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Thomas Schumacher

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BIO

Thomas Schumacher serves as President & Producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, overseeing the development, creation and execution of Disney's legitimate Stage Entertainment worldwide. The division's credits include Beauty and the Beast, King David, The Lion King, Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, On the Record, High School Musical, TARZAN, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Peter and the Starcatcher, Newsies, Aladdin, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Shakespeare in Love, Freaky Friday and Frozen. Recently he served as Executive Producer for the live-action film Beauty and the Beast. As President of Walt Disney Feature Animation, he oversaw some 21 animated features, including The Lion King, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tarzan, Hercules and Lilo & Stitch, and worked closely with Pixar on their first five films. Mr. Schumacher is the author of "How Does the Show Go On? An Introduction to the Theater." He is on the executive committee of Broadway Cares, a longtime Board Member of The Actors Fund a former mentor for the TDF Open Doors program, and is a member of numerous boards. He is a former mentor for the TDF Open Doors program and serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University.



Photos

Productions

 
[West End, 2021]
Producing Director
 
[Broadway, 2018] [Replacement]
Producer[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2014] [Replacement]
Producer[Replacement]
Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[US Tour, 2013]
Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Producer
 
[Regional (US), 2011]
Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[Off-Broadway, 2011]
Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[US Tour, 2009]
President and Producer, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[US Tour, 2007]
Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[Broadway, 2006]
President and Producer, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[West End, 2004]
President and Producer, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Producing Director
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group

Writing

Conceiver

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Musical

Thomas Schumacher, Aladdin

Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Musical

Thomas Schumacher, Newsies the Musical

Videos

News


Back to Nubia: Stories from the Making of AIDA After 25 Years
by Caitlin Hornik - Dec 6, 2025

In honor of the Aida’s 25th anniversary, BroadwayWorld spoke to stars Heather Headley (Aida), Adam Pascal (Radames), Sherie Rene Scott (Amneris), Schele Williams (Nehebka), as Thomas Schumacher (original producer and Disney Theatrical Group chief for its first three decades), lyricist Tim Rice, and book writer David Henry Hwang to compile an oral history of the show’s early days, transition to Broadway, and legacy beyond the boards.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 17, 2025- AIDA Oral History Dives Deep On the Iconic Musical and More
by - Nov 17, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 17, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
THE LION KING Sensory-Friendly Performance to be Presented at Playhouse Square
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 7, 2025

Disney Theatrical Group and Playhouse Square will offer a sensory-friendly performance of Disney’s The Lion King in the KeyBank State Theatre at Playhouse Square.
THE LION KING to Return to Seattle at The Paramount Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 6, 2025

Disney’s The Lion King is coming to The Paramount Theatre stage.
Video: Disney's ALADDIN Cast Performs 'A Whole New World' on LIVE WITH KELLY AND MARK
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 4, 2025

On Tuesday, the cast of Disney's Aladdin, led by Ainsley Melham, Sonya Balsara, and Marcus Martin, took the stage on Live with Kelly and Mark for a performance of 'A Whole New World.' Check out the performance now.
Tickets for Disney’s THE LION KING at Providence Performing Arts Center Go On Sale November 14
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 4, 2025

Tickets for the long-awaited return of Disney’s The Lion King at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) will go on sale Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Video: Disney's ALADDIN Cast Performs 'Friend Like Me' on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 23, 2025

On Thursday, the cast of Disney's Aladdin, one of the longest-running Broadway shows, took the stage for a magical performance of 'Friend Like Me.' Check it out now!
THE LION KING National Tour to Return to Cleveland In 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 21, 2025

By popular demand, Disney's The Lion King will return to Cleveland for the first time since October 2021. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets here!
25 Theater Books for Your Fall 2025 Reading List
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 12, 2025

We're falling into fall with a great Broadway read! This season, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 25 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's Fall 2025 reading list.
Experience Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago at Cadillac Palace
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2025

Disney's THE LION KING runs at Cadillac Palace Theatre until October 19. Get ticket info and details about this must-see Chicago show!
DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Will Play Kansas City's Music Hall in October
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 24, 2025

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will enchant audiences in Kansas City when it arrives at Music Hall October 28–November 2, 2025. The beloved Broadway classic will star Kyra Belle Johnson as Belle and Fergie L. Philippe as the Beast.
Video: THE LION KING Celebrates 11,000 Performances on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 23, 2025

The Lion King celebrated its 11,000th performance on Broadway over the weekend at the matinee on Saturday, September 20th. See footage here and learn more about The Lion King.
Theatre Aspen Reveals Recipients of the 2025 Solo Flights Festival Grants
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 18, 2025

Theatre Aspen has revealed the two grant recipients from the 2025 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund. Learn more about the recipients and about the Fund here!
Industry Pro Newsletter: Mission Critical for Arts Criticism
by Alex Freeman - Sep 8, 2025

We recently asked our audience a few different questions in our regular newsletter - the first, asking how many live events they attend in a month. With options of 0-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 5+, our audience reported that they fall nearly evenly across the spectrum - indicating that the BroadwayWorld audience is an excellent cross-section of the casual theatergoer and the highly committed fan.
Review: BEAUTY & THE BEAST National Tour at Durham Performing Arts Center
by Jeffrey Kare - Sep 4, 2025

Based on Disney's 1991 Academy Award-winning animated film musical of the same name as well as Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s classic French fairy tale. Beauty & the Beast follows Belle, a bright, beautiful young woman who doesn't seem to fit in with her village.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 4, 2025- CURSED CHILD Finds a New Cast and More
by - Sep 4, 2025

Good morning, Broadway lovers! It’s a big news day with fresh faces, exciting sneak peeks, and some major industry updates lighting up the stage. Hadestown launched a brand-new Broadway cast (with first bow video too!), plus there are West End updates as Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts preps for her London debut.
Cast Announced for Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago
by Michael Major - Sep 3, 2025

The production features Peter Hargrave (Scar), David D’Lancy Wilson (Mufasa), Mukelisiwe Goba (Rafiki), Robert Creighton (Timon), Nick LaMedica (Zazu), Danny Grumich (Pumbaa), Gilbert Domally (Simba), and more.
Thomas Schumacher, Disney Theatrical’s Chief Creative Officer, to Depart
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 3, 2025

Thomas Schumacher is transitioning out of his role as Disney Theatrical’s Chief Creative Officer after nearly 40 years with the company. Learn more about Schumacher and the changes to the company here!
Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi Returns to THE LION KING as Rafiki
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2025

The Lion King is welcoming Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi back as Rafiki beginning September 2. Pitjeng-Molebatsi stepped into the role temporarily earlier this year and is now taking it over officially following the final performance of longtime cast member Tshidi Manye.
Video: Watch Ainsley Melham Return to ALADDIN on Broadway
by Michael Major - Aug 27, 2025

On Tuesday night, Ainsley Melham returned to the Broadway production of Aladdin in the title role. Watch a video of the Boop! the Musical star taking his first bow back in the production!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Thomas Schumacher written?

Thomas Schumacher has written 1 shows including On the Record (Conceiver).

What awards has Thomas Schumacher been nominated for?

Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Aladdin and Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Newsies the Musical.

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Videos