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By Louisa Off and Miranda Murray NUREMBERG, Germany, Jan 27 (Reuters) – Mattel teased fans of "KPop Demon Hunters" on Tuesday with a new line-up of dolls to be rolled out later this year after it failed to cash in on the success of the runaway Netflix hit over the holiday shopping season.  "KPop Demon Hunters" is Netflix's most popular film ever, hitting over 500 million views since its June release. Mattel, however, did not foresee its crossover appeal, a source told Reuters last year. The new toys will start rolling out this summer, roughly a year after the film's release, as Mattel hopes merchandise can stoke its continued popularity.  "We really believe that this brand and this franchise has evergreen potential," Roberto Stanichi, Mattel's chief global brand officer, told Reuters at the International Toy Fair in the southern German city of Nuremberg, where the toys were unveiled. "We're going to be staging different collections, different assortments throughout the year," he added. FROM TOYMAKER TO ENTERTAINMENT PLAYER Facing declining retail sales, the Barbie and Hot Wheels maker is repositioning itself as a global entertainment player, giving new life to its intellectual properties through Hollywood partnerships. With more than 14 films in the pipeline, Mattel hopes to repeat the success of 2023 blockbuster "Barbie" with a live-action version of "Masters of the Universe" in June and will release a new He-Man toy line soon to build buzz.  While no announcement has yet been made, industry publication Deadline reported that a "KPop Demon Hunters" sequel is in the works for a possible 2029 release. "We have ambitious plans for the franchise, but I'm not able to share them yet," Filippo Zuffada, senior director of consumer products at Netflix, told Reuters. "Merchandise is essential to extend the life of an IP like this." Netflix, which was already offering "KPop Demon Hunters" apparel, accessories and collectibles through its online shop, announced a licencing partnerships with Mattel as well as Hasbro in October. Mattel's Stanichi said the process of developing a product from an idea to commercial launch typically takes around 18 months, and, for the KPop Demon Hunters line, it worked with Netflix to speed that up without sacrificing details. SINGING DOLLS, POLLY POCKETS PLANNED The dolls inspired by Rumi, Zoey and Mira – the film's girl band members by day, demon hunters by night – will initially be available with two looks, including dolls who sing their Billboard No. 1 hit "Golden".  The HUNTR/X stars along with frenemy boy band Saja Boys members and other characters will be released across Mattel's Polly Pocket, UNO and Little People Collector brands.  The dolls will sell for around $40 to $45, while Polly Pocket tiny capsules, featuring the girl band's favourite ramen cups, will retail for about $8.  Some products will not be available until autumn.  (Reporting by Louisa Off in Nuremberg and Miranda Murray in Berlin; Editing by Joe Bavier)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Louisa Off and Miranda Murray NUREMBERG, Germany, Jan 27 (Reuters) – Mattel teased fans of "KPop Demon Hunters" on Tuesday with a new line-up of dolls to be rolled out later this year after it failed to cash in on the success of the runaway Netflix hit over the holiday shopping season.  "KPop Demon Hunters" is Netflix's most popular film ever, hitting over 500 million views since its June release. Mattel, however, did not foresee its crossover appeal, a source told Reuters last year. The new toys will start rolling out this summer, roughly a year after the film's release, as Mattel hopes merchandise can stoke its continued popularity.  "We really believe that this brand and this franchise has evergreen potential," Roberto Stanichi, Mattel's chief global brand officer, told Reuters at the International Toy Fair in the southern German city of Nuremberg, where the toys were unveiled. "We're going to be staging different collections, different assortments throughout the year," he added. FROM TOYMAKER TO ENTERTAINMENT PLAYER Facing declining retail sales, the Barbie and Hot Wheels maker is repositioning itself as a global entertainment player, giving new life to its intellectual properties through Hollywood partnerships. With more than 14 films in the pipeline, Mattel hopes to repeat the success of 2023 blockbuster "Barbie" with a live-action version of "Masters of the Universe" in June and will release a new He-Man toy line soon to build buzz.  While no announcement has yet been made, industry publication Deadline reported that a "KPop Demon Hunters" sequel is in the works for a possible 2029 release. "We have ambitious plans for the franchise, but I'm not able to share them yet," Filippo Zuffada, senior director of consumer products at Netflix, told Reuters. "Merchandise is essential to extend the life of an IP like this." Netflix, which was already offering "KPop Demon Hunters" apparel, accessories and collectibles through its online shop, announced a licencing partnerships with Mattel as well as Hasbro in October. Mattel's Stanichi said the process of developing a product from an idea to commercial launch typically takes around 18 months, and, for the KPop Demon Hunters line, it worked with Netflix to speed that up without sacrificing details. SINGING DOLLS, POLLY POCKETS PLANNED The dolls inspired by Rumi, Zoey and Mira – the film's girl band members by day, demon hunters by night – will initially be available with two looks, including dolls who sing their Billboard No. 1 hit "Golden".  The HUNTR/X stars along with frenemy boy band Saja Boys members and other characters will be released across Mattel's Polly Pocket, UNO and Little People Collector brands.  The dolls will sell for around $40 to $45, while Polly Pocket tiny capsules, featuring the girl band's favourite ramen cups, will retail for about $8.  Some products will not be available until autumn.  (Reporting by Louisa Off in Nuremberg and Miranda Murray in Berlin; Editing by Joe Bavier)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) – American composer Philip Glass withdrew the world premiere of his symphony "Lincoln" from the Kennedy Center on Monday, saying the work's values conflict with those of the performing arts venue that was taken over by President Donald Trump. Glass is the latest musical luminary to withdraw from the Kennedy Center since Trump named himself chairman and filled its board with his allies last year. The Washington National Opera said earlier this month it planned to leave its home of 50 years. "After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No. 15 'Lincoln' from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” Glass, who turns 89 on January 31, wrote in a statement posted on X.  "Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony," he wrote. The symphony had been scheduled to be performed in June. In December, the institution's board voted to rename it as the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, or Trump Kennedy Center for short. Since then, many groups and artists have withdrawn from scheduled performances, citing the Republican leader's takeover. Democrats, noting that the center's name was established by Congress, have said Trump's rebranding has no force of law. John F. Kennedy's family denounced the renaming move as undermining the slain president's legacy. Glass' Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln" was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center, the Washington Post reported. Its premiere, already delayed, was due to be the centerpiece of the center's "250 Years of Us" program to mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the newspaper said. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Joe Bavier)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

(This story has been refiled to remove an incorrect picture of Dan Redfeld) Jan 27 (Reuters) – Decades after three Californian youth theatre students decided to write a musical based on Louisa May Alcott's coming-of-age classic "Little Women", they have achieved a sell-out world premiere at London's Theatre Royal. "We were the age of the kids when we wrote it," said composer Dan Redfeld, speaking before Sunday's concert performance. "Now we’re coming back to it at the age of the adults." "Jo – The Little Women Musical" began when Redfeld saw and loved the 1994 film of "Little Women", starring Winona Ryder as the young heroine Jo March and Susan Sarandon as her mother Marmee. "As you do in youth theatre," Redfeld said, he thought: "Let's write a musical." Together with lyricists Christina Harding and John Gabriel Koladziej, he did. That was the easy part. WORKSHOPPING WITH ELAINE STRITCH Years of false starts followed, including workshopping the project with Broadway star Elaine Stritch. The 9/11 attacks in 2000 led funding to disappear. After that, COVID slowed their attempt to revive it, but gave them time to revise. The show at last has funders and big stars. Following Sunday's one-night premiere, the team is working to arrange more performances, but said they could not yet disclose details. A selling point is the show's lush sound provided by a nearly 30-strong orchestra that harks back to the West End musicals of the late eighties and nineties that were the creators' influences when they began writing "Jo". Kerry Ellis, who sings Marmee, and has previously starred in dozens of major musicals, said such "luscious orchestras" have become rare. "This is very special because of that," she said. The West End premiere was preceded by an album, released last year, and recordings at London's Abbey Road Studios, where The Beatles and so many others have gone before. For everyone in the show, Abbey Road Studios is a setting they never take for granted. Working there was full of "pinch me moments," Koladziej said after a rehearsal session at the Studios late last week. (Reporting by Barbara Lewis; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

(This story has been refiled to remove an incorrect picture of Dan Redfeld) Jan 27 (Reuters) – Decades after three Californian youth theatre students decided to write a musical based on Louisa May Alcott's coming-of-age classic "Little Women", they have achieved a sell-out world premiere at London's Theatre Royal. "We were the age of the kids when we wrote it," said composer Dan Redfeld, speaking before Sunday's concert performance. "Now we’re coming back to it at the age of the adults." "Jo – The Little Women Musical" began when Redfeld saw and loved the 1994 film of "Little Women", starring Winona Ryder as the young heroine Jo March and Susan Sarandon as her mother Marmee. "As you do in youth theatre," Redfeld said, he thought: "Let's write a musical." Together with lyricists Christina Harding and John Gabriel Koladziej, he did. That was the easy part. WORKSHOPPING WITH ELAINE STRITCH Years of false starts followed, including workshopping the project with Broadway star Elaine Stritch. The 9/11 attacks in 2000 led funding to disappear. After that, COVID slowed their attempt to revive it, but gave them time to revise. The show at last has funders and big stars. Following Sunday's one-night premiere, the team is working to arrange more performances, but said they could not yet disclose details. A selling point is the show's lush sound provided by a nearly 30-strong orchestra that harks back to the West End musicals of the late eighties and nineties that were the creators' influences when they began writing "Jo". Kerry Ellis, who sings Marmee, and has previously starred in dozens of major musicals, said such "luscious orchestras" have become rare. "This is very special because of that," she said. The West End premiere was preceded by an album, released last year, and recordings at London's Abbey Road Studios, where The Beatles and so many others have gone before. For everyone in the show, Abbey Road Studios is a setting they never take for granted. Working there was full of "pinch me moments," Koladziej said after a rehearsal session at the Studios late last week. (Reporting by Barbara Lewis; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Louisa Off and Miranda Murray NUREMBERG, Germany, Jan 27 (Reuters) – Mattel teased fans of "KPop Demon Hunters" on Tuesday with a new line-up of dolls to be rolled out later this year after it failed to cash in on the success of the runaway Netflix hit over the holiday shopping season.  "KPop Demon Hunters" is Netflix's most popular film ever, hitting over 500 million views since its June release. Mattel, however, did not foresee its crossover appeal, a source told Reuters last year. The new toys will start rolling out this summer, roughly a year after the film's release, as Mattel hopes merchandise can stoke its continued popularity.  "We really believe that this brand and this franchise has evergreen potential," Roberto Stanichi, Mattel's chief global brand officer, told Reuters at the International Toy Fair in the southern German city of Nuremberg, where the toys were unveiled. "We're going to be staging different collections, different assortments throughout the year," he added. FROM TOYMAKER TO ENTERTAINMENT PLAYER Facing declining retail sales, the Barbie and Hot Wheels maker is repositioning itself as a global entertainment player, giving new life to its intellectual properties through Hollywood partnerships. With more than 14 films in the pipeline, Mattel hopes to repeat the success of 2023 blockbuster "Barbie" with a live-action version of "Masters of the Universe" in June and will release a new He-Man toy line soon to build buzz.  While no announcement has yet been made, industry publication Deadline reported that a "KPop Demon Hunters" sequel is in the works for a possible 2029 release. "We have ambitious plans for the franchise, but I'm not able to share them yet," Filippo Zuffada, senior director of consumer products at Netflix, told Reuters. "Merchandise is essential to extend the life of an IP like this." Netflix, which was already offering "KPop Demon Hunters" apparel, accessories and collectibles through its online shop, announced a licencing partnerships with Mattel as well as Hasbro in October. Mattel's Stanichi said the process of developing a product from an idea to commercial launch typically takes around 18 months, and, for the KPop Demon Hunters line, it worked with Netflix to speed that up without sacrificing details. SINGING DOLLS, POLLY POCKETS PLANNED The dolls inspired by Rumi, Zoey and Mira – the film's girl band members by day, demon hunters by night – will initially be available with two looks, including dolls who sing their Billboard No. 1 hit "Golden".  The HUNTR/X stars along with frenemy boy band Saja Boys members and other characters will be released across Mattel's Polly Pocket, UNO and Little People Collector brands.  The dolls will sell for around $40 to $45, while Polly Pocket tiny capsules, featuring the girl band's favourite ramen cups, will retail for about $8.  Some products will not be available until autumn.  (Reporting by Louisa Off in Nuremberg and Miranda Murray in Berlin; Editing by Joe Bavier)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

(This story has been refiled to remove an incorrect picture of Dan Redfeld) Jan 27 (Reuters) – Decades after three Californian youth theatre students decided to write a musical based on Louisa May Alcott's coming-of-age classic "Little Women", they have achieved a sell-out world premiere at London's Theatre Royal. "We were the age of the kids when we wrote it," said composer Dan Redfeld, speaking before Sunday's concert performance. "Now we’re coming back to it at the age of the adults." "Jo – The Little Women Musical" began when Redfeld saw and loved the 1994 film of "Little Women", starring Winona Ryder as the young heroine Jo March and Susan Sarandon as her mother Marmee. "As you do in youth theatre," Redfeld said, he thought: "Let's write a musical." Together with lyricists Christina Harding and John Gabriel Koladziej, he did. That was the easy part. WORKSHOPPING WITH ELAINE STRITCH Years of false starts followed, including workshopping the project with Broadway star Elaine Stritch. The 9/11 attacks in 2000 led funding to disappear. After that, COVID slowed their attempt to revive it, but gave them time to revise. The show at last has funders and big stars. Following Sunday's one-night premiere, the team is working to arrange more performances, but said they could not yet disclose details. A selling point is the show's lush sound provided by a nearly 30-strong orchestra that harks back to the West End musicals of the late eighties and nineties that were the creators' influences when they began writing "Jo". Kerry Ellis, who sings Marmee, and has previously starred in dozens of major musicals, said such "luscious orchestras" have become rare. "This is very special because of that," she said. The West End premiere was preceded by an album, released last year, and recordings at London's Abbey Road Studios, where The Beatles and so many others have gone before. For everyone in the show, Abbey Road Studios is a setting they never take for granted. Working there was full of "pinch me moments," Koladziej said after a rehearsal session at the Studios late last week. (Reporting by Barbara Lewis; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)