HSM at WDW and DCA & More

With the record-setting success of High School Musical, it is no surprise that Disney's park division wants a little piece of that pie as well. A live show based on the original movie will close on both coasts to make way for a brand new one inspired by the sequel. HSM 2 will be performed daily at both Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim and the Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando. And sorry, guys and gals, but Zac Efron will not be in it.

Also at the park that will soon be known as Disney's Hollywood Studios, rumors are swirling around my beloved Great Movie Ride, including the removal of Johnny Weismuller's Tarzan (who does swing both ways) and the replacement of the Alien scene with one from ... The Lord of the Rings ??!! Elsewhere in the Studios, word has it that a Ratatouille-themed coaster (in the style of the Finding Nemo one at Disneyland Paris) may make its home in the newly christened "Pixar Place" area of the park.

Big changes are underway over at Epcot, which will reportedly revert back to its original moniker "EPCOT Center" in the near future. Martin Short is the star of the new Canadian Circlevision film and the "Muppet Mobile Labs" recently made an appearance prior to jetting over to Hong Kong Disneyland. Plus, during the International Food and Wine Festival, guests will be able to enjoy "Beats While You Eat", with such live musical acts as Sheena Easton, Juice Newton and ... the Village People ??!!

In more Disneyland news, Tomorrowland may get yet another makeover, this time themed to Star Wars. And don't forget the park's "unofficial" Gay Days are coming in October.

And finally: Both US Universal Studios theme parks have closed their Back to the Future rides in preparation for the upcoming Simpsons-themed attraction. D'oh!

Links via Screamscape.com, OrlandoSentinel.com, RCDB.com, TheDisneyBlog.com, LaughingPlace.com and GayDaysAnaheim.com.

Back to School

The leaves are changing, signaling the arrival of autumn, which means a return to school for students of all ages.

However, for those of us who's school days are but a distant memory, we are left to await the imminent arrival of High School Musical 2 on DVD (and Blu-ray!) and pray that Zac and Vanessa will return for the big screen sequel.

High School Musical 3 will reportedly show all the events of the East High Wildcats' senior year, such as prom and graduation and ... maybe even the actual high school musical! In the meantime, we can bide our time with our favorite pastime: looking at pictures of Zac Efron! (UPDATE: And here's some more!)

Or if you like your high school movies with more of a retro feel, head over to Moviefone to peruse their list of the best in the genre, topped by Ferris Bueller's Day Off, which may actually be getting that long-rumored sequel after all these years. "Save Ferris" indeed.

Click here to pre-order High School Musical 2on DVD and Blu-ray from Amazon.com.
Links via TVGuideOnline.com, MSNBC.msn.com, DotSpotter.com, Televisionista.blogspot.com, Movies.AOL.com and Blogs.TampaBay.com.

Puttin' on the Ritz

All the scoop on everything from screen to stage:

- Yep, that's the first real look at Shuler Hensley as Young Frankenstein's monster above, with Roger Bart as the good doctor. For more official pics from the Seattle pre-Broadway engagement, including Megan Mullally in a fabulous red dress and Sutton Foster in a shocking blonde wig, head over to Broadway.com.

- Sutton's brother Hunter is keeping it in the family ... the Frankenstein family that is. He will play Dr. F in the Off-Broadway "serious" musical take on the story.

- Film and TV faves are popping up on stages all over the place: former Falcon Crest hunk Lorenzo Lamas is the King of Siam in The King and I, and Law and Order vet S. Epatha Merkerson will try to fill the house slippers of Shirley Booth in a revival of Come Back, Little Sheba.

Following his Tony win for Monty Python's Spamalot, Mike Nichols looks to be making a full-on comeback to Broadway with two star-studded productions in the works: a revival of The Country Girl starring Oscar-winners Morgan Freeman and Frances McDormand and the debut of Farragut North with our guy Jake Gyllenhaal.

- Grease: You're the One That I Want continues to sprout success stories. First, "Ambitious Danny" Chad Doreck will join the Altar Boyz as Matthew.

Austin "Hot Danny" Miller and Kate "Serious Sandy" Rockwell will appear in the musical drama Tully (In No Particular Order).

And my personal favorite Danny, Derek "Wholesome Danny" Keeling is set to co-star in the new musical version of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities with James Barbour. With those two onboard, maybe they should call it A Tale of Two Hotties.

Meanwhile, "Slacker Danny" Max Crumm and "Small Town Sandy" Laura Osnes recently hit the studio to record the new Grease cast album.

- Fresh off the one-night wonder that was the American Idol musical (proof that there is a god) comes news that another Fox TV favorite, Family Guy, is hitting the stage.

- If you didn't get enough of High School Musical from this weekend's Disney Channel blitz for the new sequel (which was excellent, by the by, better then the original), then take a look at Broadway World's look backstage at all the various stage incarnations of the teen phenomenon that just keep coming (High School Musical on Ice, any one?).

- Get a double dose of Xanadu cutie Kerry Butler over at Playbill.com, with a Seth Rudetsky chat and a "brief encounter".

- For more diva darlings, see Broadway.com's interview with Legally Blonde's Laura Bell Bundy and another behind-the-scenes video for Disney's The Little Mermaid.

- Paging would be Inspector Clouseaus: Oscar-winning songwriter Leslie Bricusse is working on a Pink Panther stage musical.

- The new TV movie version of the Tony-winning revival of A Raisin in the Sun will air on ABC the day after the Oscars, while the Tony-winning The History Boys returns to the West End - with a new cast.

- Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on Stage (yes, that's the title) has announced its first American tour.

- And finally: Charles Busch and Julie Halston, together again! The two cult superstars are back onstage in The Lady in Question.

Links via Broadway.com, BroadwayWorld.com and Playbill.com.

The Latest on TV: Zac is Back and More

Notable movies and other programs on TV for Monday August 13 to Sunday August 19:

- MUST-SEE OF THE WEEK: Drama tweens and musical queens alike will be tuning in to The Disney Channel Friday night for the premiere of High School Musical 2. Kenny Ortega returns as director/choreographer, leading his cast, headlined by current "It" boy Zac Efron (pictured) in the sure to be successful next chapter in HSM mania.

For more on the movie, LaughingPlace.com has a complete viewer's guide, Entertainment Weekly gives a behind-the-scenes look and Playbill.com has a full rundown of the weekend's schedule, which includes special sing-along airings and more.

And to get you in the mood a little early, the soundtrack albumgoes on sale Tuesday. (Click the link to pre-order the CD from Amazon.com.)

- AMC will air a couple of interesting documentaries this week: Dial H for Hitchcock on Tuesday and Rated R: Republicans in Hollywood on Friday. The latter seeks to answer the question "could Hollywood be more conservative than we think?"

- Gore Vidal, author of Myra Breckinridge and Caligula, is scheduled to appear on Monday's Henry Rollins Show on IFC.

- Turner Classic Movies continues their "Summer Under the Stars" with a week's worth of star-a-day salutes. Following is my pick for the day's best bet, along with other notable programming.

• Monday - June Allyson: The Opposite Sex. Yep, it's the musical remake of The Women in all its letterboxed glory - plus Joan Collins and Delores Gray!
• Tuesday - Ernest Borgnine: From Here to Eternity.
• Wednesday - Joan Bennett: Father of the Bride.
• Thursday - Elvis Presley: Viva Las Vegas (with a red-hot Ann-Margret).
• Friday - Maureen O'Hara: The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
• Saturday - Spencer Tracy: Inherit the Wind.
• Sunday - Errol Flynn: The Adventures of Robin Hood. Plus: the documentary The Adventures of Erroll Flynn.

Click on the network links to find the show times in your area. All programming is subject to change.

Links via Disney.go.com, Imdb.com, LaughingPlace.com, EW.com, Playbill.com, AMCTV.com, IFC.com and TCM.com.

Smells Like Zac Efron

Disney has always been at the forefront when it comes to merchandising their products. In fact, the famous Mickey Mouse wristwatch was one of the first items ever produced baring the likeness of a movie character.

However, it seems like they are scraping the bottom of the barrel of late. Or maybe that's wine vat.

First came news that Disney would produce an actual brand of wine under the label Ratatouille to tie-in with their current animated hit. Wiser heads prevailed though when someone realized that it might not look so good to have a cartoon rat promoting alcohol (did they learn nothing from Joe Camel?) and the whole deal was scrapped.

Now comes word that Disney is currently test marketing their own brand of cologne for boys. Yep, your own little Johnny can soon smell like Johnny Depp ... as Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean. Other character scents include Cars' Lightning McQueenand Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear.

I am not sure who, regardless of age, would want to smell like a skanky pirate, an automobile or a plastic toy, but I am surprised they didn't think of a High School Musical cologne.

As one can plainly see by the picture of Zac Efron above, I am sure plenty would buy whatever he is selling.

Links via Wikipedia.com, WineSpectator.com, TheDisneyBlog.com and RollingStone.com.

Horray for Hollywood - Disney Style

Well, it finally happened. Finally.

Ever since it opened in 1989, the Disney-MGM Studios has been dogged by rumors of a name change. Such possible names as "The Disney Studios", "Walt Disney Studios" and "The Disney-Pixar Studios" have surfaced over the years, but it turns out to be none of those; ladies and gentlemen, Walt Disney World now presents:

Disney's Hollywood Studios.

As breathlessly explained in the official press release, the new moniker "reflects how the park has grown from representing the golden age of movies to a celebration of the new entertainment that today's Hollywood has to offer -- in music, television, movies and theater".

The change will take effect at the beginning of next year, which will also see the opening of the "Toy Story Mania!" ride and the debuts of a Pixar character parade (transplanted from Disney's California Adventure) and a brand-new High School Musical stage show.

With the word 'Hollywood' now front and center, let us hope that steps will now be taken to remove that enormous eyesore, the Mickey Sorcerer hat, which currently blocks the park's recreation of a legendary true-Hollywood landmark, Grauman's Chinese Theater.

And how much you wanna bet that people are still going to call it "MGM" (which Disney hates) for years to come.

Links via WDWNews.com and Wikipedia.com.

Grease: The One We Didn't Want?

All the latest on new and ongoing productions 'From Screen to Stage':

- The newest revival of Grease has begun previews on Broadway. This is the production that found its Danny and Sandy on a television reality show and, thanks to America, we now have a brunette Sandy (Laura Osnes) and a dorky Danny (Max Crumm). Thanks, America. For opening night pics of the duo, visit Broadway.com.

- Hoping for another Producers, Mel Brooks brings another of his comedy classics to the stage with Young Frankenstein. In addition to Roger Bart, Megan Mullally and Sutton Foster, the tuner stars Wicked's Christopher Fitzgerald as Igor and Tarzan's Shuler Hensley as the Monster. And yes, the new musical will include the classic "Uttin' ona 'Itz" number.

- Mel's won't be the only stage adaptation of the legendary Mary Shelley story to hit New York in the near future: a "more serious" musical retelling of Frankenstein will be available Off-Broadway.

- Record companies are lining up to record the Xanadu cast album. One hitch: they want Cheyenne.

- And if you thought that Xanadu was the only 1980 movie musical bomb to creep its way onto the stage, think again: Can’t Stop the Music: The Musical?

- Want some camp with your cannabis? Then Reefer Madness: The Musical is just for you.

- For more squeaky-clean teen musical fare, you can't get more clean (or squeaky) then Disney's High School Musical, now on the national tour that almost wasn't.

- As if Ashlee Simpson as Roxie Hart wasn't bad enough: In more Chicago stunt casting gone amuck, 22-year-old Kelly Osbourne is the new Matron Mama Morton in the London production. I guess they are just going to ignore the "matron" and "mama" parts.

- More movie-to-musicals madness in the works: Honeymoon in Vegas, Pride & Prejudice, Of Mice and Men and Knute Rockne, All American.
- The long-rumored Broadway revival of West Side Story has jump-kicked its way closer to reality with the announcement that the show's legendary librettist Arthur Laurents is now onboard to helm it.

- Echo Magazine's Neil Cohen has a chat with former Trading Spaces star and current Sweet Charity tour headliner Paige Davis, who spills all the dirt on Doug and Hildy. (The article can be found under "Just a Stage" in the "Previews & Reviews" section.)

- If you're in Atlanta, you can see the newest production of The Wizard of Oz, directed by The Boy from Oz's Philip William McKinley.

- Although we haven't heard much lately about the upcoming movie version, Naked Boys Singing did recently start their ninth year Off-Broadway. (Be sure to check out that last link so that you can check out current star Timothy John Mandala).

- Jeff Goldblum recently starred in The Music Man in his home town of Pittsburgh and made a documentary all about it.

- Original Rent boys Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp (who also starred in the movie version) are now back in the Broadway production, while the West End prepares for the first restaging of the show.

- The first American tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman's Whistle Down the Wind (based on the Hayley Mills movie) is in the works.

- And finally: Who doesn't want to see classic Disney princess songs sung by a bearded adult gay man? Bill McKinley brings his Don’t Tell Walt: An Animated Evening of Adult Music to NYC's Metropolitan Room for two more nights next week. For more information, visit Bill's home page.

Links via Playbill.com, Broadway.com, BroadwayWorld.com, SFBayTimes.com, ChicagoTribune.com, EchoMag.com, NYBlade.com and BillMcKinley.com.

Jedis Invade Disney World and More

In the wake of their annual "Star Wars Weekends", Walt Disney World's Disney-MGM Studios will continue the popular Jedi Training Academy show this fall. (So expect a lot of Jake Lloyds running around with plastic light sabers.) This of course has sparked speculation on a whole new Star Wars themed area (including a jazzed-up new "Star Tours" ride), all the better to combat Universal Orlando's upcoming Harry Potter land.

In other Studios news, the long-rumored renaming of the park may just happen now that Pixar has become part of the Mouse House. Yep, it may become Disney-Pixar Studios. And I'll believe that when I see it.

Speaking of Pixar, the Ratatouille rats are on hand now (and even in the parade) and construction continues on the new "Toy Story Mania!" ride. Naturally, High School Musical is represented in a daily "pep rally" show. And the rumor mill is rumbling about a possible new Indiana Jones attraction to coincide with the upcoming fourth film.

Elsewhere around the world, The Three Caballeros have been added to the Mexican pavilion, while Finding Nemo has taken over the Living Seas, at Epcot. Nemo and friends can also be seen in the stage musical adaptation (from the Avenue Q composers) that plays daily at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Changes at Magic Kingdom may include at least a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed restaurant and possibly more Pirates stuff. And the new "Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club" has opened in Tomorrowland.

On the other side of the country, in Disneyland, Nemo (yeah, him again) has been added to the long-dry docked Submarine Ride. Plus, there a major plans to revitalize Disney's California Adventure, the Anaheim flagship park's much-derided second gate (they are already adding their own "Toy Story Mania!" as well). As that park has a "Hollywood" section (which recently added there own Monsters, Inc. themed-ride), it is safe to assume that we may see more movie-related rides there as well.

And finally, a new musical show based on Toy Story will be added to the Disney Cruise Line. Hmmm, that's an awful lot of Pixar ... maybe the Disney-MGM Studios should be renamed the Pixar-Disney Studios.

Links via OrlandoSentinel.com, UniversalOrlando.com, LaughingPlace.com, WDWNews.com, TheDisneyBlog.com and Disney.go.com.