Disney Theatrical is suddenly licensing a lot more High Schools and Children’s Theaters to perform the Disney versions of stage musicals. It started last year with Beauty and the Beast and has continued this year with Aladdin and High School Musical.
The Oregonian reviews what sounds like a very good production of Aladdin by the Blue Monkey Theater in Portland, Or (my old stomping grounds).
I wonder how this is going to work in the long run. Will the availability of Disney Musicals everywhere serve to build up excitement for the Disney Produced version of the product, or will it satiate the demand? What about quality? Will audiences be expecting Disney quality Broadway style productions when they see the Disney name? Could this create a backlash of audience demand? Or will audiences understand what they’re getting into and appreciate Disney’s efforts to democratize their previously vaulted projects.
We saw a production of Disney’s Alladin at the Alliance theater in Atlanta. The show was incredibly clever and well-done.
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