This celebrated producer and stage director is remembered as the lyricist for three of Disney animated blockbusters of the late 1980s and early 90s, including "The Little Mermaid" (1989) and "Beauty and the Beast" (1991). Howard Ashman actually began his professional career as a book editor at Grosset & Dunlap before becoming artistic director of the newly-revived WPA Theatre in New York in 1977. Despite his administrative duties, he found time to write and direct. His first two efforts, "'Cause Maggie's Afraid of the Dark" and "Dreamstuff" (both 1976) were met with mixed results. After a
Moved to New York; became an editor at Grosset & Dunlap
1976
First produced play, "'Cause Maggie's Afraid of the Dark"
1977
Worked as artistic director of the off-off-Broadway WPA Theater from the time of the theater's re-opening
1979
Garnered attention as lyricist, co-librettist (with Dennis Green) and director of "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater"; also marked first collaboration with composer Alan Menken
1982
Directed and wrote the book and lyrics for the Off-Broadway hit "Little Shop of Horrors"; music by Menken
