Goodbye, Masquerade

[General Grizz]

Epcot's "Masquerade" at the Italy Pavilion will have its final perfromance on Saturday, April 24th.

PHOTO BY ARIEL17

 

[Lilo]

I am really sad to see this go. The first time we went my son (who was about 5 at the time) loved it. In fact some of them even came up to him to have his picture taken without even asking. In subsequent visits we always waited around to watch this special event.

 

[figmentmom]

I'm sorry to see this go, too. Not just the actors, but that terrific music, wafting out and around the World Showcase...

 

[sillyspook13]

It's sad to see another quality piece of entertainment leave Epcot, but unfortunately it was easy to see this one coming. Masquerade had been cut to five days a while back. Often performers are pulled from this show to be spares at other locations. A show with seven performers, as pictured in this thread, is now quite rare.

 

[shakes20]

Great memory

I too will be sad to see Masquerade come to an end. One of my favorite Disney memories comes from one of their shows. My family was dining at Alfredo’s when my youngest daughter (two at the time) became restless. I decided to take her out to the courtyard so that my wife could finish her meal in peace. As we walked out of the restaurant, a show began. After they finished, one of the performers came over to us and started to interact with Madilyn. For what seemed like ten minutes, this cast member gave my daughter her full attention, touching, joking, and playing peek-a-boo with her. Madilyn was not very verbal yet, so the pantomime that the character used seemed so natural with her. It was one of those amazing, magical Disney moments. I kick myself for not taking a picture or video of the two of them (my wife had the cameras in the restaurant) so that I could show others, but this is a memory that I will always keep with me.

 

[celestia]

I am extreamly sad to see this performance go. EPCOT is always supposed to be changing though so i guess its time. Whenever i was able to go to the parks i never missed a chance to see the show, and even got a flower once (its dried now in a 'memorybox') I went to venice this summer, and swear the performers there were nowhere near as wonderful as these.

 

[Atta83]

I loved this show and watching how people react to these masked performers. Harlequin will remain my favorite. While I have many many pictures with them they all are special to me. These people that perfom this show are great people they love what they do. Awwww the memories in Itlay.....

 

[BG Rugger]

Another quality show gone......

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

i loved these guys! i'm going to miss them! Nova Era was one of my favorite bands at WDW and, of course, the masquerade would always come out during their performances and dance around. Since Nova Era was pretty much kicked out of the park, the masquerade was the only thing left to remind me of their presence. now they're leaving too. hopefully Disney will replace these wonderful entertainers with something that is just as magical!

 

[cherrynegra]

Does anyone know why they're cancelling this show? And if so, what are they putting in its place?

 

[se8472]

ok I need to make sure I see this one when I go

 

[BRER STITCH]

Hmmmm......

I always found it kinda....frightening!

Hopefully it will be replaced by another show soon!

 

[aim]

Thanks for the tip Grixx I will have to make sure to take tons of pictures before it leaves!! And video!

 

[lebernadin]

Are these pool entertainment people, or is this an outside troupe that does this show exclusively and was under contract?

Someone mentioned some are taken away to do other acts from time to time so is it safe to assume they're pool?

 

[Shaman]

Originally posted by BRER STITCH
I always found it kinda....frightening!

I know what you mean...:lol:

But the music was great...*sigh*...the show was just something you expected to come across when in Italy....oh well....

 

[sillyspook13]

Originally posted by lebernadin
Are these pool entertainment people, or is this an outside troupe that does this show exclusively and was under contract?

Someone mentioned some are taken away to do other acts from time to time so is it safe to assume they're pool?

They're pool.

 

[sillyspook13]

Originally posted by cherrynegra
Does anyone know why they're cancelling this show? And if so, what are they putting in its place?

Major entertainment cutbacksat epcot...:hurl:

The only "replacement" was the the move of the living statues from France to Italy.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

Originally posted by sillyspook13
Major entertainment cutbacksat epcot...:hurl:

The only "replacement" was the the move of the living statues from France to Italy.

ya know, i was just thinking about how Epcot seems to be lacking in entertainment these days. i remember when there seemed to be performers out all the time! i remember there used to be dancers at Morocco, and other various forms of entertainment. but it seems like now the entertainers are few and far between. of course, you still have the popular bands and all, but the 'other' forms of entertainment just don't seem as frequent as they used to be.

so, since they've moved the statues to Italy, what's in France? do they still have the mime in a bubble?

 

[sillyspook13]

Originally posted by Dizknee_Phreek
so, since they've moved the statues to Italy, what's in France? do they still have the mime in a bubble?

currently they have Le Mime Roland and Serveur Amusant, two comedy acts.

 

[aim]

But hey! At least they still have Off Kilter! :sohappy: :wave: