It appears that one of my recent wishes is about to come true.
Disney has posted audition notices for "an exciting new Broadway-caliber theatrical production at the Disneyland Resort, planned for a limited run in the state-of-the-art, indoor, 2000-seat Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure." You can find the notice on the Disney Careers website.
Last week, I posted Five Wishes for Disney Parks to Make Come True, and the final wish on my list was that Disneyland reopen the Hyperion Theater. Today's audition notice all but officially confirms that will be happening sometime later this year.
The new show will be written by Hunter Bell, who wrote Villains Tonight! for the Disney Cruise Line, with music by Christopher Lennertz, who has worked for Disney on Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, Camp Rock 2, and Agent Carter, and also has been nominated for an Emmy for his work on Supernatural.
The audition notice calls for a "Greek Chorus" of three female-identifying singers who can perform in a variety of harmonizing styles, a young adult Mezzo Soprano with a strong English accent who is "brave, resourceful and intelligent," a late-teen male-identifying Tenor "coming into his greatness," a young adult Baritone/Tenor who is a "noble, loyal, idealistic, and romantic do-gooder," and a slightly older Baritone/Tenor who is "decisive, capable, principled and has a wry sense of humor."
The notice also calls for singers in the chorus while another notice calls for dancers. Submissions must be received by February 26 and positions are covered by an agreement with American Guild of Variety Artists, so performers must be a member of that union or willing to join.
The Hyperion has been dark since the Disneyland Resort theme parks closed for the pandemic, with the last major production there being Frozen Live at the Hyperion.
So what do you hope - or think - that this new musical will be?
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My first inclination to some of those casting calls is Hercules, but I can't recall anyone in the movie with a strong English accent.
Therefore, the temporary run makes me think this will be a mash-up show with multiple films represented.
Sounded like Hercules but sounds more a mash-up now. Still hopefully fun even if I wish they'd just bring back Aladdin.
The Greek Mouse Detective ?
Rogers: The Musical!
That'll Cost Extra: the Bob Chapek Story
"I'm Mary Poppins, Y'All: The Musical"
@Robert: Touché
I mean, they both fit loosely thematically with Avengers Campus, no?
"Zeus Was Here, Hold My Bolt - The Russell Crowe Documentary"
Virtual Queue - The Musical
a sequel to the Aladdin musical
"Genie+"
And the winner goes to..... Jay R. "Virtual Queue -The Musical"
That gave me the biggest laugh
This makes me wish WDI had followed through and built that theater on WDW Main Street USA at MKP.
They actually tore up the parking lot to prep for construction ... And then ended up putting the parking lot back.
@Russell, @Jay, @Jacob:
Well done lads! Those are all solid gold baby!
Looking at the descriptions and matching it against what Disney has coming up, my guess is Peter Pan.
Female with English accent: Wendy
Young tenor coming into his greatness: Peter Pan
Principled older baritone (baritone being Disney code for villains): Captain Hook
Greek Chorus: possibly a group of faries? Or the "lost boys" since they're prepubescent and would need higher voices.
Others: to be figured out after the premiere of "Peter Pan & Wendy," coming out in 2023.
It may not be right but it makes sense!
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Aladdin! Still miss what in my opinion was the best theme park show around. I did see Frozen. It was a nice show and overall surprised it wasnt given a few more years of run. Awesome theater and a great people eater. Also consistenty had some of the best cast members around the resort.