Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center Presents BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE: ALAN MENKEN 2/7

A generation of Americans has grown up singing Alan Menken's songs from such animated Disney films as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. His Broadway triumphs include stage adaptations of Mermaid and Beauty, plus Little Shop of Horrors and the upcoming Sister Act. Mr. Menken-the recipient of eight Academy Awards (including four for best song), 10 Grammy Awards, two Tony Award nominations, two Drama Desk Award nominations and a BMI Career Achievement Award-will be present at the February 7 concert to give the inside scoop on the production of his hit musicals.

Directed by Sean Hartley, the Broadway Playhouse concerts introduce children ages 4-11 to classic musicals through captivating medleys, rousing sing-alongs, lively games in which audience members participate, and mini-musicals. Children and their families can sing along to well-known songs and hear the stories behind the making of some of the greatest musicals of all time. The February 7 concert will feature songs and scenes telling the story of Beauty and the Beast as well as a game show in which young volunteers from the audience will guess which Alan Menken characters the actors are portraying.

Broadway Playhouse musical revues are fun for adults too! Past seasons have featured Frank Loesser, Jerry Herman, Cole Porter, Ahrens & Flaherty, Bock & Harnick and Lerner & Loewe. The cast includes Jason Robinson, Kathryn Markey, Steve Pacek and Christina Bianco as well as Mr. Hartley, who will host.

For information about special Monday morning Broadway Playhouse performances for school groups, please call Faye Menken Schneier at 212 501 3357.

Merkin Concert Hall's 2010 Broadway Playhouse series continues on March 7 with Leonard Bernstein (West Side Story, On the Town, Candide).

Photo credit: Walter McBride