It’s been nearly 20 years since we first fell in love with The Lion King, and Disney fans still can’t get enough of this Shakespearean tale adapted to the African jungle. While the animation of the original 1994 cartoon feature was stunning, let’s be honest, the music and the emotional storyline is what truly made The Lion King special.

You might even say that The Lion King is simply too good to waste on direct to video animation–as the disappointing follow ups The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride and The Lion King 1 1/2 showed us. No wonder then that Disney allowed their best fairy tale to be adapted into a stage musical on Broadway!

Everything you loved about the original Lion King mythology is recreated for the stage show. The classic songs, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, are back along with some additional music by South African composter Lebo M. If you loved the epic nature of “The Circle of Life” then you are sure to love the Lebo M’s masterworks like “He Lives In You” and “The Lioness Haunt.” The storyline remains true to the original work, recreating the three act-formula of the movie without much leeway for change. However, there are some interesting details in the new script; Rafiki the baboon is now a female monkey, and there is also a lengthy subplot involving the evil Scar and Nala, Simba’s love interest.

Wait a minute…how does the stage production of The Lion King manage to create animated characters in a real world minimalistic setting? Well, it’s not really minimalistic…the sets and the costumes are truly out of this world, as they blend together actors in animal costumes as well as giant puppetry devices. It’s an amazing vision of The Lion King and one of the most imaginative productions you will ever see.

This is truly one production where lead billing doesn’t matter, as it is fairly difficult to mess up such an archetypical role as a good lion and an evil lion. The choreography is truly the standout, just as Disney once transcended animation with the original film. This Tony Award-winning musical is appropriate for all ages and is just as entertaining for children as it is for adults.

Get your Lion King Musical tickets at StubPass.com today.

It would surprise no one to hear that Trey Parker and Matt Stone (the creators of South Park) have done something shocking. However, the fact that they have created a sympathetic portrayal of Mormons in their new Broadway play The Book of Mormon is something South Park fans might be shocked to discover.

Though the musical play is definitely a tongue-and-cheek criticism of Mormonism and all mainstream Christian religions, the production has high production values, brilliant musical composition thanks to Parker and Stone’s collaboration with Robert Lopez of Avenue Q (the one with all the swearing puppets), and a mainstream pathos that even non-South Park followers can appreciate.

The play tells the story of two young Mormon missionaries who travel to Uganda to help poverty-stricken and oppressed locals, armed with only scriptures and positive thinking. You might think that the play is a one-note joke in the same spirit as the “All About Mormons” episode of South Park. However, the play has received critical acclaim, as well as 14 Tony Award nominations.

To anyone who has followed the careers of Parker and Stone and has noticed their gradual Mormon fixation (multiple references abound in their TV shows and films), this is a must-see production. Parker and Stone have admitted to being well acquainted with the religion back in Colorado, Parker even having dated a Mormon woman who allegedly broke his heart. It might also surprise Parker fans to know that he studied music prior to the South Park phenomenon, which explains his knack for catchy lyrics.

The team’s efforts in The Book of Mormon are far from cheap paper cutouts and political vulgarisms. In The Book of Mormon, the real life Stan and Kyle get downright philosophical without ever losing their comic edge. With numbers like “All American Prophet”, “Joseph Smith American Moses”, and “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream” serenading you throughout the evening, this production is sure to be an innovative comedy experience! What do you say…have you seen The Book of Mormon yet?

Get your Book of Mormon Tickets today.

Until very recently, the character of Spiderman in the upcoming musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark  was not supposed to sing at all. Developments of late, however, suggest that there may be some last minute changes to the score, the scenes, and the musical play altogether. Reeve Carney, lead singer of the rock band Carney, has been cast as the webbed crusader, and this has begun a bit of speculation as to the future of the show. Hiring a professional singer to play the role of a non-musical character doesn’t seem to make too much sense. We do love surprise and intrigue, though, so this is most likely one of those good last minute changes.

As the Green Goblin, Alan Cumming has cast and appears to be looking forward to revitalizing yet another Marvel piece. The live stage is far different from the world of films, but this doesn’t seem to phase the seasoned action star, who is set to begin preproduction and rehearsals with the rest of the crew very shortly. Back in August of 2009, a few delays held up the planning and the actually launching of the endeavor, the casting elements undoubtedly having something to do with this.

Miss Mary Jane Watson will be played on the live stage by Evan Rachel Wood, a knock out actress with very little action or stage experience under her petite little belt. What she does have, however, are loads of presence, appeal, beauty, and talent, all of which producers hope will help us to fall in love with our beloved Spiderman’s girl. Then musical revival of Spiderman is set to hit the stage in 2010, and StubPass.com will keep you posted on all developments and news regarding this highly anticipated event.

See the Spiderman Musical Schedule and puchase your tickets online today!

David Hughes directs this two character play, acted from the controversial script by Pulitzer Prize winning play write David Mamet. Its first release happened off-Broadway, and coincided with the very public and disturbing Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill sexual harassment trials. This seemed not only to take away from the pungency and validity of the material covered in the play, but turned people off of seeing the play altogether. There was enough of the real life drama on the news to choke a horse with.

This 1992 release, therefore, did little to impress the public, though the play revived nicely during the test performances of September and October of this year, when the theater was seeing top figures and full seats at each screening of the play. Some critics have credited this to the big names who have captured the characters on the stage, namely Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles.

Oleanna touches on the subject of sexual harassment in a reverse theme, where the young, ill-mannered vixen tries to take control over the older man, a professor. Critics have proven to either completely shun it our embrace it open mind and heart, but when was the last time that we really cared about what a critic had to say? They hated CATS when it launched as well, and I think we all know where that went.

The running time for Oleanna, playing at the John Golden Theater on West 45th Street, is said to be one hour and 15 minutes, with no intermission. The play is said to be provocative and controversial, with a minimum of 5 shows scheduled per week. For up to date information about all of your favorite shows, events, performers, and sports, as well as for secure online ticket sales and bookings, please visit StubPass.com with all of your questions.

You must see this performance, StubPass has Cheap Oleanna Tickets onsale now!

Broadway is one of the most visited and revered places on the face of the earth, and its shows and productions seem to catch on so fiercely that they wind up out on tour for years, or with permanent homes in countries overseas. The sheer excitement and grandeur of the Broadway experience is something that everybody should make themselves privy to at least once in their lifetime, and there really is no such thing as a bad show when you factor in the atmosphere and the tradition which have made these venues and shows such a timeless and beloved custom in America.

If you are a musical kind of person, or even if you don’t think you are, the following are a few of the most popular and well-received productions on Broadway today: there is Lion King the Musical, Wicked, Billy Elliot, Chicago, In the Heights, Mama Mia!, Mary Poppins, Shrek the Musical, The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, and South Pacific, just to name a few. Lion King the Musical and Wicked are currently slated as the most in-demand productions of this season, and the more prominent classics such as South Pacific and Chicago are always a special treat.

For those who would rather focus on the art of screen play acting and basic movement of storyline, the plays on Broadway are second to none in the world. The most awaited and limited play this year is the much-acclaimed A Steady Rain starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig, which is reportedly running very few performances. Some of the other classics being performed this season include Burn the Floor, God of Carnage, The 39 Steps, and Hamlet starring Jude Law.

For consistent updates and scheduling information as well as secure online ticket sales please visit StubPass.com regularly.

This classic tale was first published as a book, then was animated in 1961, and soon became one of the most beloved dog-advocate stories of this century. The Dalmatian was originally bred over three centuries ago as a fearless, tireless, and ever loyal canine member of fire, police, and militia groups who needed accompaniment through turmoil and social unrest.

As the years sped past and the world begun to realize that fires could actually be extinguished by hauling water to the spot of the smoke, the Dalmatian became just the rescue and alarm dog that the world needed. Ms Cruella, however, developed different ideas for the striking, telltale coat of this faithful service dog, according to Dodie Smith, and begun stealing them in order to make stylish rugs and coats. We despised Cruella some 48 years ago as an animated tyrant, and Ms. Rachel York is really working hard to ensure that we despise her just as much for the next 40.

The stage production of 101 Dalmatians the Musical is set to kick off during mid October in Minneapolis, we are given the fourth take on this beloved tale by Tony award winning writer and director Jerry Zaks. In this stage performance, humans will be cast as the main Dalmatian characters, while rescued Dalmatians of the canine variety are offered walk on and fill in roles as part of the show.

This dog’s-eye-view of 101 Dalmatians has got the country buzzing with excitement, and all signs point to immediate and astounding success. We may even be able to prompt a few more venues, if all goes well. For 101 Dalmatians tickets, secure purchases, and up to date information and scheduling quotes on the show, please feel free to visit StubPass.com