Disney Theatrical Upcoming Productions

As those of you who know me know, I used to work for Walt Disney Theatrical Productions in NYC, and the other day I had the pleasure of talking to some of my old friends who still work for the company and they gave me a little heads up as to some of the new shows that are coming out soon, most of which I already knew about, but now have a few added details, so I thought i'd share. (ps, I think that is the longest sentence I've ever typed in here!)

First... a little history:

Walt Disney Theatricals' first production, "Disney's Beauty and the Beast," has been running on Broadway for almost ten years. Successful, record-breaking productions have sprung up in London, Stuttgart, Osaka, Melbourne, Sao Paolo, Mexico City and Seoul, to mention a few.

Since then, Disney has actually produced four other musicals: "The Lion King," which has been even more successful than "Beauty and the Beast," Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida," "On The Record" which is nothing more than a review of over 50 songs from various Disney Films throughout the years and "Der Glockner von Notre Dame" the German stage version of Disney's "Hunchback" film.

On The Record
On The Record is currently touring America and plans to bring it to the Great White Way are currently being discussed based on how well this tour does for the company.

Mary Poppins
"Mary Poppins" premiered in London on the 40th anniversary of the film's release, December 15, 2004, at the Prince Edward Theatre. The new musical (which has a very snazzy logo) is being penned by Julian Fellowes (Academy Award-winner for "Gosford Park") with new songs being added to the classic Sherman score by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Cameron Mackintosh is co-producing the megamusical with Disney, a deal that took years to finally fall into place. Disney has been planning to bring this to the stage since WDT was formed. The show is likely to make an American premiere date in late 2005/early 2006. Expect big, big things out of this show. To be directed by Sir Richard Eyre (Stage Beauty, Iris) and featuring choreography from Matthew Bourne (Swan Lake).

Tarzan
Although this show is already a musical spectacular at Walt Disney World it has no new songs or scenes added to it. At the moment it is set to be the next big musical to open in the United States for Disney (2005). Phil Collins has mentioned several times in press interviews for "Brother Bear" that he has written many new songs to accompany his original film score in the Broadway presentation of "Tarzan." David Henry Hwang (M.Butterfly, Aida) is writing the script for the new show, which is aiming for a Cirque du Soleil-esque environmental presentation. Aida's set designer Bob Crowley (Have you seen "Aida"? Do yourself a favor next time you're in NYC...one of the show's greatest assets are the sets. Just beautiful) is directing and designing the show. A recent reading had "Hairspray" hottie Matthew Morrison in the lead. I wonder who's designing the costumes? It couldn't be that hard...how long does it take to sketch a loincloth?

The Little Mermaid
What was once set to open in less than a year has been pushed back indefinitely. Kerry Butler, who recently starred as ditzy Audrey in the Menken-Ashman tuner "Little Shop of Horrors" on Broadway, will star as Ariel if this show ever reaches the surface. Original director Matthew Bourne dropped the show less than a year ago, and it has since been moved to the back burner. Glenn Slater (Alan Menken's new lyricist of choice) and Menken have written several new songs, and the script had a workshop reading early this year. Butler was accompanied by "Side Show" star Emily Skinner as Ursula and "Thoroughly Modern Millie" leading man Gavin Creel as Prince Eric.

Hoopz
Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan Lori Parks has been writing this musical for a while now. Suzan's latest work to be seen on the New York stage had a title so offensive the New York Times refused to print it. It was a retelling of The Scarlet Letter, and was entitled "F***ing A." "Hoopz" will tell the story of the Harlem Globetrotters, if it ever happens. Jeanine Tesori, composer of "Thoroughly Modern Mille," has been tapped to write the score. This one will open in a regional theatre setting initially, and eventually move to New York. This show is also not a priority at WDT right now.

Pinocchio
Remember Disney's Geppetto? A musical on ABC starring Drew Carey? At the time of the movie's premiere, Julie Taymor (Titus, Frida) started blabbing about directing and designing a stage version of "Pinocchio" for Disney, following on the heels of her "Lion King" success. Taymor mentioned blending Disney's story with some of the darker elements found in Collodi's original tale, and possibly even using some songs and plot points from "Geppetto." Chances are that last idea was canned. At any rate, this show is far, far off, but still a very likely possibility.

Other ideas that are being thrown around include "Nightmare Before Christmas", "Newsies", "Hercules" (which already played in stage form at the inauguration of the New Amsterdam Theatre, Lion King's current home on Broadway) and a "Fantasia"-based ballet, all very much blue sky concepts.

The biggest problem facing WDT right now is market saturation. Many feel that "Beauty and the Beast" should run for another five to ten years at least, which would put it among the longest lasting musicals of all time. "Aida" just closed but "The Lion King" certainly isn't closing anytime soon, as it gets ready to celebrate its eighth sold out year on Broadway.

There are only so many theatres on Broadway. Disney essentially built a new theatre out of an old one for "Lion King," and therefore added a stage to the rosters (the New Amsterdam). It will be essential for them to do the same thing if they choose to bring in new productions. It's hard enough right now for any new show to open on Broadway, as the theatres are snapped up faster than you can say "You wanna turn what animated movie into a major Broadway musical?"

Which brings us to another entertainment conglomerate. Adding to the problem is newcomer DreamWorks. You see, Jeffrey Katzenberg likes to copy Unca Mikey. A lot. It's actually kind of interesting to watch the patterns of decisions he has made since he left Disney for the then-fledgling movie studio. His leadership seems to be very reactionary, with no room for innovation or leading the way. Which is just fine. I wouldn't wish "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas" on my worst enemies.

But now, Katzenberg thinks it's a good idea to start turning DreamWorks films into stage musicals (it worked for Eisner, right?). Two are known to be in active development right now: "Catch Me If You Can" with a score from "Hairspray" composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman, and, get this... wait for it... "Shrek! The Musical"

Not kidding, kids.

In what could be described as the worst idea for a musical since 1988's "Carrie" (yes, Stephen King's "Carrie"), Katzenberg is gung-ho to emulate the success of Disney's animated-films-turned-Broadway-musicals. And he has even managed to get top-flight director Sam Mendes (whose current Broadway work includes "Cabaret" and "Gypsy" with Bernadette Peters) to helm the new musical based on the animated blockbuster.

You know, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe "Shrek!" will be wonderful.

Maybe Smashmouth could write the songs. Maybe Rosie O'Donnell could play Shrek. I'm sorry... that was really cruel. But you giggled. Admit it. You tittered. Oh come on. Cathy Rigby plays Peter Pan all the time!