1st Edition

Disney Theatrical Productions Producing Broadway Musicals the Disney Way

By Amy Osatinski Copyright 2019
    244 Pages
    by Routledge

    244 Pages
    by Routledge

    Disney Theatrical Productions: Producing Broadway Musicals the Disney Way is the first work of scholarship to comprehensively examine the history and production practices of Disney Theatrical Productions (DTP), the theatrical producing arm of the studio branch of the Walt Disney Corporation.

    This book uncovers how DTP has forged a new model for producing large-scale musicals on Broadway by functioning as an independent theatrical producer under the umbrella of a large entertainment corporation. Case studies of three productions (The Lion King, Tarzan, and Newsies) demonstrate the flexibility and ingenuity of DTP, and showcase the various production models that the company has employed over the years. Exploring topics such as the history of DTP, its impact on the revitalization of Times Square, and its ability to open up a new audience base for Broadway theatre, this volume examines the impact that DTP has had on American musicals, both domestically and internationally, and how its accomplishments have helped reshape the Broadway landscape.

    This book is relevant to students in Musical Theatre, History of Musical Theatre, Theatre History, and Arts Management courses, along with general Disney enthusiasts.

    Part 1: Once Upon A Time: Disney Enters the Great White Way  1 Be Our Guest: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast   2 Disney Comes to Times Square: The New Amsterdam Theatre  3 The Disney Way  Part 2: Anything Can Happen: Disney Theatrical Production Models  4 King of the Broadway Jungle: Disney’s The Lion King  5 For the First Time: Disney’s Tarzan: The Musical  6 Watch What Happens: Newsies: The Musical  Part 3: We’re All in this Together: Collaboration and Cooperation  7 Never Had a Friend Like Me: Disney In Partnership

    Biography

    Amy S. Osatinski is a director, performer, scholar, teacher, and designer. She is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of Northern Iowa, where she teaches courses in Directing, Analysis, and Musical Theatre. Amy holds a PhD in Theatre from the University of Colorado Boulder, an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado Denver, and a BA in Theatre from the University of Denver.