Future of Disney on Broadway

It's a little concerning to me, especially given their recent troubles and mass layoffs/reorganization, that Disney hasn't even acknowledged the most recent shutdown news on either of their shows' social media channels.  

I'm very curious how Disney Theatrical will be affected by the pandemic in the long-term, especially in the eyes of corporate Disney...

I'm hopeful that both Aladdin and Lion King survive this, but does anyone think it likely we may see Aladdin close and Lion King move back to the New Amsterdam and be Disney's only show for a good while in the one theatre the company owns? If it came down to it, out of the two, we know which one will be saved – but I can't imagine them leaving the New Amsterdam dark.

TheatreKid3 said: "I'm very curious how Disney Theatrical will be affected by the pandemic in the long-term, especially in the eyes of corporate Disney..."

How do you define "long-term"? If you are indeed a "kid," then maybe next Labor Day seems an eternity away. There will be no effect on Disney or Disney Theatrical once the pandemic ends. To me this is a short or mid range issue. Patience. 

I am very confident Lion King will survive. As for Aladdin, let's see how the Disney+ release is received this holiday season. If it comes to pass that the latter reopens as well, I say it will only be around for another year or two before Beauty books the New Amsterdam.

BwayLB said: "I want to see Aladdin again! I am hoping Alan Menken keeps his word about the Hercules musical."

Personally, if Disney finds enough money to reopen Aladdin (haha), I think it was starting to overstay its welcome anyway.  I wouldn't mind them having a limited "last hurrah" of a run, maybe bring in some big stars, maybe Alex Newell as the Genie, let the show go out with a bang worthy of the show's spectacle.  Then bring in Hercules with the Public cast.  This probably wouldn't be feasible for a few reasons, but in an ideal world, that would be my dream.

Do you feel the same about shows such as Mean Girls, The Wedding Singer, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hairspray, Spring Awakening, Amelie, An American in Paris, Anastasia, Beetlejuice, Big Fish, Catch Me If You Can, Kinky Boots, Mrs. Doubtfire, School of Rock, etc and the countless others that are based on a film, book, or other source material? What do you mean by "new", "innovative", "original"?  If you mean completely never, ever seen before then that would disqualify a lot of past and current shows on Broadway unfortunately. Yes, Disney on Broadway uses songs from their movies, but also adds new material to their productions.  Of course, I am bias having made my Broadway debut in a Disney on Broadway show! :) 

Matthew Dotzman said: "Do you feel the same about shows such as Mean Girls, The Wedding Singer, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hairspray, Spring Awakening, Amelie, An American in Paris, Anastasia, Beetlejuice, Big Fish, Catch Me If You Can, Kinky Boots, Mrs. Doubtfire, School of Rock, etc and the countless others that are based on a film, book, or other source material? What do you mean by "new","innovative", "original"? If you mean completely never, ever seen before then that would disqualify a lot of past and current shows on Broadway unfortunately. Yes, Disney on Broadway uses songs from their movies, but also adds new material to their productions. Of course, I am bias having made my Broadway debut in a Disney on Broadway show! :)"

I dont mind a bit of both adsptations and original works.

broadwayguy2 said: "First things first is to remember theatre Disney Theatricals is a separate entity from the Parks and other things, so something bad for the parks does not necessarily affect Disney Theatricals."

Yes I realise that, but it's not just the parks. All their income streams have basically stopped except for Disney Plus which has become a small saviour. No sports, no parks, no movies, no theatre. They're a company whose products rely heavily on entertainment and on groups of people together.

The company as a whole will have to cut costs significantly to survive and that will happen across the board and all levels and all parts of the business. One thing is for sure no one can really predict what will happen, this is uncharted territory (for modern times) and survival is going to be their key concern. They previously stated they had a set amount of emergency funding (I want to say about 20 billion dollars but I cant really remember). That money they admitted wont last indefinitely.

Aladdin is helped by being in a theatre they own. I guess they could move Lion King there and close aladdin to save some cost. But it will depend on the finances and contracts. I highly doubt any new shows will come in for a few years. They'll need to rebuild first.