Alan Menken on XM Ch.28, December 21

Alan Menken, composer of Disney's The Little Mermaid, will be interviewed on XM Satellite Radio's "Downstage Center" on Friday, December 21 (6 PM Eastern Time). The interview will air on XM's "On Broadway" Channel 28.

Menken will discuss his songwriting career and his work on both the animated film and the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid, based on the Disney film and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, features Sierra Boggess as 'Ariel,' Sean Palmer as 'Prince Eric,' Norm Lewis as 'King Triton,' Tituss Burgess as 'Sebastian,' Eddie Korbich as 'Scuttle,' Jonathan Freeman as 'Grimsby,' Derrick Baskin as 'Jetsam,' Tyler Maynard as 'Flotsam,' Cody Hanford and J.J. Singleton as 'Flounder,' and Sherie Rene Scott as 'Ursula.'

"The Little Mermaid takes place in a magical kingdom beneath the sea, where a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she's the girl with the perfect voice," explain press notes.

Led by the award-winning director, Francesca Zambello, some of the theatre's most innovative artists have collaborated to create The Little Mermaid.  The score features the classic songs:  "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl" and the Academy Award-winning Best Original Song, "Under the Sea," composed by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and his longtime collaborator, the late Howard Ashman, as well as 10 new songs by Mr. Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater.  The book for the new musical is by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Doug Wright. 

Performances of The Little Mermaid began on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street, NYC) on Saturday, November 3rd at 8pm.  The official Broadway opening night is Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 6:30pm.                                                

Effective December 21, tickets are $51.50 - $86.50 - $121.50 (includes a $1.50 facility fee).  Beginning January 2, 2008 the top ticket price will be $111.50 for Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday evening performances and Wednesday matinees; and $121.50 for Friday-Saturday evening performances and Saturday-Sunday weekend matinees.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4747, online at www.DisneyOnBroadway.com, or in-person at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street).