Should Disney stop producing musicals? — Page 2

Just echoing what many have already said. I love Disney musicals, but I need them to start take more risks again. They can afford it. I find it sad that they haven't had a show that has matched the artistic AND financial success of Lion King. Besides the two flops of theirs (we know what they are), everything they've done has been a hit, mostly in terms of finance. People WILL come just on title alone, so I honestly cannot for the life of me, figure why they can't be creative and artistic at the same time. If they have a built in audience, why can't they just make their shows good while they're at it? They really don't have an excuse for not doing so.

I didn't say anything against the worthy artists in your extremely long list, but your equating the evolution and growth of theater with the Disney money machine's cartoon properties inadvertently helps make my point, so thanks for that.

You compared "discussing theater" then and now. For "then", you included some accomplished artists, for "now", you mention only Disney cartoons and forego everything else. I just observed it as a very lopsided false comparison. I included Disney in the evolution and growth of theatre, not equate it. You may not wish to acknowledge artistry in their productions or their contributions to theatre, but that doesn't mean they don't exist (and Aida was not originally a Disney property nor was Newsies a cartoon). I don't like every show they've produced, but I do appreciate some of their works.

Disney hasn't tried to conquer Broadway to advance any art form. It's about making lots of money on tried-and-true properties that they continue to repackage for public consumption. Period.

Got it. You have absolute feelings regarding Disney that may or may not be completely true, but they are 100% true for you and that's what counts. Okay. Don't get your bloomers in a twist.

Disney should not stop producing musicals



Disney should produce better musicals

Gizmo6 said: "No I don't think they should but they have never really replicated the magic of the Lion King.

All subsequent productions have been carbon copies, more or less, of the cartoons.

Lion King shows audiences are capable of more imagination than often given credit for.


I'm just upset I didn't fly to either Chicago or Boston when they did The Jungle Book. I had thought, it's Disney, it will be a hit and eventually make it to Los Angeles. nope.

orangeskittles said: "AADA81 said: "Disney hasn't tried to conquer Broadway to advance any art form. It's about making lots of money on tried-and-true properties that they continue to repackage for public consumption. Period.."

You literally just described all of Broadway. Remember Roundabout's Cabaret revival revival? Or the 4 separate revivalsof Glass Menagerie or Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in just my lifetime? Do you trulythink they're all "advancing the art form" by tossing a celebrity into a Williams play every 3-5 years, or do the producersjust want to make money?

I wish Disney would do morelike Aida and produce shows that aren't just their cartoon movies onstage, but they're too into their own branding now, so I can't see that happening."

No one produces anything on Broadway wanting to flop (except Bialystock & Bloom) but that doesn't mean the creators don't try to do something unusual. I think 'The Band's Visit', 'August: Osage County', 'Dear Evan Hansen' and many others were pushing the envelope in different ways. It's possible to do both.


Revivals used to be rare on Broadway but they are now almost a necessity. "Long Day's Journey..." with Vanessa Redgrave, Brian Dennehy and Phillip Seymour Hoffman was a memorable theatrical experience in 2003, and the Sally Field revival of 'The Glass Menagerie' at least attempted a different (though wrong-headed IMO) approach to the material. It's possible to do both.

Disney's formulaic approach is rooted in the marketing of established brands, i.e. animated-or-musical-film-to-stage-musical-to-live-action-film. We have up-coming movie re-versions of 'The Lion King', 'Aladdin' and a 'Mary Poppins' sequel to look forward to. Branding. Why, I even heard tell of a rumor that they're creating a new kingdom for Disneyland and Disney World to be called .... Brandland.

I can't wait.

Updated On: 11/23/18 at 12:33 PM