Disney developing TANGLED stage musical

Actors’ Equity Votes to Authorize Strike Over Developmental Work – The Hollywood Reporter

There are currently no future scheduled days for negotiations, and, at the moment, developmental work is continuing as scheduled.

Workshops of the musical adaptation of Smash, which is holding performances in front of recruited audiences, are currently still scheduled to go forward later this week. However, if a strike were to be called, this could be impacted, as could upcoming developmental work, including Take the Lead, The Lost Boys and Tangled.

bwaylyric said: "Should be Encanto"

I'm sure it'll happen eventually. They can't all happen at the same time.

Moana has also remained one of Disney's hottest streaming properties (and now they're doing a film sequel with a score by Emily Bear & Abby Barlow).

Broadway Flash said: "Is Donna Murphy gonna play Mother Gothel again?"

I sure hope so! But this could also be getting developed for licensing/touring (like they did with Freaky Friday and planned to do with Newsies) instead of a proper Broadway run. Frozen showed us that Disney can't really have more than 2 successful shows running at a time, and Hercules is in the pipeline. I don't think Tangled has nearly the same brand value as Hercules, Moana, Encanto, or Frozen.

Who's directing the workshop, and who's writing the book?

Updated On: 2/13/24 at 12:23 PM

To a certain degree, this isn't 100% new news. There has been a stage version of Tangled playing on Disney Cruise Line since 2015. Alan Menken, and Glenn Slater wrote 3 new songs for the show. IIRC, there was a video or interview with Alan Menken when this was in production talking about, this giving him, Slater, and Disney a chance to see what an expanded show could be like.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Broadway Flash said: "Is Donna Murphy gonna play Mother Gothel again?"

I sure hope so! But this could also be getting developed for licensing/touring (like they did with Freaky Friday and plannedto do with Newsies) instead of a proper Broadway run. Frozen showed us that Disney can't really have more than 2 successful shows running at a time, and Hercules is in the pipeline. I don't think Tangled hasnearlythe same brand value as Hercules, Moana, Encanto, or Frozen.

Who's directing the workshop, and who's writing the book?"

Why do we think Disney can’t have more than 2 shows running at a time? The Lion King’s numbers are always solid, and I never see much adjusting on their part. Would a 3rd show really affect the numbers for Aladdin that much?

I know the guy from Disney Theatrical Group said that, but I felt like it was a “pageant answer” to cover up the fact that Frozen underperformed.

Just because Frozen didn’t meet their expectations, (I still thought it did decent lmao) doesn’t mean that Hercules, Tangled, Coco, or The Princess Bride won’t be successful, if they’re good shows.

Here’s a pro-shot of the full Disney Cruise Line incarnation:

Show issues aside, part of the issue with FROZEN was that it gives the perception that it's for little kids. So adults only groups shy away and parents bring the kids once and don't come back. So I don't think running 3 shows at once is an issue if they're the right shows. And technically Moulin Rouge is also under the Disney umbrella via Buena Vista Theatrical so they do have 3 shows currently running on Broadway.

Personally, I've always liked Tangled better than Frozen and I think it will appeal to more adults too. I do hope that the BATB revival comes to Broadway first though.

It's not that a third show impacted ALADDIN, it's that FROZEN wasn't a strong enough draw when you also have ALADDIN and LION KING as stronger options in the marketplace. I don't think any show mentioned in this thread would find greater success than Frozen under similar circumstances (with the exception of Princess Bride, which is kind of its own thing and not based on a Disney Animation title, and there's been radio silence for years). Broadway's quite a lot different now than in the days when Lion King, Beauty, Poppins, and Tarzan were all running simultaneously.

Besides, the road and internationally are where these Disney shows can make the real money. I don't think there's any shame in a Disney show not making it to Broadway unless the written material and production values are truly exceptional.

I'd be thrilled to see the Princess Bride musical on stage!

One 2000’s Disney movie that would be good for Broadway is Brother Bear.

Tangled is not only my favorite Disney movie next to BatB, I also really enjoyed the cruise show far more than I thought I would (I watched the filmed version back during COVID). I think that, while it needs work, it would serve as an excellent foundation for a full stage production.

Also, are Derek Klena and Taylor Louderman available? Lol

Updated On: 2/15/24 at 12:07 PM