Website Honoring Beloved Writer and Director, Howard Ashman, Launches

Website Honoring Beloved Writer and Director, Howard Ashman, Launches

WESTCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Howardashman.com, a website celebrating the life and art of lyricist, writer and director, Howard Ashman announced its launch today.

Ashman is best known for the book, lyrics and direction of the hit musical, Little Shop of Horrors and for his numerous contributions, including lyrics, to the animated Disney films, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast and Aladdin (all with composer Alan Menken). Ashman's contributions to the renaissance of classic Disney animated musicals were perhaps best expressed by the dedication to the film Beauty and the Beast:

"To our friend Howard, who gave a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul. He will be forever missed."

Ashman's other theater credits include book, lyrics and direction of the musical adaption of Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater (composer Alan Menken) and book, lyrics and direction of the Broadway musical Smile (composer Marvin Hamlisch).

Ashman, whose papers have been donated to the Music Division of the Library of Congress, died of AIDS in 1991 at the age of 40.

Aside from exploring Howard's work, fans can become a part of Howard's world through the section entitled "Let us hear from you," which is intended as a community where fans can interact with each other by sharing their photos, videos, thoughts, and memories about Howard and his work.

The web site also contains a blog named "Da Doo" which will be a place for Ashman's sister, Sarah Ashman Gillespie, to connect with Howard's fans all over the world.

In addition to the website, the site has established a presence and an active community network on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

The site, which is subtitled Part of His World is administered by Shop Talk, Ltd. Sarah hopes to honor her brother by creating a warm and welcoming site for lovers of theater, film and music. It is designed by Wild Frog Studio.

For more information contact: sarah@howardashman.com or visit www.howardashman.com

SOURCE Shop Talk, Ltd.

Shop Talk, Ltd.

CONTACT: Sarah Ashman Gillespie, +1-914-467-5222

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