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Elf The Musical, the cheery – very, very cheery – revival opening tonight for a limited holiday run on Broadway, is an entirely suitable gift from a hard-working cast for fans of the well-liked 2003 Will Ferrell Christmas perennial. If you crack up at memories of Mr. Narwhal, Elf has your tinseled name on it.

For the everyone else – adults anyway – the updated Elf remains as much a mixed bag as it was during its previous two Broadway stagings in 2010 and 2012, with one major improvement: Grey Henson, the immensely likable, pitched-to-the-rafters firecracker from Mean Girls and Shucked, steps as easily into Buddy’s green winklepickers as Cinderella ever did a glass slilpper.

Henson and the rest of the cast go big and loud in the style of children’s theater,...

Actor Sean Astin will make his Broadway debut this holiday season as Santa in the revival of Elf The Musical, producers announced today.

Astin, best known for his roles in the original Lord of the Rings films and more recently Stranger Things and The Conners, will costar opposite Grey Henson who will play Buddy the Elf.

Elf The Musical, returning to Broadway for the first time in more than a decade, begins previews at the Marquis Theatre on Saturday, November 9, with an official opening on Sunday, November 17. The limited engagement runs through Saturday, January 4, 2025.

“It has been a lifelong dream to be on Broadway and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the season than by spreading Christmas Cheer as Santa Claus,” Astin said in a statement. “I’ve been in deep preparation for this role since I was five years old. Now my kids can say ‘Santa,...

Sean Astin will make his Broadway debut this season in Elf the Musical.

Astin will play Santa, with Tony Award nominee Grey Henson (Mean Girls, Shucked) playing Buddy the Elf. The musical will play The Marquis Theatre starting Nov. 9, with an opening night Nov. 17.

Astin is well-known for his onscreen roles as Mikey Walsh in The Goonies, the title character of Rudy, Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Doug Whitmore in 50 First Dates and Bob Newby in Stranger Things.

“It has been a lifelong dream to be on Broadway and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the season than by spreading Christmas cheer as Santa Claus. I’ve been in deep preparation for this role since I was 5 years old. Now my kids can say, “Santa, I know him!” Astin said.

The show, based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel and James Caan,...

Elf The Musical is returning to Broadway for a limited holiday engagement this November, with Tony nominee Grey Henson (Mean Girls) in the lead role.

Producers Temple Live Entertainment and Crossroads Live North America announced the engagement today. The musical, which originally opened on Broadway in 2010, will begin previews at The Marquis Theatre on Saturday, November 9, with an official opening night on Sunday, November 17. The engagement will run through Saturday, January 4, 2025.

Philip Wm. McKinley will direct.

“I cannot wait to play Buddy the Elf eight times a week, in this hilarious and joyful musical, during the most magical time of the year on Broadway,” said Henson in a statement. “Elf has always been required yearly viewing for me, and I am so honored and excited to be fulfilling a lifelong dream of wearing tights on Broadway.”

In addition to his Tony-nominated turn...

Whoopi Goldberg will play Madison Square Garden this holiday season with a touring production of the popular musical Annie. She’ll play the villainous Miss Hannigan, who runs an orphanage and terrorizes Annie and the other little girls.

Goldberg joins the show in the second week of its five-week engagement at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The new tour will begin with a November run at Chicago’s The Chicago Theatre before arriving at Msg. Earlier reports incorrectly stated Goldberg was part of the Chicago cast, but she will appear exclusively in NYC December 11 – January 5.

Goldberg, the moderator of ABC’s The View, is no stranger to the New York stage. She has appeared on Broadway seven times, from her groundbreaking 1984 solo show Whoopi Goldberg to Sister Act, her most recent in 2011.

As Miss Hannigan gets the second biggest showstopping song of the entire show: Along with a couple criminals she recruits, Hannigan celebrates the shady plan with “Easy Street.”

“I love the theatre, and in my mind, there is no better way to spend the holidays than to get back on stage,” Goldberg said in a statement. “I can’t wait to step in to the delicious role of Miss Hannigan and perform for the greatest audiences in the world – in my hometown of New York City.”

Additional casting will be announced, with full Equity casts for Chicago, New York City “and beyond,” producers said.

Annie took Broadway by storm when it first arrived in 1977, winning seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and making stars of young Andrea McArdle and giving Broadway vet Dorothy Loudon her signature role in Miss Hannigan.

Charles Strouse, who co-wrote the famous score with the late Martin Charnin, said bringing Annie back to New York City is “a dream come true,” and that “having the iconic Whoopi Goldberg join the company and make her first appearance ever in a production of Annie is a gift to us all! I know Martin and Tom [Thomas Meehan, the late book writer) would be thrilled, too.”

The tour is produced by Carolyn Rossi Copeland Productions Inc. and Crossroads Live North America and directed by Jenn Thompson. For a complete list of tour dates, visit the tour’s website.

"Only Murders in the Building" season 3 has a few songs in its heart. A musical theatre aficionado will have a ball with season 3 of "Only Murders in the Building," thanks to Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) converting his outlandish murder-mystery play "Death Rattle" into a musical.

While the trio are solving yet another murder, this season is brimming with musical references. In season 3, episode 2, a recuperating Putnam hallucinates his loved ones performing a pastiche of "There'll Be Some Changes Made" from the Bob Fosse-directed "All That Jazz." It's a cutting reference because said musical film, especially this particular number, metatextually tackles the director's heart attack. It deals with mortal self-flagellation, both for Fosse and in-universe for Fosse's fictional avatar.

In contrast, the show also applies a more lighthearted reference to "The Producers" that complements Oliver's pursuits. After a falling out with his friend Charles Haden-Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver needs a replacement for the Investigator.

Nicole Scherzinger has joined the cast of NBC’s upcoming Annie Live! musical event, the network announced. She’ll play the role of Grace Farrell, assistant of Daddy Warbucks and champion of the little red-haired orphan.

“Musical theater has always made my heart soar, so I’m over the moon to join this amazing cast for such a great classic,” Scherzinger said.

Casting for the title character has not been announced, but the musical – set for Thursday, Dec. 2 – will feature Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan and Harry Connick Jr. as Daddy Warbucks.

The character of Grace traditionally participates in such musical numbers as “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here,” “N.Y.C.,” “You Make Me Happy,” “You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long,” “Annie,” and “New Deal for Christmas.”

Scherzinger is a panelist on Fox’s The Masked Singer, and until that show was probably best...

Bones star Emily Deschanel discusses a few of her favorite films with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

The Shining (1980) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary

Dumb And Dumber (1994)

Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000)

This Is Spinal Tap (1984) – John Landis’s trailer commentary

Crusoe (1988)

Watership Down (1978)

Gandhi (1982)

Small Soldiers (1998)

Waiting For Guffman (1996)

Best In Show (2000) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary

Vertigo (1958) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review,

Marnie (1964) – Dan Irleand’s trailer commentary, Larry Cohen’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing recommendation

La Femme Nikita (1991)

Psycho (1960) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing recommendation

Psycho (1998) – Ti West’s trailer commentary

Citizen Kane (1941) – John Landis’s trailer commentary

Rear Window (1954) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Topaz (1969)

Foreign Correspondent (1940) – Larry Cohen’s trailer commentary

North By Northwest (1959)

Notorious (1946) – John Landis’s trailer commentary,...

There’s a new queen of mean on Easy Street. Taraji P. Henson is set to play the villainous Miss Hannigan in Annie Live!, NBC’s adaptation of the Tony-winning musical that airs in December.

The former Empire star, a three-time Emmy nominee and Oscar nominee, will take on the role of the most unpleasant orphanage proprietor played by Carol Burnett in the 1982 movie version of Annie.

It’s the first casting for the production as the search continues for the musical’s young star.

“Carol Burnett, who brought Miss Hannigan to life in the classic 1982 movie, is someone I have studied and idolized as far back as I can remember,” Henson said. “So when the opportunity came to me to join NBC and this incredible group of producers, I jumped. Carol, I hope to do you proud.”

Named by Time as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World,...

NBC will broadcast the holiday musical event Annie Live!, with Robert Greenblatt as executive producer along with Neil Meron, who has served as executive producer on such NBC’s live musicals The Sound of Music Live! and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.

Annie Live! will be directed by Lear deBessonet, Artistic Director for New York’s revival series Encores and creator of the Public Works program at the Public Theatre, which produces community-engaged productions with as many as 200 performers.

Sergio Trujillo will choreograph the production, Paul Tazewell will design the costumes and Jason Sherwood the scenery. Tazewell is a veteran of two NBC live musicals, The Wiz Live! and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. He recently designed costumes for film Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story. Sherwood was production designer for Rent: Live and the 2020 Oscars.

Greenblatt brought live musicals back...

Former NBC boss Robert Greenblatt will produce

NBC is getting back into the live TV musical game with a production of “Annie” set to air this holiday season.

Former NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt will produce “Annie Live!” alongside Neil Meron, who has served as an executive producer on all of NBC’s live musicals since 2013’s “The Sound of Music Live!”

The 1977 musical about a Depression-era orphan features a score by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan. The Tony winner has seen two big-screen adaptations, one in 1982 with Albert Finney and Carol Burnett and another in 2014 with Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhané Wallis in the title role.

The show will be produced by Chloe Productions, with Lear deBessonet serving as director. Alex Rudzinski will oversee the broadcast as “live television director” and executive producer, returning to NBC after most recently helming “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.

Exclusive: Bob Martin, co-writer of the Tony Award-nominated book for Broadway’s The Prom and the upcoming Netflix film adaptation, has signed with Verve for representation in all areas.

Martin, who won a Tony for co-writing (with Don McKellar) the book for Broadway’s The Drowsy Chaperone (2006), has a slate of big-ticket projects coming up, including writing the stage musical adaption of The Princess Bride with Rick Elice and composer David Yazbek for Disney.

With Shawn Levy and composer Alan Menken, Martin is writing the musical stage adaptation of Night at The Museum for producer Kevin McCollum.

And with Rick Elice, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Martin is writing the stage musical adaptation of Smash for producers Bob Greenblatt, Neil Meron and Steven Spielberg.

Also in the offing is a musical adaptation of Millions, based on Danny Boyle’s 2004 film, with composer Adam Guettel for producers Marc Platt and Scott Rudin.

Going from mermaid to monster, ABC this fall will debut Young Frankenstein Live! as its next live musical event, produced by the show’s creator Mel Brooks.

ABC announced the musical event at the TCA Winter Press Tour in Pasadena today.

Based on the 2007 Broadway stage version of the Brooks-Gene Wilder classic 1974 film comedy Young Frankenstein, the live TV musical will will feature music from the stage adaptation composed by Brooks. Cast and airdate were not announced.

ABC’s last big musical event, the hybrid live-action/animated The Little Mermaid Live! was the most-watched made-for-tv musical on any network in nearly four years and ranked as the week’s No. 1 entertainment show, ABC reminds. Auliʻi Cravalho played the iconic Disney princess and Queen Latifah stole the show as Ursula the sea witch.

Broadway’s Young Frankenstein musical, with a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and music and lyrics by Brooks,...

ABC has set Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” as its next live musical, the network announced Wednesday during the Television Critics Association press tour.

Brooks, who wrote and directed the 1974 film as well as the 2007 Broadway adaptation, will produce ABC’s version, titled “Young Frankenstein Live!” It will be based on the Broadway stage version, which Brooks co-wrote with Thomas Meehan (Brooks also wrote the music) and ran from 2007-2009 in the U.S. and 2017-2018 in the U.K.

The live production, which will air in the fall, will feature music from the stage adaptation, originally composed by Brooks. An air date and cast announcement will be made at a later date.

Also Read: Ratings: Pilot Peter Weber's 'Bachelor' Premiere Soars 20% Above Last Year's Start

ABC’s first foray into the live musical space came in November with “The Little Mermaid Live” — though it was only partly live — which...

Broadway's original Annie, Andrea McArdle will reunite with members of the original Broadway at TV cast in The 1977 Annie Christmas Show TV Special Live In Concert, honoring the show's Tony Award winning creator, Martin Charnin, to benefit The Actors Fund. There will be one performance only, at 930 on Monday, December 16th, at The Cutting Room. The 1977 Best Musical and TV iconic TV both special feature lyrics by Martin Charnin, music by Charles Strouse, and book by Thomas Meehan.

With Summer 2018 in full gear, the Los Angeles Philharmonic has something for everyone during its 97th summer season at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring a roster of world-class artists in genres ranging from classical and pops to jazz, rock, and world music, with concerts taking place between June and September 2018.

Movie Geeks all over the world will be especially interested in the movie series!

This weekend Grease is the word. A screening of the beloved Grease Sing-a-Long, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the film is on June 30. Get tickets Here.

John Williams celebrates the 40th anniversary of his first appearance at the Bowl, conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic in many of his greatest moments in movie music.

Films with live orchestra include Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Jaws, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire andThe Pink Panther.

A Sing-a-Long Sound of Music will also return.

While 2017 was filled with so many theatrical highs Ben Platt, The Band's Visit, Spongebob, Bette Midler, etc, it was also a time to say good bye to some of the industry's most beloved artists whose work made the theatre, and our world, a better place. Rob and Kevin sit down with Broadway Royalty, Lee Roy Reams, and reflect on the passing of such legends as Barbara Cook, Mary Tyler Moore, Gemze de Lappe, Thomas Meehan, Liz Smith, Robert Guillame, and so many others.

It's the hard-knock life Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver.

It's the hard-knock life Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver.

It's the hard-knock life Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver. BroadwayWorld visited the company in rehearsal and you can check out photos below...

It's the hard-knock life Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver. BroadwayWorld met the company and you can check out photos below...

It's the hard-knock life Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver. BroadwayWorld visited the company in rehearsal and got to see Christopher Sieber get his head shaved for his role as Daddy Warbucks Check out photos below...

It's the hard-knock life Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver.

It's the hard-knock life Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver. BroadwayWorld visited the company in rehearsal today and got to preview several numbers, see Christopher Sieber get his head shaved for his role as Daddy Warbucks, and chat with the show's stars. Click below to go inside the day...

It's the hard-knock life Paper Mill Playhouse Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has announced today the cast and creative team of the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on Little Orphan Annie, with book by Thomas Meehan, music byCharles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver. Performances begin Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at 700 p.m., for a limited run through Sunday, December 31, 2017, at Paper Mill Playhouse 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, NJ.

The Broadway community mourns the loss of multiple Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan, who passed away on Monday, August 21st at age 88. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in his memory on Wednesday, August 30th, at exactly 745pm for one minute.

This Week Mourning Thomas Meehan, celebrating the great bookwriters of yesterday and today, Michael Jackson wants to be David Merrick, Larry Hart meets Larry Hart, Diane Sawyer snoops around Smile, Ariel wants to go to Disneyland, and the puzzlement of the 1986-1987 Broadway season.

As BroadwayWorld sadly reported yesterday, Thomas Meehan, who is best known for his books of such classics as Annie, The Producers and Hairspray, has passed away at 88 years old.

Writer Thomas Meehan has died at the age of 88, leaving behind generations of theatergoers who have enjoyed his many Broadway musicals, as well as his work on Mel Brooks' iconic Star Wars spoof Spaceballs.

BroadwayWorld is sad to report that Thomas Meehan, who is best known for his books of such classics as Annie, The Producers and Hairspray, passed away yesterday, August 21, 2017. He was 88 years old.

Thomas Meehan, the Tony Award-winning writer of “Annie,” “Hairspray” and “The Producers,” has died at the age of 88. Meehan’s collaborator Martin Charnin confirmed the news to Playbill on Tuesday. “It’s a great loss. It’s incalculable. I have a huge hole in my heart right now,” he said. Meehan holds the distinction of being the only writer to have written three Broadway shows that ran for more than 2,000 performances. He earned Tonys for all three of those works, “Annie” in 1977, “The Producers” in 2001 and “Hairspray” in 2002. Also Read: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2017 (Photos) His other credits include “Young Frankenstein,...

BroadwayWorld is sad to report that Thomas Meehan, who is best known for his books of such classics as Annie, The Producers and Hairspray, passed away yesterday, August 21, 2017. He was 88 years old.

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presentsMel Brooks' award-winning musical The Producers, directed by Don Stephenson and choreographed by Bill Burns. The Producers features music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and the original Broadway direction and choreography by Susan Stroman. The cast just met the press, and BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the full company below...

Today in 1977, Annie opened at the Alvin Theatre now the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 2377 performances. Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical's songs 'Tomorrow' and 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' are among its most popular musical numbers.

Today in 2001, The Producers opened at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 2502 performances. The Producers is a musical adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks' 1968 film of the same name, with lyrics written by Brooks and music composed by Brooks and arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. As in the film, the story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. Starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, it won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. It spawned a successful London production running for three years, national tours, many productions worldwide and a 2005 film version.

Today in 1997, Annie opened at the Martin Beck Theatre now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, where it ran for 239 performances. Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre now the Neil Simon Theatre. It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical's songs 'Tomorrow' and 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' are among its most popular musical numbers.

Today in 2009, Hairspraiy closed at the Neil Simon Theatre after 2,641 performances. Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and 'downtown' rhythm and blues. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show.

Today in 2007, Young Frankenstein opened at the Hilton Theatre now the Lyric Theatre, where it ran for 485 performances. Young Frankenstein is a musical with a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Brooks. It is based on the 1974 comedy film of the same name written by Brooks and Gene Wilder and directed by Brooks, who has described it as his best film. It is a parody of the horror film genre, especially the 1931 Universal Pictures adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and its 1939 sequel, Son of Frankenstein.

Silva Screen Records will release the Original London Cast Soundtrack for Elf on October 23, featuring Ben Forster, Kimberley Walsh, Joe McGann and Jessica Martin. The London premiere of the musical Elf is based on the 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell. Elf features a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, with songs by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. The cast of the London production is led by Below, we are taking you behind the scenes of the cast recording sessions...

Today in 2002, Hairspray opened at the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 2642 performances. Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. Hairspray is a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s.

Mark Harrison Oct 11, 2019

From Men In Black to Free Willy and Jumanji, here's how these '90s movie properties ended up as Saturday morning cartoons.

As wise old Yogurt tells the heroes in Spaceballs, the money is really made in the merchandising of a movie, parodying the revolutionary drive for tie-in products and media that followed George Lucas' savvy handling of Star Wars. Yogurt's prophecy fulfilled itself when the film's writers Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan oversaw a short-lived and underwhelming spin-off, Spaceballs: The Animated Series in 2008.

When the film was originally released in 1987, the writing was already on the wall and one way in which studios could exploit their properties under the banner of an expanded universe was through animated spinoffs aimed at youngsters, with a view to selling toys and cereal based on that property too.

This was especially common with movies released in the 1990s, even...

The Muny is currently presenting Hairspray, winner of the 2003 Tony Award for Best Musical, featuring music byMarc Shaiman amp Scott Wittman with a book by Mark O'Donnell amp Thomas Meehan. The Muny's production of Hairspray is directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges and music directed by Charlie Alterman. Starring as Edna Turnblad is stage and screen vetBryan Batt, who recently sat down the executive producer and artistic director Mike Isaacson and opened up about his career and taking on the role - check out the interview below...

Today in 1977, Annie opened at the Alvin Theatre now the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 2377 performances. Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical's songs 'Tomorrow' and 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' are among its most popular musical numbers.

Today in 2001, The Producers opened at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 2502 performances. The Producers is a musical adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks' 1968 film of the same name, with lyrics written by Brooks and music composed by Brooks and arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. As in the film, the story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. Starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, it won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. It spawned a successful London production running for three years, national tours, many productions worldwide and a 2005 film version.

Today in 1997, Annie opened at the Martin Beck Theatre now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, where it ran for 239 performances. Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre now the Neil Simon Theatre. It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical's songs 'Tomorrow' and 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' are among its most popular musical numbers.

Former Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh has joined the cast of the stage musical adaptation of Elf.

The singer joins Ben Forster, Joe McGann and Jessica Martin in the adaptation of the Will Ferrell Christmas movie, the Daily Mail reports.

Following its seasonal stints in Dublin and Plymouth, the play will have a ten-week run at London's Dominion Theatre.

Previews begin on October 24 before the official opening on November 5.

Written by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), the musical has songs penned by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin.

The original 2003 film tells the tale of Buddy, an orphan who was raised as an elf in the North Pole. Now a man, the childlike Buddy arrives in New York in search of his father, before falling in love with an employee at a Santa's grotto.

The musical version opened on Broadway back in 2010, returning for another run two years later.

A stage musical version of Will Ferrell's 2003 comedy Elf will arrive in London this winter.

The production, which was previously staged in Plymouth and Dublin last year, will begin previews on October 24, before officially opening on November 5.

It will run for 10 weeks in total at the Dominion Theatre in the West End.

Written by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), the musical has songs penned by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin.

The original film tells the tale of Buddy, an orphan who was raised as an elf in the North Pole. Now a man, the childlike Buddy arrives in New York in search of his father, before falling in love with an employee at a Santa's grotto.

The musical version opened on Broadway back in 2010, returning for another run two years later.

Casting for the new London production will be announced in the coming weeks.

Today in 2009, Hairspraiy closed at the Neil Simon Theatre after 2,641 performances. Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and 'downtown' rhythm and blues. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show.

By Anjelica Oswald

Managing Editor

Into the Woods, Disney’s adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Broadway musical, could land an Oscar nomination for its screenplay, which was adapted by Lapine. It may be a stretch for Into the Woods to land in the top five, though. Adapted — or even original — musical screenplays may be discounted for the music in the Oscar race, which might be why few musicals are nominated for adapted or original screenplay. Twelve musicals have been nominated for adapted screenplay since 1929, but 2002’s Chicago was the last musical to do so.

Adapted from Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb’s 1975 musical of the same name, Chicago won six of its 13 nominations, including best picture. It was the first musical since 1968’s Oliver! to win best picture, but its screenplay lost to The Pianist.

Carol Reed’s Oliver! was nominated for 11 Oscars and won five. It...

Tenacious, self-assured, and persistently positive, Annie – the iconic character whose relentlessly optimistic search for a family has inspired generations – comes to the big screen with a contemporary vision in Columbia Pictures’ comedy, Annie. Take the whole family to the advance screening on Saturday, December 13 at 10am in the St. Louis area.

On Monday, December 8th join in on the Annie Holiday Reading Event at the St. Louis County Library Headquaters at 6Pm.

Cindy Collins from Klou-fm (Oldies/Holiday) will be doing the reading and Annie giveaways will be distributed to kids.

For more info: http://www.slcl.org/content/annie-read-today-brighter-tomorrow

Academy Award nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who’s also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they’d be back for her someday,...