Ashley Brown, Michael James Scott, and Josh Strickland to Kick Off Spring Arts Awakening at THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX in Franklin, Massachusetts will present three Disney Stars of Broadway: Broadway's original "Mary Poppins" Ashley Brown, current "Genie" Michael James Scott, and original "Tarzan" Josh Strickland on April 16 to kick off Spring Arts Awakening- nine weeks of entertainment, outdoors under a tent in the venue's parking lot. The trio will perform an evening of Disney favorites. There will be limited seating for this special evening out in Franklin as well as virtual live-stream tickets available.

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's other Broadway credits include star turns as Belle in Beauty and The Beast, The Sound Of Music, and Disney's On The Record. Ms. Brown has also 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 Pittsburgh Symphony, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and more. Ms. Brown's PBS special called "Ashley Brown: Call Me Irresponsible" received a PBS Telly Award. Ms. Brown is the voice of Disneyland's 60th anniversary celebrations, singing the newly-penned Richard Sherman song, "A Kiss Goodnight." Both Ms. Brown's album of Broadway and American Songbook standards "Speak Low" and her newly recorded Christmas EP "The Secret of Christmas" are available on Ghostlight/Warner Brothers.

Michael James Scott has played the Genie in Disney's Aladdin internationally including Broadway, London, the North American Tour and originating the role in the Australian Production for which he won the prestigious Helpmann Award. He's also known for originating the role of the Minstrel on Broadway in Something Rotten and originating Dr. Gotswana (aka The Maggots Guy) in the Tony winning phenomenon The Book of Mormon. Other Broadway credits include Mamma Mia, Tarzan, All Shook Up, The Pirate Queen, Elf and Hair. On the West End he was the associate choreographer and performed in the Broadway revival transfer of Hair. Scott was the standby for the legendary Ben Vereen in the Int. tour of Fosse, taking over the role in Paris, France at the Théâtre du Châtelet.

In 2006, Josh Strickland created the leading role of Tarzan in Disney's musical 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." In 2013, Strickland joined the cast of Vegas! The Show at the Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort in Las Vegas in a starring role. Strickland has also appeared internationally with the all-star cast of Disney's Broadway Hits, including the Emmy-winning concert at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. He most recently reprised his role as Tarzan in Disney's Tarzan in Oberhausen, Germany at the Stage Metronom Theatre.

According to director of THE BLACK BOX Raye Lynn Mercer, "The Disney Stars of Broadway show is a fantastic way to kick off our Spring Arts Awakening and we look forward to welcoming audiences back to the theater." The Spring Arts Awakening celebrates a comeback for arts and entertainment and offers an opportunity to support THE BLACK BOX in its recovery from the pandemic. To purchase tickets for this special concert, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370.