The Jungle Book Is Disney's Next Musical Hit/Flop

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 2:07pm

The Tony-winning director Mary Zimmerman (“Metamorphoses”) will adapt and mount a musical version of the Disney movie “The Jungle Book” at the Goodman Theater in Chicago next year. This is the latest attempt by Disney Theatrical Productions to spin a hit out of the studio’s catalog, which has yielded Broadway successes like “The Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast” and flops like “Tarzan” and “The Little Mermaid.” Goodman Theater executives announced the musical on Monday as part of the 2012-13 season, which will also include a revival of Tennessee Williams’s “Sweet Bird of Youth” to be directed by David Cromer.

'The Jungle Book' is set for June 21st to July 28th, 2013.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 4:07pm

This ought to be a no-brainer!

PS I was speaking recently with a cast member of "Glockner" in Germany. It was his view the show was way too dark to ever get an English language staging in its current form.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 4:14pm

I saw Hunchback in Germany and it was by no means too "dark" for Broadway. There is nothing darker in the show than The Lion King. It's just been the popular excuse because Disney reverted the story back to the original ending of the novel, but if you actually see the show, the only thing too dark was the lighting.

Zimmerman's Candide originated at the Goodman and may be getting a Broadway production so I can see why Goodman is continuing a relationship with her (though I found her Candide to be a bit trite). I think The Jungle Book is far more suited to her talents.

[philitalia]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 4:18pm

The Jungle Book on Broadway is just "bear necessity"

Updated On: 2/28/12 at 04:18 PM

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 4:27pm

'Tarzan'/'the Jungle Book'
Same sets, different book!

[philitalia]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 4:49pm

True, but I just had to make a reference to that song. Would be a nice publicity slogan LOL

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 7:16pm

I loved the Jungle Book as a kid and used to listen to the tape all the time, so guess this paved the way for love of musical theatre.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 9:36pm

I love The Jungle Book but it's not one which lends itself to a stage adaptation but it'll interesting what it becomes. I believe it is being created to be licensed to amateur and regional theatres rather than Broadway but then again Newsies is coming to Broadway so anything's possible.

I believe Disney is doing Freaky Friday the Musical which again for licensing but has a lot of potential plus they're developing a musical based on Father of the Bride and Alice in Wonderland.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 2/29/12 at 3:12am

I always thought Freaky Friday would be a great musical!

The funny thing is, the novel was written by Mary Rodgers! Updated On: 2/29/12 at 03:12 AM

[pinkyboy]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 1:23pm

I'd love for this to be a success, one of my favorite Disney films!

As for Alice, not sure. The songs aren't really that memorable and don't think the episodic nature of the film would translate to a 3 hour musical.

I'm just holding out for Mulan.