Best known as the pivotal creative mind behind The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast (which is dedicated to “Our friend, Howard Ashman, who gave a Mermaid her voice and a Beast his soul…”). Ashman’s first love was theatre. He was a founder of Off Off-Broadway’s renowned WPA Theatre, where he conceived, wrote and directed the classic musical Little Shop of Horrors as well as God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater (both music by Alan Menken). A new cast recording of Rosewater is available from Sh-K-Boom records. In 1986, Ashman wrote and directed the Broadway musical Smile (music by Marvin Hamlisch). Lamented as a lost treasure of the 1980’s theatre scene, Smile remains popular on high school and college campuses. Ashman’s family is thrilled that Ashman and Menken’s original songs for Aladdin, some of which were cut in the making of the film — as well as portions of Ashman’s original film treatment — have been reinstated in the theatrical production. A documentary about Ashman’s life titled HOWARD has received great acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of the man and the artist. Howard Ashman died in 1991 from complications of AIDS. For more information, please visit howardashman.com.