Disney Theatrical Group

* Disney on Ice
* Disney Live!
* Disney on Broadway
* Disney on Broadway on Tour
* Disney Live Family Entertainment
* Buena Vista Theatrical

The **Disney Theatrical Group**, legally **Buena Vista Theatrical Group Ltd.**, is the live show, stageplay and musical production arm of The Walt Disney Company. The company is led by Thomas Schumacher, and forms a part of The Walt Disney Studios, one of the four major business segments of The Walt Disney Company.

## Background

Starting in 1949, Ice Capades started adding Disney's segment to their performances. Costumes from those shows were used at the opening of Disneyland in 1955, with some performers hired away for Disney. With the characters a hit at the 1964 New York World's Fair, Walt Disney wanted another outlet for "live" characters. Disneyland put on *Disney on Parade,* a self-produced live arena show, starting in 1969. After several years, Card Walker shut down the show as it was not making enough profit.

Soon after Mattel/Feld Productions' 1979 purchased the Ice Follies And Holiday on Ice, Inc., Feld approached Disney with a proposal to create a Disney show on ice. Thus Walt Disney's World on Ice premiered in 1981. Disney Studio co-produced "Largely New York" with Kenneth Feld, owner of Feld Entertainment, that premiered on May 1, 1989 at St. James Theatre.

On February 8, 1993, Disney incorporated Walt Disney Theatrical Productions, Limited with Ron Logan as president to produce *Beauty and the Beast: A New Musical*, which opened at the Palace Theater on April 18, 1994. In 1997, DTP reopened New Amsterdam with *King David*. Peter Schneider was promoted to Disney Studios president in January 1999, while Thomas Schumacher was promoted to president of Walt Disney Feature Animation and Walt Disney Theatrical Productions while both are made co-presidents of Disney Theatrical.

Walt Disney Imagineering created Disney Fair, a $30-million U.S. traveling attraction that took up 5 acres. The fair started its 15 city 15-month tour at Puyallup, Washington in September 1996. With poor attendance, the fair was pulled after a few stops. Disney Entertainment Projects (Asia Pacific) Inc., a new Disney Asian Pacific subsidiary, selected a renamed fair called DisneyFest as its first project. The 1,000-ton show was transported by ship to Singapore. The festival opened on October 30, 1997 there during the year-end holiday season for a three-month period.

## History

### Buena Vista Theatrical Group

Buena Vista Theatrical Group Ltd. was the name of Disney Theatrical Productions as of November 23, 1999 with Disney Theatrical Productions becoming its first division. In January 2000, the formation of the group along with Hyperion Theatricals, Disney's second production division, to oversee Hyperion and Disney Theatrical Productions (DTP) was announced. Hyperion's first production was *Aida* and all other non-Disney animation based productions were placed under Hyperion. In September 2000, all three US DTG shows, both Hyperion and DTP, were placed under the "Disney on Broadway" banner, then under "Disney on Broadway on Tour" when the shows went on national tour.

Schneider's promotion to studio chair left Schumacher as the only president of DTG in January 2000. Schneider left Disney Studio in June 2001 to form his own theater production company partly funded by Disney. In 2003, Music Theatre International became licensing agent for Disney musicals and plays for the school performances.

### Disney Theatrical Group

After May 2007, Buena Vista Theatrical Group changed its trade name to Disney Theatrical Group. DTG's Disney Live Family Entertainment signed a 10-year agreement with Feld Entertainment for Disney on Ice, Disney Live and other Disney productions in August 2008.

In 2010, Disney Theatrical Group launched its free Disney Musicals in Schools outreach program in New York City. Disney Musicals in Schools allows participating schools to get free performance rights, professional teaching artists and ShowKit materials to one of seven 30-minute Disney musical specifically written for elementary schools. By the end of 2017, the program was available in 18 cities having added 5 more cities, including the first international city London, that year.

On October 31, 2010, the group closed its Glendale, California office and cut staff in a DTG reorganization. In April 2013, Disney Studios initiated a 5% layoffs across all unit including DTG as the Disney conglomerate moves towards a reorganization later in the year. On April 28, 2014, the Group was an honoree at the Actors Fund Annual Gala. Disney India launched its Live Entertainment operations in 2015 with the production of *Beauty and the Beast* musical to be shown from October to December in Mumbai and Delhi*.*

No word before or after Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox about Fox Stage Productions' status post acquisition. However, the unit's head, executive vice president Cohen, who was also executive vice president of Legal Affairs, was laid off immediately after the Disney acquisition of 21st Century Fox in March 2019. On July 3, 2019, Fox Stage Productions was moved into Disney Theatrical Group as Buena Vista Theatrical division with all top executives leaving at that time.

## Units

* Disney Theatrical Productions is the primary production arm of Disney Theatrical Group. This subsidiary has been responsible for the production of many different musicals on Broadway. Acclaimed shows include: *Beauty and the Beast*, *The Lion King*, *Mary Poppins*, *Tarzan*, *The Little Mermaid*, *Newsies*, *Aladdin*, and *Frozen*. The Group also produces touring productions of their shows.
* **Disney Theatrical Licensing** is DTG's show licensing arm which licenses its shows for performance by local school and community theatres via its agent, Musical Theatre International (MTI). Shows like *Beauty and the Beast*, *Aida*, and *High School Musical* are licensed. Disney also licenses special versions of shows for performance by younger children. Some of these shows include titles like *Aladdin Jr.*, *The Lion King Jr.* *Mulan Jr, or Mary Poppins Junior.* In October 2016, “Freaky Friday” premiered as a licensed theatrical production in Washington, DC.
* Disney Live Family Entertainment, which incorporates Disney on Ice ice shows and Disney Live, produced by Feld Entertainment.
	+ **Walt Disney Special Events Group** is responsible for live character promotional shows and events.
* New Amsterdam Development Corp.
	+ long-term lease of New Amsterdam Theatre
* New Amsterdam Theatrical Productions, Inc.
* Walt Disney Theatrical Worldwide, Inc.
* Buena Vista Theatrical Ventures, Inc.
* Buena Vista Theatrical Merchandise, LLC

### Buena Vista Theatrical

*This is the former 20th Century Fox theatrical arm, not be confused with Fox Theatricals, an independent theatrical production company, which produced The Humans, Fun Home and If/Then.*
**Buena Vista Theatrical**, formerly **Fox Stage Productions**, is a theatrical production company of Disney Theatrical Group.

Previously, 20th had just licensed their property for theatrical adaptations including *9 to 5*, *Young Frankenstein* and *Big*. In 1970, *All About Eve* was adapted as *Applause* musical on Broadway with Margo played by Lauren Bacall. Fox had become vexed by many of these fizzling adaptation attempts.

Fox Stage Productions was formed in June 2013 which included the retaining of Isaac Robert Hurwitz as a consultant. In August 2013, 20CF started a theatrical joint venture with a trio of producer-executives, both film and theater, Broadway producer Kevin McCollum, film producer John Davis and Tom McGrath. McCollum would handle day-to-day operations of the joint venture while  The joint venture was Fox contributing 50% and the trio 50%. The trio of individual would do productions outside the venture. The development slate based on Fox films would consist of nine to 12 musicals. Hurwitz was hired in July 2015 as senior vice president of Fox Stage Productions reporting to the division head Bob Cohen.

Fox Stage licensed out *Anastasia*, both the 1956 feature and the 1997 animated version, to Stage Entertainment, 50 Church Productions, The Shubert Organization, Judith Ann Abrams Productions, Broadway Asia/Umeda Arts Theater, Seoul Broadcasting System, LD Entertainment, Blumegreenspan, Silva Theatrical Group, in association with Hartford Stage for a musical that debut on April 24, 2017 at Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway. A *Working Girl* musical adaptation with Cyndi Lauper writing the music was announced by Fox in 2017.

No word before or after Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox about Fox Stage Productions' status post acquisition. However, the unit's head, executive vice president Cohen, who was also executive vice president of Legal Affairs, was given a laid off notice after the Disney acquisition of 21st Century Fox in March 2019. On July 3, 2019, Fox Stage Productions was moved into Disney Theatrical Group as Buena Vista Theatrical division with all executives, including Cohen, Connor Brockmeier and SVP Hurwitz, leaving at that time. Instead of a production company on *Working Girl*, the musical adaptation was switched to a license production by Aged in Wood Productions since Disney took over ownership.

**Productions**
* *All About Eve* (spring 2018) on West End by Sonia Friedman Productions and Fox Stage Productions
* *The Diary of a Wimpy Kid* (developmental production April 16-June 5, 2016) Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis
* *Mrs. Doubtfire* (in development)
* *The Devil Wears Prada* musical (in development for Broadway) produced by Kevin McCollum, Fox Stage Productions and Rocket Entertainment; slated director: Anna D. Shapiro; music by Sir Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub and a book by Paul Rudnick

### Hyperion Theatricals

**Hyperion Theatricals** was Buena Vista Theatrical Group secondary production division assign all non-Disney animation based productions. Hyperion shared its name with a Disney publishing label, which was named after the Silver Lake street that was Disney's first local address. The new production unit would focus on more traditional Broadway fare.

Hyperion Theatricals was formed in January 2000 along with Buena Vista Theatrical Group Ltd., Disney's theatrical oversite company. Producers and heads of Disney Theatricals Peter Schneider and Thomas Schumacher were assigned to run Hyperion. Hyperion's first production was *Aida* with the in development *Hoopz* and all other non-Disney animation based productions were placed under Hyperion. *Hoopz*, a Harlem Globetrotters based musical by Savion Glover, Reg E. Gaines, and Kenny Leon, was in work shop phase in second quarter 2000.

In September 2000, *Aida* was placed with Disney Theatrical Productions shows under the "Disney on Broadway" banner, then under "Disney on Broadway on Tour" when the show went on national tour starting April 6, 2001. *Hoopz* was then hedged as to whether or not it would be released as a Hyperion or Disney Theatrical production.

#### *Aida*

*Main article: Aida (musical)*
Based on the opera by Giuseppe Verdi, it tells the story of a Nubian slave who falls in love with an Egyptian captain. It was written by Elton John and Tim Rice. It began previews on February 25, 2000 and officially opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on March 23, 2000. Aida closed on September 5, 2004 and ran for a total of 30 previews and 1852 performances. The Broadway production won four Tony Awards including Best Actress (Heather Headley), Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Music. Since its run on Broadway, it has had a U.S. national tour and productions around the world.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Finke, Nikki (October 7, 2010). "Disney Theatrical Bottom-To-Top Shakeup?", *Deadline Hollywood*, Penske Business Media. Retrieved on July 28, 2015.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cox, Gordon (November 22, 2016). "All the World’s a Stage", *Variety*. Retrieved on November 23, 2016.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Buena Vista Theatrical Group Ltd.". New York Secretary of State. http://appext20.dos.ny.gov/corp\_public/CORPSEARCH.ENTITY\_INFORMATION?p\_nameid=1771511&p\_corpid=1700823&p\_entity\_name=Disney%20Theatrical%20Productions&p\_name\_type=%25&p\_search\_type=BEGINS&p\_srch\_results\_page=0. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "EX-21 SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY". SEC. November 24, 2010. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1001039/000119312510268910/dex21.htm. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Korkis, Jim (September 13, 2005). "Wednesdays with Wade: 25 years of "Disney on Ice"", *JimHillMedia*. Retrieved on July 30, 2015.
6. ↑ "Live Disney Characters in Traveling Arena Show", *The News and the Eastern Townships Advocate* (St. Johns, PQ), E.R. Smith Co. Ltd. (September 17, 1970), pp. 3, 2. Retrieved on July 30, 2015.
7. ↑ Dale, Steve (January 20, 1995). "Snow White And Greenbacks", *Chicago Tribune*. Retrieved on July 30, 2015.
8. ↑ "Feld Family Buys Ringling Bros", Associated Press, *The New York Times* (March 19, 1982). Retrieved on 20 July 2008. "... and the new Walt Disney's World on Ice. ..."
9. ↑ Schneider Farris, Jo Ann. "Shipstads and Johnson Ice Follies". About.com. http://figureskating.about.com/od/skatingstarsofthepast/p/follies.htm. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
10. ↑ Nelson, Nels (May 2, 1989). "Curtain Up On 'Largely New York'", *Philly.com*. Retrieved on July 30, 2015.
11. ↑ Wilson, Paige (February 4, 2015). "UCF Rosen professor a window into Walt Disney World", *Central Florida Future*, Gannett. Retrieved on August 10, 2015.
12. ↑ Kennedy, Shawn G. (May 12, 1995). "Disney and Developer Are Chosen To Build 42d Street Hotel Complex", *The New York Times*, p. B2. Retrieved on July 30, 2015. "Disney has signed a 49-year lease to the 92-year-old New Amsterdam Theater, though it can get out of the deal by July 15 if certain conditions are not met."
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Singer, Barry (October 4, 1998). "Theater; Just Two Animated Characters, Indeed", *The New York Times*. Retrieved on August 10, 2015.
14. ↑ Simonson, Robert (January 12, 1999). "Thomas Schumacher Promoted to Co-President of Disney Theatricals", *Playbill*. Retrieved on July 28, 2015.
15. ↑ Matzer, Marla (August 28, 1997). "It Didn't Play in Puyallup, so Disney Tries Singapore", *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved on September 23, 2015.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Disney Creates New Theatre Division, Hyperion Theatricals", *Pay Bill* (January 31, 2000). Retrieved on July 28, 2015.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Hofler, Robert (March 14, 2001). "Mouse’s ‘Aida’ takes to the road", *Variety*. Retrieved on July 31, 2015.
18. ↑ Lyman, Rick (January 13, 2000). "Disney Studio Chairman Decides to Step Down", *The New York Times*. Retrieved on August 10, 2015.
19. ↑ Lyman, Rick (June 21, 2001). "Chairman of Disney's Studios Resigns to Return to Broadway", *The New York Times*. Retrieved on August 10, 2015.
20. ↑ Foster, Catherine (October 2, 2005). "Tailoring a hit Broadway musical for the school market means shortening, rescoring, and deciding what will play in Peoria", *Boston Globe*. Retrieved on July 29, 2015.
21. ↑ Fixmer, Andy (April 25, 2007). "Disney to Drop Buena Vista Brand Name, People Say (Update1)", *Bloomberg News*. Retrieved on November 28, 2012.
22. ↑ Grove, Lloyd (August 28, 2008). "The World According to Kenneth Feld", *Upstart Business Journal*, American City Business Journals, p. 18. Retrieved on August 3, 2015.
23. ↑ Arnegger, Sarah Jane (August 23, 2017). "Disney Musicals in Schools Brings Broadway Dreams to Students Across the Country" (in en), *Playbill*. Retrieved on July 12, 2019.
24. ↑ Graser, Marc (April 10, 2013). "Layoffs Under Way at Disney", *Variety*. Retrieved on July 31, 2015.
25. ↑ Shwayder, Maya (April 29, 2014). "Disney on Broadway Stages Reunion Show for the Actors Fund Gala", *Variety*. Retrieved on July 31, 2015.
26. ↑ Malvania, Urvi (August 12, 2015). "Disney launches its theatrical brand with Beauty and the Beast", *Business Standard*. Retrieved on August 13, 2015.
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 Template:Cite magazine
28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Template:Cite magazine
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Caitlin, Huston (July 2, 2019). "Fox Stage Productions to merge into Disney Theatrical", *Broadway News*, Broadway Brands LLC. Retrieved on July 12, 2019.
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Rooney, David (June 25, 2008). "Disney’s theater unit ups Schrader", *Variety*. Retrieved on July 29, 2015.
31. ↑ "Feld Entertainment and Disney Live Family Entertainment to Produce A New Series of Live Productions Based on Disney's Classic Characters", *feldentertainment.com*, Feld Entertainment (July 29, 2003). Retrieved on July 29, 2015.
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "20th Century Fox Enlists Help in Bringing Its Properties to the Stage", *The New York Times* (July 12, 2013). Retrieved on 28 March 2019.
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Template:Cite magazine
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Template:Cite magazine
35. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
36. ↑ Rooney, David (July 3, 2019). "Fox Stage Execs Exit Under New Disney Theatrical Structure" (in en), *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved on July 16, 2019.
37. ↑ Evans, Greg (July 3, 2019). "Fox Stage Productions Execs Exit After Disney Theatricals Takeover; ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Proceeds On Schedule" (in en), *Deadline*. Retrieved on July 16, 2019.
38. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
39. ↑ Romano, Nick (August 28, 2018). "'Mrs. Doubtfire' musical is officially in the works and aiming for Broadway" (in en), *EW.com*. Retrieved on April 5, 2019.
40. ↑ Huston, Caitlin (13 March 2019). "Anna D. Shapiro to direct 'The Devil Wears Prada' musical", *Broadway News*. Retrieved on April 5, 2019.
41. ↑ SHIRLEY, DON (February 6, 2000). "Theater Notes: Disney Name Game", *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved on July 28, 2015.
42. ↑ Windeler, Robert (February 21, 2001). "Newswire: Disney Forms Theatre Division", BPI, *Backstage*.
43. ↑ Ehren, Christine (January 5, 2002). "Aida Bids Addio to Los Angeles, Travels on to Boston, Philly, Chicago in 2002", *Play Bill*. Retrieved on August 10, 2015.

## External links

* Disney Theatrical Group

Template:Disney
Template:Walt Disney Studios