Broadway Asia Entertainment

Tuesday, December 11, 2007; Posted: 11:44 AM - by BWW News Desk

Douglas Carter Beane has written the book for Xanadu based on the film of the same name. The score, by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, includes the hits, "Magic," "Xanadu," "All Over the World" and "I'm Alive" -- all top 20 Billboard hits. Lynne wrote and produced all of the music of Electric Light Orchestra ( E.L.O). Farrar was also responsible for most of the hits that were performed by Olivia Newton-John in the 1970's. Christopher Ashley directs with choreography by Dan Knechtges.

"Taking audiences back to 1980 California, this hilarious new musical follows the beautiful Kira, who travels to earth to inspire a struggling young artist named Sonny. A vision in leg warmers and wind- swept hair, she helps this hunky painter find his voice, discover true love and build the world's first roller disco (not necessarily in that order)," explain press notes.

The Broadway production of Xanadu is produced by Robert Ahrens , Tara Smith, B. Swibel, Cari Smulyan , Dan Vickery, Sara Murchison and Dale Smith. For tickets and more information www.xanaduonbroadway.com

42nd Street Featured on Shanghaiist.com!http://shanghaiist.com/2007/11/29/sexy_beijing_me.php

42nd Street Audience Testimonial!

TONY AWARD WINNER LEA SALONGA

MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES

TICKETS ON SALE DECEMBER 5 AT NOON !

MANILA , PHILIPPINES , DECEMBER 1, 2007 – Beloved Filipino star Lea Salonga returns to the Philippines this summer to star in title role of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s timeless rags to riches story, CINDERELLA.

Tickets go on sale for this premier engagement on DECEMBER 5 at NOON and are available at all Ticketworld outlets, via the website at www.ticketworld.com.ph or by calling the Ticketworld Head Office at 891.9999. The show plays at the Cultural Center of the Philippines July 29, 2008 and runs through August 24, 2008 .

The Tony Award winning Salonga created the starring role in MISS SAIGON both in London ’ s West End and on Broadway, and garnered international recognition not only for her Broadway appearances but for creating the singing voices for Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Mulan in Mulan for Disney’s films. Salonga recently completed her appearance on Broadway as Fantine in the Broadway revival of LES MISERABLE.

The Philippines engagement launches a 30 week Asian tour of CINDERELLA produced by Broadway Asia Entertainment. The Philippines engagement is produced in association with Amable Aguiluz V and Amable Aguiluz IX, AMA Group of Companies. The production will feature a Broadway caliber cast and design team including direction by Philippines native Bobby Garcia and costume design by couture fashion designer Renato Balestra, whose extensive collection includes several commissions for the first ladies of the Philippines . Set design will be by Tony Award Winner David Gallo and lighting design by famed Broadway designer Howell Binkley. Rodgers and Hammerstein, arguably the most famous Broadway composer/lyricist team, created a sophisticated world where the impossible can happen, and every young princess-to-be can imagine Prince Charming waiting in the wings. Garcia will supervise an all-new version of this enchanting story aimed at both the adult and family audience. Garcia has directed Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, BAE’s production of THE KING AND I and recently, AVENUE Q in the Philippines . Garcia’s CINDERELLA will feature elaborate sets, costumes, and magical effects synonymous with a large Broadway production.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA is one of the most famous productions in the history of musical entertainment, premiering to the largest television audience in history. It joins the ranks of Broadway Asia Entertainment’s impressive line of touring shows throughout Asia, including THE KING AND I; SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS LIVE!; 42ND STREET; I LOVE YOU, YOU ’ RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE and the upcoming encore tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

Emmy-award winning CINDERELLA features the classic songs “Ten Minutes Ago,” “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful,” “Impossible” and “A Lovely Night,” among many others. The Associated Press called CINDERELLA “a thorough, total delight, full to overflowing with magic and romance.” The New York Times said “What a revelation it is to reconnect with Mr. Rodgers’s beautifully shaped melodies and with the witty, sophisticated lyrics of Mr. Hammerstein,” and “Even those who have no transportation as lavish as Cinderella’s are likely to leave this show smiling.”

Broadway Asia Entertainment with offices in New York and Shanghai , is the largest producer of Broadway musicals in Asia , and its founders are the most active commercial producers in the world as well as the largest touring operation throughout the Asia Pacific region. Current and upcoming productions include: 42ND STREET , I LOVE YOU, YOU ’ RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE (Mandarin language), THE KING AND I, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS LIVE: THE SPONGE WHO COULD FLY! based on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon (English and Mandarin language), THE SOUND OF MUSIC and THE FANTASTICKS. BAE’s founders produce the new Mel Brooks musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN; THE PRODUCERS, winner of 12 Tony Awards, the most in Broadway history; HAIRSPRAY, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical; STOMP, the international sensation performing in New York for over 13 years; COOKIN ’ which has toured over 40 countries and many other award winning shows in London, on Broadway, on tour in the US and UK, and in Las Vegas. BAE co-producers on their Asian touring productions include The Really Useful Group, Nickelodeon Theatricals, Troika Entertainment, Networks Productions and Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre.

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT:

Selected major National Book Store branches; Selected major Robinsons Department Stores Ayala Malls – Greenbelt 1 / Glorietta 1; TicketWorld Office; TicketWorld web site www.ticketworld.com.ph Ticket Prices: P500 – P7,000 Call 891-9999 for inquiries and reservations.

Young People in Shanghai Love Musicals

China has a burgeoning market for musicals and there are many people who show a talent for musicals. Broadway Asia Entertainment will surely find many musical talents in China and give them a chance to perform in world musical stage in future, said Zha Wei, event organizer in Shanghai.

From Lés Miserables to Mamma Mia, from musical comedy I Love You to authentic French musical Le Petit Prince, it seems that watching musicals has become a trendy thing to do for young people in Shanghai.

If you walk on the street and happen to ask several fashionably dressed young people what is the hottest word in Shanghai now, they will give you the same answer: "That's Mamma Mia!"

On July 6, Mamma Mia, the hottest play that now sweeps the global musical world, made its debut in Shanghai. The play soon aroused Shanghai people's enthusiasm for musicals. The organizer of the event said that on Aug 2 Mamma Mia would be staged in the city for the last day. From the very first day when the play was staged in Shanghai, the phone for booking the tickets had kept ringing. Last week, all the tickets for the show were sold out. It can be told for sure now that the one-month performance will be profitable.

This year, many musicals were staged in Shanghai, including the hit 42nd Street produced by Broadway Asia Entertainment, Troikasia and Nederlander New Century. Many were considered as famous in musical circle. The box offices for these musical shows were extremely good.

(Chinanews.com August 4, 2007)