Another clip from the May 6, 1991 memorial service for Howard Ashman. This features Jodi Benson, who originated the role of Doria Hudson in the musical "Smile". Taken from the second act of the show, Doria encourages her roommate Robin to "Do It For Me" and go for the title of Young American Miss. Lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Marvin Hamlisch. Shortly after the show closed, Howard would again feature the incredible talent of Ms. Benson, this time as the voice of Ariel in "The Little Mermaid". Posted by http://www.howardashman.com the official site dedicated to the life and work of lyricist, librettist, playwright and director Howard Ashman. We welcome any videos and stills you may have from your own productions of Howard Ashman shows. http://www.howardashman.com/FeedMe/ Watch more videos from "Smile" and TheHowardAshman! "In Our Hands" - http://youtu.be/803ta2hJEJs "Disneyland" - http://youtu.be/U4DwsFNHxW8 Watch more videos Howard Ashman's Memorial Service! A parody, performed by Mr. Denis Greene - http://youtu.be/TIkRYYN4diY "Daughter of God" - http://youtu.be/aJTOoSjAP1E "Sheridan Square" - http://youtu.be/XpIewJsTNyQ "Daughter of God" (HD) - http://youtu.be/AONGvrkPVj0 "Part of Your World" - http://youtu.be/7MMkUlXtJh0 "Little Shop of Horrors Intro" - http://youtu.be/-i9NpbzxstY Follow Howard Ashman's social websites! FeedMe!: http://howardashman.com/FeedMe YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/TheHowardAshman Twitter: http://twitter.com/PartofHisWorld Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HowardAshmanPartOfHisWorld Blog: http://howardashman.com/blog/ "Howard Ashman was a native of Baltimore who grew up loving theater. In 1974, after graduating from Goddard College in Vermont and receiving his MFA from Indiana University—where he was also a member of the professional acting company—Ashman moved to New York. In 1976, his play, The Confirmation, was produced at Princeton's McCarter Theater. A founder of the WPA Theater, Ashman was also its Artistic Director. At the WPA, he conceived, wrote and directed a musical adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You Mr. Rosewater with music by Alan Menken. In 1982 he conceived, wrote and directed Little Shop of Horrors, again with music by Mr. Menken. The musical, based upon Roger Corman's 1960s-era horror flick was immediately successful, indeed it soon became a New York "must see" playing for five years off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theater in lower Manhattan. The show played LA and London's West End, Japan, Scandinavia and Europe and continues to be produced to great acclaim around the world. In 2003, Little Shop was revived on Broadway and in 2007 it was revived on London's West End. It is currently one of the most-produced shows in American High Schools. In 1986, Ashman wrote and directed the Broadway musical, Smile, which featured music by Marvin Hamlisch. Little appreciated at the time, Smile is now considered a lost gem of musical theater and is performed by high schools and amateur groups around the US. Turning his talents toward film, Ashman was pivotal in the renaissance of Disney animated musicals and in the development of Disney's The Little Mermaid (Producer and Lyrics), Beauty and the Beast (Executive Producer and Lyrics) and Aladdin (Lyrics), all with music by Alan Menken. Ashman's contributions to the revival of classic Disney animated musicals were perhaps best expressed by his colleagues, who dedicated the film Beauty and the Beast to his memory: "To our friend Howard, who gave a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul. He will be forever missed." Ashman's numerous awards include two Oscars, two Golden Globes, four Grammys, a Drama Desk and a London Evening Standard. He died in 1991 at age 40 from complications arising from AIDS." - HowardAshman.com

• published: 19 Feb 2011
• views: 7538