com/Tour.

“Disney’s struck gold! Sumptuous sets, gorgeous costumes, and plenty of special effects to wow the audience!” raves the New York Post. “With the magic, the dancing, and all those iconic tunes, Frozen was born to be a stage musical!” exclaims the Evening Standard, and The Telegraph declares, “Frozen will burn up Broadway for years to come!”

In addition to the Broadway company and the North American tour launching this fall, Frozen’s global footprint will soon expand to include London, Australia, Japan, and Hamburg.

A mysterious secret. A family torn apart. As one sister struggles with being an outsider and harnessing her powers within, the other sets out on a thrilling adventure to bring her family together once again. Both are searching for love, but they’ll learn that to find it they’ll have to look inside themselves first.

Frozen is melting hearts on Broadway in an all-new production created for the stage by an award-winning team. It features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Joining them on a creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony Awards are Oscar winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony winner Rob Ashford (choreographer).

The design team for Frozen includes scenic and costume design by two-time Tony and Olivier Award winner Christopher Oram, lighting design by six-time Tony winner Natasha Katz, sound design by seven-time Tony nominee Peter Hylenski, video design by Tony winner Finn Ross, puppet design by Michael Curry, hair design by David Brian Brown, makeup design by Anne Ford-Coates, and special effects design by Jeremy Chernick.

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus is music supervisor and creates vocal, incidental and dance arrangements. He is joined on the music team by Tony nominee Dave Metzger (orchestrations), Chris Montan (executive music producer), David Chase (additional dance arrangements), and Faith Seetoo (music director).

An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.

Frozen is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher.

Frozen North American Tour Company Bios

CAROLINE BOWMAN (Elsa). Broadway credits include Elphaba in Wicked and Nicola in Kinky Boots (opening and closing casts). She has been seen on tour around the world in Evita (Eva Perón, Helen Hayes Award nominee), Spamalot (Lady of the Lake), Grease (Rizzo), and Fame (Carmen). Favorite regional credits include Louise in Gypsy (Cape Playhouse), Eva Perón in Evita (Vancouver Opera), Natalie/Ed in All Shook Up (Muny) and Narrator in Joseph... (Toby’s, HH nom). Endless gratitude to Soffer/Namoff, Innovative Artists, Rachel Hoffman, and Telsey and Co.! Love always to Mom, Dad, Bobby and her handsome husband Austin Colby. BFA Penn State University. God is good. Instagram: @carolinebowman5.

CAROLINE INNERBICHLER (Anna) is excited to share this beautiful story with you! Credits include: Little House on the Prairie (national tour); Guys and Dolls, Little House on the Prairie (Guthrie Theater); Mamma Mia!, White Christmas, The Sound of Music, The Pirates of Penzance (Ordway Center); Grease, The Little Mermaid, Fiddler on the Roof, Bye Bye Birdie (Chanhassen Dinner Theatres); Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Ensemble Theatre Company); Hair (7th House Theater); Ragtime (Park Square Theatre). Heartfelt gratitude goes to Rachel, Tim, and Liz. Love to her family, her tribe, and her beloved Nathan. Dedicated to Basil and Cecily. @carolineinnerb

AUSTIN COLBY (Hans). Proud husband to Elsa, Caroline Bowman. On this adventure together with our 80+ pound German shepherd, Kodak. Most recently seen Off-Broadway in Jersey Boys. Other credits include The Sound of Music (national tour), West Side Story (Signature Theatre), Smokey Joe’s Café (Arena Stage), South Pacific (Drury Lane). Many thanks to Rachel, Telsey + Co, and the entire Disney team for this opportunity. Love to my family, friends, and KMR for their endless support. @austinvcolby

F. MICHAEL HAYNIE (Olaf). Broadway: Wicked, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Holler If Ya Hear Me. Off-Broadway: Carrie (MCC), Dogfight (Second Stage) and others. Regional: Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Ogunquit), Found (PTC), and others. TV/film: “Jesus Christ Superstar Live!” (NBC); “Peter Pan Live!” (NBC); Not Fade Away (Paramount). Thanks to my moms, dad, JP, FF&FA, the (M)orons, and Nicolosi & Co. @fmichaelhaynie

MASON REEVES (Kristoff) is absolutely thrilled to be making his Disney debut! Regional: Footloose (Ren, MUNY); Mamma Mia! (Sky, Connecticut Repertory Theatre); Guys and Dolls (Bucks County Playhouse). University: We Are Proud to Present… (Actor 2), Passing Strange (Terry), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Jesus of Nazareth). Film: Inhuman (Elliot).  Mason is from Cave Creek, Arizona and studied Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan. So much love to friends and family for their support! Masondreeves.com. Instagram: @rasonmeeves. 

JEREMY MORSE (Weselton). Broadway OBC/1st national/ART: Waitress (Ogie). Off-Broadway: Bloodsong of Love by Joe Iconis (Drama Desk nom - Lo Cocodrillo) at Ars Nova. Select regional: Walnut Street: How To Succeed… (Finch); Paper Mill: Oliver! (Noah Claypole); Goodspeed: Hello, Dolly! (Barnaby). Special thanks to his parents, HH, RH, Telsey. Love to his buon little wife, Alex. NYU Steinhardt. jeremymorse.net, @jeremycmorse.

COLLIN BAJA (Sven at certain performances). Broadway: Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus; Hello, Dolly!; Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark; Equus. Film: The Producers, Across the Universe. Television: “Tales of the City,” “Political Animals,” “Divorce,” “Key & Peele.” Training: The Juilliard School, The William Esper Studio. Collin is represented by CESD, Wilhelmina Models, and is also a certified professional life coach with A-PlanCoaching. You can find him directly at A-plancoaching.com, @collinbaja. 

EVAN STRAND (Sven at certain performances) grew up as a professional ballet dancer from Huntington Beach, CA, and has now transitioned into acting and singing as well. Some of his favorite works have been Zoot Suit at the Mark Taper; The Reddi Wip Man in “Hairspray Live!;” Sweet Charity at the Freud; ABC’s “Grey's Anatomy;” and many more. He is delighted to make his Broadway touring debut as Sven with Frozen! Thank you to my parents, JC Gutierrez with MSA, and William Blaylock and Brian Espinosa at Optimism Ent.

STELLA R. COBB (Young Anna) is thrilled to be making her Broadway national tour debut! She would like to thank her teachers and peers at The Conservatory School, MA. Many thanks to KTM, CTG, Telsey and Disney for making her dreams come true!  Love to Mom, Dad and Mason. Website: stellacobb.biz. Instagram: @offficialstellacobb.

ALYSSA KIM (Young Elsa) is a bay area resident and thrilled to make her Broadway touring debut. Regional: Matilda (Lavender, CCMT), The Sound of Music (Gretl, FMT), The Music Man (Gracie Shin, BBB). Special thanks to God, Martha, CMTSJ, Telsey, and Frozen team. Love to parents and young brother, Alan. @official.alyssakim

JAIDEN KLEIN (Young Elsa). Credits: National tour: The Grinch (Annie Who); Off-Broadway: Emergency Musical (Lilly); Regional: Les Miserables (Young Cosette) and Annie (Molly); TV: HBO's “I Know This Much is True” (Marie Sexton), PBS's “Mother Goose Club” (Mary). Thanks to Disney/Frozen team, Telsey, Sherry Kayne, Theresa Pittius & Nancy Carson for believing in me. Love to Mom, Dad & Ash. @JaidenKleinOfficial

ARWEN MONZON-SANDERS (Young Anna) is thrilled to be making her Broadway tour debut. Special thanks to God, Telsey + Co., Frozen Team, Take 3 Talent, Dream Maker Talent, Mom, Dad, Donovan, Sunshine, and baby Ocean. Family, friends, teachers, couches, thanks for believing in me. I love you all. IG: @arwen_take3. 

CAELAN CREASER (Ensemble). National tour debut! Select Regional: Jersey Boys (Phoenix Theatre), Guys and Dolls (Arizona Broadway). ASU MT ’19. Endless thanks to God, my family, Bloc, and the Frozen team! For my little sister, Brielle! @caelan_c

C.K. EDWARDS (Ensemble). Broadway: Billy Elliot, After Midnight, Shuffle Along. Off-B’way & tours: Book of Mormon; I Heart Bob; Cotton Club Parade; Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope. Regional: Scottsboro Boys, 42nd Street, My One and Only.

MICHAEL EVERETT (Ensemble). Michael’s credits include: Disney’s Aladdin, Riverdance, High Button Shoes, and Sophisticated Ladies to name a few. He’d like to thank his family for their continued support and is so excited to be working with Disney again. @TheMichaelEverett

BERKLEA GOING (Ensemble) is thrilled to join the Frozen family!  Off-Broadway: City Center Encores! High Button Shoes. Regional: St. Louis MUNY, Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed, TUTS.  Thank you to Telsey, CESD and, as always, her family.

MICHAEL ALLAN HAGGERTY (Ensemble). National tour debut. Regional: The Unsinkable Molly Brown (The Muny), Jersey Boys (North Shore Music Theater). B.F.A Musical Theater Boston Conservatory. Laguardia High School Dance Alumni. Thanks to CESD, family and friends! Instagram: @mike_a_haggerty.

TYLER JIMENEZ (Pabbie, Ensemble). Charlotte, NC native. BFA Syracuse University. TV/film: 73rd Annual Tony Awards, Do You Dance Ms. Parker. National tour: Joseph... Dreamcoat. Regional theaters: Westchester Broadway Theater, Syracuse Stage, Arrow Rock Lyceum. ILYMT. IG @Tylerbo10.

HANNAH JEWEL KOHN (Ensemble). Disney's Beauty and the Beast (national tour), Candide, LaCampana Sommersa (NYCO), Grease (PCLO), Mary Poppins (Paper Mill Playhouse), Holiday Inn, and Mamma Mia!. “Fosse/Verdon” FX promos. Love to my family & The Mine. @hannahjewelkohn

MARINA KONDO (Queen Iduna, Ensemble). Tour: The King & I. Off-Broadway: Road Show (NYCC), KPOP (Ars Nova), Made in America (The Public). Regional: The Muny. TV: “Succession” (HBO). BFA, University of Michigan. Love to family, Nick, BRS/Gage, and Telsey & Co.!

DUSTIN LAYTON (Swing). Broadway: King Kong, Anastasia, An American in Paris, and The Phantom of the Opera. Other: assistant choreographer, An American in Paris (West End, Tokyo, international tour), Phantom national tour. Proud member AEA. @dustinklayton. Make someone smile today.

NIKA LINDSAY (Ensemble) is thrilled to be part of the Frozen tour! She made her professional debut in Disney Cruise Line's Aladdin directly after graduating from AMDA NY. Beyond thankful for my family, friends, and Telsey. IG: nikalindsay.

TATYANA LUBOV (Ensemble) is thrilled to be touring with Disney’s Frozen! Last seen as Ella in the national tour of Cinderella. Much love to family, friends, and Andrew! BFA & Anthropology from UW-Stevens Point. Many thanks RKS! @taluna13

ADRIANNA ROSE LYONS (Ensemble). Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Pasadena Playhouse); Rock of Ages (Las Vegas); Million Dollar Quartet (tour and Norwegian Cruise Lines); Hair, Spamalot, Mamma Mia! (Hollywood Bowl); 42nd Street (3D Theatricals); Cabaret, American Idiot (La Mirada Theater). Insta/Tw: @adrianna___rose.

RALPH MEITZLER (Swing) thinks joining the Frozen Family is Hygge! Broadway: Rock of Ages. Other theater: Piece of My Heart; Something Rotten!; A Sign of The Times; Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Hairspray. Love to Rexy, Trish, Gardener & my Rock! @ralphmeitzler

KELLY METHVEN (Ensemble) is originally from Atlanta, GA and received his BFA in musical theatre at the University of Oklahoma. He is incredibly excited to be spreading Disney magic around the country with Frozen! @kellymethven

MICHAEL MILKANIN (Oaken, Ensemble). Broadway: Kinky Boots (Hooch; George u/s). Tours: Kinky Boots (dance captain/swing), Bat Out Of Hell (Denym; Falco u/s).  Regional: Beauty and the Beast (u/s Beast, Paper Mill), The Who’s Tommy (ensemble, Kennedy Center). @mmilkanin

KYLE LAMAR MITCHELL (King Agnarr, Ensemble). Broadway: The Lion King. A graduate of Yale University, favorite productions include A Chorus Line, The Wiz and Parade. Endless love to his friends, family, and his superhuman Mom!

JESSIE PELTIER (Swing). National tour debut! Regional: Muny (Music Man, Mamma Mia!), TUTS (Jerome Robbins’ Broadway), MTW (Nice Work..., Hello Dolly!), PCLO. Oklahoma City University Grad. Endless love to my family. Special thanks to Bloc and Telsey + Co. @jessiepeltier

NAOMI RODGERS (Ensemble) just graduated from AMDA in February of 2019 and is debuting in her first national tour with Frozen. She just finished a production of Legally Blonde this summer playing Pilar. Jeremiah 29:11 #WEWON.

DANIEL SWITZER (Ensemble). Broadway: Mean Girls. National tour: Wicked (u/s Boq), Newsies (Race, u/s Davey), Cats (Mungo). Film: Newsies. Originally from St. Louis, MO, loves warm hugs and his family! @danyoswitzer

ZACH TRIMMER (Ensemble). Tours: Hairspray (Corny u/s), Avenue Q (Princeton/Rod u/s). Selected regional: Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy - Sacramento Music Circus), West Side Story (Tony - Engeman and Westchester), Gypsy (Tulsa - Pittsburgh CLO), Holiday Inn (Jim - Canadian premiere). Instagram: @zach.trimmer.

BRIT WEST (Bulda, Ensemble). Broadway/tours: The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Legally Blonde. Regional favorites: Twelfth Night (Yale Rep), West Side Story (Hollywood Bowl/LA Philharmonic), Sister Act. Infinite thanks to Telsey and Disney. @brit_west.

NATALIE WISDOM (Swing). Broadway: Groundhog Day, Billy Elliot. Tours: Matilda (u/s Miss Honey, Mrs. Wormwood), Billy Elliot (dance captain). BFA: Webster Conservatory. Warm hugs to Mom, Dad, and Zach. Huge thanks to Kent, Stef, and Ashley. @natwisdom.

 


DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS AT BROADWAYCON 2019

Last night (Friday, January 11, 2019) Disney Theatrical Productions hosted “Disney Theatrical at 25: The Stars Align” at BroadwayCon in Manhattan. The lively panel was made up of some of the stars who created these indelible shows and characters in their original productions. Moderated by Disney Theatrical Productions head Thomas Schumacher, the panel was a fascinating and hilarious discussion filled with behind-the-scenes stories. Panelists included Christian Borle (Tony®-winning Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher), Ashley Brown (title role in Mary Poppins), Merle Dandridge (Kala in Tarzan), Susan Egan (Belle in Beauty and the Beast), James Monroe Iglehart (Tony-winning Genie in Aladdin), and Patti Murin (Anna in Frozen). 

About Disney Theatrical Productions

DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, was formed in 1994 and operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher.  Worldwide, its 10 Broadway titles have been seen by over 160 million theatergoers and have been nominated for 62 Tony®Awards, winning Broadway’s highest honor 20 times.  With more than 20 productions currently produced or licensed, a Disney musical is being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day. 

The company’s inaugural production, Beauty and the Beast, opened in 1994. It played a remarkable 13 year run on Broadway and has been produced in 37 countries worldwide.

In November 1997, Disney opened The Lion King, which received six 1998 Tony Awards including Best Musical. After 21 landmark years on Broadway, it has welcomed more than 95 million visitors worldwide to date, and can currently be seen in nine productions worldwide.  Having played 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.

Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida opened on Broadway next, winning four 2000 Tony Awards.  It was followed by Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, which opened in London in 2004 and went on to enjoy a six year Tony-winning Broadway run.  

Tarzan®, which opened on Broadway in 2006, went on to become an international hit with an award-winning production enjoying a 10-year run in Germany.  In January 2008, The Little Mermaid opened on Broadway and was the #1-selling new musical of that year.

Disney Theatrical Productions opened two critically acclaimed productions on Broadway in 2012, receiving seven Tony Awards between them:Peter and the Starcatcher and Newsies, each of which enjoyed a two-year run with the latter launching a two-year North American tour and a record-breaking Fathom Events’ in-cinema release.

Aladdin, Disney Theatrical’s 2014 hit, continues selling out on Broadway and has launched five additional productions around the globe.  Its newest hit, the 2018 Tony-nominated Best Musical Frozen, continues setting records in its Broadway run.

Other successful stage ventures have included the Olivier-nominated London hit Shakespeare in Love, stage productions of Disney’s High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, and King David in concert.  DTP has collaborated with the country’s leading regional theatres to develop new stage musicals including The Jungle Book, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Freaky Friday.

About BroadwayCon

BroadwayCon is theatre’s answer to comic-con, tailor made for fans. From January 11-13, 2019, join some of Broadway’s biggest fans, performers, and creators from classic and current shows as we gather at the Hilton Midtown to perform, discuss, debate, and celebrate theatre. BroadwayCon 2019 will feature panels, performances, interviews, workshops, singalongs, and more, all packed into an epic three-day weekend. Past panels have included previews from upcoming Broadway shows, conversations with the casts and creatives of this season’s hits, and discussions featuring the industry’s top producers and designers, not to mention the giant Opening Celebration and nighttime fun and games. BroadwayCon is produced by Mischief Management.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College presents Tony Danza: Standards & Stories - 11/20

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College continues its 2016-17 season on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 3pm with Emmy-nominated song-and-dance man Tony Danza performing his newest one-man show, Standards & Stories. Accompanied by his talented four-piece band, Brooklyn-born Danza will perform a selection of his favorite standards from the Great American Songbook, including "My Way," "Pennies from Heaven," "I'll be Seeing You," and "It Was a Very Good Year," along with selections from the hit Broadway musical Honeymoon in Vegas (in which Danza starred), while interweaving stories about his life and personal connection to the music.

Tickets are $36-$55 and can be purchased at BrooklynCenter.org or by calling the box office at 718-951-4500 (Tue-Sat, 1pm-6pm).

““He exudes the kind of charisma that can’t be taught because it’s part of who he is.””
— The New York Times

About Tony Danza
Best known for starring on some of television's most beloved and long-running series, including Taxi (1978-1983) and Who's the Boss? (1984-1992), Tony Danza has also established himself as a stage and screen star, and has indisputably been one of America's most iconic and beloved performers for over thirty years.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Danza received a wrestling scholarship to the University of Dubuque in Iowa, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history education. Before finding a job teaching, he found himself earning a living as professional boxer. While training in a boxing gymnasium in New York, Danza was "discovered" and ultimately cast in the critically acclaimed ABC series Taxi, earning him a place in television history and making him a household name. He followed Taxi with a starring role in the classic ABC comedy series Who's the Boss?, which ran for eight seasons and broke all syndication records.
Eventually Tony explored his love for the stage, and among his many stage credits is his exciting run on Broadway in Mel Brooks' hit musical The Producers, playing Max Bialystock (2006-2007), and his reprise of the role in the Las Vegas production at Paris Las Vegas (2007). For his theatrical debut in Wrong Turn at Lungfish (1993), he earned an Outer Critic's Circle Award nomination. Other stage credits include the critically acclaimed The Iceman Cometh, opposite Kevin Spacey, Arthur Miller's Tony Award-winning play A View from the Bridge, and I Remember You.
Most recently, Tony returned to the stage in the hit musical Honeymoon In Vegas, which started at the Paper Mill Playhouse before moving to Broadway. Both the show and Tony's performance received amazing reviews, including a love letter from The New York Times, which compares Tony's performance to "the cooler-than-cool spirit" of Frank Sinatra. 
Tony also recently returned to the big-screen and received great buzz and fantastic reviews for his performance as Joseph Gordon Levitt's father in Levitt's much buzzed and acclaimed directorial debut, Don Jon. The film, which stars Levitt, Danza, Julianne Moore, Brie Larson, and Scarlett Johansson, was released in theaters in the fall of 2013.
Among Tony's previous television experience is his role as attorney Joe Celano on the CBS dramatic series Family Law (2000-2002), his Emmy-nominated performance on David E. Kelley's award-winning series The Practice (1998), and ABC's The Tony Danza Show, a talk show that was broadcast live in New York from 2004-2006. He also starred in and executive-produced the ABC comedy series Hudson Street, NBC's The Tony Danza Show, hosted Saturday Night Live several times and hosted numerous award shows, including the 2001 Miss America Pageant and the 2003 People's Choice Awards. 
Amongst Tony's big-screen credits are his roles in Walt Disney's Angels in the Outfield, She's Out of Control, The Hollywood Knights, and A Brooklyn State of Mind. 
In 2009-2010, Tony took on his most challenging role yet-teaching tenth-grade English at Philadelphia's Northeast High School. His amazing experience working as a real teacher was taped and aired on A&E last year in the form of the critically acclaimed seven-part documentary series, entitled Teach. In September 2012, Crown Publishers (a division of Random House) releases Tony's book, I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High, a much buzzed about and critically acclaimed reflection of his experience teaching for a year. The book premiered on the New York Times Best Sellers list at number 16 and stayed on the list for two months. The paperback edition hit bookstores in September of 2013.
In 2010, AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with more than 35 million readers, presented Tony with their Inspire Award. The Inspire Awards pay tribute to extraordinary people who inspire others to action through their innovative thinking, passion and perseverance. 
In December of 2012, Tony was amongst the iconic celebrities who participated in the Weinstein Company's historic concert for Hurricane Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden. He was featured in the documentary about the concert, released by the Weinstein Company in the fall of 2013, in which Tony reminds people of the forgotten motto of America, "E pluribus unum," or "out of many one," or as Tony's father would say, "we're all in this together, pal." It's with great belief in the spirit of that motto that Tony participates in many charity efforts.
In April of 2013, USA Today honored Tony at their annual National Make A Difference Day Awards for his commitment to helping others through his numerous charity efforts. 
Tony currently lives in New York City.
Tony Danza: Standards & Stories is part of Brooklyn Center's 2016-17 Con Edison Music Masters Series, which also includes The Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio (Feb 25, 2017 at 8pm), Emeline Michel in concert (Mar 4, 2017 at 8pm), Patti Austin: Happy 100th, Ella! (Apr 22, 2017 at 8pm), and the Yosvany Terry Afro-Cuban Sextet (May 6, 2017 at 8pm).

 

 

Black Woman Of Soul Shaped Joplin

“A Night With Janis Joplin," currently knocking audiences side-ways with nuclear fueled rock-n-roll at the Lyceum Theater, is much more than the title suggests. 

The poster and other marketing elements give the illusion that its more of a concert than a musical.  It's neither and it's both.

Nostalgia seems to be the unifying cord of Randy Johnson's musical time capsule.  The time machine lever is firmly locked on the psychedelic haze of the 1970's; exploring the inner workings of the rock icon whose husky, whiskey soaked wails cut through the noise of the rock & roll boys club –forever earning her a distinctive–yet tragic –place in rock history.

It's remarkable to witness the transformation of Mary Bridget Davies into Janis Joplin (who died of an overdose of heroin and alcohol at 27).

Phoenix rising, ashes scattering, the metamorphous by Ms. Davies begins with the small details: Joplin's impatient walk, her rebel stance and most endearing, how she absentmindedly rubs her forehead when confronting uncomfortable truths.

Then Davies opens her mouth to sing and the spot on vocal impersonation of the legendary belter are, dare I write this, better than most recording that I've heard of the immortal, tragic diva. 

Mary Bridget Davies out sings Janis Joplin.

The spell is woven and it's powerfully backed by the Joplinaire's, four African-American women

with sweeping voices that support and captivate: Taprena Michelle Augustine (Joplinaire/Chantel/Bessie Smith/Blues Singer), De’Adre Aziza (Joplinaire/Chantel/Nina Simone/Odetta), Allison Blackwell (Joplinaire/Blues Woman/Aretha Franklin) and Nikki Kimbrough (Joplinaire/Etta James/Chantel.

Janis's life and signature sound was infused by the blues and inspired by women who are as much a legend as Joplin herself.

The hunger for love and the fight for equality, which are so much a part of the African-American sound that erupted in the 1930's is why Janis Joplin sounded like Janis Joplin.

Little Janis wanted to be black and to share the stages with the women that made her feel alive: Bessie Smith,  Odetta, Chantel, Nina Simone, Etta James and Aretha Franklin all of

which have solid stage time.

Carrying the spirit of Odetta and Nina is the shimmering De'Adre Aziza (Tony and Audelco nominated) whose performance brings such a welcome and unexpected jolt you're reminded

that theater equals power either that or the mischievous house technicians ran live electric wires under the seats.

You can't get sincere soul without the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin, who takes center stage sporting feathers, glitz and star power — effortless performed by Allison Blackwell.

Staying in your seat will be a challenge because the live house band, under musical director Ross Seligman, take hazy memories and sets the theater ablaze note-by-note.  You will shake, rattle-and-roll, scream-and-shout, feel the blues and boogaloo.

The artist soul, immortal, and re-examined is what makes the book by Randy Johnson, who also directed, such an original.

Economically the producers really deliver two shows for the price of one.

It's Broadway with a soulful twist and Odetta, Bessie, Etta, Nina and the late Janis Joplin would not only approve but jump on stage to keep the party going at the Lyceum Theater.

WITH: Mary Bridget Davies (Janis Joplin), Taprena Michelle Augustine (Joplinaire/Chantel/Bessie Smith/Blues Singer), De’Adre Aziza (Joplinaire/Chantel/Nina Simone/Odetta), Allison Blackwell (Joplinaire/Blues Woman/Aretha Franklin) and Nikki Kimbrough (Joplinaire/Etta James/Chantel).

 

Written and directed by Randy Johnson; choreography by Patricia Wilcox; music director/ conductor, Ross Seligman; original music arrangement and direction, Len Rhodes.

The album and the CD is currently available at the Lyceum Theatre,  Amazon.com and the official show website