LOS ANGELES -- With Ragtime just having closed at the Shubert Theatre, members of the L.A. theatre community are wondering what's next at the Westside's biggest theatre.

Writing in the Los Angeles Times, theatre editor Don Shirley cited a rumor that Chicago might move to the Shubert after its May 6-July 5 run at the Ahmanson Theatre, but co-producer Barry Weissler said that a decision has not yet been made.

"To many observers, the most logical candidate to be the next long-term tenant of the Shubert would be The Lion King," said Shirley. "A mega-hit on Broadway, it's produced by Walt Disney Theatrical Productions based in Burbank, which also produced the Shubert show just before Ragtime, Beauty and the Beast ."

But Disney Theatrical President Peter Schneider said "we have no plans as of now. We're taking our time. We'll have a much slower roll-out, as opposed to Ragtime and Rent."

A key factor is the availability of the show's director, Julie Taymor, said Schneider. "But even so we'll probably announce our international plans first." -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent