The first ever autism-friendly performance in Broadway history, presented by Theatre Development Fund’s Accessibility Programs, was held at Disney’s The Lion King Oct. 2 at the Minskoff Theatre.
For the newly created Autism Theatre Initiative, TDF worked with an advisory panel of experts in the field of autism, and in order to create an “autism-friendly” Lion King, performed in a friendly, supportive environment. Slight adjustments to the production included reduction of any jarring sounds or strobe lights focused into the audience. Also, in the theatre lobby area, there were designated quiet areas, staffed with autism experts, if anyone needed to leave his or her seats during the performance.
Here, NBC Nightly News goes behind-the-scenes at the Oct. 2 performance. Anne Thompson talked to parents who thought they would never be able to take their autistic child to a Broadway show.
To check out the scene at the autism-friendly performance, look below: (more…)
Broadway in Bryant Park, the annual free concert series now in its 11th year, features performances from the stars of Broadway and Off-Broadway Thursdays throughout the summer from 12:30 PM-1:30 PM. The fifth concert of the series was held Aug. 4 with performances from Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Rent, Wicked and Death Takes a Holiday.
Sponsored by Bank of America and Clean Air NY, the event is hosted by 106.7 Lite fm’s on-air personalities and continues through Aug. 11.
The Aug. 4 performance featured “Circle of Life” from The Lion King; “Shimmy Like They Do In Paree” from Death Takes a Holiday; “Who Loves You” from Jersey Boys; “Take Me or Leave Me” from Rent; and “Popular” and “As Long as Your Mine” from Wicked, among others.
In case you missed the latest free concert in Bryant Park, Playbill.com has highlights from the performances and chats with the stars and audience members at the event.
To watch highlights from Broadway in Bryant Park, look below: (more…)
Grammy Award-winning singer Alicia Keys has nominated the late Shannon Tavarez, the young Lion King star who passed away from leukemia Nov. 1, for Time magazine’s prestigious 2010 Person of the Year Award.
Keys, who was asked as a previous Time 100 honoree to submit a Person of the Year nomination, said in a statement on Time’s website, “I remember Skyping with [Shannon]; her spirit was so bright and brilliant! We sang for each other. Scientists believe a cure [for leukemia] is possible. We need to support them in every way, so a candle like Shannon can keep burning on.”
Tavarez was performing as Young Nala in The Lion King in rotation with another actress when she was diagnosed with leukemia in April. Her story inspired thousands of registrations for bone marrow donations both before and after her untimely death.
Pantages Theatre Playbills from the touring productions of Wicked and The Lion King were among the items interred in a time capsule commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, according to the New York Daily News.
A burial ceremony took place Oct. 28 in Hollywood, with the actual internment taking place Oct. 29.
Former “The Price is Right” host Bob Barker and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Leron Gubler presided over the ceremony, at which more than 50 items were placed in the time capsule. They included a framed, autographed picture of Joanne Woodward, one of the first recipients of a Walk of Fame star and the first to pose for a picture beside it; a piece of Elvis Presley’s star encased in Lucite; various DVD’s of films and Oscar and Emmy memorabilia; a script of “Casablanca”; a replica of the Capitol Records building; and greetings from various star recipients, including Barker, who added a note containing his well-known warning, “Have your pet spayed or neutered.”
A special ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the Walk of Fame’s construction in 1960, although final construction did not actually take place until 1961. The stars, placed on the sidewalk extending along Hollywood Boulevard, pay tribute to actors, directors and other personalities for their work in film, television, theatre and music.
The time capsule is scheduled to be opened in 2060.
