DISNEY’S MAGIC ENCHANTS THEATERGOERS
Though a relative newcomer to the genre of musical theater, Disney enjoys a warm reception from critics and audiences alike. Over the past 10 years, the creative geniuses behind the Disney empire have worked diligently to bring some of the most beloved films of all time to the stage.
In 1994, The Walt Disney Company formed Disney Theatrical Productions, a unit of the Buena Vista Theatrical Group. This talented company operates under the direction of its founder, Thomas Schumacher.
The company enjoyed immediate success with its inaugural production, Beauty and the Beast. Based on the classic Disney film, the show was nominated for nine 1994 Tony® Awards including Best Musical. Not only has Beauty and the Beast recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, but it is also making Broadway history as the sixth-longest running production of all time.
In 1997, The Lion King transported audiences to the jungles of Africa with its spectacular scenery and state-of-the-art costumes. The popular show was the recipient of six 1998 Tony® Awards including Best Musical, as well as the 1998 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album. The Lion King is still a hit with audiences worldwide and is currently in its seventh sold-out year on Broadway.
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Thomas Schumacher
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The musical dream team of Tim Rice and Elton John joined forces to create Disney’s latest production,
Aida. The show opened in March of 2000 and received four 2000 Tony® Awards including Best Music/Lyrics and the 2000 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album.
ON THE RECORD TIMELINE
- May 2002 - Art Falco and Gina Vernaci of Playhouse Square Center meet with Thomas Schumacher and Alan Levey of Disney to introduce the idea of coming to Playhouse Square Center to open a tour.
- June 2004 - Six of the 64 songs in the production were named by the American Film Institute as among the top 100 movie songs of all time.
- “When You Wish Upon a Star” #7
- "Someday My Prince Will Come" #19
- “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” #36
- “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” #47
- “Beauty and the Beast” #62
- “Hakuna Matata” #99
- June 19, 2004 - Auditions are held at Playhouse Square Center.
- September 11, 2004 - The cast is announced.
- September 18, 2004 - Tickets go on sale!
- September 20, 2004 - Rehearsals begin in New York City.
- October 12, 2004 - Never-before-seen props and scenery are unloaded into the Palace Theatre.
- October 26, 2004 - The cast, director Robert Longbottom, and musical director David Chase come to Cleveland to begin rehearsals.
- November 9-21, 2004 - World premiere of Disney’s On The Record in the Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square Center.
