"Aladdin" Will Cut the Rug as Park Musical
NEW YORK (Variety) -- Disney's "Aladdin" is the latest animated feature to get the theater treatment. But its magic carpet isn't destined for Broadway. The new stage musical is the first major project on Anne Ham-burger's slate as executive VP of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. "Aladdin" opens Dec. 9 at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim. With the original film score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, the show has been given a new book by Chad Beguelin ("The Rhythm Club") and will be presented under the direction of opera helmer Francesca Zambello. Choreography is by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, who staged "Swing!" on Broadway. As for taking "Aladdin" beyond the Disney theme parks, Hamburger didn't rule it out. "That is up to Tom Schumacher and Michael Eisner. If it works to make it into a two-hour show and take it to Broadway, they will," she said. "But my focus is on the theme parks." Zambello's participation continues the House of Mouse's recent tradition of putting cutting-edge directors, such as Julie Taymor ("The Lion King") and Matthew Bourne ("The Little Mermaid"), in charge of its legit productions. Reviled or lauded for her bizarre interpretations of classic operas, Zambello will stage Hector Berlioz's five-hour-plus extravaganza "Les Troyens" at the Metro-politan Opera this season. "Aladdin" will be performed multiple times in the park, seven days a week, employ-ing two casts and crews.
NEW YORK (Variety) -- Disney's "Aladdin" is the latest animated feature to get the theater treatment. But its magic carpet isn't destined for Broadway. The new stage musical is the first major project on Anne Ham-burger's slate as executive VP of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. "Aladdin" opens Dec. 9 at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim. With the original film score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, the show has been given a new book by Chad Beguelin ("The Rhythm Club") and will be presented under the direction of opera helmer Francesca Zambello. Choreography is by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, who staged "Swing!" on Broadway. As for taking "Aladdin" beyond the Disney theme parks, Hamburger didn't rule it out. "That is up to Tom Schumacher and Michael Eisner. If it works to make it into a two-hour show and take it to Broadway, they will," she said. "But my focus is on the theme parks." Zambello's participation continues the House of Mouse's recent tradition of putting cutting-edge directors, such as Julie Taymor ("The Lion King") and Matthew Bourne ("The Little Mermaid"), in charge of its legit productions. Reviled or lauded for her bizarre interpretations of classic operas, Zambello will stage Hector Berlioz's five-hour-plus extravaganza "Les Troyens" at the Metro-politan Opera this season. "Aladdin" will be performed multiple times in the park, seven days a week, employ-ing two casts and crews.
