Disney on Broadway Announces Return Dates for ‘The Lion King,’ and ‘Aladdin’

Broadway is back!

Disney on Broadway has announced return dates for “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” as the lights are set to be turned back on at The Great White Way.

“The Lion King” will return to the Minskoff Theater on September 14th and “Aladdin” will resume at the New Amsterdam Theater on September 28th. Tickets are currently on sale.

Disney on Broadway is including some added benefits in order to offer guests greater flexibility in their Broadway experience.

These benefits include:

  • Disney paying 100% of Ticketmaster service and order fees on performances through August. 7, 2022
  • Ability to exchange or cancel tickets at no charge up to and including the day of the show, available for performances through August 7, 2022
  • Double the Magic, a two-show package, starting at $149 total, available through July 1, 2021

Broadway has traditionally offers no flexibility when plans change; or last-minute options like TKTS and lotteries, which offer a greater value but hinders advance planning.

From Thomas Schumacher, President & Producer of Disney Theater Productions –

After 18 months of being apart we are thrilled to welcome our audiences back and are proud to introduce these unique benefits to make buying Broadway tickets risk-free, flexible and affordable. Broadway’s reopening — before tourists fully return — will be the perfect time for us tri-staters to attend Broadway as shows will be more accessible than ever.

Along with the above shows, September 14th will see the return of “Hamilton,” and “Wicked,” on September 14th. Beyond Broadway, the North American tours of “The Lion King” and “Frozen,” as well as international productions of five titles will be among the 20+ Disney Theatrical productions resuming performances in nine countries on four continents this year.

Frozen-Inspired Musical Coming to Disney California Adventure Replacing Aladdin in 2016

Frozen

Disney’s blockbuster musical “Frozen” has become a true phenomenon around the world and soon, the story of “Frozen” will come to spectacular life in an all-new theatrical production in summer 2016 at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure park.

This new show will immerse you in the world of “Frozen” as never before, with elaborate costumes and sets, stunning special effects and surprising scenic transformations.

“Our stage production of ‘Frozen’ will stay true to the heart and soul of the film,” says Dana Harrel, Portfolio Creative Entertainment Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “Anna and Elsa will carry the audience on an emotional journey that includes show-stopping production numbers and a few unique theatrical twists. We can’t wait for everyone to see it!”

With a new show set to open at the Hyperion Theater, it’s time for Aladdin to make his final wish and set the Genie free, as the cast of the award-winning “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” prepares to take its final curtain call on January 10, 2016 after nearly 14,000 shows.

“Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” has taken millions of guests wonder by wonder since its debut in January 2003, bringing with it such fantastic theatrical delights as Aladdin’s entrance on the elephant, a magic carpet ride over the audience, an original song by Alan Menken and the ever-evolving, tour-de-force performance of the wise-cracking Genie. To this day, the incredible talent of the show’s captivating cast has made every turn a surprise, every moment red letter.

“Thanks to our amazing cast and the many, many fans, ‘Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular’ has enjoyed a longer run at Disney California Adventure park than we could have ever imagined,” said Kris Theiler, Vice President of Operations for Disney California Adventure park. “Today, we are excited to share more exciting news about another story that will soon come to life for guests at the Hyperion Theater. With larger-than-life musical numbers, wondrous scenery and lovable characters, ‘Frozen’ will begin entertaining guests in 2016.”

“Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” is scheduled to be performed several times daily through January 10, 2016, so fans of the show still have plenty of opportunities left to catch a magic carpet ride to Agrabah.

Broadway’s Best Light up D23 EXPO with Exclusive Concerts

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Following the incredibly warm and rousing reception from D23 EXPO fans in 2013, Disney Theatrical Productions is thrilled to announce a new concert presented exclusively for this year’s D23 EXPO at the Anaheim Convention Center entitled Disney on Broadway’s “THE ORIGINALS.” In anticipation of high fan-demand, two performances of the concert will be presented on Saturday, August 15th at 11am and at 2pm in Stage 23.

Disney on Broadway’s “THE ORIGINALS” stars Broadway’s original “Mary Poppins” (Ashley Brown), “Tarzan” (Josh Strickland) and “Genie” (James Monroe Iglehart) from Aladdin. The “originals” will entertain and delight D23 EXPO attendees by performing favorite musical highlights from the Disney on Broadway catalogue. Tony Award®-winner James Monroe Iglehart will also serve as host for this 70-minute, live performance that features a five-piece band of Broadway’s best musicians with special behind-the-scenes videos and interviews that promise to enthrall Disney on Broadway fans of all ages.

Ashley Brown originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress. Ms. Brown also starred as Mary Poppins in the national tour of Mary Poppins where she garnered a Garland award for “Best Performance in a Musical”. Ms. Brown’s other Broadway credits include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and she has starred in the national tour of Disney’s On The Record. Ms. Brown recently returned to critical acclaim starring in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Oklahoma. She previously played Magnolia opposite Nathan Gunn in Francesca Zembello’s Show Boat at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Ms. Brown has performed with virtually all of the top orchestras in North America including the Boston Pops, the New York Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra at Disney Hall, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall (four times), the Cincinnati Pops and the Philadelphia Orchestra (two times). Ashley starred in The Sound of Music at the St. Louis MUNY which garnered her a Kevin Kline award and her own PBS special called “Ashley Brown: Call Me Irresponsible” which received a PBS Telly Award. Other television credits include NBC’s The Sound of Music. Ms. Brown’s long-awaited album of Broadway and American Songbook standards is available on Ghostlight/Sony. Ashley is a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Josh Strickland is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. In 2006, Strickland created the leading role of Tarzan in Disney’s Tarzan on Broadway. In 2009, he made his starring Las Vegas debut in PEEPSHOW at Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort while concurrently co-starring in the hit E! reality show Holly’s World. Strickland debuted his first single “Report to the Floor”, which skyrocketed to the top five on the iTunes Dance Charts the first week of its release, followed by “Last Dance”. Mr. Strickland is currently starring in Vegas! the Showat the Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort in Las Vegas.

James Monroe Iglehart won a 2014 Tony Award® for his performance in Aladdin. He originated the role of Bobby in the Tony-winning musical Memphis. Other NYC: The 25th Annual…Spelling Bee and The Wiz. Film/TV: “Gotham”, “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmitt”, “The Good Wife” and “The Electric Company” (the Silent E Soloist). James is a member of the hip-hop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme. His greatest gift is his wife, Dawn. This is an absolute blessing — a real-life wish come true!

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Robin Williams, Actor Who Played the Genie in Aladdin, Found Dead at Age 63

Robin_Williams

Legendary actor Robin Williams was found dead Monday at the age of 63 from an apparent suicide, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

“At this time, the Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia, but a comprehensive investigation must be completed before a final determination is made,” the sheriff’s office said.

“A forensic examination is currently scheduled for August 12, 2014 with subsequent toxicology testing to be conducted,” the release continued.

The sheriff’s office said they received a 911 phone call at approximately 11:55 a.m. reporting an unconscious male not breathing inside his home. Emergency personnel were dispatched to the area where they pronounced Williams dead at 12:02 p.m.

Disney’s Aladdin Receives Five Tony Award® Nominations

aladdinbroadway

Disney’s new musical comedy Aladdin today received five Tony Award® nominations, including Best Musical. Additionally, Aladdin was recognized with nominations for Best Original Score (Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin), Best Book of a Musical (Chad Beguelin), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (James Monroe Iglehart), and Best Choreography (Casey Nicholaw). This season, Aladdin has already been nominated for eight Outer Critics Circle Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, and two Drama League Awards, including Best Musical nods from all three organizations.

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the show features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and three-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon).

Aladdin stars Adam Jacobs (Les Miserables, The Lion King) in the title role, Courtney Reed (In the Heights, Mamma Mia) as Jasmine, Tony Award nominee James Monroe Iglehart (Memphis, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) as Genie, and, as Jafar, Tony Award nominee Jonathan Freeman (Mary Poppins, The Producers, She Loves Me) brings to the stage the role he indelibly created in the animated film. The show also stars Brian Gonzales, Brandon O’Neill and Jonathan Schwartz as Aladdin’s sidekicks Babkak, Kassim and Omar, Clifton Davis as Sultan and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago.  Merwin Foard and Michael James Scott stand by for several principals.

In a cast of 34, Aladdin also features Tia Altinay, Mike Cannon, Andrew Cao, Lauryn Ciardullo, Joshua Dela Cruz, Yurel Echezarreta, Daisy Hobbs, Donald Jones, Jr., Adam Kaokept, Nikki Long, Stanley Martin, Brandt Martinez, Michael Mindlin, Rhea Patterson, Bobby Pestka, Khori Michelle Petinaud, Ariel Reid, Jennifer Rias, Trent Saunders, Jaz Sealey, Dennis Stowe, Marisha Wallace, and Bud Weber.

Aladdin, adapted from the Disney film and centuries-old folktales including One Thousand and One Nights, is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical. Aladdin’s journey sweeps audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy, and timeless romance. This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage.

The animated film Aladdin was released by Disney in 1992 and was a critical and box office smash, grossing over $500 million worldwide (not adjusted for inflation) and becoming the highest-grossing film of the year.

The film won the Oscar for Best Original Score and introduced the hit song “A Whole New World,” which won the second of the film’s two Academy Awards as Best Original Song. The Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle recording of the tune soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Aladdin is designed by six-time Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, three-time Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis.

The production team also includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, hair designer Josh Marquette, and makeup designer Milagros Medina-Cerdeira. The music team is headed by music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, who also created the vocal and incidental music arrangements, joined by orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly.

 

Walt Disney Records To Release Aladdin Original Broadway Cast Recording Featuring Exclusive Bonus Content

Aladdin - Broadway CD

The cast of the new Broadway smash, Disney’s Aladdin is currently in the studio laying down tracks for the Original Cast Recording of the show, to be released by Walt Disney Records digitally on Tuesday, May 27th.  The physical album is set for release on Tuesday, June 17th and will also be available for purchase in-theater.  The Aladdin Original Broadway Cast Recording will be produced by Alan MenkenMichael KosarinFrank Filipetti and Chris Montan and executive produced by Kurt Deutsch.

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, Aladdin features music by Tony Award® and eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken(Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and two-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon).   This new production features a full score, including the Oscar and Grammy® winning hit “A Whole New World,” and four other cherished songs from the film and multi Grammy-winning original motion picture soundtrack.  The cast album also includes four Menken/Beguelin songs written especially for the stage and three Menken/Ashman songs that were cut from the original film, plus exclusive bonus content created especially for the album.

Disney’s Aladdin, the new musical comedy based on the Academy Award®-winning animated film, opened to critical acclaim onMarch 20th, 2014 at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre. USA Today raves, “Pure GENIE-US! Aladdin delivers a rush that will surprise you.” The Associated Press exclaims, “Disney hits magic again…a wonder to behold!” while The New York Times hails the show as “Fabulous… Extravagant!” and the Daily News declares, “Seriously, it’s amazing!”

Aladdin stars Adam Jacobs (Les MiserablesThe Lion King) in the title role, Courtney Reed (In the HeightsMamma Mia) as Jasmine, James Monroe Iglehart (MemphisThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) as Genie, and, as Jafar, Tony Award nominee Jonathan Freeman (Mary PoppinsThe ProducersShe Loves Me) brings to the stage the role he indelibly created in the animated film.  The show also stars Brian GonzalesBrandon O’Neill and Jonathan Schwartz as Aladdin’s sidekicks Babkak, Kassim and Omar, Clifton Davis as Sultan and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago.

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