From Oscar, Sita, Scout, and the countless wild creatures we share this planet with, thank you! Disneynature is making a difference. With every ticket purchased for Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom opening week (4/17 – 4/23), Disney will donate to benefit Conservation International to help benefit monkeys and other endangered species in their natural habitat.
Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in “Monkey Kingdom,” Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colorful personalities—and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya’s whole family retreats, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to uncover untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings. Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future.
Featuring a rich variety of characters, including a mischievous mongoose, simple-minded langur monkeys, predatory leopards and monitor lizards, “Monkey Kingdom” is narrated by Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), directed by Mark Linfield (“Chimpanzee,” “Earth”) and co-directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Chimpanzee,” “Bears”). With music from award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams (“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “Shrek” movies), Disneynature’s eighth True Life Adventure—the follow-up to 2014’s “Bears”—swings into theaters April 17, 2015.
Universal Studios HollywoodSM showcases exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of its upcoming “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” thrill ride and reveals its eagerly-awaited opening date as Thursday, June 25, 2015.
The captivating 90-second behind-the-scenes footage offers insightful perspective on the making of this adrenaline-charged attraction along with interviews with several of the Fast & Furious franchise cast members and stars of the ride, including Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson.
“Fast & Furious—Supercharged” is a technologically advanced, epic ride that reunites stars from the Fast & Furious series in a groundbreaking mega-attraction, conceived as a new installment to the Fast & Furious films that can only be experienced at The Entertainment Capital of L.A. Featuring Vin Diesel (Dominic “Dom” Toretto), Dwayne Johnson (Luke Hobbs), Michelle Rodriguez (Letty Ortiz), Tyrese Gibson (Roman Pearce) and Luke Evans (Owen Shaw), “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” will catapult guests into the high-stakes underground world of fast cars in a harrowing escapade – at perceived speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour – to save one of their own from an international crime cartel.
Sharing their enthusiasm for “Fast & Furious—Supercharged,” cast members had this to say during their on-set interviews for the behind-the-scenes shoot:
“I get a chance to become Luke Hobbs and kick-ass…all in 3D,” said Dwayne Johnson.
“It’s really a sensory driven experience, and I can’t wait to see what happens,” commented Michelle Rodriguez.
Tyrese Gibson added, “Everything about Universal Studios puts you in the driver’s seat to really experience Hollywood.”
“Fast & Furious—Supercharged” is a high-octane, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride and new grand finale to the world-famous Studio Tour. The dynamic hydraulic motion-based ride will tell an original Fast & Furious story that fuses sophisticated hyper-realistic special effects with a state-of-the-art 3D audio system and 3D-HD imagery, projected onto the world’s longest and most expansive 360-degree screen. Spanning nearly 400 feet in length to encircle Studio Tour guests within a newly constructed 65,000-square-foot structure on the legendary backlot, the sprawling custom-built screen will employ 34, 4K projectors and a sophisticated projection configuration system to envelop guests in unprecedented realism.
Coupled with an intense blend of thrilling visceral effects, “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” will take guests on a wild ride that begins the moment they board the Studio Tour. Exclusive interstitial content – that was filmed with the cast members – will be featured on the tram monitors, highlighting interactions as they engage guests en route to the ride’s climatic scenes. Along the tram route and featured on the ride, sightings of numerous prop cars from the Fast & Furious series, including Dom’s iconic Dodge Charger, will enhance the story.
Cinderella Free Fall is the Third Game to Launch in the Successful Disney ‘Free Fall’ Series
Disney Interactive has launched Cinderella Free Fall, an enchanting free-to-play puzzle adventure game for mobile devices inspired by Disney’s upcoming live-action film Cinderella. In Cinderella Free Fall, players will transform into the most iconic princess of all time, connecting and matching butterfly jewels on an epic journey through the kingdom.
Players will begin as young Ella, following her story and progressing through 100 levels to see her stunning transformation. To make matches, players will connect strings of same-colored jewels. They can create longer lines to unleash ‘Wish Magic’ for powerful effects, and can connect jewels in a circle to release even more exciting combos. Cinderella’s lovable animal friends Gus and Jacqueline will join the adventure along the way, lending a helping hand in the more challenging levels.
Cinderella Free Fall is the third game to launch in the successful Disney ‘Free Fall’ series, following Maleficent Free Fall and Frozen Free Fall. Together, the apps have been downloaded more than 105 million times and played for more than 51 billion minutes.
For years, Walt Disney Studios has been interested in bringing “Cinderella” back to the big screen, to reintroduce the Timeless tale to a 21st-century audience and build on the nostalgia and memories cherished by millions around the world. Of utmost importance, the film needed to be entertaining and bring as much fun and humanity to the fairy-tale characters as possible, while preserving the unforgettable elements from the animated classic.
Director Kenneth Branagh had never toyed with the idea of directng a fairy tale before, but ater reading the script by screenwriter Chris Weitz, found that the story spoke to him in ways he never imagined.
“I was captivated by the power of the story and felt I was in sync with the visual artistry that was being developed,” Branagh says. “It’s a classic piece of storytelling where the central character goes on a journey that we can really identify with, so the texture and landscape of a great story was wonderful to play with as a director.”
Branagh’s long-term producing partner, David Barron, knew Branagh was the right director for the job. “I’ve worked with Ken for over 20 years, and he is the perfect choice to direct ‘Cinderella,’” Barron says. “He has a passion for storytelling and a rare gift for finding the humanity of every situation, even fairy tales.”
Meet the Characters:
Ella (Lily James) is a beautiful young woman whose idyllic life comes crashing down when her merchant Father (Ben Chaplin) remarries following the tragic death of her Mother (Golden Globe® nominee Hayley Atwell). Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new Stepmother (two-time Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchet) and her daughters, Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera), into the family home. But when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.
Soon, she is forced to become their servant, disrespected, covered in ashes and spitefully renamed Cinderella. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her, and she continues to remain positive, determined to honor her mother’s dying words to “have courage and be kind.”
When Ella meets a dashing stranger in the woods, unaware that he is really the Prince (Richard Madden) and not merely Kit, an apprentice at the palace, she believes she has finally found a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the King (BAFTA® and Emmy® Award winner Derek Jacobi) summons all maidens in the kingdom to attend a royal ball at the palace, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit. Alas, her Stepmother forbids her to attend and callously destroys her dress.
For the role of the Prince, Richard Madden responded enthusiastically to the material. He was eager to take on the dashing and thoughtful Kit, the bright young man who initially conceals his true identity from Ella. The actor, who starred as Robb Stark, King of the North, on HBO’s hugely- popular “Game of Thrones,” was thrilled to find that the Prince was not the shallow, one-dimensional character people remember from the animated film, but someone who audiences could actually believe Ella would fall in love with.
In a recent press conference we had the opportunity to chat with Lily James and Richard Madden to talk about their character and what it took to bring them to life on the big screen.
Our first Interview starts with Lilly James:
Q. How was it for you to play such an iconic Character such as Cinderella?
Terrifying. When I got the part I was completely overwhelmed and couldn’t be more excited. There was a lot of fear and pressure because she’s so iconic. Luckily we had Ken to direct us, which had a very clear vision of the film.
Q. At What point did it hit you that you were playing Cinderella?
Putting the dress on for the first time, doing the dance, seeing the slippers. The sets were all built and real. It’s like diving into the story. The costumes were beautiful.
Q. What was it like working with Cate Blanchet?
She is amazing. It was surreal. She excelled every expectation. She’s really funny and encouraging to me on set. Also what she did to the character was so real. Cate brought life and history to the character.
To prepare for the film, James tried to live healthily, implementing a daily yoga routine to get the kind of posture and grace and elegance that Ella would have had. She also took horseback riding lessons for six weeks, and did a great deal of research on spirituality, reading up on great leaders and pacifists like Gandhi.
“I wanted to make Ella seem as real as possible, but didn’t want her to appear as if she had no faults because I was afraid the audience wouldn’t relate to her if she was too perfect,” James says.
She continues, “The heart of the story is Ella’s strength and how, even under the cruelest of circumstances, she manages to maintain goodness, purity and positivity.”
Our next Interview was with Richard Madden who plays the prince.
Q. What was it like playing the Prince in Cinderella?
It was a joy. We are in these amazing costumes, it was magical.
Madden says, “Ken and I had numerous discussions about young rulers and how they would relate to more traditional views of their elders. The Prince wants to do what is best for the kingdom, but he has his own fresh ideas and philosophies as to how things should work.”
Q. Did you have any dance background before you did the ballroom scene?
No, I didn’t have any dance training. I’m not an actually gifted dancer, but I would think the Prince would be. I had to train 4-5 days a week for months before they let me near the dress.
“The Prince actually learns a lot from Cinderella, in fact. And the character has been written very cleverly in the sense that you see that she’s challenged the way he thinks so that he is willing to question the King.”
Q. What was it like to make this film with Disney and did you have any special connections to Disney that you remember as a child?
As a child I remember all the films. I have two sisters and we watched the movies on repeat. It’s still kinda surreal to be the Prince in Cinderella. It feels really special. When I was a kid, the first time you learn about love, death and grief it was the Disney films that I was introduced to these.
In order to make the film relevant to modern audiences, it was this core of kindness and compassion that would be fundamentally important. And the filmmakers were convinced that the powerful story, combined with an exceptionally-talented cast and a strong script with more complex and realistic characters, would make for a truly entertaining cinematic experience.
Disney’s animated fairy tale “Cinderella,” the magical love story of an ill-treated heroine whose dreams come true, was a colossal moment in Disney’s rich cinematic history. With a production budget of close to $3 million, “Cinderella” was a huge financial risk for the studio at the time, but the film opened on February 15, 1950 to universal acclaim and was a big hit commercially, grossing more than $34 million and firmly solidifying the studio as a major force in the industry.
Today, 65 years later, “Cinderella” has become one of the studio’s most treasured titles. The film is included on the American Film Institute’s list of the “10 Greatest Animated Films of All Time” and is an enduring fixture on America’s pop cultural landscape.
“Cinderella” is released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and is now playing in theaters.
On the West Coast, Disneyland® Resort will kick off the summer and launch the Disneyland® Resort Diamond Celebration with a dynamic 24-hour event of its own, May 22-23, 2015.
Like the Walt Disney World® resort event, this all-day/all-night party will begin at 6 a.m. on Friday, May 22 and will conclude 24 hours later at 6 a.m. on May 23. The event will include dancing and special character encounters at locations in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure® Parks, along with enchanting Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration décor throughout the resort, as well as the shows and attractions.
Here’s a look at what’s in store when the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration begins on May 22:
“Paint the Night” Parade – After dark, along the Disneyland Park parade route, 24-hour event Guests will be among the first to see the new “Paint the Night” parade, showcasing beloved Disney characters in dazzling parade scenes illuminated with more than 1.5 million individually controlled lights – the first all-LED parade in Disneyland Resort history.
“Disneyland Forever” Fireworks – Disneyland Park will play a starring role in the “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular, also premiering during the 24-hour event. This breathtaking show will immerse your Clients from the tips of their toes to the brilliant pyrotechnic bursts above, thanks to special effects that turn the storefronts of Main Street, U.S.A., the Matterhorn and the facade of “it’s a small world” into gigantic projection screens filled with color, characters and surprises.
“World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney” – Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris and Mickey Mouse will be the hosts of an all-new “World of Color” show, premiering May 22 during the 24-hour event. “World of Color-Celebrate!” illuminates the night in a fun-filled and inspirational journey exploring Walt Disney’s decades-long legacy of memorable animated moments and his dream of Disneyland Park.
Walt Disney World® Resort will kick off the “Coolest Summer Ever” with 24 hours of nonstop fun during a special event May 22-23 at the Magic Kingdom®, hosted by Olaf, the summer-loving snowman from Disney’s blockbuster animated hit “Frozen.”
Magic Kingdom Park will be open 24 hours from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m., Friday May 22, 2015 to Saturday, May 23, 2015*. Guests will be invited to come in costume** to show their Disney Side while a selection of favorite attractions, entertainment, special event merchandise, plus food and beverage are on tap all night long to celebrate the start of the “Coolest Summer Ever” at Walt Disney World Resort.
During the “Coolest Summer Ever,” guests can get their cool on all summer long at four theme parks and two water parks. Highlights include:
Frozen Fun – “Frozen” Summer Fun LIVE will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® June 17-Sept. 7, 2015 as it brings together Princess Anna, Queen Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and the citizens of Arendelle, all appearing daily in shows and experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® – including a royal processional, a sing-along show, Frozen-themed treats and merchandise, plus a Frozen fireworks display above Hollywood Boulevard.
Cool Thrill Rides – You will also find thrills from mild to wild to out of this world in all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Don’t-miss attractions include Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom Park; Test Track presented by Chevrolet and Soarin’ at Epcot; Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park; Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Star Wars Weekends – You will find stars from another galaxy during Star Wars Weekends May 15-June 14, 2015 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
New Restaurants and Shopping – Throughout the summer, new waterfront dining and boutique shops flow into the Downtown Disney® shopping/dining/entertainment district as its transformation into Disney Springs continues.
Epcot Entertainment – New entertainment acts will appear throughout World Showcase at Epcot, which also brings a fresh summery twist on a fan favorite, Voices of Liberty.
A Splash at Water Parks – A cool new deal doubles the fun at Disney’s two iconic water parks – Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach. You can purchase a one-day water park ticket and park-hop between the two water parks in the same day that both are open.
*Hours of operation: 6 a.m. on 5/22/15 to 6 a.m. on 5/23/15, subject to capacity restrictions. Only select attractions, entertainment and services will be available. Valid theme park admission required. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.
**Disney characters will be in the parks throughout the day and all night, inviting guests to dress up for the occasion, too. Guests may join the party dressed in costume. Costumes should be child-friendly and adhere to any guidelines determined by Disney.
Directed by Oscar®-winner Pete Docter (“Up,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling and Phyllis Smith, INSIDE OUT opens in theaters on June 19, 2015.
Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.
Apple® has announced that Apple Watch™, its most personal device yet and the newest innovative addition to Apple’s ecosystem, will be available on Friday, April 24 to customers in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK and the US. Apple Watch is an incredibly accurate timepiece, an intimate and immediate communication device and a groundbreaking health and fitness companion. Highly customizable for personal expression, Apple Watch also brings an entirely new way to receive information at a glance and interact with the world through third-party app experiences designed specifically for the wrist.
“Apple Watch begins a new chapter in the way we relate to technology and we think our customers are going to love it,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We can’t wait for people to start wearing Apple Watch to easily access information that matters, to interact with the world, and to live a better day by being more aware of their daily activity than ever before.”
“Conceived, designed and developed as a singular product, Apple Watch merges hardware and software like never before,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of Design. “In Apple Watch, we’ve created three beautifully curated collections with a software architecture that together enable unparalleled personalization in a wearable device.”
Apple Watch introduces revolutionary technologies including the Digital Crown™, an innovative way to scroll, zoom and navigate fluidly without obstructing the display. The Retina® display with Force Touch on Apple Watch senses the difference between a tap and a press, providing a new way to quickly and easily access relevant controls. The all-new Taptic Engine™ discreetly delivers a gentle tap on your wrist whenever you receive a notification or message.
Incredibly Accurate & Customizable Timepiece
An extremely precise timepiece, Apple Watch keeps time to within 50 milliseconds of UTC, the universal time standard.* Apple Watch can be personalized with watch faces ranging from traditional analog such as the Chronograph face, to the information-rich Modular face, or beautifully animated butterflies and jellyfish on the Motion face. Apple Watch goes beyond telling time with specialized functions on the watch face—known in watchmaking as complications—such as the sunrise/sunset, upcoming calendar events or daily activity level. With multiple customizable watch faces and complications, Apple Watch enables millions of possible configurations. Swipe up from the watch face for Glances that quickly show you information you care about, such as the weather forecast, your current location on a map or the music you’re listening to.
Intimate & Immediate Communication Device
Apple Watch enables you to send messages, read email and answer calls to your iPhone® right from your wrist. The Taptic Engine alerts you with a gentle tap so you won’t miss important notifications. With Digital Touch, Apple Watch allows you to communicate in all-new ways by sending a sketch, a tap or even the rhythm of your own heartbeat. Interact quickly and conveniently with the world around you with Apple Watch by paying for coffee using Apple Pay™**, boarding a plane with a Passbook® boarding pass, or raising your wrist to ask Siri® for turn-by-turn directions in Maps.
Groundbreaking Health & Fitness Companion
Apple Watch encourages you to sit less, move more and get some exercise every day. The Activity app provides a simple visual snapshot of your daily activity with three rings that measure active calories burned, brisk activity and how often you’ve stood up to take a break from sitting during the day. Apple Watch provides the detailed metrics you need during dedicated workout sessions for the most popular activities, such as walking, running and cycling through the Workout app. With an accelerometer, a built-in heart rate sensor, GPS and Wi-Fi from your iPhone, Apple Watch smartly uses the best sensors for different types of motion and provides a comprehensive picture of your all-day activity and workouts. The Activity app on iPhone collects your activity and workout data from Apple Watch so you can see your history in greater detail. Apple Watch uses this history to suggest personalized activity goals, reward fitness milestones and keep you motivated.
Apple Watch is available in two different sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm, and in three distinct collections—Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition. Apple Watch Sport features a lightweight anodized aluminum case in silver and space gray with a Retina display protected by strengthened Ion-X glass and matching high-performance fluoroelastomer Sport Band in five colors. The Apple Watch collection features highly polished stainless steel and space black stainless steel cases with a Retina display protected by sapphire crystal. The Apple Watch collection comes with a choice of three different leather straps, a stainless steel link bracelet and Milanese loop, and a black or white Sport Band. Apple Watch Edition features cases specially crafted from custom rose or yellow 18-karat gold alloys developed to be twice as hard as standard gold, a Retina display protected by polished sapphire crystal and a choice of uniquely designed straps and bands with 18-karat gold clasps, buckles or pins.
The world’s most vibrant and innovative developer community has been creating all-new experiences specifically designed for Apple Watch. From requesting an Uber, checking in to your American Airlines flight, booking a bike for your Equinox class to remotely controlling your Honeywell Lyric thermostat while away, the possibilities for Apple Watch apps are endless. These experiences extend the functionality of your favorite iPhone apps, while delivering an innovative way to interact—right from your wrist. Popular apps such as Instagram, MLB.com At Bat, Nike+ Running, OpenTable, Shazam, Twitter, WeChat and more will also be available on Apple Watch. The new Apple Watch app that comes with iOS 8.2 on iPhone lets you browse, buy and download apps from the Apple Watch App Store™.
Designed to be worn throughout your day, Apple Watch delivers up to 18-hour all-day battery life*** and comes with a unique charging solution that combines Apple’s MagSafe® technology with inductive charging for a quick connection that simply snaps into place.
By design, the shopping experience for Apple Watch will be the most personalized Apple has ever offered. When Apple Watch becomes available for pre-order from the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com) on Friday, April 10, Apple retail stores and department store shop-in-shops will begin offering customers the chance to preview their choice of Apple Watch and try it on in-store.
Pricing & Availability
Beginning April 10 in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK and the US, Apple Watch will be available for preview, try-on by appointment at Apple’s retail stores, and available for pre-order through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com). On April 24, Apple Watch will be available online or by reservation in Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers in China and Japan. Customers who purchase online or in-store from Apple will be offered Personal Setup to customize and pair Apple Watch with their iPhone.
Apple Watch is available in three collections, Apple Watch Sport, priced at $349 (US) and $399 (US); Apple Watch, available from $549 (US) to $1,099 (US); and Apple Watch Edition, crafted from custom rose or yellow 18-karat gold alloys, with prices starting at $10,000 (US).
Apple Watch will also be available to preview or try on at Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Isetan in Tokyo and Selfridges in London on April 10. Apple Watch will be for sale on April 24 at these select department store shop-in-shops, and at boutiques in major cities across the world including colette in Paris, Dover Street Market in London and Tokyo, Maxfield in Los Angeles and The Corner in Berlin.
Customers can now explore and choose their favorite Apple Watch in the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com) or through the Apple Store app for iPhone and iPad.
Apple Watch requires iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus running iOS 8.2. or later. iOS 8.2 is now available for download.
Apple® and HBO announced HBO NOW is premiering next month (April), making an HBO subscription available directly to Apple customers for the first time ever. iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch® and Apple TV® users can purchase HBO NOW directly in-app as a standalone service to watch every episode of every season of the best of HBO’s original programming, as well as the biggest and latest Hollywood hit movies, groundbreaking documentaries, sports and exclusive comedy specials—for just $14.99 a month.
“HBO NOW is the next phase of innovation at HBO,” said Richard Plepler, Chairman and CEO, HBO. “With this new partnership, a natural evolution for the network, we have access to millions of Apple customers who are used to getting their favorite apps immediately. Now, they can do the same with an HBO subscription.”
“HBO NOW offers a new generation of HBO fans many of the best TV programs in the world without a cable or satellite subscription,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “Now, with the same simplicity as buying an app, customers can subscribe to HBO NOW and instantly start viewing their favorite HBO programs as they air—this is huge.”
More hours of HBO video are streamed to Apple devices than all others combined and now customers can subscribe using the HBO NOW app on their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or directly on Apple TV for instant access to all the programming they want. For just $14.99 a month HBO fans can enjoy hit series ranging from Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley and VEEP to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and VICE. At launch HBO will offer a 30-day introductory free trial period to new HBO NOW customers who sign up through Apple.
Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. and the world’s most successful pay TV service, providing the two television services—HBO and Cinemax—to approximately 127 million subscribers worldwide.
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is rolling out plans for its 30th Season, beginning with the 2015 – 2016 Broadway line-up. It will be a year of extraordinary artists, blockbuster shows and world renowned companies: great dance and Broadway hits, jazz, cabaret and classical music, family entertainment plus many special guests and events.
The Center’s 2015 – 2016 Broadway and Curtain Call series is start to finish one legendary show after another. Each has made an indelible mark on Broadway history. Coming to the Center for the first time are Disney’s Newsies, If/Then and The Illusionists. In all new productions not seen at the Center before are 42nd Street, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella and The Sound of Music. Back by popular demand are Roundabout Theatre Company’s Cabaret and Broadway superpowers Disney’s The Lion King and The Book of Mormon. Two bonus shows include the dance blast Riverdance and, returning to the land of Orange County, Wicked.
The Center will continue its popular pre-show activities for most shows. Fun and informative Talk Backs with the artists will follow each Thursday evening performance. One Saturday matinee performance of each Center Broadway musical will be Open Captioned, Audio Described and ASL interpreted.
Information for renewing season ticket holders for the 2015 – 2016 Season is being sent to current subscribers, with priority orders for new season tickets available soon. Single tickets will go on sale approximately six weeks prior to individual engagements. Visit the Center’s newly designed website, www.SCFTA.org for more information about both the current season and the 2015 – 2016 Season. For inquiries about group ticket discounts, call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236. The TTY number is (714) 556-2746.
BROADWAY SERIES
DISNEY’S THE LION KING
October 6 – November 1, 2015 Segerstrom Hall
Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. More than 70 million people
around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’s THE LION KING. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. THE LION KING also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like THE LION KING.
42nd STREET | NEW PRODUCTION
November 10 – 22, 2015 Segerstrom Hall
The quintessential backstage musical comedy classic, 42nd Street is the song and dance fable of Broadway with an American Dream story and includes some of the greatest songs ever written, such as “We’re in the Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Shuffle off to Buffalo,” “Dames,” “I Only Have Eyes For You” and, of course, “42nd Street.” Based on a novel by Bradford Ropes and Busby Berkeley’s 1933 movie, 42nd Street tells the story of a starry-eyed young dancer named Peggy Sawyer who comes to New York to audition for the new Broadway musical Pretty Lady. When the star breaks her ankle, Peggy takes over and becomes a star. With a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin, this sparkling new production will be directed by co-author Mark Bramble and choreographed by Randy Skinner, the team who staged the 2001 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival.
RODGER’S AND HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA | NEW PRODUCTION
April 19 – May 1, 2016 Segerstrom Hall
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA is the Tony Award- winning Broadway musical from the creators of The King & I and South Pacific that’s delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love – the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more – plus some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who’s ever had a wish, a dream… or a really great pair of shoes.
DISNEY’S NEWSIES | CENTER PREMIERE
May 17 – 29, 2016 Segerstrom Hall
They delivered the papers, until they made the headlines…. Direct from Broadway comes NEWSIES, the smash-hit, crowd-pleasing new musical from Disney. Winner of the 2012 Tony Awards for Best Score
and Best Choreography, NEWSIES has audiences and critics alike calling it “A MUSICAL WORTH SINGING ABOUT!” (The New York Times). Filled with one heart-pounding number after another, it’s a high-energy explosion of song and dance. It features a score by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast) and Jack Feldman (The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride) and a book by Harvey Fierstein (La Cage Aux Folles), with choreography by Christopher Gattelli (South Pacific) and direction by Jeff Calhoun (Big River).
THE SOUND OF MUSIC | NEW PRODUCTION
July 19 – 31, 2016 Segerstrom Hall
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE! The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony, Grammy® and Academy Award® winning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song. “We plan to look more closely at this remarkable work – to tear off the varnish of the past and reveal one of the great, fresh glories of musical theater,” says three-time Tony Award-winning director Jack O’Brien. THE SOUND OF MUSIC features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp.
CABARET
August 9 – 21, 2016 Segerstrom Hall
Direct from Broadway, the acclaimed masterpiece returns to Costa Mesa! As part of their 50th Anniversary Season, the critically acclaimed and award-winning Roundabout Theatre Company is proud to present SAM MENDES (Skyfall, American Beauty) and ROB MARSHALL’s (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films) Tony Award-winning production of CABARET. Come hear some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including “Cabaret,” “Willkommen” and “Maybe This Time.” Leave your troubles outside – life is beautiful at CABARET, JOHN KANDER, FRED EBB and JOE MASTEROFF’s Tony-winning musical about following your heart while the world loses its way.
CURTAIN CALL SERIES
IF/THEN | CENTER PREMIERE
January 19 – 24, 2016 Segerstrom Hall
If/Then is a contemporary Broadway musical about living in New York today – and all the possibilities of tomorrow. With unforgettable songs and a deeply moving story by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning creators of Next to Normal, this “fascinating, ambitious and original new musical” (New York Post) simultaneously follows one woman’s two possible life paths, painting a deeply moving portrait of the lives we lead, as well as the lives we might have led. “Thrilling! The best musical of the year,” according to New York Magazine.
THE ILLUSIONISTS | CENTER PREMIERE
February 2 – 7, 2016 Segerstrom Hall
Having shattered box office records around the world, THE ILLUSIONISTS – WITNESS THE IMPOSSIBLETM is now coming to captivate Orange County. This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the jaw-dropping talents of five of the most incredible illusionists on earth. Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, THE ILLUSIONISTS has dazzled audiences of all ages. Creative Producer Simon Painter said, “We can’t wait to bring this electrifying show to Southern California for a truly entertaining experience for the whole family. THE ILLUSIONISTS is the most non- stop and powerful mix of outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on the live stage.”
THE BOOK OF MORMON
March 22 – April 3, 2016 Segerstrom Hall
Back by popular demand! Hailed by The New York Times as “the best musical of this century” and the winner of nine Tony Awards, THE BOOK OF MORMON is the blockbuster Broadway smash from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and the Oscar-winning composer of Disney’s Frozen and Avenue Q, Bobby Lopez. This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Now with standing room only productions in London, on Broadway and across North America, THE BOOK OF MORMON has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language.
SPECIAL BONUS EVENTS
RIVERDANCE
January 1 – 3, 2016 Segerstrom Hall
The international Irish dance phenomenon is back by popular demand in Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures in an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song. Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland – in rock, music, theatre and film – nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance. Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour is composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan and comes directly to North America from a sold out run across Europe and Asia.
WICKED
February 16 – March 6, 2016 Segerstrom Hall
Back by “popular” demand. Variety calls WICKED “a cultural phenomenon,” and it continues to break box office records across North America. Winner of over 100 international awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, WICKED is “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times). Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the Land of Oz. One – born with emerald green skin – is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good makes for “the most complete – and completely satisfying – musical in a long time” (USA Today).
Disney is finally prepping the stages for Tomorrowland, as they’ve unveiled the first trailer for the film that really gives you an idea of what the movie all about. The film, starring George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, and Britt Robertson, is a new science fiction and adventure film directed by Academy Award winner Brad Bird (The Incredibles, The Iron Giant, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocal) and written by Damon Lindelof, set in a futuristic world known as Tomorrowland.
There’s a real sense of awe and adventure in the trailer that seems so lacking in films, and even more intriguing is that it’s a brand new idea, even if it’s based on the IP of a Disney theme park section. That alone has me excited by the potential of it, and the DNA of the film from two of my favorite creative types has me that much more excited for what’s to come. This trailer is just very well put together, and has finally really gotten my interest in the film peaked. I can’t wait to see what Bird and Lindelof have in store for us.
Tomorrowland opens on May 22, 2015.
From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s “Tomorrowland,” a riveting mystery adventure starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.
Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.
The film also stars Hugh Laurie as brilliant scientist David Nix, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Judy Greer, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Robinson.
“Tomorrowland” is produced by Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird and Jeffrey Chernov and directed by Brad Bird, with John Walker, Brigham Taylor, Jeff Jensen and Bernard Bellew serving as executive producers. “Tomorrowland” opens in U.S. theaters on May 22, 2015.
If you don’t already know who Sofia the First is, then it’s pretty likely that you’re either not a parent or a toddler. However, if you are either of those things, there is no way that you aren’t already familiar with Disney Junior’s hit show about an ordinary girl, Sofia, who “became a princess overnight.” With a magic amulet that grants her the power to both talk to animals, and summon classic Disney princesses (synergy!), Sofia is an entertaining delight to all children.
With colorful animation, catchy music, and easily digestible morals that don’t talk down to the audience, this is a great show for parents to share with their children. Disney Junior has just released a new collection of four classic episodes on DVD, including the recent “The Curse of Princess Ivy.” When Sofia’s sister Amber discovers the powers of Sofia’s amulet, she steals it for herself, inadvertently releasing the evil Princess Ivy. With an army of butterflies wiping out all color from the castle, and the power to cause instant amnesia, it’s up to Sofia and Amber to fly to an island of dragons with the power to break Ivy’s curse.
While this might not be the most spectacular of their scripts, I can tell you that this quickly became my two-year-old’s favorite episode when Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore) showed up. It was a thrilling moment for her, getting to revisit one of her favorite princesses, and it’s moments like this that make these shows so special.
Clip: Dare to Risk it All
Other episodes include “The Amulet of Avalor,” “Princess Butterfly,” and “The Emerald Key.” If you’re kids are into princesses at all, that 114 minutes of princess heaven. It’s easy to see why these shows are so popular, capitalizing on the popularity of the princess genre. However, the show isn’t just coasting on a pre-established fan base, but rather, strives, to tell well thought out stories that the kids will enjoy.
Clip: Princess Ivy
The voice work is also top notch, featuring a terrific lead performance from Modern Family’s Ariel Winter. Other well known talent includes Tim Gunn, Wayne Brady, and more. Nobody involved in this show is just phoning it in. It’s nice to have a show to watch with the kids that doesn’t talk down to them, and is obviously a labor of love for all involved. This set is highly recommended.
If you don’t already know who Sofia the First is, then it’s pretty likely that you’re either not a parent or a toddler. However, if you are either of those things, there is no way that you aren’t already familiar with Disney Junior’s hit show about an ordinary girl, Sofia, who “became a princess overnight.” With a magic amulet that grants her the power to both talk to animals, and summon classic Disney princesses (synergy!), Sofia is an entertaining delight to all children.
