Keith Kirkwood

The new musical Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, with music, lyrics, and book by Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs, will receive two invitation only industry presentations on Monday, December 8, 2014 at New World Stages (340 W 50th Street) in New York City.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival and J&B Productions present the musical Jane Austen'S PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, a musical - a story of 'First Impressions' and second chances - with music, lyrics and book by Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs, directed by Igor Goldin ('YANK!'), and starring, in the title role of Jane Austen, Donna Lynne Champlin ('Sweeney Todd,' 'Billy Elliot').

'Tale as old as time' nails the complex simplicity of Beauty and the Beast the quintessential story of true love, the most difficult to obtain and sustain. Disney's adaptation of the fairy tale with its sweepingly imaginative spectacle wins over even the hardest of hearts. The animated film was such a tremendous hit in 1991 that it was adapted for the stage in 1994 with new songs by Tim Rice added to the Academy Award-winning movie score originally written by deceased Howard Ashman. It ran worldwide until 2007 and proves undoubtedly that fairy tales retain a popularity that never dies. The current revival tour of Beauty and the Beast, now at the Pantages until March 27, is every bit as glorious, delectable and elegant as the original.

The award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, presented by NETworks, will enjoy its first major Los Angeles engagement in 15 years when it comes to Hollywood's Pantages Theatre for a limited 3 week engagement, March 9 - 26, 2011.

"Tale as old as time.." as the title song so beautifully tells us, but when Beauty and the Beast returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre January 12 - 16, Atlanta audiences are in for something new. The hit Broadway musical has been tweaked and updated and this newly reworked tour is sure to please. Inviting audiences to "Be Our Guest" in this new production is actor Merritt David Janes who plays the fiery Lumiere. We caught up with Merritt and chatted about his career, the updates to the show and what it's like playing a candlestick.

Based on the 1991 hit movie musical masterpiece--the first animated feature film to ever score a Best Picture Oscar® nomination--Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST went on to become a hit stage musical as well, ushering a new, successful theatrical arm for the studio. That original 1994 Broadway production eventually garnered nine Tony Award nominations and played on for more than 5,000 performances before finally closing in 2007. Now revived in a newer, noticeably less extravagant touring production mounted by NETworks Presentations (on stage this week at the Orange County Performing Arts Center through November 21), the show's latest incarnation, despite its lively characters and still memorable music, feels less magical than its more Disney-esque origins.

Tuesday night, hundreds of children were enchanted by the touring production of Beauty and the Beast, now playing at the Durham Performing Arts Center through Sunday, June 13. As I wandered through the lobby before the show and during intermission, I often had to carefully sidestep a tiny Belle in requisite yellow ball gown and tiara. What was most remarkable though was how enchanted the adults were, myself included.

Tuesday night, hundreds of children were enchanted by the touring production of Beauty and the Beast, now playing at the Durham Performing Arts Center through Sunday, June 13. As I wandered through the lobby before the show and during intermission, I often had to carefully sidestep a tiny Belle in requisite yellow ball gown and tiara. What was most remarkable though was how enchanted the adults were, myself included.

After an incredible 13 year run (1994 - 2007), Disney's first Broadway musical hits the road, with the tour beginning right here in Providence, RI.