Walt Disney Theatrical Productions, informally known as Walt Disney Theatrical, is the stageplay and musical production arm of The Walt Disney Company. It advertises as Disney on Broadway in New York City, and Disney on Stage in London and Melbourne.
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The company has gained a presitigious reputation within the industry for creating professional and popular (both critically and financially) performances, starting with the acclaimed Beauty and the Beast in 1995 and most recently with Mary Poppins in 2004.
Animation adaptations
Beauty and the Beast
The show began its run in New York City in 1995, adapted from the movie by Linda Woolverton and with music and lyrics by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. It has continuously performed on Broadway since, and is the district's sixth-longest running performance.
It has been performed/is also performing in London, Toronto, Kyoto, Hamburg, Rome, Sydney and is also currently on tour around the USA.
The Lion King
The show debuted in Minneapolis in July 1997, before becoming a runaway hit and moving permanently to Disney's restored New Amsterdam Theater in New York City in October. The show uses a range of theatrical techniques, and is not a conventional musical, yet is probably the most popular production Disney Theatrical have ever concieved and one of the most loved productions in the world.
It is currently performing in London, Hamburg, Melbourne, Amsterdam, and Buffalo. It was adapted from the most profitable traditionally animated feature of all time.
Tarzan
The show is adapted from the classic movie of the same name, and is scheduled to have a Broadway debut in 2006.
The Little Mermaid
The show is currently being re-worked and adapted from the memorable movie of the same name. The Broadway debut is anticipated to be 2007 at the earliest, but most likely 2008.
Live action adaptations
Mary Poppins
The show was co-produced by Disney Theatrical and Cameron Mackintosh, who had apparantly been given her blessing by author Pamela Travers. Featuring new songs by the Sherman Brothers, and scenes from the books removed from the film. It is currently running at the Prince Edward Theater in London. It is expected to spawn a Broadway version in the next few years.
Original productions
Loosely based on the opera by Giuseppe Verdi, it tells the story of an Ethiopian slave who falls in love with an Egyptian prince. It was written by Elton John and Tim Rice, and was met with wide critical acclaim. It debuted in 2000 on Broadway, before finishing in 2004 to start an international tour.
Debuting in November 2004, the show brings together sixty classic Disney songs from 1930 right up to 2004. They are weaved together loosely by a storyline which is set in a recording studio with young (and old) performers using the songs to help with their lives. It is currently on a tour around the U.S., and is likely to settle on Broadway or the West End in the near future due to being acclaimed critically and with the public.
Based on the 2002 documentary of the same name, it takes place at the Scripps National Spelling Bee and is set to debut in 2006.