Tag Archives: Broadway

“Aladdin” Next Up on Broadway

Fresh off of the Broadway success of “Newsies,” Disney Theatrical Productions has announced its latest project: “Aladdin.”  The hit 1992 film is the next Disney movie to be converted for the Great White Way.  AP News has the scoop. Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Productions, said that he wanted the company’s next musical to be a big, lavish production.  “Aladdin” is the perfect story for that.  The musical will copy some of the success of “Newsies,” in that composer Alan Menken is coming back to the story to add some new songs.  New characters and even some magic tricks … Continue reading →

Newsies: Big Broadway Success

It may be one of my Most Underappreciated Disney Films, but it’s no flop on the stage: The Hollywood Reporter reveals that the Broadway version of “Newsies” has already recouped its expenses.  For a Broadway show that’s fast; in fact, “Newsies” sets a record for Disney Theatrical Productions as the show that’s made back the money spent to make it in the quickest amount of time. “Newsies” cost Disney Theatrical Productions $5 million.  It made that back in nine months after opening (on Broadway; its pre-Broadway run in New Jersey isn’t being counted here).  That’s even faster than Disney Broadway … Continue reading →

Hints of More Disney on Broadway

Music makes Disney great. Who could imagine wishing for a star, longing for a prince to come, or wanting to be a part of a new world without the uplifting swell of the famous scores accompanying those stories? As I’ve implied before, part of Disney’s magic comes from its music, and when that music isn’t strong the movie’s better off not trying to be a musical. It’s no surprise that, given the high quality of most of Disney’s musical movies, many of them have migrated to Broadway. While “The Lion King” continues its reign as Disney’s most popular musical theater … Continue reading →

Katie and Britney—New Chances to Shine

Looks like Tom Cruise is going to have to wean Suri from her bottle by himself… That’s because Suri’s mommy is going to be too busy flexing her acting muscle on Broadway. She wanted it, and now it appears Katie Holmes got her wish to make her mark on the Great White Way. The former “Dawson’s Creek” star and wife of Tom Cruise just landed a role in a revival of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons.” According to reports, Holmes will hit the stage this fall alongside John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest and Patrick Wilson. The play, which was first seen … Continue reading →

Lullabies and Wildflowers – CD Review

Broadway actress and singer Melissa Errico has starred or featured in such plays as “My Fair Lady,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “High Society.” However, her life has led her to another starring role, that of being a mother. When she was pregnant, she started attending a prenatal yoga class and felt an instant friendship with the twelve other women who were participating, all due the same week. As the class drew to a close, Melissa gathered everyone’s e-mail address and they kept in touch, sharing birth stories and commiserating over the struggles. As time went on, they stayed … Continue reading →

Broadway Bound Part 2

For the past few days I have been researching current Broadway shows in preparation for what could be my first visit to New York in more than four years. I am thrilled at the prospect of heading back to the Big Apple and especially overjoyed that I could soon be sitting in one of the city’s famous theaters taking in a Tony Award-winning musical. Now, if I could only come up with the money I would be in business. When Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein opened on Broadway last year, the top price of a ticket reached $450 for the first … Continue reading →

Broadway Bound

No trip to the Big Apple is complete without taking in a few Broadway shows. Whether you’ve never stepped foot in one of New York’s famous theaters or you make going to a musical part of your annual family vacation you will pleased to know that tickets for some of Broadway’s biggest shows are still available. In my previous blog I mentioned that I am seriously considering taking a trip to New York in the coming months. My friend from high school generously offered me a place to stay and asked if I would like to take in a couple … Continue reading →

Traveling to New York? Think Broadway

If you thought the movie was incredible wait until you see Shrek the Musical. The popular DreamWorks Animation SKG film is headed to Broadway and despite the fact that no actor has signed on to play the title character (yet) tickets are all ready in demand. DreamWorks Theatricals just announced that the show will open on December 14th at the Broadway Theatre, with preview performances beginning November 8th. As I mentioned earlier there’s no word on who will be playing Shrek or his pal Donkey, but stage star Sutton Foster (she’s currently starring as Inga in Young Frankenstein) has signed … Continue reading →

Strike ENDS—Broadway Reopens

After 19 days of darkness Broadway is reopening for business. According to news reports, late last night, during the third day of marathon negotiations between the stagehands union and producers, a compromise was reached. Now, shows are scrambling to get their acts together so the curtain can go up later today. You’ll recall the work stoppage began November 10th after the issue of wages and how many stagehands were required to open a Broadway show and keep it running couldn’t be hammered out between the two parties. Producers were concerned about having to pay stagehands more in return for a … Continue reading →

“The Grinch” and Grace Get the Go Ahead

“I think one Grinch in town is enough.” That’s the word from a New York State Supreme Court judge who ordered the reopening of “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” despite the ongoing Broadway stagehands strike. Which means as of 11 a.m. tomorrow the show will go on… at least for “The Grinch.” More than two dozen other plays and musicals will remain dark. However, for the thousands of Broadway ticket holders who traveled to the Big Apple for the Thanksgiving weekend the news couldn’t have come at a better time. “We got our miracle on 44th Street,” the … Continue reading →