Newsies (1992) - News Poster

(1992)

News

‘High School Musical’ Turns 15: A Look Back at the Humble Origins of Disney Channel’s Billion-Dollar Franchise

‘High School Musical’ Turns 15: A Look Back at the Humble Origins of Disney Channel’s Billion-Dollar Franchise
In the early aughts, Kenny Ortega had directed a string of “Ally McBeal” and “Gilmore Girls” episodes, but what he really wanted was to return to making movies.

So he asked his agents to keep an eye out for a TV movie, something “under the radar” that would allow him to quietly flex his filmmaking chops as he slid behind the camera for his first feature since 1993’s “Hocus Pocus.”

The script that caught his eye, a Disney Channel Original Movie with the working title “Untitled High School Musical Project,” became a phenomenon despite Ortega’s desire to keep a low-profile.

“High School Musical” was the rare made-for-tv movie that transcended its humble origins and captivated a generation of teens and tweens when it premiered on Jan. 20, 2006. It didn’t just launch the careers Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens (known then as Vanessa Anne Hudgens), Ashley Tisdale and more. It also
See full article at Variety »

‘The Prom’s Nico Greetham Signs With A3 Artists Agency

‘The Prom’s Nico Greetham Signs With A3 Artists Agency
Exclusive: Nico Greetham, most recently seen in Netflix’s The Prom, has signed with A3 Artists Agency for representation.

Greetham portrayed Nick Boomer in the Ryan Murphy-directed The Prom, released earlier this month on Netflix, alongside Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington, James Corden and Andrew Rannells. His other recent film credits, all premiering in 2020, include Adam Rehmeier’s Dinner in America, Nina May’s First Lady and Jonathan Wysocki’s Dramarama.

Greetham was a finalist on the tenth season of Fox’s hit competition series So You Think You Can Dance. After the Sytycd tour ended, Greetham relocated to New York for his Broadway debut, where he played the role of Darcy/Jojo in Disney’s hit Broadway show, Newsies.

Other credits include Power Rangers Ninja Steel, Into the Dark, NCIS, The Thundermans, Glee and General Hospital.

Greetham continues to be repped by Independent Artist Entertainment and Jackoway
See full article at Deadline »

‘Hocus Pocus’ Director Wants the Original Cast Back For Disney Plus Sequel

  • 30 October 2020
  • by Elizabeth Wagmeister
  • Variety
‘Hocus Pocus’ Director Wants the Original Cast Back For Disney Plus Sequel
On Friday night, the stars of “Hocus Pocus” are reuniting for a virtual charity benefit, but will the Sanderson sisters ever return for an actual sequel?

Disney Plus is currently working on a sequel to “Hocus Pocus,” but no casting or storyline details have been announced, as the project remains in development.

“Hocus Pocus 2” will be directed by Adam Shankman, Variety reported earlier this year, but since our report in March, no new developments have come about to the buzzy sequel, which has been in the works for quite some time at the Disney streaming service.

When Shankman came on board to “Hocus Pocus 2,” the original stars — Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy — were not attached to the sequel, though sources, at the time, said Disney is hopeful that the trio would become involved in some capacity, ideally reprising their roles, rather than completely rebooting the 1993 film.
See full article at Variety »

‘Dancing with the Stars’ recap: Who went from zero to hero on ‘Disney Night,’ and who was kicked out of the Mouse House? [Updating Live Blog]

‘Dancing with the Stars’ recap: Who went from zero to hero on ‘Disney Night,’ and who was kicked out of the Mouse House? [Updating Live Blog]
Week three of “Dancing with the Stars” continued one of the show’s longtime traditions: “Disney Night,” in which contestants performed routines inspired by corporate synergy. So who brought the Mouse House down? Scroll down for our live blog with all the minute-by-minute developments as they happen.

SEETyra Banks claps back at ‘Dancing with the Stars’ haters: ‘I messed up,’ but ‘I kept going’

The list of songs and films being showcased include a lot of familiar favorites and some Disney properties less commonly featured on the show. The 14 remaining celebs will dance to the following tunes: “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid” (Monica Aldama), “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King”, “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana” (Kaitlyn Bristowe), “Be Our Guest” from “Beauty and the Beast” (Vernon Davis), “Zero to Hero” from “Hercules” (Anne Heche), “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” (Skai Jackson
See full article at Gold Derby »

10 Things You Didn’t Know about Corey Cott

10 Things You Didn’t Know about Corey Cott
Corey Cott may not have a long list of on screen credits, but he’s got a lot of professional acting experience none the less. He has had a very successful theater career that includes roles on Broadway. He has appeared in several well-known productions including Newsies and Gigi. Now he’s looking to bring the same success he’s had on stage to the small screen with his role on the new Fox series, Filthy Rich. The series focuses on a wealthy southern family and Corey plays one of the main characters, Eric Monreaux. Although the show is just getting started, it’s

10 Things You Didn’t Know about Corey Cott
See full article at TVovermind.com »

Here is the lineup for ‘Dancing with the Stars” Disney Night

Here is the lineup for ‘Dancing with the Stars” Disney Night
It’s the most synergistic time of the year: Disney Night on “Dancing with the Stars!” And don’t worry, Carole Baskin will continue her feline theme with “The Lion King.” Because who didn’t see this coming?

The “Tiger King” star will perform the samba to “Circle of Life” on Monday, so this could be, um, interesting. How many rolls will Pasha Pashkov toss in here? And how will they recreate the iconic opening (because you know they will)?

Two dances will be performed the first time this season: the Charleston by Justina Machado and Sasha Farber, and the Argentine tango by Nev Schulman and Jenna Johnson.

Kaitlyn Bristowe has the rumba, which ought to be slightly easier on her bum ankle.

Most of the Disney movies and songs are well-known classics — and one will definitely make you cry, so get the Kleenex now: “Married Life” from “Up,” to
See full article at Gold Derby »

10 Stars Who Just Need an Emmy to Egot, From Elton John to Stephen Sondheim (Photos)

10 Stars Who Just Need an Emmy to Egot, From Elton John to Stephen Sondheim (Photos)
Henry Fonda, actor (1905-82)

Grammy: Best Spoken Word Album, “Great Documents” (1977)

Oscar: Best Actor, “On Golden Pond” (1981)

Tony: Best Actor, “Mister Roberts” (1948); Best Actor, “Clarence Darrow” (1975)

Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist and producer (1895-1960)

Grammy: Best Original Cast Album, “The Sound of Music” (1960)

Oscar: Best Original Song, “The Last Time I Saw Paris” from “Lady Be Good” (1941); “It Might As Well Be Spring” from “State Fair” (1945)

Tony: Three awards for “South Pacific” (1950); Best Musical, “The King and I” (1952); Best Musical, “The Sound of Music” (1960)

Elton John

Grammy: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, “That’s What Friends Are For” (1986); Best Instrumental Composition, “Basque” (1991); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (1994); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, “Candle in the Wind” (1997); Best Show Album, “Aida” (2000)

Oscar: Best Original Son, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King” (1994)

Tony: Best Score, “Aida” (2000)

John Legend, songwriter and
See full article at The Wrap »

After His Success With ‘High School Musical’ & ‘The Descendants,’ Kenny Ortega Hopes to Strike Again at Netflix

  • 10 September 2020
  • by Elizabeth Wagmeister
  • Variety
After His Success With ‘High School Musical’ & ‘The Descendants,’ Kenny Ortega Hopes to Strike Again at Netflix
Before the pandemic, Kenny Ortega was hard at work on a new series about a teenage girl who rediscovers her passion for music when she starts a band with three ghosts from the past. As Ortega was reviewing a scene, something struck him as oddly familiar.

“For years and years and years, people have been asking why I’m not doing a ‘Hocus Pocus’ sequel,” Ortega says, referring to his cult classic film that starred Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. “I think Bette and Kathy and Sarah and I have all asked that question and wondered ourselves. And while I was in post-production before the quarantine, I was looking at the monitor at ‘Julie and the Phantoms,’ and I thought, ‘Oh, my God, this has a little bit of ‘Hocus Pocus’ running through it.”

With musical dance numbers, humor, larger-than-life fantastical storylines and, yes, ghosts, “Julie and the Phantoms
See full article at Variety »

Kenny Ortega Signs With A3 Artists Agency

Kenny Ortega Signs With A3 Artists Agency
Exclusive: Kenny Ortega, the prolific director, choreographer and producer known for the Disney Channel’s High School Musical franchise, has signed with A3 Artists Agency.

This marks the second highest-profile long-time Paradigm lit client to sign with A3, which last month brought in four former Paradigm agents to reestablish a literary division, led by Andy Patman and Adam Kanter, Co-Heads of Television Content and Motion Pictures, respectively. He joins Desperate Housewives and Women Who Kill creator Marc Cherry who moved to A3 earlier this month.

Ortega earned a Primetime Emmy for choreography and a DGA Award for his work on High School Musical. High School Musical 2 drew over 17 million viewers when it premiered on Disney Channel, making it the most watched program in cable telecast history. He also is executive producer for the film’s soundtracks. Disney’s High School Musical 3, which made the leap from television to the big screen,
See full article at Deadline »

Alan Menken’s Egot Status Caps Off Winning Career as Composer and Songwriter

Alan Menken’s Egot Status Caps Off Winning Career as Composer and Songwriter
On July 26, composer and songwriter Alan Menken officially became an Egot — joining 16 others in achieving the rare distinction of having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award — via his Daytime Emmy for outstanding original song in a children’s, young adult, or animated program for “Waiting in the Wings” from Disney’s “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.”

Joining the likes of John Legend, Marvin Hamlish and Robert Lopez in the honor, Menken spoke with Variety on the heels of his historic moment.

So… how does it feel to be an Egot?

I didn’t take it on as a life goal, but I have to admit that since it didn’t happen after a few times, I thought it wasn’t important. When it finally happened and I got the call saying I had finally won, I was surprised at how excited I was. On some deep level, it certainly does mean something to me.
See full article at Variety »

Composer Alan Menken Achieves Egot Status After Daytime Emmy Win

Composer Alan Menken Achieves Egot Status After Daytime Emmy Win
Alan Menken became the latest recipient of Egot status following his Daytime Emmy win on Sunday, July 26. Menken, who has eight Oscars, 11 Grammys and one Tony Award, took home the Daytime Emmy for outstanding original song in a children’s, young adult or animated program. Menken, pictured with Celine Dion at the “Beauty and the Beast” premiere in 2017, composed “Waiting in the Wings” for “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.”

His win makes him the 16th person to achieve Egot status — winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award. He joins the elite group of winners alongside John Legend, Tim Rice, Rita Moreno, Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brooks, Mike Nichols, Whoopi Goldberg, Helen Hayes, Marvin Hamlisch, Mike Nichols, Robert Lopez, Richard Rogers, John Gielgud, Jonathan Tunick and Scott Rudin.

Menken scored “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Enchanted,” “Pocahontas” and “Tangled” and many other Disney classics,
See full article at Variety »

Composer Alan Menken Wins the Egot, ‘Sesame Street’ Wins the Most Daytime Emmys

Composer Alan Menken Wins the Egot, ‘Sesame Street’ Wins the Most Daytime Emmys
“Sesame Street” was the big winner at Sunday night’s Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony devoted to children’s, lifestyle and animation categories. The long-running series, which now airs on HBO, won three awards, including Outstanding Preschool Children’s Series, and took another three for “Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.”

Songwriter and composer Alan Menken won in the Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program for the song “Waiting in the Wings” from Disney Channel’s “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures.” Menken previously won eight Oscars for the music for Disney movies, 11 Grammys for his movie music and a Tony for “Newsies” — so the Emmy makes Menken the 16th person to win the Emmy-Grammy-Oscar-Tony grand slam known as the Egot.

Previously, Menken had won a noncompetitive Emmy for his work on the 1990 antidrug special “Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue,” which had put him in a class
See full article at The Wrap »

Alan Menken is 16th person to achieve Egot with his Daytime Emmy win for ‘Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure’

Alan Menken is 16th person to achieve Egot with his Daytime Emmy win for ‘Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure’
Alan Menken and Glenn Slater just won Best Original Song for a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program at the 2020 Daytime Emmys for composing the tune “Waiting in the Wings” for “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure” on the Disney Channel. That finally completes Menken’s Egot grand slam as he had previously won at the Grammys, Oscars and Tonys. Check out the complete list of Daytime Emmy winners here.

SEE2020 Daytime Emmy winners: Full list of nominees and winners in all categories

Menken received his Got awards a while ago. He has claimed a whopping eight Oscars, making him the second biggest winner ever at those kudos for music, behind nine-time champ Alfred Newman. The first of those was 30 years ago when he took home Best Original Song (“Under the Sea”) and Best Original Score for “The Little Mermaid” (1989). That Disney classic also won him the first of his 11 Grammys: Best
See full article at Gold Derby »

Get Your Live Theater Fix By Streaming These Broadway Shows

Get Your Live Theater Fix By Streaming These Broadway Shows
Who else misses seeing live theater?

Whether it's a musical or a one-man play, there's always something magical about seeing a Broadway show.

When you can't go to the theater, you can make the theater come to you by streaming these Broadway shows.

Let's start with the biggest Broadway sensation in recent years -- Hamilton: An American Musical. Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical chronicle of the life of Alexander Hamilton aka "the ten-dollar founding father" is streaming on Disney+.

What's left to be said that hasn't already been said about this masterpiece. The story is captivating. The songs are so good you're glad they're not leaving your brain anytime soon.

Streaming provides the bonus of seeing the original Broadway cast perform.

Hamilton is as much must-see for TV fans as it is for theater fans. It's the answer to many TV riddles such as why is Dr. Richard Webber a Hercules
See full article at TVfanatic »

Director Kenny Ortega on the Queer Aesthetic of His Movies From ‘Hocus Pocus’ to ‘High School Musical’

Director Kenny Ortega on the Queer Aesthetic of His Movies From ‘Hocus Pocus’ to ‘High School Musical’
Yes, there’s John Waters, Gus Van Sant, Pedro Almodovar, Lee Daniels, Gregg Araki, Kimberly Peirce, Lisa Cholodenko and Dee Rees. But there’s at least one other director who deserves to be included in that group of barrier-breaking LGBTQ filmmakers: Kenny Ortega.

Ortega, one of this year’s honorees on Variety’s Power of Pride list, made movies that queer kids could relate to, even if they didn’t know they were queer when they were watching them.

In 1992’s “Newsies,” Ortega discovered Christian Bale as a young actor, casting him as the star of Disney’s live-action musical about singing Manhattan newspaper delivery boys during the newsboys’ strike of 1899. The movie was so far ahead of its time that — despite soft box office receipts — it inspired a hit Broadway musical two decades later. Ortega next engineered the 1993 cult family comedy “Hocus Pocus,” with Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker
See full article at Variety »

Alan Menken will be the 16th person to Egot if he wins Daytime Emmy for ‘Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure’

Alan Menken will be the 16th person to Egot if he wins Daytime Emmy for ‘Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure’
Composer Alan Menken is nominated for Best Original Song for a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program at the 2020 Daytime Emmys for penning “Waiting in the Wings” from “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure” on the Disney Channel. If he wins, he’ll finally complete his Egot grand slam as he has already won at the Grammys, Oscars and Tonys.

Menken got his Got a while ago. He has won a remarkable eight Oscars, which makes him the second most awarded person at those kudos for music, behind nine-time champ Alfred Newman. The first of those came 30 years ago when he won Best Original Song (“Under the Sea”) and Best Original Score for “The Little Mermaid” (1989). That animated film also won him the first of his 11 career Grammys: Best Recording for Children and Best Visual Media Song (also for “Under the Sea”) in 1991.

SEE2020 Daytime Emmy nominations list: Full list of 47th
See full article at Gold Derby »

Alan Menken to Write Music and Score for Skydance Animation’s ‘Spellbound’

Alan Menken to Write Music and Score for Skydance Animation’s ‘Spellbound’
Skydance Animation has nabbed one of the biggest names in family entertainment to compose the music and score for an upcoming feature. Alan Menken, best-known for creating such classic songs as “Under the Sea” and “Be Our Guest,” will bring his melodic talents to “Spellbound.” The film, which will likely be re-titled, centers on a young girl who must break a spell that has split her kingdom in two.

Menken’s list of credits includes “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Enchanted,” “Pocahontas” and “Tangled”… or basically every movie from Disney’s animation renaissance. He cooked up the music for “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Newsies,” two live-action favorites, for good measure.

Menken’s hire is welcome news for Skydance Animation, which has been the subject of controversy since it tapped John Lasseter in 2019 to head the division alongside Holly Edwards. Lasseter is
See full article at Variety »

Disney Legend Alan Menken Will Compose Music for Skydance Animation’s ‘Spellbound’

Disney Legend Alan Menken Will Compose Music for Skydance Animation’s ‘Spellbound’
Alan Menken, the eight time Academy Award-winning composer of films such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid,” will compose original music and the score for Skydance Animation’s upcoming feature “Spellbound.”

The film, which is being directed by Vicky Jenson from a script by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin (“Mulan”) and Linda Woolverton, is set in a world of magic where a young girl must break the spell that has split her kingdom in two. “Spellbound” is the animated feature’s working title.

Menken’s legendary career, spanning more than four decades, includes award-winning work on “Aladdin,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Pocahontas,” “Newsies,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Hercules,” “Enchanted” and “Tangled.” Menken has also won more Oscars than any other composer.

Also Read: Skydance Animation's Production Head Holly Edwards Promoted to President

He will compose music alongside Grammy winner Glenn Slater, who will write lyrics. The two
See full article at The Wrap »

Alan Menken To Compose Music & Score For Skydance Animation’s ‘Spellbound’

Alan Menken To Compose Music & Score For Skydance Animation’s ‘Spellbound’
Eight-time Oscar winning composer and lyricist Alan Menken is set to pen the music and score to Skydance Animation’s upcoming musical fantasy Spellbound.

Menken will team with lyricist and frequent collaborator Glenn Slater and music producer Chris Montan.

Directed by Vicky Jenson and written by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin (Mulan) and Linda Woolverton, Spellbound follows a young girl who must break the spell that has split her kingdom in two.

Menken is known for his award-winning work on Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Little Shop of Horrors, Pocahontas, Newsies, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Enchanted and Tangled. His work also includes the onstage musicals Little Shop of Horrors, A Christmas Carol, A Bronx Tale and Sister Act as well as adaptations of his film work including Newsies.

“Alan Menken’s music defines a
See full article at Deadline »

Watch Alan Menken Perform a Medley of His Disney Hits for ‘Rosie O’Donnell Show’ Benefit (Video)

Watch Alan Menken Perform a Medley of His Disney Hits for ‘Rosie O’Donnell Show’ Benefit (Video)
Beloved composer Alan Menken was one of many celebrities who joined Rosie O’Donnell on Sunday for the one-night-only return of “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” a benefit to raise money for The Actors Fund to provide relief for members of the entertainment industry affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The benefit raised $600,000 for the fund and is still accepting donations.

And Menken’s offering to those who tuned in to the special — recorded remotely by O’Donnell and her guests, who are all on lockdown in different locations due to the Covid-19 outbreak — was a delightful medley of some of his classic Disney songs, along with a little bit of “Little Shop of Horrors” thrown in for good measure.

You can watch Menken’s performance via the video above, in which he plays bits of “Under the Sea” from “The Little Mermaid,” “Be Our Guest” from “Beauty and the Beast,” “Suddenly Seymour” from “Little Shop of Horrors,
See full article at The Wrap »
An error has occured. Please try again.

IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.

See also

Showtimes | External Sites


Clear your history

Recently Viewed