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Walt Disney Records to Release ``Best of the Muppets Featuring the Muppets' Wizard of Oz'' from the Upcoming ABC Telefilm,``The Muppets' Wizard of Oz''LOS ANGELES --(Business Wire)-- April 14, 2005 -- Album to Include New Tracks from Grammy Award-Winner and "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz" Star Ashanti, As Well As Classic Muppet Hits On May 17, 2005, Walt Disney Records will release "Best of The Muppets featuring The Muppets' Wizard of Oz" from the upcoming "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz" TV movie, which will premiere April 27th at the Tribeca Film Festival and will broadcast May 20th on ABC (8/7c). The album will feature six original songs, including three performed by the film's star, Grammy Award-winning/R&B superstar Ashanti. Ashanti's solo tracks include "Kansas" and "Good Life," plus a third track "When I'm With You," performed by Ashanti along with Kermit the Frog, The Great Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Pepe the King Prawn. The CD will also include nine of The Muppets' greatest hits, including the beloved theme song from "The Muppet Show," along with the classics "Mahna Mahna," "It Ain't Easy Bein' Green," "Rainbow Connection," and Miss Piggy's "What Now My Love?" This is the Muppets' first major album release since the franchise was purchased by The Walt Disney Company in 2004. More About "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz" International R&B star Ashanti makes her leading lady debut as "Dorothy" in this heartwarming ABC Television motion picture event. Based on the book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, the Muppets version gives the story a couple of twists and tweaks without ever losing the central meaning of the classic story. Contemporary teenage Dorothy is a girl with dreams of showbiz that seem far from coming true in the Kansas trailer park where she lives. When she's transported to the magical land of Oz, she joins with the Scarecrow (Kermit), the Tin Thing (Gonzo) and the Lion (Fozzie) to fight the Wicked Witch of the West (Miss Piggy) and journey to the Wizard, who, she hopes, will make her a star! Joining her in this madcap adventure movie are Queen Latifah ("Chicago") as her beloved guardian Auntie Em and comedic force David Alan Grier ("Life with Bonnie"), who portrays Uncle Henry. Director Quentin Tarrantino ("Kill Bill," vols. 1 and 2) appears in a cameo as himself, and Jeffrey Tambor ("Arrested Development") is the Wizard. "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz" is being produced by The Jim Henson Company in association with Fox Television Studios, Touchstone Television and The Muppets Holding Company, the Disney subsidiary responsible for managing the overall Muppets franchise. More About Ashanti Ashanti's recent album, "Concrete Rose" has shipped platinum. She recently co-starred in the Samuel L. Jackson film, "Coach Carter" in January '05, which became a box office hit. In 2002 her debut album, "Ashanti," topped the Billboard Album Chart, and also won the Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album. Her follow-up release, "Chapter II," debuted in the number one slot on the Billboard Album Chart and spawned two Top-10 singles. About Muppets Holding Company The Muppets Holding Company, LLC (MHC) is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS). MHC was established in April 2004 when The Walt Disney Company purchased the Muppets from The Jim Henson Company. MHC's mission is to ensure that this beloved, world-class franchise entertains audiences of all ages by leveraging Disney's best creative resources and worldwide distribution platforms. MHC plans to develop new content in all arenas, including television, feature films, music, stage plays and theme parks, and to enhance the Muppets global licensing and distribution presence. Walt Disney Records is part of The Buena Vista Music Group, the recorded music and music publishing arm of The Walt Disney Company. |
