Disney Theatrical Productions Announces Plans for 2007

Disney has really embraced the Great White Way. Looking over this list, that's a lot of success and no failures.

NEW YORK (PRNewswire) – Following an historic 2006 marked by tremendous growth and unparalleled success on Broadway, in touring markets, and internationally, Disney Theatrical Productions is preparing for a 2007 which promises the addition of The Little Mermaid to the canon of Disney Theatrical's titles and an expanded slate of productions across the globe. Thomas Schumacher, producer said, "2006 was a year of spectacular growth for Disney Theatricals. In addition to new productions, our long- running shows saw continued success in New York and across the globe."

• Tarzan – Disney Theatrical Productions started 2006 with the world premiere of Tarzan, one of the most artistically innovative shows to come to Broadway in recent memory. The show has proven to be a hit, having set the box office record at the Richard Rodgers Theatre an impressive five times in 2006.
• Mary Poppins – Fall 2006 saw the Broadway premiere of Mary Poppins, the most eagerly anticipated show of the season, which quickly proved to be a hit with audience members and critics alike. The Broadway production was heralded by New York critics as, "a roof-raising, toe-tapping, high-flying extravaganza" (The Daily News) and led one critic to exclaim, "I loved the movie, but I have to confess I love the Broadway musical even more" (WABC-TV). Mary Poppins, produced in partnership with Cameron Mackintosh, has become the biggest hit to open during the 2006-2007 season. The London production continues its record-setting run as it enters its third year at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End.
• The Lion King – The Lion King set new box office records six times in 2006, positioning it to become the longest running show in the Minskoff Theatre's history. On the road, The Lion King's two national touring productions have experienced unprecedented success in cities across the country including a recent return engagement to Los Angeles' Pantages Theatre. Internationally, The Lion King celebrated continued success as an English-language production made its premiere in Shanghai, China. In addition, The Lion King had record-setting runs in Amsterdam and Australia. The Lion King has become a global phenomenon with a total of seven productions currently running worldwide: New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Seoul, and two US national tours.
• Beauty & The Beast – After enchanting audiences for more than 13 years, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the inaugural Broadway musical from Disney Theatrical Productions, will take its final bow at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Sunday, July 29. The production will have played 46 previews and 5,464 regular performances. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is the longest-running American musical currently on Broadway and the sixth longest running show of all time. Around the world, Beauty and the Beast has played in a total of 13 countries and 115 cities, making it one of the most successful musicals of all time.
• The Little Mermaid – Led by director Francesca Zambello, some of the theater's most innovative artists will gather this summer in Denver to create The Little Mermaid, based on the beloved Disney film and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Casting is nearly complete with rehearsals set to begin May 2007. Then, beginning Thursday, July 26, 2007, the process continues with seven weeks of previews and performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Following Denver, the team moves back to New York where Broadway previews are set to begin Saturday, November 3, 2007 ahead of a planned Thursday, December 6, 2007 opening at the Lunt- Fontanne Theatre.
• International Expansion – The Lion King is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Broadway with an historic Johannesburg, South Africa production to launch in June 2007. The production will feature a local South African cast, many of whom have been in other productions of The Lion King around the world and are now coming home to perform in their native country. In October 2007, a French-language production of The Lion King will premiere in Paris, marking the 11th country the show will have played during its first decade. Disney's first international production of Tarzan is currently in rehearsals and will open April 15, 2007 at the Circustheatre near Amsterdam. The production is a continuation of a long-standing partnership between Disney Theatrical Productions and Stage Entertainment, the collaboration that has mounted six Disney musicals in Europe, grossing over $400 million in ticket sales. Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida continues its success globally with productions currently running in Fukuoka, Japan and a national tour continuing through Germany.
• The Next Generation – Disney Theatricals also continues its unparalleled success in the nation's schools and amateur theatrical groups through its relationship with Musical Theatre International (MTI). In fall 2006, MTI introduced a version of the popular Disney Channel movie High School Musical. The MTI version of High School Musical is one of the most popular titles in MTI's history, receiving an unprecedented number of license requests since the show became available.