Disney's "One Princess Only" Rule?

[JustinRZB]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 11:42am

Just checking to see if anyone else has heard this.

Last night at dinner, a friend of a person in Disney Theatricals told me that Disney has a "One Princess Only" rule as far as Disney goes.

Basically, there can only be one Disney Princess on Broadway at once.

AND there should always be one Princess on Broadway from here on in.

Anyone else hear this?

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 11:44am

No way Mary Poppins is closing any time soon, so she and Ariel will be running at the same time.

[JustinRZB]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 11:45am

But Mary Poppins isn't a princess.

Im meaning Cinderella, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Jasmine.

The Disney Princesses.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 11:45am

She's hardly a princess.

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 11:46am

Belle doesn't become a princess until the end of the show.

[JustinRZB]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 11:49am

Maybe so, but she is officially classified as a "Disney Princess".

She's in all of their merchandise and everything as a Disney Princess.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 12:03pm

It would make sense...too much Princess for one street.

[JustinRZB]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 12:12pm

Lord knows broadway's already got its share of queens (ba dum bum!)

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 12:17pm

I'm not sure if it's a stated 'rule' or not, but it definitely seems plausible, and a good theory at that.

[JustinRZB]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 12:19pm

Sucks, though. It means no Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella so long as Little Mermaid does well

[MissRidiculous]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 12:24pm

Tom Schumaker (President of Disney Theatrical) mentioned something to that effect in the NY Times article announcing that Beauty was closing. I don't know if it's a "rule," per se, but the idea is confirmed in the article. Updated On: 1/27/07 at 12:24 PM

[teh_pretty]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 12:33pm

If it IS a real 'rule', what about R&H's Cinderella on Broadway with a Disney princess show? She's a Disney princess, but it's not a Disney show. That could invoke a scandal.

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 12:57pm

yeah, but Disney won't be producing R and H's Cinderella. they will produce thier own Cinderella. so that won't be a problem. this "rule" pertains to shows within the Disney catalogue.

I think the rule is unspoken, but it makes sense, and is good business.

That being said, I don't think "Aladdin" will ever be able to be pulled off correctly. They shouldn't even make an effort, what with all the flying, magic, special effects, and all. Can't be done and ever match the film.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:00pm

Ok, I like Disney World, Disney movies, and even begrudgingly like most Disney musicals, but this Disney mindset is beyond me. Who comes up with these rules?!?! "Only one Disney princess at a time..."

[OOTI2004]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:07pm

Belle was on Broadway while Aida was opening. I know, Aida probably doesn't count but shes my favorite princess.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:09pm

Nala is a princess... I think.

[Mistress_Spouzic]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:11pm

Aida is completely different. Im sure this rule applies largely to their well known animated movies.

I think its a good rule. With all the whining people do about how Disney is overtaking broadway, its nice to know theyre limiting themselves.

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:12pm

yes, OOTI, Aida does not count. Disney would be talking specifically about the movies they already have in thier catalogue to turn into stage shows.

i.e- Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Mulan (who is counted as a princess movie in thier opinion), Batb, Alladin, and so on.

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:15pm

"Nala is a princess... I think. "

But The lion king does not revolve around Nala. the story is about Simba.

Usually princess musicals involve girls becoming princesses, by rite or by marriage. by this argument, Alladin would not technically count, since the story does not revolve around her, but Disney adds her in thier Princess collection.

Updated On: 1/27/07 at 01:15 PM

[StageManager2]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:26pm

If Mulan is considered a princess, how come Pocahontas isn't? She's not technically a princess, but she is the daughter of a chief, which kinda puts her up there. Mulan never became a princess.

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:27pm

Because Pocahontas sucks

[sondhead]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:30pm

Why are ya'll even talking about them ever doing Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella or Snow White on stage? They won't. Snow White has been done and Cinderella / Sleeping Beauty will never find their way to Disney stage. Trust me. Cinderella is available for kids through MTI but they will never do an adult stage adaptation.

So IF there is a princess rule, it's pretty pointless and only applies to Mermaid / Beauty and the Beast.

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:36pm

"Snow White has been done and Cinderella / Sleeping Beauty will never find their way to Disney stage."

How do you know? they are very well-known properties and would bring the families in droves, earning Disney Millions of dollars once again. If it is a guaranteed money-maker, I would never put it past Disney, of all corporations to pass up such a lucrative deal. It may not be in the works now, but who's to say that in 2015, "Sleeping Beauty: The new Disney Musical: won't happen?

I wouldn't put it past them to hire someone to put all three of the aforementioned shows together ala "Into the Woods" meets "On The Record" and run with that for awhile.

Updated On: 1/27/07 at 01:36 PM

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:37pm

Sondhead-
Who's to say that Disney WON'T Bring Snow White/Sleeping Beauty/Aladdin/Cinderella/Mulan etc to the stage? No one thought "Little Mermaid" would be done, and here it is! That was a really ignorant statement.


And to add to the "Not Actually a Princess But Disney Thinks They Are" list, I've seen both Tinkerbell and Esmerelda as well.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 1:39pm

Disney sucks. No way around it.