Disney Theatrical Launches 'Virtual Backstage' Online Resource

Disney Theatrical Productions announced the launch of DisneyMusicals.com, its online community for musicals from THE DISNEY COLLECTION. Licensed exclusively through Music Theatre International (MTI), the musicals in THE DISNEY COLLECTION fall into three categories based on performer ages and include full-length titles, half-hour musicals and one-hour musicals.

An impressive array of titles is available for licensing and performing for students of all ages, as well as community, amateur and professional theatre companies. These include the KIDS Collection with half-hour versions of Disney classics like CINDERELLA KIDS and THE JUNGLE BOOK KIDS, hour-long versions in the JUNIOR Collection of musicals like MULAN JR. and ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. and full length versions of AIDA and the smash hit HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, along with many others.

"Over 3,500 productions of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL have been licensed globally, which demonstrated to us the real need for a place where fans of Disney musicals can share and showcase their productions." said Steve Fickinger, Vice President of Theatrical Licensing for Disney Theatrical Productions. "DisneyMusicals.com is the destination for anyone who has produced one of our treasured titles, has starred in one or is interested in producing one."

At DisneyMusicals.com, kids, parents, educators and anyone else interested in acting in or producing a Disney show can find more information on available titles, watch videos from other productions at schools and community theatres, and link to MTI's website to download applications for licenses (www.mtishows.com). Visitors to DisneyMusicals.com can also send videos and photos from their own productions to be considered for posting.

DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS (DTP), a division of Disney Theatrical Group, operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher and is among the world's most successful commercial theatre enterprises. Reaching a global annual audience of more than 10 million people in over 40 countries, DTP produces and licenses Broadway musicals around the world including Grammy®, Tony® and Olivier-award winning The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida, TARZAN ® and Mary Poppins, a co-production by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh which is about to launch its national touring engagement. Its most recent Broadway production, The Little Mermaid, debuted in 2007 and immediately became a Broadway sensation. That same year, DTP launched the professional touring stage version of Disney's High School Musical. In addition, DTP licenses musical titles for local schools and community productions through Musical Theatre International and on its recently launched website, DisneyMusicals.com.

Disney Theatrical Group also delivers live entertainment around the world through its partnership with Feld Entertainment, producer of Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!, including High School Musical: The Ice Tour and Playhouse Disney Live!