Disney Theatrical Productions
Disney Theatrical Productions Limited (DTP), also known as Disney on Broadway, is the stageplay and musical production company of the Disney Theatrical Group, a subsidiary of Disney Entertainment, a major division and business unit of The Walt Disney Company.
Company type
February 8, 1993 (as Walt Disney Theatrical Production, Ltd.)
- Thomas Schumacher (CCO)
- Anne Quart (Executive Producer)
- Andrew Flatt (Managing Director)[1]
Founded in 1993 by longtime Disney Entertainment veteran Ron Logan as Walt Disney Theatrical, the division has gained a reputation within the industry for creating several professional and popular (both critically and financially) performances, starting with Beauty and the Beast on April 18, 1994. Its 1994 investment in taking over the New Amsterdam Theatre spurred a revitalization of Broadway theatre.[2] The company is a division of Disney Theatrical Group, led by Thomas Schumacher.
History[edit]
Walt Disney Theatrical Production, Ltd. (DTP) was formed on February 8, 1993[3] with Ron Logan, Disney Park's live production head, as president to produce Beauty and the Beast.[4] Beauty and the Beast opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on April 18, 1994. Disney Theatrical signed a 49-year revenue based lease for New Amsterdam Theatre in May 1995. The building was renovated by Disney Development Company.[5] With The Lion King under consideration for the next Broadway adaption, Eisner ceded DTP to theatre-rooted Disney Animation president Peter Schneider and Thomas Schumacher, at their request, making them president and executive vice president of DTP respectively. In 1997, DTP re-opened the New Amsterdam Theatre with King David followed by The Lion King musical.[6]
Peter Schneider was promoted to Disney Studios president in January 1999, while Thomas Schumacher was promoted to president of Walt Disney Feature Animation and Walt Disney Theatrical Productions, while both are made co-presidents of Disney Theatrical.[7] On November 23, 1999, the corporate name was changed to Buena Vista Theatrical Group Limited,[3] with Disney Theatrical Productions becoming a division of the group with the formation of Hyperion Theatricals in January 2000.[8]
Schneider left Disney Theatrical in June 2001 to form his own theater production company partly funded by Disney.[9] His first project was developing and directing the stage version of Sister Act with Michael Reno. The musical had its official world premiere on November 3, 2006, at the Pasadena Playhouse, with DTP as an associated presenter during its Broadway run.[10][11]
In 2013, Disney Theatrical revealed that a show based on The Muppets was in exploratory development and that a 15-minute show had been conducted by Thomas Schumacher to evaluate the technical components.[12] Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn in November 2013 created a deal for Disney Theatrical Productions to develop a The Princess Bride stage adaptation, possibly either a musical or play.[13]
Freaky Friday musical was developed by Disney Theatrical Productions from the book and Disney films for theatres to license. The musical premiered in October 2016 at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia followed by three other theatre productions.[14] Coinciding with the August 10, 2018 release of the Disney Theatrical Productions Disney Channel Original Movie adaptation, a one-act version of the stage musical (based on the adaptation) was made available for licensing.[15][16]
Disney Theatrical Productions' Newsies debuted in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on February 19, 2017.[17]
On September 28, 2023, Schumacher announced to the staff of Disney Theatrical Productions that he was taking a new role within the subsidiary as Chief Creative Officer. The day-to-day management over producing and development has shifted to former Senior Vice President, Anne Quart, who now holds the title of Executive Vice President and Executive Producer. The business operations of the subsidiary now rests with Andrew Flatt, who was also formerly a Senior Vice President. Flatt's new title is Executive Vice President and managing director.[18]
Non-stage productions[edit]
Backstage with Disney On Broadway[edit]
The ABC television special Backstage with Disney On Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years aired on December 14, 2014. ABC's "Nashville" TV show duo, Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio, performed "Pinocchio", "Mary Poppins", "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin", "The Lion King", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Hercules", and "Tarzan". in a nine musicals for the special.[93]
Newsies[edit]
On the 25th anniversary of the original film's theatrical release, April 10, 2017, it was announced the filmed stage production of the musical Newsies would be released for digital download on May 23, 2017.[94] Some alumni from the Broadway production reprised their leading roles, notably Jeremy Jordan as Jack, Kara Lindsay as Katherine, Ben Fankhauser as Davey, Andrew Keenan-Bolger as Crutchie and Tommy Bracco as Spot Conlon.Several ensemble tracks were added to the show to provide roles for swings.[95][96][97] A two-day encore presentation of the production was shown in theaters on August 5 and 9, 2017.[98]
Freaky Friday[edit]
Freaky Friday is an American musical television film that premiered as a Disney Channel Original Movie on August 10, 2018. Based on the 2016 Disney Theatrical Productions stage adaptation by Bridget Carpenter; the movie is the fourth feature film installment in the Freaky Friday franchise. The adaptation stars Cozi Zuehlsdorff and Heidi Blickenstaff.