Movies That Should Be On Stage: Disney On Broadway

by Daniela

Some of you may or may not know that I’m an avid listener of the Rotoscopers: Animation Addicts Podcast and I also love their website. In fact, they were actually the inspiration to start this blog when I first mentioned the idea to Justine. Earlier this year they posted a list of Disney Classics they’d love to see on Broadway (which you can check out here) and it made me think about what movies I’d like to see turned into full-blown musicals. So although this may be a similar list, these are my own reasons.

Over the last year or so, I’ve started to really enjoy listening to cast recordings like Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Wicked and Newsies so I’m fairly new to the Broadway fandom (if you have any show suggestions for me, please comment them down below or leave me a message on tumblr). I enjoy musicals even though I don’t even know how a show is put together. So please excuse my very unexperienced point of view. I’ve only seen a handful of musicals in my 21 years. The first being one in Philippines with THE Lea Salonga, unfortunately I can’t even remember what it was called… I was 5 or 6. I did see Beauty and the Beast when I was 10! Now I constantly check the ticket websites and try and find the next big show playing in the city.

Disney has had its hand in Broadway musicals and they’re pretty good at it. Just check out their Tonys and nominations! Their most recent venture is an adaptation of Aladdin and they are also currently working on developments for The Jungle Book and also Frozen’s big break on Broadway (it was bound to happen). They’re also responsible for bringing Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Tarzan, and The Little Mermaid to life on stage. Other shows also include Mary Poppins, Aida, Newsies and many more. So here’s a few more movies I’d love to see make their Broadway debut.

Beauty and the Beast

Hercules

Who puts the "glad" in gladiator? When I was little I went to see Hercules on Ice in Dubai and at the time I actually hadn't seen the film yet. My mum thought I wouldn't be interested in it. But the memories of that show have stayed with me to this day (even though I only remember parts). 

Let's think about it, the gospel music is amazing and who wouldn't want to see The Muses in action? Much like the Greek chorus in Legally Blonde: The Musical, they'll be scene stealers and definitely be the source of some jokes. I'd imagine that Go the Distance would be a highly anticipated song and anybody would love to see it done justice. I would personally love to see how they would pull of I Won't Say I'm in Love and Zero to Hero. I Won't Say I'm in Love is actually one of more memorable moments from the ice show that I can still recall and I may be slightly biased because Megara is one of my favourite Disney heroines. Zero to Hero would be a huge show-stopper, much like Friend Like Me in Aladdin. But let's also take a moment to consider how they would pull of having Pegasus. Maybe they could use the same Broadway magic that they used for the flying carpet?

"What a pro, Herc could stop a show!" (See it's even in the lyrics.)

Tangled

I've got a dream, I've got a dream. I just wanna see the floating lanterns gleam! Tangled is the most recent movie on my little list but it's definitely one of those Disney films in the spotlight. Two words, "lantern scene."

Tangled would be brilliant stage. Enough said. But really though. Imagine how beautiful I See the Light would be with the lanterns. It would be so beautiful that Justine might cry again. I'd also love to see the ruffians and thugs singing I've Got a Dream at the Snugly Duckling. The most terrifying criminals in all the land breaking into song about how they dream about being concert pianists and playing with ceramic unicorns. Whoever is cast as Gothel would have to nail Mother Knows Best and its reprise for me to fall in love with her. I just have this image of her saying THE PLAGUE playing in my head. YES! And maybe, pretty please, Eugene could get his own song? It's possible, it's possible! It may not have been right for the film but I'm sure everyone would appreciate more of Flynn Rider's voice. 

Just let me see these floating lanterns gleam!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

What I'd give, what I'd dare just to have the Hunchback out there!  Although, admittedly I can't actually watch this film by myself (too dark and heavy for my liking), I think it would make such an epic and thought provoking (and possibly controversial) show.  

I recently discovered that Disney did make an attempt at bringing this to stage. Unfortunately, nothing came of it. Hunchback has its bright, colourful and fun moments and also its very dark moments which would make it one epic story to see come to life. The gypsies would being such a lively mood and Tipsy Turvy would be such a spectacle. I'd love to see how they would pull off Hellfire with Frollo's rough night in front of the fireplace (okay that sounds a bit wrong but you get what I mean). Out There could follow the same means as Go the Distance and to be honest I just want to hear someone singing it. I think I'd look forward to Clopin the most. He could be hyperactive in Tipsy Turvy yet take his energy into being creepy in the Court of Miracles. Hunchback tends to be one of the underrated Disney films and having it on stage could bring it a whole new influx of fans and give it the attention it deserves. No matter how dark or un-Disney-like you may think it is, you can't deny that the film was great.

Hey Disney, give Quasi a chance out there pretty please?

Mulan

Dishonour on you Disney if you don't bring this to Broadway! Mulan is one of my absolute favourite Disney movies and I will sit here waiting for the day it takes the stage. Although the first half of the film is full of great songs, there's room to grown in the second act. This could be the perfect opportunity to sneak a couple more numbers in there!

Mulan was such a massive part of my childhood and has stayed with me at 21. It's not a traditional princess story as this girl puts up one hell of a fight.  The songs are memorable and what I consider to be one of the best soundtracks and scores. I would purely go and see it just to see I'll Make a Man Out of You (and the Dishonour rant). A training montage of those great proportions would be great to see on stage. And leading from that Hun attacks would bring some incredible (choreographed) fight scenes. Let's also not forget the biggest musical mood-killer ever in A Girl Worth Fighting For. Emotions go crazy when it's light and cheerful and then suddenly sombre. Interestingly to note, A Girl Worth Perfect opportunity to get the great Alan Mencken to write some more songs for the second act! I'd personally love some more songs and they could absolutely get away with a reprise or two. Fighting For is actually the last musical number in the film then it's just straight action scenes.  Disney this just needs to happen.

I'd go and see it purely for this.

Are there any more movies you'd like to see as musicals? Or do you have some cast recording suggestions for me? Let me know in the comments below!