On the Record (Stage Musical)

Jake Lipson · Post by **Jake Lipson** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 1:37 pm

Tour dates for ON THE RECORD, Disney's newest theatrical musical, have been announced. This is one you may not have heard of -- it hasn't opened on Broadway yet. The US tour is the first-ever production of this show and I think that will make it all the more exciting. It's coming here next spring and I can hardly wait. From BroadwayAccrossAmerica.com:

Tour dates have been announced for the new Disney musical On the Record, which celebrates Disney's catalog of songs.

The U.S. tour will kick off Nov. 9 at the Palace Theatre in Playhouse Square in Cleveland, OH. Co-conceived by director Robert Longbottom and Disney's Thomas Schumacher, On the Record will play the Cleveland theatre through Nov. 21 before launching a national tour that includes stops in Illinois, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Michigan, Indianapolis, Florida and Texas.

The On the Record itinerary for Broadway Across America markets includes:
Dec. 14-19 at the Palace Theatre in Louisville, KY
March 22-27 at the Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN
April 19-May 1 at the Broward Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
May 3-8 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Tampa, FL
May 24-May 29 at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, TX
May 31-June 12 at the Hobby Center in Houston, TX

On the Record features songs from the Disney canon — both from classic Disney films and Disney's Broadway outings — and will be set in a recording studio. Over 50 songs comprise On the Record, including tunes from "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," "Tarzan," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Sleeping Beauty," "Dumbo," "Peter Pan," "Pinocchio," "Lady and the Tramp," "Cinderella" and "Snow White." The creative team features Natasha Katz (lighting), Robert Brill (scenery), Gregg Barnes (costumes), David Chase (musical supervision and arrangements) and Chad Beguelin (scenarist).

Since debuting on Broadway a decade ago with Beauty and the Beast, Disney Theatrical has also presented two other current musicals, Aida and The Lion King. Disney's upcoming projects include Mary Poppins (in a joint production with Cameron Mackintosh), Little Mermaid and Tarzan.

For more information about Disney productions, visit http://disney.go.com/disneytheatrical/index.html.

by Andrew Gans, playbill.com

goofystitch · Post by **goofystitch** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 1:58 pm

This dosen't sound all that interesting. Set in a recording studio? Is there a plot? It dosen't sound that good, but I'll have to wait for more info. I hope there is a commercial made.

It's about time "The Little Mermaid" is given Broadway treatment. But I hope this dosen't cause "The Voyage of the Little Mermaid" to leave Disney World like the BATB show left.

It seems like Disney World's shows are getting turned into Broadway style shows. First, MGM Studios had it's "Beauty and the Beast" show and then the film went Broadway. Then Animal Kingdom had "Festival of the Lion King" and then "The Lion King" went Broadway. Animal Kingdom also has "Tarzan Rocks" and there is going to be a "Tarzan" Broadway show. I don't think that is going to work. I love the movie and "Tarzan Rocks" is fun and entertaining, but I don't feel like there needs to be a Broadway version. "Tarzan" wasn't a musicle. I don't want to see manly Tarzan burst into song about how he killed a Cheetah!

Jake Lipson · Post by **Jake Lipson** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 10:16 am

More on the show from Broadway Accoss Amercia:

Disney on Broadway presents ON THE RECORD.

Beyond two enormous doors, a recording soundstage beckons. The man in charge arranges the microphones. A clock on the wall flickers to life. A “RECORDING” sign begins to flash. But this studio is no ordinary place, and the man in charge, no ordinary man. He must inspire a stageful of singers, musicians and technicians to deliver the performance of their lives. A once-in-a-lifetime recording session is about to begin, and the man in charge will use all the magic you can imagine and all the music you could wish for, to create an evening of pure enchantment and powerful emotion – ON THE RECORD.

From the producers of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, comes ON THE RECORD, a show-stopping new musical that sparkles with more than 50 of the most beloved songs ever written, from some of the most popular films ever made – including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Tarzan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Sleeping Beauty, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Lady and the Tramp, Cinderella and Snow White. Join the supremely talented singers and dancers behind-the-scenes at one very magical recording session, where every song you see performed ends up on the record! ON THE RECORD, starring the music of a lifetime – yours! It’s first-class family entertainment, as only Disney can deliver!

Running Time:
2HRS 30 MIN

Age Appropriateness:
ALL AGES

Intermission:
15 MINUTES

BrandonH · Post by **BrandonH** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 2:57 pm

I am really interested in seeing this musical. Are there plans to bring it to the Southwest, or will I have to go to Houston to see it?

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:17 pm

Disney Theatricals has created a new stage musical which takes 80 (!) songs from their film library and puts them onstage. The show premiered in Chicago last week. Here's a link to the review from the Chicago Tribune. (ouch!)
<P>
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/revi ... itics_heds

pinkrenata · Post by **pinkrenata** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:51 pm

Bleh. While it looks like something I wouldn't mind seeing if I had the chance, it really seems like something that would do better in the parks. A stage show that's enjoyable at a Disney park becomes just the slightest bit cheesy if it's taken out into the real world.

AwallaceUNC · Post by **AwallaceUNC** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 10:53 am

Anyone seen this? It's coming not too far from me and I'm considering seeing it (though decent tickets are a bit pricey). I can see where it could be good or it could not be worth the money, so I'm on the fence. I've never seen any Disney broadway show, or any broadway show for that matter (notice the lower-case b, meaning I haven't seen any big-production musical performance by a professional company).

Ideally, I'd see the others first. When I'm in London this summer, I'll see Mary Poppins and possibly The Lion King (how is the London cast of that...anyone know?), along with several non-Disney shows (inc. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). BATB may have to wait for a trip to NYC, and I may postpone TLK until then too.

For now, On The Record is the opportunity presented to me for the near future and I'm trying to decide if it's worth the trip & money. Any opinions?

-Aaron

Prince Adam · Post by **Prince Adam** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:38 pm

I just got the Original Cast Recording for this, and it's amazing. The arrangments are really cool (some of the songs fit together in ways I would've never thought) and Ashley Brown (Kristen) and Andrew Samonsky (Nick) are phenomenal!

As Joan Behrmann put it in the following article: "It all comes down to
this--would you rather see a flesh and blood person singing your Disney favorites, or an animated dwarf?"

http://www.detnews.com/2005/events/0502 ... -89943.htm

Personally, I prefer these flesh and blood people.

Also, you get a version of "Be Our Guest" in French, and this is only the second CD to feature the Beauty and the Beast song "A Change in Me" (Susan Egan's So Far was the first).

DaveWadding · Post by **DaveWadding** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:57 pm

BrandonH wrote:I am really interested in seeing this musical. Are there plans to bring it to the Southwest, or will I have to go to Houston to see it?

Yeah, hopefully you only have to drive to ASU.

Like me, but ASU is far enough from me as it is.

Wonderlicious · Post by **Wonderlicious** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:49 pm

awallaceunc wrote: Ideally, I'd see the others first. When I'm in London this summer, I'll see Mary Poppins and possibly The Lion King (how is the London cast of that...anyone know?), along with several non-Disney shows (inc. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). BATB may have to wait for a trip to NYC, and I may postpone TLK until then too.

-Aaron

I saw The Lion King three years ago so I'm not sure if it's exactly the same cast, but the cast I saw were good. Prepare for the shock of seeing Disney characters with English accents though; I seem to remember Simba (both young and adult) speak like they came out of an English country club.

I may be able to see Mary Poppins next Saturday (*hoping*

), so if I see that, I'll make a little review.

psifreek27 · Post by **psifreek27** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 6:06 pm

Well i just recently saw my first on stage disney show and it wasnt your typical show...it was 'Disney's On the Record"...basically there was no spoken dialouge...so all the story you get , you had to piece the puzzle together depending on which disney song the cast was performing. The gist of the story is about 4 people who have come together to record a greatest hits album of disney...you have the dreamer,the pop god, the established singer, and the established diva.Throughout the course of the show, all the characters change and mature...and it just all equals one of the most amazing renditions of disney songs ever!...and an amazingly original way of storytelling. If anyone gets the chance to see it in thier town/city or nearby GOOO!!! Or you can buy the soundtrack...I know i did.
www.amazon.com!

JRawkSteady · Post by **JRawkSteady** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 10:44 pm

On The Record didn't come to NY and it's not going to, but I got the soundtrack. The music, the voices, the composition, and the medleys are amazing!!

MovieMusicals.net · Post by **MovieMusicals.net** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:37 pm

Did you see it when it toured?

I think they should move it to Walt Disney World.

Disneyland has SNOW WHITE and California Adventure has ALADDIN. It's about time WDW gets a musical. Why not ON THE RECORD?

Disneykid · Post by **Disneykid** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:57 pm

I agree. WDW used to have a Hunchback stage show, but they for some reason removed it (it's not like they were bringing the German show to Broadway, so I don't get it). I'd like to see a classic Disney movie come to the stage at WDW, though, rather than On the Record. I think Sleeping Beauty or (you knew I'd say this) Alice in Wonderland would make fun shows. Sleeping Beauty's story is simple enough to be made into a 20-25 minute show, and Alice is episodic enough that they can leave off certain segments without harming the story. I'd also really like to see Cinderella done, but that won't happen because a) the Magic Kingdom has "Cinderellabration" which is sort of a bridge between Cinderella and Cinderella II, and b) Disney Cruiseline has the "Twice Charmed" show (aka Cinderella 1.5).

dgfan2112 · Post by **dgfan2112** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:00 pm

Okay, that's possible why WDW should have a musical.

AwallaceUNC · Post by **AwallaceUNC** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:12 pm

WDW has several stage shows as it is. "Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage" is housed in MGM's Theater of the Stars and it's a straight-up "Broadway-style" musical. I think it's pretty much the same concept as the stage shows at Disneyland, correct? There are several other stage shows at MGM and Animal Kingdom as well.

I really wanted to see Disney's On The Record. From what I understand, it's sort of like a Smokey Joe's Cafe, but for Disney music, right? I read that it opens up in Kansas City soon, which is apparently where it's going to station itself? I agree, it would work very well at Disney World... not inside a theme park, though (they can't have a show that long there). It would be perfect for Downtown Disney or maybe even Boardwalk.

-Aaron

MovieMusicals.net · Post by **MovieMusicals.net** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:54 pm

The Aladdin and Snow White shows in the CA theme parks are straight up theatrical shows. Actual costumes, not theme park character costumes. Actual singing, no lip-synching to pre-recorded tracks.

The Beauty & the Beast show in MGM uses elements of a stage production, but it uses the theme park character costumes, some of it is pre-recorded tracks, and they try to tell the entire story jumbled into one mess.

I believe the shows in the CA parks are also condensed, but longer. An hour, was it?

dizfan · Post by **dizfan** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 8:16 pm

The musicals at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure are indeed a step up in quality than anything I saw at Walt Disney World.

Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular lasts about 40 minutes, and I believe Snow White - An Enchanting Musical lasts about 30 mins.

I also wanted to see On The Record, but it's California dates were canceled.

Prince Eric · Post by **Prince Eric** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 8:39 pm

Well, it's coming to my city, but I'm not too sure I want to see it. I'll wait for reviews to leak out from the first show dates. I'm a bit skeptical about how they will arrange all these songs and make them fit, and - call me cynical - it seems like a cheap publicity ad for Disney movies.

dizfan · Post by **dizfan** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:34 pm

It was never meant to be a "real" broadway show, it was never intended to go to Broadway. It was indeed a showcase of Disney songs.

I read an article that they could not breakout of the core Disney audience, so they decided to cancel a majority of performances in major markets (california being one of them).

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