Disney Theatrical Productions, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, was formed in 1994 and operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher. Worldwide, its nine Broadway titles have been seen by over 160 million theatergoers and have been nominated for 59 Tony Awards®, winning Broadway's highest honor 20 times. With more than 20 productions currently produced or licensed, a Disney musical is being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day.The company's inaugural production, Beauty and the Beast, opened in 1994. It played a remarkable 13 year run on Broadway and has been produced in 28 countries worldwide.
In November 1997, Disney opened The Lion King, which received six 1998 Tony Awards including Best Musical. In its 20th smash year on Broadway, it has welcomed more than 90 million visitors worldwide to date, and can currently be seen in nine productions worldwide. Having played 19 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King's worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.
Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida opened on Broadway next, winning four 2000 Tony Awards. It was followed by Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, which opened in London in 2004 and went on to enjoy a six year Tony-winning Broadway run.
Tarzan®, which opened on Broadway in 2006, is now an international hit with an award-winning production in its 8th year in Germany. In January 2008, The Little Mermaid opened on Broadway and was the #1-selling new musical of that year.
Disney Theatrical Productions opened two critically acclaimed productions on Broadway in 2012, receiving seven Tony Awards between them: Newsies, which recently concluded its tour throughout North America, and Peter and the Starcatcher, which enjoyed a two year New York run.
Aladdin is its most recent Broadway hit, with a global footprint that has expanded to include productions in Tokyo, Hamburg, London, Sydney and a tour across North America.
Other successful stage ventures have included the Olivier-nominated London hit Shakespeare in Love, stage productions of Disney's High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, and King David in concert. DTP has collaborated with the country's leading regional theatres to develop new stage titles including The Jungle Book, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Freaky Friday.
Their new Broadway musical Frozen is slated to open on Broadway in spring 2018.
Podcast: New Episode of Disney's Original Podcast Series Highlights THE LION KING's 20 Year History
April 10, 2017
April 10, 2017
A few weeks ago, we spoke with cast members of THE LION KING to explore the family that has been built over the show's 20-year history and today we get a chance to hear from the folks off-stage who keep the show looking better than ever. This episode features interviews with Kjeld Andersen, Elizabeth Cohen and Doc Zorthian who manage the costumes, make-up and overall management of THE LION KING's 10 productions around the world.
Podcast: New Episode of Disney's Original Podcast Series Highlights FREAKY FRIDAY
March 27, 2017
March 27, 2017
For this episode, we take a deep dive into the new Disney musical FREAKY FRIDAY , which was developed by Disney Theatrical Productions expressely for licensing to professional and then amateur theatres. Cast member Jason SweetTooth Williams moderates a chat--recorded backstage at La Jolla Playhouse--with the show's two stars, Heidi Blickenstaff and Emma Hunton.
Podcast: New Episode of Disney's Original Podcast Series Highlight's THE LION KING
March 13, 2017
March 13, 2017
The third episode of our Official Disney on Broadway Podcast, The Pride of The Lion King, is now live. In this episode, we chat with company members whose time with the show ranges from 8 months to 17 years. You will hear about what it is like on and off stage for this very special Broadway family. Interviews include Adrienne Walker (Nala), Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi), and Rema Webb (Ensemble, Understudy for Sarabi and Shenzi).
Podcast: Second Episode of 'Disney on Broadway' Series Highlights ALADDIN
February 28, 2017
February 28, 2017
As the first North American Tour of ALADDIN readies for the start of rehearsals today, host Patrick Hinds talks with the cast and crew to see how they are preparing. Interviews include Adam Jacobs (Aladdin, North American Tour), Courtney Reed (Jasmine, Broadway), Jonathan Weir (Jafar, North American Tour) and Clifford Schwartz (Senior Production Supervisor).
Podcast: First Episode of Disney's Original Podcast Series Highlight's NEWSIES
February 13, 2017
February 13, 2017
Disney Theatrical Productions has released the first episode of 'The Official Disney on Broadway Podcast,' a six-episode pilot series which includes interviews and behind-the-scenes stories of Disney's most beloved titles and their journey to Broadway and beyond. Through in-depth conversations with cast and creators, the podcast will reveal untold stories of the creation of these world class productions.
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