Future of Disney on Broadway

[TheatreKid3]

It's a little concerning to me, especially given their recent troubles and mass layoffs/reorganization, that Disney hasn't even acknowledged the most recent shutdown news on either of their shows' social media channels.  

I'm very curious how Disney Theatrical will be affected by the pandemic in the long-term, especially in the eyes of corporate Disney...

I'm hopeful that both Aladdin and Lion King survive this, but does anyone think it likely we may see Aladdin close and Lion King move back to the New Amsterdam and be Disney's only show for a good while in the one theatre the company owns? If it came down to it, out of the two, we know which one will be saved – but I can't imagine them leaving the New Amsterdam dark.

[BwayLB]

I want to see Aladdin again! I am hoping Alan Menken keeps his word about the Hercules musical.

[HogansHero]

TheatreKid3 said: "I'm very curious how Disney Theatrical will be affected by the pandemic in the long-term, especially in the eyes of corporate Disney..."

How do you define "long-term"? If you are indeed a "kid," then maybe next Labor Day seems an eternity away. There will be no effect on Disney or Disney Theatrical once the pandemic ends. To me this is a short or mid range issue. Patience. 

[bdn223]

At this point Disney along with nearly all other producers have figured out the capital costs of re-opening their productions, they likely Haven’t charged much Since the first major Extension of the closure through September 2020 until the most recent extension through June 2021. This is Why Disney announced the closure of Frozen because they didn’t think it could recoup those additional capital costs of reopening the production. At this point producers it’s not like the producers are paying any ongoing running costs, and if anything they are minimal. On top of that the Lion King’s Broadway production has already made the company over $1 billion, so it’s not that much at risk for hours maybe $3 million of capital into the production to reopen. Then Aladdin is in the Disney/New York city owned new Amsterdam Theatre, So arguably it would cost more money to keep the theater clothes, and risk even more capital for a new production then it would to spend couple million dollars to reopen Aladdin and see how the market reacts.

[Jordan Levinson]

I am very confident Lion King will survive. As for Aladdin, let's see how the Disney+ release is received this holiday season. If it comes to pass that the latter reopens as well, I say it will only be around for another year or two before Beauty books the New Amsterdam.

[RWPrincess]

I think both will reopen and likely will do well at least initially since they come with existing nostalgia. I think their plans are already in place to open these 2 shows on Broadway plus Mrs. Doubtfire and then Frozen and Lion King national tours.

[Princeton2]

I think some people underestimate how much Disney are losing and how increasingly vulnerable they are the longer this goes on. All their revenue streams have been significantly impacted (I think I saw earlier the Disneyland closure has already cost them $2billion alone), and even the. streaming side of their business has slowed quite a bit and there are delays on being able to make new content, together with the business debt. The cuts are going to come from all angles and will likely last years the more the crisis continues.

Disney is also heavily reliant on tourism for a large chunk of its business. It's becoming more apparent that 2021 is likely going to be a write off too for many people and countries. Any show especially that heavily relies on international tourists will be vulnerable.

The only certainty is no one knows what will happen and what, where and how deep the cuts will come.

[HogansHero]

Princeton2 said: "Disney is also heavily reliant on tourism for a large chunk of its business. It's becoming more apparent that 2021 is likely going to be a write off too for many people and countries. Any show especially that heavily relies on international tourists will be vulnerable.

The only certainty is no one knows what will happen and what, where and how deep the cuts will come."

I agree with this and realize that what I wrote above might be interpreted differently. What I should have said is "once the EFFECTS of the pandemic ends." I don't think Disney is packing its tent but I also don't think 2021 will be the year it restarts. I think this is also true of the other shows that depend on tourists. Shows that appeal to tourists have an organic reason to come back, but the question is, I think, when more than if. 

[MollyJeanneMusic]

BwayLB said: "I want to see Aladdin again! I am hoping Alan Menken keeps his word about the Hercules musical."

Personally, if Disney finds enough money to reopen Aladdin (haha), I think it was starting to overstay its welcome anyway.  I wouldn't mind them having a limited "last hurrah" of a run, maybe bring in some big stars, maybe Alex Newell as the Genie, let the show go out with a bang worthy of the show's spectacle.  Then bring in Hercules with the Public cast.  This probably wouldn't be feasible for a few reasons, but in an ideal world, that would be my dream.

[BwayLB]

^ Maybe you are right maybe you are wrong. I don’t want to hurry into conclusions.

[broadwayguy2]

First things first is to remember theatre Disney Theatricals is a separate entity from the Parks and other things, so something bad for the parks does not necessarily affect Disney Theatricals.

[soulmistin]

I don't know how unpopular of an opinion this is, but I'd really like to never see Disney on Broadway ever again. Sure, the shows are entertaining and the production value is unbeatable, but I really feel like is such a leech to Broadway. I'd love to see new, innovative, and original shows get their chance to shine rather than Disney regurgitating their same franchises. 

[Matthew Dotzman]

Do you feel the same about shows such as Mean Girls, The Wedding Singer, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hairspray, Spring Awakening, Amelie, An American in Paris, Anastasia, Beetlejuice, Big Fish, Catch Me If You Can, Kinky Boots, Mrs. Doubtfire, School of Rock, etc and the countless others that are based on a film, book, or other source material? What do you mean by "new", "innovative", "original"?  If you mean completely never, ever seen before then that would disqualify a lot of past and current shows on Broadway unfortunately. Yes, Disney on Broadway uses songs from their movies, but also adds new material to their productions.  Of course, I am bias having made my Broadway debut in a Disney on Broadway show! :) 

[Mr Roxy]

Until a vaccine is here and the matter of social distancing is resolved nothing can open . If Cuomo does not act soon on the 50% capacity issue for restaurants it will not matter as the restaurant issue will be a moot point as,there will be none left. A,restaurant group said yesterday if there is no movement on the capacity issue it will not matter as there will be a tsunami of closings .All you will have before theater is a hot dog from a cart.

[BwayLB]

Matthew Dotzman said: "Do you feel the same about shows such as Mean Girls, The Wedding Singer, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hairspray, Spring Awakening, Amelie, An American in Paris, Anastasia, Beetlejuice, Big Fish, Catch Me If You Can, Kinky Boots, Mrs. Doubtfire, School of Rock, etc and the countless others that are based on a film, book, or other source material? What do you mean by "new","innovative", "original"? If you mean completely never, ever seen before then that would disqualify a lot of past and current shows on Broadway unfortunately. Yes, Disney on Broadway uses songs from their movies, but also adds new material to their productions. Of course, I am bias having made my Broadway debut in a Disney on Broadway show! :)"

I dont mind a bit of both adsptations and original works.

[Islander_fan]

I have honestly felt that, if Disney needed the money, they should have had Hamilton be the one with premier access rather than Mulan.

For what it’s worth, many people that I know felt a little “meh” about Mulan. Might have been something they would have seen in theatres out of curiosity. But, now many of them have zero issue waiting till December when they no longer have to pay extra for it. They could have made a great deal more if they did this with Hamilton instead. I know people who did sign up for Disney Plus, saw Hamilton and then canceled after. But, I feel that there would have been a far bigger demand for Hamilton than Mulan.

[Princeton2]

broadwayguy2 said: "First things first is to remember theatre Disney Theatricals is a separate entity from the Parks and other things, so something bad for the parks does not necessarily affect Disney Theatricals."

Yes I realise that, but it's not just the parks. All their income streams have basically stopped except for Disney Plus which has become a small saviour. No sports, no parks, no movies, no theatre. They're a company whose products rely heavily on entertainment and on groups of people together.

The company as a whole will have to cut costs significantly to survive and that will happen across the board and all levels and all parts of the business. One thing is for sure no one can really predict what will happen, this is uncharted territory (for modern times) and survival is going to be their key concern. They previously stated they had a set amount of emergency funding (I want to say about 20 billion dollars but I cant really remember). That money they admitted wont last indefinitely.

Aladdin is helped by being in a theatre they own. I guess they could move Lion King there and close aladdin to save some cost. But it will depend on the finances and contracts. I highly doubt any new shows will come in for a few years. They'll need to rebuild first.

[Fosse76]

Princeton2 said: "Aladdin is helped by being in a theatre they own. I guess they could move Lion King there and close aladdin to save some cost. But it will depend on the finances and contracts. I highly doubt any new shows will come in for a few years. They'll need to rebuild first."

Actually, Disney doesn't own the New Amsterdam.

[BwayLB]

^ I thought they did

[JBroadway]

According to Wikipedia (the most reliable source!) the New Amsterdam is owned by the City of New York, but it's operated by Disney on a long-term lease.