Alan Menkin News

Last October I took my daughter to see NEWSIES at Papermill Playhouse and was thrilled to find another rare gem for my small collection of shows that parents can genuinely enjoy with their children. I'm relieved to say that the production's move to Broadway hasn't changed the its status on my short list. In fact, I think it's gotten better. It's been two days since we saw the show and I still can't get 'And the World Will Know' or 'Carrying the Banner' out of my head and my daughter remains a sworn fan for life.

There are a few reasons a Broadway lover might be interested in Mirror Mirror, a family-friendly comedy that is more Brothers Grimm than it is Disney. First, Nathan Lane steals the show on more than one occasion, which is no small feat next to Julia Roberts shining as the overly-confident, Evil Queen in one of the best casting decisions of the year (so far). There's an original score by Alan Menkin which manages to support the film beautifully without sucking us back to Disneyland and then there's the whole issue of that OTHER Snow White movie set to be released this year. Remember the year of WILD PARTY?

C'MON, GET PAPPY! will play at THE DUPLEX CABARET THEATRE for three days only. The show opens Friday, February 24 at 7 p.m. and will also play on Sunday February 26 at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday., March 3 at 7 p.m. There is a $15 cover ($5 for MAC/AEA) and a 2 drink minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.theduplex.com, at www.CmonGetPappy.com, or by calling the Duplex at 212-255-5438.

C'MON, GET PAPPY! will play at THE DUPLEX CABARET THEATRE for three days only. The show opens Friday, February 24 at 7 p.m. and will also play on Sunday February 26 at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday., March 3 at 7 p.m. There is a $15 cover ($5 for MAC/AEA) and a 2 drink minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.theduplex.com, at www.CmonGetPappy.com, or by calling the Duplex at 212-255-5438.

Walt Disney Studio's Home Entertainment has just released BEAUTY AND THE BEAST:3D Diamond Edition. Among the bonus features of the newly released DVD are a musical conversation with Composer Alan Menkin and a behind the scenes look at the making of the animated full length feature.

The new Broadway musical Baby It's You! tells the inspiring story of Florence Greenberg, the woman who changed the recording world forever when she discovered The Shirelles and created Scepter Records, becoming the music industry's first female powerhouse. Starring Tony Award winner Beth Leavel as Greenberg, conceived by Floyd Mutrux, directed by Floyd Mutrux and Sheldon Epps, and written by Tony nominated book writers Mutrux and Colin Escott, the team behind Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet, Baby It's You! began performances at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) Saturday, March 26, 2011, and opens TONIGHT, April 27, 2011, at 6:30pm. Baby It's You! features a cast of 19 that includes Allan Louis, Geno Henderson, Erica Ash, Kelli Barrett, Kyra DaCosta, Crystal Starr Knighton, Barry Pearl, Christina Sajous, Brandon Uranowitz, Alison Cimmet, Erica Dorfler, Berlando Drake, Adam Heller, Jahi A. Kearse, Annette Moore, Zachary Prince, Ken Robinson and Chelsea Morgan Stock.

The new Broadway musical Baby It's You! tells the inspiring story of Florence Greenberg, the woman who changed the recording world forever when she discovered The Shirelles and created Scepter Records, becoming the music industry's first female powerhouse. Starring Tony Award winner Beth Leavel as Greenberg, conceived by Floyd Mutrux, directed by Floyd Mutrux and Sheldon Epps, and written by Tony nominated book writers Mutrux and Colin Escott, the team behind Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet, Baby It's You! begins performances at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) Saturday, March 26, 2011, and opens Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at 6:30pm. Baby It's You! features a cast of 19 that includes Allan Louis, Geno Henderson, Erica Ash, Kelli Barrett, Kyra DaCosta, Crystal Starr Knighton, Barry Pearl, Christina Sajous, Brandon Uranowitz, Alison Cimmet, Erica Dorfler, Berlando Drake, Adam Heller, Jahi A. Kearse, Annette Moore, Zachary Prince, Ken Robinson and Chelsea Morgan Stock.

A Christmas Carol will close at the Gateway Playhouse on January 2, 2011. Originally presented by Radio City Entertainment at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, where its historic ten year run delighted audiences and critics alike, this A Christmas Carol is a delightful, enchanting and mesmerizing production. It has every bit of entertainment you could want for the holidays.

Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore - A Christmas Carol runs Nov 13,2010 - Jan 2,2011.

Gateway Playhouse is set to celebrate the holiday season with the timeless family favorite, A Christmas Carol, The Musical.

Gateway Playhouse is set to celebrate the holiday season with the timeless family favorite, A Christmas Carol, The Musical.

Linda Lane Smith performs 'From Cows to Cadenzas' at The Triad Theatre 158 West 72nd Street (bet. Broadway & Columbus) NYC this Wednesday, November 10th at 7:00 pm. The musical director is Phil Hall.

Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore - A Christmas Carol runs Nov 13,2010 - Jan 2,2011.

Linda Lane Smith performs 'From Cows to Cadenzas' at The Triad Theatre 158 West 72nd Street (bet. Broadway & Columbus) NYC this Wednesday, November 10th at 7:00 pm. The musical director is Phil Hall.

Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore - A Christmas Carol runs Nov 13,2010 - Jan 2,2011.

Tulsa Area Community Theatre Alliance has announced its upcoming productions for the month of April. Formed in 1998, TACTA is an alliance of more than a dozen Tulsa area community theatres.

The Tulsa Area Community Theatre Alliance has announced its weekly schedule for April 5th through the 11th.

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS will host a special free advance screening of WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY, the highly anticipated new film, on Tuesday, March 16 at 7:30 PM at The Directors Guild of America (110 West 57th Street). Immediately after the screening, there will be a discussion featuring the film's director Don Hahn and producer Peter Schneider. The discussion will be moderated by Patrick Pacheco, who conducted interviews for the film.

Dare You Stay for Dinner? A down and out skid row florist assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discoveres an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for blood.