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.

 


APPLES AND ORANGES STUDIOS, JUDITH MANOCHERIAN AND STREAMING MUSICALS TO RELEASE

No One Called Aheadfollows Ben as he seeks a weekend getaway but gets more than he bargained for when he begins to receive a series of visits from several astonishing women from the great beyond. This darkly comic romance with a contemporary pop-rock score explores how life can change in an instant. For this artist, alone in the woods with his life on the line and his potential still undiscovered, the answer proves not what he expected.

Apples and Oranges Studios, Judith Manocherian, and Streaming Musicals announce the release of their latest soundstage musical, No One Called Ahead, coming to your favorite device on June 13, 2019. Filmed as a hybrid between film and stage, No One Called Ahead launches for streaming at NoOneCalledAhead.com, where you can also view the trailer.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRAILER

No One Called Ahead follows Ben as he seeks a weekend getaway but gets more than he bargained for when he begins to receive a series of visits from several astonishing women from the great beyond. This darkly comic romance with a contemporary pop-rock score explores how life can change in an instant. For this artist, alone in the woods with his life on the line and his potential still undiscovered, the answer proves not what he expected.  

Written by Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre, Emma, Daddy Long Legs), produced by Apples and Oranges Studios (An American in Paris, Memphis, HAIR, Emma), Judith Manocherian (The Prom, The Lifespan of a Fact, Once On This Island), and Streaming Musicals (Emma), No One Called Ahead features Justin Matthew Sargent (Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, Rock of Ages), Lora Lee Gayer (Holiday Inn, Follies), Ann Harada (Avenue Q, Cinderella), Storm Lever (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Freaky Friday), Morgan Weed (The Greatest Showman, American Psycho), and Pamela Winslow Kashani (Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast).  Tim Kashani directed the film, with scenic design by Dara Wishingrad, costume design by Daryl Stone, lighting design by Benjamin Weill, sound design by Julian Evans, choreography by Michele Lynch, and cinematography by Nate Hochstetler. 

For more information on No One Called Ahead, visit NoOneCalledAhead.com. 

ABOUT APPLES AND ORANGES

Forged by husband and wife team Tim and Pamela Kashani, Apples and Oranges Studios creates a marriage of technology and the arts. Eschewing tradition, Apples and Oranges Studios combines the team’s diverse involvement in the entertainment industry with experience in the tech start-up and enterprise IT worlds to develop and produce new musicals in cutting-edge ways. Utilizing revolutionary tools and complex data analysis to build audiences and drive business, Apples and Oranges Studios endeavors to tell compelling stories with strong commercial viability.

Tim Kashani recently announced a partnership with the Shubert Organization called Broadway Tech Accelerator, an environment for entrepreneurs in technology to accelerate early-stage startups in the live entertainment sector. From candle footlights to holograms, Broadway embraces new technology. However, a number of complexities in the ecosystem prove daunting to many startups and notoriously challenging to break through. With high barriers to entry, and a relatively small number of venues, live entertainment remains one of the true remaining frontiers for technologists to have a major impact. Broadway Tech Accelerator provides a unique environment to fast track business development by connecting entrepreneurs to industry leaders, major institutions, infrastructure and real-world testing environments.

Together, the Kashanis are also the creators of THEatre ACCELERATOR, an immersive musical theatre development intensive for promising storytellers.  Beginning with book, music, and lyrics, participants develop their shows in a collaborative environment.  Utilizing cutting-edge technology and lean development methods, mentors interact with the artists, while THEatre ACCELERATOR team provides frequent feedback throughout the process.  Staff and storytellers collaborate to design a custom distribution plan that includes brand development and audience analysis to get stories in front of the right audiences.  Applying the model that accelerates technology start-ups, THEatre ACCELERATOR treats storytellers as founders creating an opportunity to interact with experts in storytelling, production, distribution, and the business of show business.

Through strategic innovation to advance the arts, Apples and Oranges Studios is committed to changing the future of storytelling. Learn more at NYCOC.com. For more information on the Broadway Tech Accelerator, visit BwayAccelerator.com, and for more information about THEatre ACCELERATOR, visit NYCOC.org/TA.

ABOUT JUDITH MANOCHERIAN LLC

In the world of film, Judith Manocherian helped produce Liberte, A Call To Spy before joining the team of No One Called Ahead. Broadway credits as Co-Producer include The Prom, The Lifespan Of A Fact and the Tony Award winning, Once On This Island. In the Off-Broadway arena, Judith was an Associate Producer of Smart Blonde and Smokey Joe’s Cafe as well as Co-Producer of RRRED and Goldstein. Judith is thrilled to help bring No One Called Ahead to life; a new hybrid of film and theater.  

ABOUT STREAMING MUSICALS

Streaming Musicals is a new platform that is designed to be a playground for writers, actors, directors, and designers.  It is a way to create and brand musicals worldwide that would otherwise have no way of finding an audience. 

The Sound Stage Musical allows writers, composers, directors and producers to build a show themselves and share it with the world in a responsible economic fashion while creating an enormously satisfying version of the show that will live forever and help ignite future stage productions all over the world. 

The key to this new platform is profit-sharing with the artists who create the musicals.  This allows Streaming Musicals to keep production values high and production costs low -- making stage musicals more accessible, affordable and sustainable in the 21st Century. 

The first production, Emma, was released in October 2018 and is available to be streamed as a rental or purchase on StreamingMusicals.com along with No One Called Ahead and all future releases.  Sign up today for email updates and never miss the next release.  Learn more at StreamingMusicals.com. 

Issa Rae, Marsai Martin & Regina Hall Launch LITTLE GLOW UP CHALLENGE

LITTLE has launched the #LittleGlowUp Challenge – inspired by the popular trend online, the #TenYearChallenge. We invite you to share your side-by-side glow-up photos using the hashtag.

LITTLE social pages will feature fan posts on our official channels as well.

Issa Rae, Marsai Martin and Regina Hall, among other film talent will post on their own channels today!

LITTLE

In Theaters April 12, 2019

Trailer: https://imdb.to/2XGBebs

Jordan Sanders (Regina Hall) is transformed into her younger self (Marsai Martin) at a point in her life when the pressures of adulthood become too much to bear.

Written & Directed By: Tina Gordon

Produced By: Will Packer

Starring: Issa Rae, Regina Hall, Marsai Martin

LEOLA GOES DEEPER INTO LADY LAND AT THE GREEN ROOM 42 ON THURSDAY, APRIL 11

Photo by Ron Glow -TICKETS ON SALE

Creator Will Nolan and producer Wayward Creatives have announced that Leola’s Lady Land! returns to The Green Room 42 (570 Tenth Ave, 4th Floor inside YOTEL) on Thursday, April 11 at 7.00pm for the next show in her 2019 residency at the venue. 

Written and performed by Nolan, each edition of Lady Land! is a healing sermon from Leola, your favorite Kelly Clarkson-worshipping, senior citizen, redneck lesbian who is on a mission to serve up some much-needed national group therapy, one audience at a time.  On April 11, Leola goes Deeper Into Lady Land! to explore the Gospel according to Kelly Clarkson. This edition of the show is a celebration of the second coming – Ms. Clarkson’s birth – from the perspective of a simple gal of 72 who began to discover her sexuality when she tumbled out of the closet and into the arms of Jesus’s little sister, Kelly.

Winner of the Long Island City Flying Solo Festival two years in a row, Leola has appeared across the country in a variety of fringe festivals, regional theaters, and middle-aged birthday parties doing her best to bring you Dame Edna’s hillbilly cousin giving a TED Talk.  The 2018 Atlanta Fringe Festival called Leola a “...touching performance,” and [a] “fantastic character with a great connection to the audience,” as well as “wildly hilarious, deeply intellectual and poignant.”

“Some people are called to slice meat at the Piggly Wiggly deli counter, some people are called to preach the good word of Kelly Clarkson – I’m that rare breed of senior citizen, redneck lesbian who’s called to do both,” said Leola. “Mama Earth and all her babies desperately need some healin’ during these messy times we are livin’ through. And no place is messier than New York City. On April 11, we are going to reconnect with ourselves, reconnect with each other, and find our inner American Idol. Because in the words of Kelly Clarkson, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Except for gators. Gators will kill you.

Tickets are $15-40 and available by visiting bit.ly/LADYLAND.  Leola’s residency continues throughout 2019 on June 13th, September 12th, October 24th and December 5 that 7.00pm. 

BIO

WILL NOLAN (Creator)hails from Atlanta, but has been in the New York City area since 1994. A performer, writer and director, Will spent several years as the male half of the sketch comedy duo Naked Dog Walking, giving birth to Leola. Will continues to perform as part of the highly successful Mortified series in New York. He’s had pieces published and animated for Mortified, and filmed a pilot for Comedy Central.  Check out his animated monologue on YouTube. Besides writing for Naked Dog Walking and Mortified, Will has written numerous plays, including When the Mayonnaise Goes Bad with Stephen Kaplan. His plays have been produced throughout New York City. He is a husband and father living in Northern New Jersey, and is a proud member of the Dramatist Guild of America.

WAYWARD CREATIVES (Producer) is a producer and incubator of emerging creatives in live performance and film.  Visit WaywardCreatives.com for more information.

FOLLOW ON:

New Musical MANDELA to Hold Private Industry Reading

A private, invitation only industry reading of the new musical Mandela will be held on Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15, 2019.  Mandela has music and lyrics by two South African composer/lyricists signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Greg Dean Borowsky and Shaun Borowsky, with a book by Laiona Michelle (Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical).  This reading is directed by Schele Williams (Rent, Motown: The Musical), with music direction by Alvin Hough, Jr. (Once On This Island). Fifth Estate Entertainment (Nathan Gehan/Jamison Scott) serves as general manager for the reading.  The reading will be attended by Nandi Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter, on behalf of the Mandela family who have officially partnered with the show. The company includes a combination of both South African and American performers. 

Mandela stars Quentin Earl Darrington (Once On This Island, CATS) as Nelson Mandela, Sasha Allen (Hair, Pippin) as Winnie Mandela, and Jeremy Landon Hays (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables) as the Warden.  The cast also includes Emmanuel Castis (Jersey Boys), Carrie Compere (The Color Purple, Holler If Ya Hear Me), Alvin Crawford (The Lion King, Miss Saigon), Emerson Davis (Once On This Island, Annie Warbucks), Ntomb'khona Dlamini (The Lion King, Sarafina), Jason Forbach (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables), Alexa Green (Wicked), Bonita Hamilton (The Lion King), Atandwa Kani (Black Panther, Dangerous House), Elijah Ahmad Lewis (Motown the Musical),  Micailah Lockhart (My Love Letter to Broadway with Kristen Chenoweth, PBS' American Songbook), JayMcKenzie (Beautiful, Memphis), Phindi Mkhizwe-Wilson (The Lion King), Danny Rothman (Sweeney Todd, Loophole), Antoine L.S mith (Carousel, The Color Purple), Vishal Vaidya (Groundhog Day, How To Succeed...), Antonio J. Watson (This Ain't No Disco), and Mia Mei Williams (Once On This Island).

Mandela explores the epic story of Nelson Mandela’s political struggle to lead South Africa out of Apartheid into democracy and freedom, as well as the exceptionally powerful, personal story of what Madiba and his loved ones endured as a family throughout the years of struggle for the liberation of South Africa.

MandelaTheMusical.com

Tenor Byron Singleton and Soprano Eilin O'Dea in "A Night at the Opera" (3/23 & 30)

Tenor Byron Singleton and Spinto Soprano Eilin O'Dea with Maestro Brian Holman at the piano will take the audience on an unforgettable musical and dramatic journey.

Byron Singleton, Eilin O'Dea, Brian Holman. (Left to right) Photo credit-Jonathan Slaff.

On March 23 and 30, Fusion Theatre will present Tenor Byron Singleton and Spinto Soprano Eilin O'Dea in "A Night at the Opera," an evening of extracts (duets and arias) from "Aida," "Tosca" and "Madama Butterfly," at Marc A. Scorca Hall of National Opera Center, 330 Seventh Ave., 7th floor.  Musical direction is by pianist Maestro Brian Holman. 

Eilin O'Dea founded Fusion Theatre in 2016 to fulfill her concept that synthesizing the worlds of theater and opera can provide the ultimate theatrical experience.  O' Dea describes this as "the culmination and joining of both great art forms."  The company injected operatic arias into Sartre's "No Exit" in 2016 and Anouilh's "Antigone" in 2017.  Now it is giving its first opera performance.  Fusion chose three of the best known and loved operas of all time to launch their Opera Series.  The excerpts presented will be representative of the dramatic and musical journey of each of the chosen operas and the performers, dual-trained as classical actors/opera singers, aim to maintain their absolute commitment to dramatic truth.

The performances will be in Italian without surtitles. 

Byron Singleton (Tenor) made his solo Carnegie Hall debut in "Beyond Boundaries," a concert featuring the music of Bernstein and Sondheim. He has sung in eleven productions with the chorus at the Metropolitan Opera. His career highlights include Cavaradossi in "Tosca" with MORE Opera conducted by Maestro Anton Coppola, the title role in "Les Contes D'Hoffmann" with Vocal Productions NYC, Manrico in Vera Musica Opera's production of "Il Trovatore, Rodolfo in "La Boheme" with the Crotan Symphony, Tenor Soloist in Verdi's Requiem and Foresto in "Attila" with Empire Opera, Riccardo in "Un Ballo in Maschera" at Symphony Space and Der Steuermann in "Der Fliegende Hollander" with the United Nations Orchestra.  Recently he was a guest performer with the NY City Slickers' Bluegrass to Broadway concert at Feinstein's/54 Below. 

Eilin O'Dea (Spinto Soprano) is an award-winning Irish actress and soprano who trained at the prestigious LIR Academy, Trinity College, Dublin and the Conservatory of Music, Dublin. She has performed both in concert and operatic platforms including as guest soprano at St George’s Hall, UK, Mansion House, Dublin, Edgerton Performing Arts, Symphony Space, Broadway, American/Irish Historical Society, New York. She is best known to-date for her groundbreaking interpretations of the works of James Joyce, where she has merged music into Joyce's text.  She received numerous Culture Ireland awards that have allowed her bring her work here to the United States. Among her favorite opera roles to date are Tosca, Aida, Cio Cio San, Suor Angelica and Leonora (La Forza del Destino). O'Dea's performances as a theater actress have consistently received enthusiastic notices.  Theater critic Belinda McKeown described her performance as Madama Cassandra at a sold out Symphony Space Selected Shorts engagement as "staggering." Her performances as Joyce's Molly Bloom have been described as "rich, passionate, compelling" (Irish Theatre Magazine), "O'Dea is every inch the sensualist Joyce imagined" (Irish Times) and "brilliant" (Sunday Business Post).

Brian Holman (Musical Director, Piano) has been described as “dazzlingly talented” (The Sunday Mail, Zimbabwe) and wielding a “magic baton” (Brooklyn Eagle).  This past season, he was named Principal Conductor of New Rochelle Opera, where he led a new production of La Bohème, and returns this season to conduct "La Traviata." His debuts this season include appearances with Red River Lyric Opera ("Suor Angelica," "Gianni Schicchi"), Inland Northwest Opera ("Le nozze di Figaro"), Opera Orlando ("Les contes d’Hoffmann"), and a special Christmas concert with the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra and tenor Amine Hachem at Casino du Liban. Recent engagements include Cleveland Opera Theater ("Amelia Lost"), Marble City Opera ("La Traviata"), Harare International Festival of the Arts (opera gala with Baroque 2000 Chamber Orchestra), Film Fest Tucson ("The Mine With the Iron Door"), Mediterranean Opera Festival in Sicily and Merkin Concert Hall ("Tosca"). He has worked with New York City Opera, Opera Africa, Treasure Coast Opera, New York Metro Vocal Arts Ensemble, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Tucson Pops Orchestra and Ensemble Mise-En.

Costume design for "A Night at the Opera" is by Dahlia Barakat.

ABOUT FUSION THEATRE

Fusion Theatre launched in January, 2016 with a staged reading of James Joyce's "The Dead" at Theater Row, in which operatic tenor Byron Singleton and soprano Eilin O'Dea sang many of the Irish ballads referred to in Joyce's work.  This was followed September 19-25, 2016 with a short proof-of-concept run of Sartre's "No Exit" at Walkerspace Theatre.  That production opened with operatic arias representative of the transition as between life and death and the instant in between. 

In 2017, Fusion presented the Lewis Galantière translation of Anouilh's "Antigone" at Theatre Row's Studio Theatre, infusing the play with operatic selections from five classic operas based on the Greek myth.  The production was critically applauded for its acting, singing and staging.  (See below.)

The company draws its casts from a tiny pool of classically trained actors who are also accomplished opera singers.  The two performers of "A Night at the Opera," Eilin O'Dea and Byron Singleton, initially met while working in regional opera. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

Fusion Theatre will mount its opera-charged version of Sartre's "No Exit" from April 5 to 25, 2019 as the opening production of a new OOB venue, The Theater at 244, located at 244 West 54th Street, 10th floor.  Over the rest of the year, Fusion will conduct an extended residency there.

REVIEWS OF PAST FUSION THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

"ANTIGONE," 2017

The multi-talented and creative Eilin O’Dea brings the maximum of dramatic tension to the role of Antigone. Byron Singleton combines down-to-earth self-interest with a touching sympathy in his role as First Guard, and with his fine tenor voice he provides a thoroughly enjoyable rendition of Manrico’s aria, 'Deserto Sulla Terra,' from Verdi’s Il Trovatore....The operatic music was  thought-provoking, enriching and a pleasure to hear, and did a good job of advancing the Fusion Theater’s point that there’s value in merging classical theater and opera." -- Yvonne Korshak, Let's Talk Off-Broadway

 "Fusion Theatre brings 'Antigone' to life like never before through their unique blend of dialogue and classic opera....The acting, singing, and staging were all exceptionally well done. All in all, this is an 'Antigone' you won't soon forget." -- Erin Kahn, Stage Buddy

 "The insertion of operatic arias to this rich interweaving of motivations adds yet another element to Anouilh’s play, and the actors, when they sing, display their fine classical training." -- Roberta Pikser, theaterscene.com

 "Eilin O’Dea gives a superb performance as Antigone....In fact, the entire cast is first-rate....this production is excellent, exquisite, a great success – and congratulations to Fusion Theatre!" -- Steve Capra, New York Theatre Critic blog.

 "NO EXIT," 2016

The 2016 production of No Exit was a proof-of-concept showcase and was not reviewed.  The upcoming production April 5 to 25 at The Theater at 244 will be the production's official opening.

HOW TO BUY TICKETS TO "A NIGHT AT THE OPERA"

Fusion Theatre will present "A Night at the Opera" March 23 and 30 at 8:00 PM at Marc A. Scorca Hall of National Opera Center, 330 Seventh Ave., 7 fl.  Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4075758 or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006

Critics are invited to both performances of "A Night at the Opera" (March 23 and 30 at 8:00 PM).

YEHUDA HYMAN’S THE MAR VISTA OPENS on Tuesday, March 12, 2019

The Mar Vista: In Search of My Mother’s Love Life opens on, Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at the Ford Foundation Studio Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W 42nd St).  The Mar Vista is a comical and heartbreaking new play created by award-winning Brooklyn-based playwright and choreographer Yehuda Hyman. At the center of the story is the bond between Hyman and his mother, Sara, a strong-willed, very funny, and deeply romantic Russian-Jewish woman with a colorful and mysterious past.

A cast of 6 actors travels 90 years and several continents in this surprising family saga−the mysteries of Istanbul, a forbidden WWII wartime romance, a gay boy growing up in the 1960s in a family of immigrants in West L.A., Romani dances, Greta Garbo’s face, dancing till dawn in Hollywood, and above all, the enduring power of lost love.  The show stars Hyman, Amanda Schussel, Ron Kagan, Ryan Daniel Pater, Jacob Perkins, and Ezra Bloom. 

It is conceived by Hyman and brought to life through collaboration with executive producers Barbara Nagel, Rosanne Braun, and creative producers Allison Bressi and Madeleine Goldsmith.The creative team includes Amy Page (costume design), Lewis Folden (scenic consultant), Zach Blane (lighting design), and Ezra Bloom (sound design), with Octopus Theatricals (business manager), Will Jennings (production manager), Kate Ann Wilson (production stage manager), and Katherine Boener (assistant stage manager). 

Tickets are $35, with student tickets priced at $20, and are available on http://bit.ly/TheMarVistaTickets.

  • Valid student ID must be presented at will call for student tickets. 

  • Performances run through March 23, 2019 on Tuesdays-Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 7.30pm, and Sundays at 2.30pm.

Jimmy Fallon and Jack Whitehall Backstage at FROZEN on Broadway After Surprise Cameo

Jimmy Fallon and Jack Whitehall backstage with Caissie Levy (Elsa) and Patti Murin (Anna) after Jack Whitehall’s surprise cameo in the Broadway smash Frozen at the St. James Theatre on Friday, March 1st. The appearance was captured for “The Tonight Show’s” March 1st broadcast.

Photo A: (L to R) Jack Whitehall, Caissie Levy (Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), and Jimmy Fallon. Photo by Andrew Lipovsky/ NBC

Photo B: (L to R) Caissie Levy (Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), and Jimmy Fallon. Photo by Andrew Lipovsky/ NBC

Women's Day On Broadway 2019 Inspiring changemakers

IN CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY DISNEY ON BROADWAY ANNOUNCES THE LINEUP FOR THE 2nd ANNUAL WOMEN’S DAY ON BROADWAY INSPIRING CHANGEMAKERS

TUESDAY, MARCH 12th

AT THE ST. JAMES THEATRE

HOME OF DISNEY’S FROZEN

Featured Participants Include:

Anaïs Mitchell, Graciela Daniele, Heidi Schreck, Dominique Morisseau, Theresa Rebeck, Young Jean Lee, Lear deBessonet, Mandy Gonzalez, Ryann Redmond, Adrienne Campbell-Holt, Leigh Silverman, Paula Wagner, Maria Manuela Goyanes, Susan Haskins, Julia Jordan, Leslie Barrett, Christine Jones, Eva Price, Kristin Caskey, Tara Rubin, Dessie Moynihan, Anne Quart, Lauren Reid, Rosdely Ciprian, Thursday Williams, Michele Steckler, Jill Furman, and Syndee Winters

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Disney on Broadway announces the lineup for the 2nd annual “Women’s Day on Broadway.” Following its launch in 2018, the event aims to engage attendees of all genders and backgrounds in a day of open and honest dialogue about gender equality in the theatre industry and beyond. This year’s theme, Inspiring Changemakers, focuses the event on people and organizations driving progress within the theatre and entertainment industry, highlighting ways each attendee can become an agent of change.

The event will feature participants including (in alphabetical order): Leslie Barrett, Adrienne Campbell-Holt, Kristin Caskey, Rosdely Ciprian, Graciela Daniele, Lear deBessonet, Jill Furman, Mandy Gonzalez, Maria Manuela Goyanes, Susan Haskins, Christine Jones, Julia Jordan, Young Jean Lee, Anaïs Mitchell, Dominique Morisseau, Dessie Moynihan, Eva Price,

Anne Quart, Theresa Rebeck, Ryann Redmond, Lauren Reid, Tara Rubin, Heidi Schreck, Leigh Silverman, Michele Steckler, Paula Wagner, Thursday Williams, and Syndee Winters.

Additionally, this year’s event will highlight some of the organizations that are leading the way for gender equality in the arts. Participating organizations include The Actors Fund, BOLD, Girl Be Heard, The League of Professional Theatre Women, Maestra, Open Stages, PAAL, She NYC Arts, The Kilroys, and The WP Theatre.

Programming outline:

After a welcome from Heidi Schreck and her What the Constitution Means to Me costars Rosdely Ciprian and Thursday Williams, the Executive Director and cofounder of The Lillys, Julia Jordan, will set the stage and present findings from the most recent studies of women in theatre.

Moderated by Maria Manuela Goyanes (Woolly Mammoth), the first panel, “Spotlighting Marquee Women,” will gather the creative forces behind some of this season’s shows to discuss how Broadway can learn from theatre off-Broadway, regionally and beyond. Panelists include Christine Jones (Cher), Young Jean Lee (Straight White Men), Dominique Morisseau (Ain’t Too Proud), and Leigh Silverman (Lifespan of a Fact).

The next conversation, “Stage, Screens and Studios,” will feature perspectives from women in film, TV, music and theatre, and how we can apply new ideas to our industry. Susan Haskins (“Theatre Talk”) moderates and the panelists include Anaïs Mitchell (Hadestown), Theresa Rebeck (Bernhardt/Hamlet), and Paula Wagner (Pretty Woman). Michele Steckler (Fly Loft Group) facilitates an conversation with Leslie Barrett (Serino Coyne), Adrienne Campbell-Holt (Hatef**k) and Mandy Gonzalez (Hamilton), designed to reflect the collected community responses to questions about what it takes to be a changemaker.

Attendees are encouraged to join the discussion by completing a short questionnaire at WomenOfBroadway.com/question.

Lauren Reid (The John Gore Organization) will moderate the final panel, “Employing Change,” featuring Kristin Caskey (Ambassador Theatre Group), Lear deBessonet (Hercules), Dessie Moynihan (The Shubert Organization), and Tara Rubin (Tara Rubin Casting). The discussion will invite influential leaders to address how we create greater opportunity and visibility for women in theatre.

To end the day, Anne Quart (Disney Theatrical Productions), will welcome groundbreaking director, choreographer, and industry legend Graciela Daniele to share closing remarks. “Women’s Day on Broadway” will be held on Tuesday, March 12th, at the St. James Theatre, home of Broadway’s new musical Frozen. Disney on Broadway invites professionals of all genders and backgrounds working in entertainment and those interested in the topic to attend the event free of charge while tickets remain.

For more information and to learn about day-of tickets, visit the home for Women’s Day on Broadway, WomenOfBroadway.com, and follow us @WomenOfBroadway.

Specifics for the event are subject to change without notice.

In Theater This week: The Sandstorm by Leonard D. Goodiman at the Hudson Guild Theater

February 26 (9 pm), February 27 (6:15 pm) and March 2 (3:30 pm)

Award-winning playwright, journalist, and actor, Art Shrian steps on stage in Leonard D. Goodisman’s The Sandstorm now playing at the Hudson Guild Theater.

Art Shrian

myNewYorkeye caught up with Art Shrian between rehearsal. Here is an edited interview.

myNewYorkeye:  Tell us about the play? 

Art Shrian: This powerful, tragic love story takes place in the most cultured society of its time, Islamic Baghdad, 1100 CE. The brilliant, beautiful daughter of a loving, tolerant, family, has three suitors. Two are childhood friends, the third a passionate, rising religious leader. His anti-intellectual movement will help destroy society. Ideas and ideals collide, as today, with dire consequences.

mNYE: Tell me about your role in the play? 

AS:  I play DIYA AL-DIN, the passionate, rising religious leader and suitor of the girl, Fatima. She is in love with Diya, his passion, his persona and invites him to meet her family. Diya has ambitious new ideas to spread knowledge and happiness all over the world. But for him, knowledge and happiness strictly comes from the study of Koran and submitting to Allah. When he finds people that do not share his point of view, a storm ensues leading to unexpected results.

mNYE: What is the most challenging part of the role for you? 

AS:  As an actor, when you play a character, you cannot identify it as an antagonist. That's for the audience to decide. So I had to understand and justify Diya's position and feelings. I had to work hard to empathize with him, even though he shares quite extremist views. Thankfully, our director JB Bruno shared the same view and we worked together to present Diya as a highly motivated and opinionated rather than a crazy person. Although challenging, it was a very interesting process and I'm very excited about the results.

mNYE: Talk a little bit about your passion for theater, what is it about a live audience that motivates us to late see you as a thespian? 

AS:  I strongly believe that theater is the highest form of acting, it's the pinnacle of art for the actors. The process of developing a character and story for the theater is just wonderful. From table-read to multiple rehearsals to live audience feedback, you get an opportunity to deeply understand and tailor the character in its best form. It's the best acting teacher and more.

When you are on the stage, you have nothing to hide behind and no do-overs, just like real life . You lay yourself bare in front of the audience. Which may be scary, but it's also highly inspiring and rewarding. To be able to bring characters and stories to life in front of a live audience, to be able to live the life of these characters on stage, non-stop for 90 minutes, and be able to get immediate feedback, hopefully, praises and admiration is unlike anything else.

mNYE:  Last question what do you want people to take away from this place?

AS:  We live in highly divided times right now, with people sharing extreme views and biases on each side. This play is like a reflection of the world we live in and gives a glimpse into the psyche of people. It's based on the truth of a prosperous time in the past, which got destroyed due to extremism and lack of human understand and connect. I hope people see the play and are able to relate to it in some way, which may lead us to realize the importance of acceptance, tolerance, and love.

More details about the play and tickets at:

The Sandstorm Poster

Cornfield Dance at the Harkness Dance Festival 2019 92nd Street Y - 1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY

  • Friday March 29th @8PM

  • Saturday March 30th @4PM and 8PM

  • Tickets: *$15, $35, $40

  • *$15 “XYZ” for 40 & under - must register (free)

More information here

Choreography: Ellen Cornfield

Composer: Andreas Brade

Musicians: Andreas Brade, Robert Boston, Duke Guillame

Costumes: Aaron Booher, Andrew Jordan, Karen Young

Video: Andrew Jordan, Grant Worth

Dancers: Alexandra Berger, Pierre Guilbault, Ruth Howard, Vanessa Knouse Cori Kresge, Logan Pedon, Joshua Tuason, Mac Twining

Cornfield Dance - an exhilarating explosion of emotion in motion!

“Ellen Cornfield is one of our most inventive pure abstract dance makers.”

Joan Finkelstein: Executive Director Harkness Foundation for Dance

Cornfield Dance is honored to be participating in the Harkness Dance Festival, focused this year to be part of the 2019 global celebration of Merce Cunningham’s birth.

The company will be presenting two repertory works, Pas de Detour (2016) and Close-Up (2017) along with the world premier of Portal (2019), performed by the eight formidable dancers gathered for these performances.

Pas de Detour is a richly physical work that combines robust and voracious movements traveling at breakneck speed with an elegant and sensuous dance language. This work physicalizes the idea of obstacles in our lives that detour and derail us, be they our emotions or life events. The dancing is accompanied by live and prerecorded music of ricocheting rhythms and sonorous soundscapes. The brightly colored geometries of the dancers’ costumes are coordinated with the video projected on the black backdrop curtain. These elements all combine to create a magical and theatrical universe. The original version of Pas de Detour, choreographed for four dancers, was shortened and expanded to include eight dancers during a Cornfield Dance residency at Rutgers University in 2016. This is the version being performed.

Luscious and playful, Close-Up moves from the grand to the intimate, from the excitement of an explosive leap to the call of a beckoning finger, bringing the viewers “close up” to the eight dancers and their activity. For the Harkness performances, Cornfield is rearranging the dance material from the original stage work in a number of significant ways. Cornfield’s structuring of this work was inspired by her company’s performance at the Yale Center for British Art in 2018, where the company performed the material in five small gallery rooms all at the same time. For the 92Y’s performances, there are several points where these condensed versions are presented side by side in the main space, at the same time. Additionally, the dancers will perform in the large main space as well as at several times during the piece on the small raised stage.

Cornfield envisions this presentation as an homage to Merce, whose tradition of presenting “Events,” made up of bits of material from different dances put together for a unique performance and adaptable to alternative venues, were an embrace of the unexpected.

In the new work Portal, Cornfield discovers and juxtaposes emotional doorways and openings, using movement as the language, and creating a microscopic mapping of the intangible, our inner life and our emotional patterns. She aims to physicalize iconic emotional rhythms in order to track and describe our behavior and feelings. Performed by seven dancers, the material is organized to wend its way through human character into movement abstraction, from the quotidian to the sacred, through struggles into calm. Portal connotes the passageway from a state of agitation to a state of peace. The music for this piece features the structured improvisation of Andreas Brade, Robert Boston, and jazz saxophonist Duke Guillame.

Each of these dances defines its own world, and the beautiful and expansive Buttenwieser Hall at the 92nd Street Y provides a delightful and unique container in which they will be seen.

About Ellen Cornfield and Cornfield Dance

Ellen Cornfield began working as a choreographer in New York City in the 1980’s, and established her company Cornfield Dance in 1989. She has brought her elegant, robust and at times quirky choreography to new audiences worldwide through performances in theaters, universities, and public spaces. As Artistic Director of Cornfield Dance, she has taught and performed with her company throughout the U.S., and in Japan, England, Holland, Germany, France, Poland, and Russia. In NYC her work has been presented by Danspace Project, The Harkness Dance Festival, and Lincoln Center Out of Doors among many others. Cornfield’s works have also been performed in non-traditional and outdoor venues including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, and in NYC at Elizabeth Street Garden, Battery Park, and Bryant Park.

Cornfield has taught at many of the world’s major dance institutions, including North Carolina School of the Arts and SUNY Purchase, and in Europe (where Cornfield lived for 15 months in the 80’s) at The Laban Centre and The Place in London, the Rotterdam Dansacademie in Holland, and for various European dance companies.

Cornfield has received numerous commissions and funding for her work from both private and government sources, and has set works on professional companies and universities, including two pieces created on the Jose Limón Dance Company during a two-week MANCC residency in 2008. She recently received a four-week Baryshnikov Arts Center Space Residency for late March through early April 2019, divided into a two-week rehearsal period followed by a two week video project of her work Portal that premieres during the Festival.

During her early years in New York, as a young dancer, Cornfield performed with the Merce Cunningham Company 1974 – 1982, earning a reputation as one of the foremost Cunningham dancers of her generation, was in the original casts of his works during that time, and in all of his early video works. She was on the teaching staff at Merce’s studio from 1972 - 2003.

_____________________________________________________________________________

92Y Harkness Dance Center is named in recognition of the ongoing generosity of the Harkness Foundation for Dance. Major funding is also provided by Jody and John Arnhold; Howard Gilman Foundation; and Mertz Gilmore Foundation. Additional support is provided by Sharon and Jon Corzine; Leo Oppenheimer and Flora Oppenheimer Haas Foundation; Paul and Melinda B. Pressler; and Jerome Robbins Foundation.

Public support is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Support for Cornfield Dance from: The Harkness Foundation for Dance, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust, & Donors to Cornfield Dance.

DISNEY ON BROADWAY ANNOUNCES THE 2nd ANNUAL WOMEN’S DAY ON BROADWAY: INSPIRING CHANGEMAKERS

HOME OF DISNEY’S FROZEN 

Free Registration Now Available at WomenOfBrodway.com

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Disney on Broadway announces the 2nd annual “Women’s Day on Broadway: Inspiring Changemakers.” 

Following its launch in 2018, the event aims to engage attendees of all genders and backgrounds in a day of open and honest dialogue about gender equality in the theatre industry and beyond, immersing participants and audience members in a series of conversations, empowering each attendee to drive change and make an impact.

“We began ‘Women’s Day on Broadway’ last year to provide a platform for women in the theatre industry to share their experiences and celebrate their accomplishments,” said Anne Quart, Disney Theatrical Production’s SVP of Production and Co-Producer. “The response to last year’s event was overwhelmingly positive, and it was clear that we needed to create a sustainable, annual event that could dive deeper into those discussions, to inform, inspire and provide actionable paths towards equality.”

This year’s event will focus on changemakers driving progress within the theatre and entertainment industry, highlighting ways each person can become an agent of change. The event will feature panel conversations and a variety of speakers and presentations.

“Women’s Day on Broadway” will be held on Tuesday, March 12th, at the St. James Theatre, home of Broadway’s new musical Frozen.  Disney on Broadway invites professionals of all genders and backgrounds working in entertainment and those interested in the topic to attend the event free of charge.

For more information and to reserve your free general admission seat and to see content from last year’s event, visit the new home for Women’s Day on Broadway,www.womenofbroadway.com.

Specifics for the event will be provided at a later date.

AHEAD OF FIRST ANNIVERSARY, FROZEN WELCOMES NEW HANS, OLAF AND KRISTOFF

In Rare Broadway Gender Swap,

Ryann Redmond Will be the First Woman to Play Olaf,

The Lovable Snowman

ORIGINAL STARS CAISSIE LEVY AND PATTI MURIN

EXTEND THEIR CONTRACTS 

As it approaches its first anniversary, Frozen is pleased to announce that Joe Carroll (Once, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Bandstand) and Ryann Redmond (Bring It On The Musical, If/Then) will join the company as Hans and Olaf, respectively, and current cast member, Noah J. Ricketts will assume the role of Kristoff. The three actors will begin performances Tuesday, February 19, 2019, taking over the roles from original cast members Jelani Alladin (Kristoff), Greg Hildreth (Olaf) and John Riddle (Hans), who will play their final performance Sunday, February 17, 2019.

Frozen’s acclaimed original stars Caissie Levy (Elsa) and Patti Murin (Anna) will continue with the production.

Ms. Redmond’s casting marks a milestone: She is the first woman cast as the beloved snowman Olaf in any production of Frozen.

In addition to Levy and Murin, the company of Frozen features Robert Creighton (Weselton), Kevin Del Aguila (Oaken), Timothy Hughes (Pabbie), Andrew Pirozzi (Sven), Zoe Glick (Young Anna), Leila Rose Gross (Young Anna), Mimi Ryder (Young Elsa), Jenna Weir(Young Elsa), Alyssa Fox (Elsa Standby), Aisha Jackson (Anna Standby) and Adam Jepsen (Sven Alternate). Beginning February 19, the role of Sven will be shared equally by Mr. Pirozzi and Mr. Jepsen, with each actor playing four performances a week.

Frozen has joined Disney Theatrical hits Aladdin and The Lion King on Broadway, playing at the historic St. James Theatre. The new Broadway musical opened on Thursday, March 22, 2018 and has been in the top 10 best-selling shows every week, establishing itself as the biggest musical hit of its season. A North American tour will open at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles this fall.

“Disney’s struck gold! Sumptuous sets, gorgeous costumes and plenty of special effects to wow the audience!” raves the New York Post. The New Yorker calls Frozen “thrilling” and “genuinely moving” and applauds its “inspired stagecraft.” “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!

Frozen has joined Disney Theatrical hits Aladdin and The Lion King on Broadway, playing at the historic St. James Theatre. The new Broadway musical opened on Thursday, March 22, 2018 and has been in the top 10 best-selling shows every week, establishing itself as the biggest musical hit of its season. A North American tour will open at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles this fall.

“Disney’s struck gold! Sumptuous sets, gorgeous costumes and plenty of special effects to wow the audience!” raves the New York Post. The New Yorker calls Frozen “thrilling” and “genuinely moving” and applauds its “inspired stagecraft.” “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!

Frozen has joined Disney Theatrical hits Aladdin and The Lion King on Broadway, playing at the historic St. James Theatre. The new Broadway musical opened on Thursday, March 22, 2018 and has been in the top 10 best-selling shows every week, establishing itself as the biggest musical hit of its season. A North American tour will open at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles this fall.

“Disney’s struck gold! Sumptuous sets, gorgeous costumes and plenty of special effects to wow the audience!” raves the New York Post. The New Yorker calls Frozen “thrilling” and “genuinely moving” and applauds its “inspired stagecraft.” “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!

JOE CARROLL (Hans). Broadway: Bandstand (Johnny Simpson), Cinderella (Prince Topher), Romeo and Juliet, Once. Regional: world premiere of Moulin Rouge at the Colonial Theater in Boston and Bandstand at Paper Mill Playhouse. Film: Bandstand Live on Broadway, Romeo and Juliet. TV: “NCIS: New Orleans;” “Chicago Fire;” “Elementary;” “Deception;” “The Carrie Diaries;” "All My Children.” Training: RADA, BFA University of Michigan. @joe_carrollmich

RYANN REDMOND (Olaf). Broadway: Escape to Margaritaville, If/Then, Bring It On. Television: “Younger” (TV Land). Film: Double Exposure. Off-Broadway: Usual Girls (Roundabout), Gigantic (Vineyard), The Marvelous Wonderettes. National tour: Bring It On. Regional:How to Succeed (TUTS), Hairspray (MUNY). NYU (CAP21).  Twitter/Instagram: @ryannreds. 

NOAH J. RICKETTS (Kristoff). Broadway and first national tour: Beautiful The Carole King Musical. Favorite Regional: Terk, Tarzan® (WWT); C.C., Dreamgirls (North Shore Music Theatre); Jacob, La Cage (Summer Lyric); Hello, Dolly! (St. Louis MUNY); Macbeth (IAA Shakespeare Festival). Proud graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM). @noahjrkts

Frozen, a full-length stage work told in two acts, is the first and only incarnation of the tale that expands upon and deepens its indelible plot and themes through new songs and story material from the film’s creators; in fact, this new stage production features more than twice as much music as the film.  Like the Disney Theatrical Broadway musicals that have come before it, it is a full evening of theatre running over two hours.

Based on the 2013 film written by a trio of Oscar® winners, Frozen features music and lyrics by the creators of the film score Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Up Here, Winnie the Pooh, In Transit) and EGOT-winner Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon, Up Here) and a book by Jennifer Lee (Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph), the film’s screenwriter and director (with Chris Buck).  Frozen won 2014 Oscars for Best Song (“Let It Go”) and Best Animated Feature. 

Frozen’s director is Michael Grandage, a Tony Award® winner (Red) and director of three Olivier Award-winning Outstanding Musicals (Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel and Guys and Dolls), and Rob Ashford, Tony Award winner (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and multiple Tony and Olivier Award nominee, is choreographer.

In a cast of over 40, Frozen also features Alicia Albright, Joe Beauregard, Tracee Beazer, Wendi Bergamini, Ashley Blanchet, Claire Camp, Lauren Nicole Chapman, Spencer Clark, Jeremy Davis, Kali Grinder, Ashley Elizabeth Hale, Zach Hess, Donald Jones, Jr., Nina Lafarga, Ross Lekites, Austin Lesch, Synthia Link, Robin Masella, Travis Patton, Adam Perry, Jeff Pew, Olivia Phillip, Noah J. Ricketts,Julius Anthony Rubio, Ann Sanders, Jacob Smith and Nicholas Ward.

The design team for Frozen includes scenic and costume design by two-time Tony and Olivier Award winner Christopher Oram (Wolf Hall Parts 1 & 2, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Evita), lighting design by six-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Aladdin; Hello Dolly!; An American in Paris), sound design by four-time Tony nominee Peter Hylenski (The Scottsboro Boys, Motown, After Midnight), video design by Tony winner Finn Ross (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), puppet design by Michael Curry (The Lion King, Spamalot), hair design by David Brian Brown (War Paint, She Loves Me), makeup design by Anne Ford-Coates (On Your Feet!; On the Twentieth Century) and special effects design by Jeremy Chernick (Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus (Avenue Q, Wicked, The Book of Mormon) 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 Brian Usifer (music director).

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

JOE CARROLL (Hans). Broadway: Bandstand (Johnny Simpson), Cinderella (Prince Topher), Romeo and Juliet, Once. Regional: world premiere of Moulin Rouge at the Colonial Theater in Boston and Bandstand at Paper Mill Playhouse. Film: Bandstand Live on Broadway, Romeo and Juliet. TV: “NCIS: New Orleans;” “Chicago Fire;” “Elementary;” “Deception;” “The Carrie Diaries;” "All My Children.” Training: RADA, BFA University of Michigan. @joe_carrollmich

RYANN REDMOND (Olaf). Broadway: Escape to Margaritaville, If/Then, Bring It On. Television: “Younger” (TV Land). Film: Double Exposure. Off-Broadway: Usual Girls (Roundabout), Gigantic (Vineyard), The Marvelous Wonderettes. National tour: Bring It On. Regional:How to Succeed (TUTS), Hairspray (MUNY). NYU (CAP21).  Twitter/Instagram: @ryannreds. 

NOAH J. RICKETTS (Kristoff). Broadway and first national tour: Beautiful The Carole King Musical. Favorite Regional: Terk, Tarzan® (WWT); C.C., Dreamgirls (North Shore Music Theatre); Jacob, La Cage (Summer Lyric); Hello, Dolly! (St. Louis MUNY); Macbeth (IAA Shakespeare Festival). Proud graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM). @noahjrkts

Frozen, a full-length stage work told in two acts, is the first and only incarnation of the tale that expands upon and deepens its indelible plot and themes through new songs and story material from the film’s creators; in fact, this new stage production features more than twice as much music as the film.  Like the Disney Theatrical Broadway musicals that have come before it, it is a full evening of theatre running over two hours.

Based on the 2013 film written by a trio of Oscar® winners, Frozen features music and lyrics by the creators of the film score Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Up Here, Winnie the Pooh, In Transit) and EGOT-winner Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon, Up Here) and a book by Jennifer Lee (Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph), the film’s screenwriter and director (with Chris Buck).  Frozen won 2014 Oscars for Best Song (“Let It Go”) and Best Animated Feature. 

Frozen’s director is Michael Grandage, a Tony Award® winner (Red) and director of three Olivier Award-winning Outstanding Musicals (Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel and Guys and Dolls), and Rob Ashford, Tony Award winner (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and multiple Tony and Olivier Award nominee, is choreographer.

In a cast of over 40, Frozen also features Alicia Albright, Joe Beauregard, Tracee Beazer, Wendi Bergamini, Ashley Blanchet, Claire Camp, Lauren Nicole Chapman, Spencer Clark, Jeremy Davis, Kali Grinder, Ashley Elizabeth Hale, Zach Hess, Donald Jones, Jr., Nina Lafarga, Ross Lekites, Austin Lesch, Synthia Link, Robin Masella, Travis Patton, Adam Perry, Jeff Pew, Olivia Phillip, Noah J. Ricketts,Julius Anthony Rubio, Ann Sanders, Jacob Smith and Nicholas Ward.

The design team for Frozen includes scenic and costume design by two-time Tony and Olivier Award winner Christopher Oram (Wolf Hall Parts 1 & 2, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Evita), lighting design by six-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Aladdin; Hello Dolly!; An American in Paris), sound design by four-time Tony nominee Peter Hylenski (The Scottsboro Boys, Motown, After Midnight), video design by Tony winner Finn Ross (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), puppet design by Michael Curry (The Lion King, Spamalot), hair design by David Brian Brown (War Paint, She Loves Me), makeup design by Anne Ford-Coates (On Your Feet!; On the Twentieth Century) and special effects design by Jeremy Chernick (Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus (Avenue Q, Wicked, The Book of Mormon) 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 Brian Usifer (music director).

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

JOE CARROLL (Hans). Broadway: Bandstand (Johnny Simpson), Cinderella (Prince Topher), Romeo and Juliet, Once. Regional: world premiere of Moulin Rouge at the Colonial Theater in Boston and Bandstand at Paper Mill Playhouse. Film: Bandstand Live on Broadway, Romeo and Juliet. TV: “NCIS: New Orleans;” “Chicago Fire;” “Elementary;” “Deception;” “The Carrie Diaries;” "All My Children.” Training: RADA, BFA University of Michigan. @joe_carrollmich

RYANN REDMOND (Olaf). Broadway: Escape to Margaritaville, If/Then, Bring It On. Television: “Younger” (TV Land). Film: Double Exposure. Off-Broadway: Usual Girls (Roundabout), Gigantic (Vineyard), The Marvelous Wonderettes. National tour: Bring It On. Regional:How to Succeed (TUTS), Hairspray (MUNY). NYU (CAP21).  Twitter/Instagram: @ryannreds. 

NOAH J. RICKETTS (Kristoff). Broadway and first national tour: Beautiful The Carole King Musical. Favorite Regional: Terk, Tarzan® (WWT); C.C., Dreamgirls (North Shore Music Theatre); Jacob, La Cage (Summer Lyric); Hello, Dolly! (St. Louis MUNY); Macbeth (IAA Shakespeare Festival). Proud graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM). @noahjrkts

Frozen, a full-length stage work told in two acts, is the first and only incarnation of the tale that expands upon and deepens its indelible plot and themes through new songs and story material from the film’s creators; in fact, this new stage production features more than twice as much music as the film.  Like the Disney Theatrical Broadway musicals that have come before it, it is a full evening of theatre running over two hours.

Based on the 2013 film written by a trio of Oscar® winners, Frozen features music and lyrics by the creators of the film score Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Up Here, Winnie the Pooh, In Transit) and EGOT-winner Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon, Up Here) and a book by Jennifer Lee (Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph), the film’s screenwriter and director (with Chris Buck).  Frozen won 2014 Oscars for Best Song (“Let It Go”) and Best Animated Feature. 

Frozen’s director is Michael Grandage, a Tony Award® winner (Red) and director of three Olivier Award-winning Outstanding Musicals (Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel and Guys and Dolls), and Rob Ashford, Tony Award winner (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and multiple Tony and Olivier Award nominee, is choreographer.

In a cast of over 40, Frozen also features Alicia Albright, Joe Beauregard, Tracee Beazer, Wendi Bergamini, Ashley Blanchet, Claire Camp, Lauren Nicole Chapman, Spencer Clark, Jeremy Davis, Kali Grinder, Ashley Elizabeth Hale, Zach Hess, Donald Jones, Jr., Nina Lafarga, Ross Lekites, Austin Lesch, Synthia Link, Robin Masella, Travis Patton, Adam Perry, Jeff Pew, Olivia Phillip, Noah J. Ricketts,Julius Anthony Rubio, Ann Sanders, Jacob Smith and Nicholas Ward.

The design team for Frozen includes scenic and costume design by two-time Tony and Olivier Award winner Christopher Oram (Wolf Hall Parts 1 & 2, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Evita), lighting design by six-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Aladdin; Hello Dolly!; An American in Paris), sound design by four-time Tony nominee Peter Hylenski (The Scottsboro Boys, Motown, After Midnight), video design by Tony winner Finn Ross (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), puppet design by Michael Curry (The Lion King, Spamalot), hair design by David Brian Brown (War Paint, She Loves Me), makeup design by Anne Ford-Coates (On Your Feet!; On the Twentieth Century) and special effects design by Jeremy Chernick (Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus (Avenue Q, Wicked, The Book of Mormon) 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 Brian Usifer (music director).

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

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.

Pip’s Island, a One-of-a-Kind Theatrical Adventure for Kids & Families, Begins Previews on March 11, 2019 & Officially Reopens on March 21, 2019

Located on West 42nd Street, the Groundbreaking Interactive Show Combines Exploration, Empowerment and Education, Where Kids Are the Heroes

Pip's Island is back! New and exciting adventures from Pip and the gang are coming your way this winter. Make sure to stay connected with us on social for your exclusive look at all the magic!

New York, NY (January 10, 2018) – Pip’s Island returns to New York City with public previews starting on March 11, 2019 and officially reopens on March 21, 2019, establishing a permanent home for its groundbreaking immersive entertainment walking adventure for kids at 400 West 42nd Street. After making its world premiere in November 2016 in NYC for a limited engagement, the three founders including sibling-duo Rania and Rami Ajami and Creative Director Walter Krudop are thrilled to bring the next chapter of the Pip’s Island adventure to a custom-built flagship attraction in the heart of Manhattan. Combining immersive sets, original narrative, exploratory spaces and stimulating audiovisual content, the brand's mission is to provide a space where children are encouraged to find their inner spark and to positively impact the world around them. 

"Pip's Island is as real as 'make-believe' gets for children," says Walter Krudop, Pip’s Island Creative Director. "They literally feel like they are entering a live video game and are pulled right into the story."

Audiences will be guided through an hour-long inspirational “hero's journey” by live performers, puppets, interactive set-pieces and animated characters. As a walking adventure, they will navigate a series of challenges and one-of-a-kind games to save the Island from darkness and restore harmony to the land. Along the way, they will collect signature achievement badges, called "sparks" on Pip’s Island, which parallel many elements of the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) curriculum. 

As the audience moves forward, the story unfolds, the music escalates, the characters change, the challenges grow, and the young audience is soon engaged in an uplifting adventure that will leave them with a lasting sense of self-esteem and personal empowerment. 

"Pip’s Island is a special blend of the creative arts including interactive space design, performance art, music, animation, digital gadgetry and play; all brought together with seamless storytelling and audience engagement," explains Rania Ajami, Pip’s Island’s Chief Creative Officer. CEO Rami Ajami continued, "We exist to cater to kids of today who take a 360 multi-sensory, multi-platform approach to engaging with their world."

Pip’s Island Fun Facts:

  • Join the expedition to unlock a secret tree portal that transports you to the shores of a magical island!

  • Strap on your Legendarium and collect all five of your sparks. 

  • Hop on board Pebble's Cloud Rover and navigate stormy skies!

  • Travel underground and help Finn outwit the dastardly moles!

  • Grab a treat at Grumble Plum's bakery and help build one of her giant specialty cakes.

  • Sing along and even take a moment to meditate with Shelly, the princess of the underwater seas. 

 In addition, Pip’s Island will offer easy-to-book, all-inclusive birthday party packages of up to 50. For more information, email birthdays@pipsisland.com.

Pip's Island is a time-ticketed experience designed for ages 4-10, although grown-ups looking to reconnect with their childhood sense of wonder are also encouraged to sign up for an expedition! 

The show lasts 60 minutes and it’s recommended to arrive 15 minutes in advance of the ticketed time. Pip’s Island runs daily Wednesday through Monday and is closed on Tuesdays

Tickets are $59 for adults and kids at the box office or $49 online. Discounts are available for schools and groups, please contact at customerservice@pipsisland.com.

About Pip’s Island

Pip’s Island, a new kids entertainment company that is disrupting the industry, elevating standards and empowering children, is launching its first in a series of live events called Pip’s Island: The Lighthouse Rescue. The experience blends storytelling, interactive games, animation, music, and play to truly immerse young explorers in a unique island universe. In addition to a live entertainment experience in New York, the company has created a rich universe of digital content that it will be rolling out over multiple media channels including books, animation, gaming and additional live adventures at our flagship location, as well as destinations around the world.

For more information, visit www.pipsisland.com and follow on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram @pipsisland.

U.S. Premiere of EMILY BROWN AND THE THING at New Victory

British Theater Company Brings Beloved Children’s Story EMILY BROWN AND THE THING to The New Victory for U.S. Premiere

Based on the book by Cressida Cowell, author of How to Train Your Dragon

U.S. Premiere January 26 - February 3, 2019

Tall Stories (Gruffalo, New Vic 2015 & 2004; The Snail and the Whale, New Vic 2014, Snow White, New Vic 2003) returns with an imaginative musical adventure based on the much-loved book by Cressida Cowell (How to Train your Dragon) and Neal Layton. Something MONSTROUS is keeping Emily Brown awake...how will she ever get to sleep with the Thing making such a racket?! A friendly but woeful creature, the Thing has lost his Cuddly in the Dark and Scary Wood and won’t stop crying. Plucky, brave and determined to save the day, Emily and her trusty sidekick, Stanley the rabbit, leap into action. Following sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a UK tour and international performances at the Sydney Opera House, in Dubai, Hong Kong and Paris, Emily Brown and the Thing makes its U.S. Premiere at The New Victory Theater to begin its North American tour. Come see the irrepressible Emily Brown this winter at The New Victory Theater from January 26 - February 3, 2019.


Tall Stories, an internationally renowned London based theater company, brings great stories to life for audiences of all ages. The company was founded in 1997 by joint artistic directors Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell. Since then, the company has produced 27 original shows which have toured throughout the UK, Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Tall Stories has become internationally recognized for its exciting blend of storytelling theater, original music and lots of laughs.


The company has paid exquisite attention to detail in this charming show that “constantly amuses, delights and enthralls” (The Stage). Audiences familiar with the children’s classic will recognize Neil Layton’s equally delightful art incorporated into the design of the show.     


Emily Brown and the Thing is directed by Oliva Jacobs, featuring Sophie Alice as Emily Brown, Sam Buitekant as the Thing, and Jordan Turner as Stanley. On the creative team, Jacobs is joined by creative producer Toby Mitchell, associate director Sam Conway, Scenic and Costume Designer Isla Shaw, puppet designer Yvonne Stone, lighting designer James Whiteside, choreographer Luanna Priestman, associate choreographer Morag Cross, music and lyrics by Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw for JollyGoodTunes, company stage manager Matt Llewellyn Smith, costume supervisor Lisa Aitken, scenic construction worker Madison Opera, costumier Christine Atkinson, knitter Hannah Alton, and wig maker Diana Hudson.


Learn more about Emily Brown and the Thing at NewVictory.org.


Public Performance Schedule:

Saturday, January 26 at 11am

Saturday, January 26 at 3pm*

Sunday, January 27 at 11am

Saturday, February 2 at 11am / 3pm

Sunday, February 3 at 11am


*sign-interpreted performance and Autism-friendly performance


Emily Brown and the Thing has a running time of 55 minutes with no intermission, and is recommended for ages 4 to 7.


Ticket Information

Full-price tickets for Emily Brown and the Thing start at $25. Tickets are available online (http://www.newvictory.org/boxoffice) and by phone (646.223.3010).


To purchase tickets in person, the New Victory box office is located at 209 West 42nd Street (between 7th / 8th Avenues). Box office hours are Sunday & Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm.



About The New Victory Theater

The New Victory Theater brings kids to the arts and the arts to kids. Created in 1995 on iconic 42nd Street, this nonprofit theater has become a standard-bearer of quality performing arts for young audiences in the United States. Reflecting and serving the multicultural city it calls home, The New Victory is committed to arts access for all students, teachers, kids, families and communities of New York to experience and engage with the exemplary international programming of theater, dance, circus, music, puppetry and opera on its stages. A leader in arts education, youth employment and audience engagement, The New Victory Theater has been honored by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, by Americans for the Arts with a national Arts Education Award, and by the Drama Desk for "providing enchanting, sophisticated children's theater that appeals to the child in all of us, and for nurturing a love of theater in young people."


About The New 42nd Street

Founded in 1990, The New 42nd Street is an independent nonprofit organization charged with the continuous cultural revival of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, building on the foundation of seven historic theaters to make extraordinary performing arts and cultural engagement part of everyone’s life. The New 42nd Street fulfills this purpose by ensuring the ongoing vibrancy of 42nd Street’s historic theaters; supporting performing artists in the creation of their work at the New 42nd Street Studios and The Duke on 42nd Street; creating arts access and education at The New Victory Theater, New York’s premier theater for kids and families; and through the New 42nd Street Youth Corps, its model youth development initiative, which pairs life skills workshops and mentorship with paid employment in the arts for NYC youth. Inspired by the city it serves, The New 42nd Street is committed to the transformational power of the arts.

Final Performances: CIRCUS ABYSSINIA at the New Vic thru Dec 30 only!

"A heart-pumping, thrilling, and fun show that showcases some of the most talented jugglers, tumblers, and contortionists you're likely to ever see." – Theatermania

Don't miss the astonishing artists of CIRCUS ABYSSINIA: ETHIOPIAN DREAMS as they weave together heart-stopping stunts with the irresistible rhythms of Ethiopia in the final performances of this daring U.S. premiere! Matinees are almost sold out. Buy your tickets today to guarantee the dates and seats you want!

Thru December 30 only!
Tickets start at $22
Members save up to 40%!

Get Tickets

For everyone 5 and up
1 hour and 45 minutes
including one intermission