What happens to "specialty" CMs during refurbs and rehabs?

[Since1976]

I know that in most cases, CMs whose attractions are rehabbed are simply moved to other attractions. But what about specialty CMs, like chefs, railroad engineers, and show actors? What happens to them when the powers-that-be decide that it's time to rehab their restaurant/train/show?

The reason I bring this up is because I noticed that the Teppanyaki at Epcot is/was closed for several months, and I was curious what all those great cooks were doing in the meantime...

 

[napnet]

Hrm... good question!

 

[Walt Sent Me]

If they are equity (unionized) actors like those in Finding Nemo: the Musical or Monster Inc Laugh Floor... they get a nice paid vacation from work!

 

[raven]

If they are equity (unionized) actors like those in Finding Nemo: the Musical or Monster Inc Laugh Floor... they get a nice paid vacation from work!

I never heard of any CMs at WDW being in the Actors Equity. If it's true then they are very lucky to have the backing of the union behing them!

 

[Figment82]

Actors in the Union don't have to appear as "friends of Characters" (to put it in Disney-speak) - if they are not in Union, then they do.

 

[PKD]

I never heard of any CMs at WDW being in the Actors Equity. If it's true then they are very lucky to have the backing of the union behing them!

Many of the performing CM's are Equity. If you have a speaking/singing part in a show then you are Equity. Also, there are many dancers who are Equity due to the level of dancing required for said show. I believe that Dream Along W/Mickey has no Equity as it is all tracked & the dancers weren't required by the union to be Equity. Where as Cinderellabortion has several Equity members due to live vocals and dancing levels.

 

[rbrower]

Thanks for the information!

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Nemo is definitely using Equity actors, because a number of them have worked on Broadway before.

The original Festival of the Lion King cast, the one on the CD, also has a number of Equity performers, many of whom went on to star in the actual Lion King production at some point (Montego Glover was a phenomenal Nala in the Lion King on Broadway).

 

[beachclubbasics]

I've heard that Disney will sometimes use the park shows as the tryouts and building blocks for the Broadway shows. My BF has worked on Broadway subbing in Beauty and the Beast and Lion King and he also was offered a part in Aida, but chose not to take it (wasn't the exact part he wanted...what a brat! I guess it was a good move as he's been doing a lot of stunt coordination work in very recent Dsiney movies). He says that there are many Equity actors in the shows who then later move on to the Broadway productions.

BTW, major rumor has it that Voyage of the Little Mermaid will be expanded and brought to Broadway as a full-blown play done in the same Japanese puppetry style as the MGM show, only using more of actors face/physical attributes for people like Ursula (rather than the hinky AA/puppet that they wheel out now)....similar to how the Beauty and the Beast park show is more costumed while the Broadway play uses more of the human characteristics of the actors (they explain in the Bway show that the characters are still evolving into the "things" that they will become, whereas in the park show and movie they have already turned and will stay that way if Beast doesn't win over Belle).

 

[Figment82]

The Little Mermaid *will* be coming to Broadway - it's no rumor. It's opening in Denver this summer for tryouts before moving to New York.

 

[joanna71985]

Many of the performing CM's are Equity. If you have a speaking/singing part in a show then you are Equity. Also, there are many dancers who are Equity due to the level of dancing required for said show. I believe that Dream Along W/Mickey has no Equity as it is all tracked & the dancers weren't required by the union to be Equity. Where as Cinderellabortion has several Equity members due to live vocals and dancing levels.

Actually, that's not true. Dream Along with Mickey does have Equity performers. The dancers are all Equity.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I've heard that Disney will sometimes use the park shows as the tryouts and building blocks for the Broadway shows. My BF has worked on Broadway subbing in Beauty and the Beast and Lion King and he also was offered a part in Aida, but chose not to take it (wasn't the exact part he wanted...what a brat! I guess it was a good move as he's been doing a lot of stunt coordination work in very recent Dsiney movies). He says that there are many Equity actors in the shows who then later move on to the Broadway productions.

BTW, major rumor has it that Voyage of the Little Mermaid will be expanded and brought to Broadway as a full-blown play done in the same Japanese puppetry style as the MGM show, only using more of actors face/physical attributes for people like Ursula (rather than the hinky AA/puppet that they wheel out now)....similar to how the Beauty and the Beast park show is more costumed while the Broadway play uses more of the human characteristics of the actors (they explain in the Bway show that the characters are still evolving into the "things" that they will become, whereas in the park show and movie they have already turned and will stay that way if Beast doesn't win over Belle).

The Little Mermaid is being brought to Broadway this fall, after an out of town tryout in Denver. It will move into the Lunt-Fontanne Theater, current home of Beauty and the Beast which closes this summer. Francesca Zambello is directing, and the concept involves the use of heelies (wheelies?) to simulate swimming. Sierra Boggess, Sherie Renee Scott (Broadway's original Amneris), Norm Lewis, Eddie Korbich, Titus Burgess, Jonathan Freeman, and newcomer Sean Palmer all star.

 

[PKD]

Actually, that's not true. Dream Along with Mickey does have Equity performers. The dancers are all Equity.

In Dream Along w/Mickey, the dancers/singers are not required to be Equity, is that correct? I'm sure that many in the show are Equity due to their past performing duties, but I was under the impression that this show didn't require that status.

 

[joanna71985]

In Dream Along w/Mickey, the dancers/singers are not required to be Equity, is that correct? I'm sure that many in the show are Equity due to their past performing duties, but I was under the impression that this show didn't require that status.

No they are. I personally know some of them.

 

[SteveUK]

I heard the performers were all put under the castle in cryogenic storage with Walt until they were needed again?