Disney Theatrical Productions
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Theatre production |
| Predecessor | Walt Disney Theatrical |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Ron Logan |
| Successor | Buena Vista Theatrical Group Limited (rebranded) |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Thomas Schumacher (Chief Creative Officer), Anne Quart (Executive Producer), Andrew Flatt (Managing Director) |
| Products | Stage productions including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
| Parent | Disney Theatrical Group, Disney Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company |
Disney Theatrical Productions Limited (commonly referred to as Disney on Broadway) operates as the theatrical production branch of the Disney Theatrical Group, itself a division of Disney Entertainment within The Walt Disney Company.
Established in 1993 by Disney veteran Ron Logan under the original name Walt Disney Theatrical, the company gained prominence with the 1994 debut of Beauty and the Beast. A pivotal moment came with Disney's acquisition of a 49-year lease and subsequent refurbishment of the New Amsterdam Theatre, which played a significant role in Broadway's resurgence. Currently, under the leadership of Thomas Schumacher, DTP is esteemed for its commercially successful and culturally impactful stage productions.
History
DTP was created on , appointing Ron Logan as its inaugural president. The company’s Broadway journey began with Beauty and the Beast premiering in April 1994. In 1995, Disney secured a long-term lease for the New Amsterdam Theatre, which was renovated by Disney Development Company, marking its entrance into theater property management and production. Leadership evolved as Disney Animation president Peter Schneider joined Thomas Schumacher as co-presidents to guide the expanding theatrical portfolio. The New Amsterdam Theatre reopened in 1997 featuring King David, soon followed by the highly successful The Lion King.
By 1999, Schneider advanced to head Disney Studios while Schumacher took over as president of both Walt Disney Feature Animation and DTP, consolidating creative oversight. The company rebranded as Buena Vista Theatrical Group Limited, with Disney Theatrical Productions functioning alongside Hyperion Theatricals starting in 2000.
Schneider exited in 2001 to establish his own theater company, supported by Disney funding, producing notable works such as Sister Act, which premiered in 2006 with DTP acting as an affiliated presenter during its Broadway engagement.
By 2013, DTP was actively pursuing new stage adaptations of intellectual properties, including discussions around a potential The Muppets production and an agreement to develop The Princess Bride for theater, demonstrating ongoing efforts to diversify content offerings strategically.
In 2016, the Freaky Friday musical was introduced, aimed at regional theaters with available licensing options; this was complemented by a Disney Channel adaptation released in 2018, broadening revenue opportunities through cross-platform integration.
DTP expanded its international footprint when Newsies was released in cinemas across Australia and New Zealand beginning February 2017.
In September 2023, Thomas Schumacher transitioned into the role of Chief Creative Officer. Operational leadership shifted with Executive Producer Anne Quart taking charge of daily production activities and Managing Director Andrew Flatt overseeing business functions, reflecting a strategic reshuffle within the organization.
Beauty and the Beast
The musical opened in New York City with preview performances on March 9, 1994, officially commencing at the Palace Theatre on April 18, 1994. This marked Disney’s inaugural Broadway adaptation, based on the 1991 animated feature penned by Linda Woolverton, featuring music and lyrics from Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice. Additional songs like Home emerged as standout numbers. The production concluded on July 29, 2007, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre to make space for The Little Mermaid. With a total of 5,461 performances, it stands as Broadway’s tenth-longest running show.
Internationally, productions have been mounted in cities including Melbourne, London, Vienna, Toronto, Kyoto, Seoul, Stuttgart, Sydney, Mexico City, Guayaquil, Johannesburg, Madrid, Moscow, Milan, and São Paulo. In the Netherlands, Stage Entertainment collaborated on a version featuring new scenic designs and costumes. On April 24, 2019, Disney Theatrical Groups announced plans for a Broadway revival overseen by Thomas Schumacher; specific dates and venue remain forthcoming. Additionally, a limited engagement revival ran at London’s Palladium from June through September 2022.
The Lion King
Adapted from the 1994 animated feature, The Lion King premiered on July 8, 1997, at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre before officially opening on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theater on October 15, 1997 (with the official opening night on November 13). On June 13, 2006, the show relocated to the Minskoff Theatre to make way for Mary Poppins, which was later succeeded by Aladdin. Ranking as Broadway’s third longest-running production, it regularly stands among the top-grossing musicals. The show employs groundbreaking theatrical methods rather than traditional staging and performs eight times weekly on Broadway, alongside numerous international renditions. It earned the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1998.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The musical made its debut on June 5, 1999, at Berlin's Musical theater (currently known as Theater am Potsdamer Platz), running until June 2002. Directed by James Lapine, the production featured a German translation by Michael Kunze, choreography by Lar Lubovitch, and design contributions from Heidi Ettinger (sets), Sue Blane (costumes), Rick Fisher (lighting), Tony Meola (sound), and Jerome Sirlin (projections).
As Disney’s inaugural musical premiere outside the United States, it became one of Berlin’s longest-standing shows. Similar to Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, it opened three years after the film release. This adaptation adopts a darker, more gothic tone aligned closely with Victor Hugo’s original 1831 novel. Translator Michael Kunze insisted on preserving Esmeralda’s death in the conclusion to resonate with European audiences and heighten the production’s emotional depth.
Composer Stephen Schwartz revealed plans in 2008 for a revival slated for 2009. Thomas Schumacher, head of Disney Theatrical, confirmed ongoing discussions about staging an English-language version. The U.S. premiere took place at La Jolla Playhouse from October to December 2014 under Scott Schwartz’s direction, supported by a creative team including choreographer Chase Brock and music supervisor Michael Kosarin. Following a workshop in February 2014, the show moved to Paper Mill Playhouse in early 2015.
By 2017, the German-language production continued its run in Berlin and München before transferring to Stuttgart in 2018. This sustained presence reflects Disney’s strategic emphasis on expanding its international footprint through localized adaptations of its stage works.
Tarzan
Drawing from both the 1999 animated film and Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novel, Tarzan opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on May 10, 2006. The musical received extensive promotion from Phil Collins and principal cast members across major media outlets. After more than a year of performances, it closed on July 8, 2007.
Its European premiere occurred on April 15, 2007, in the Netherlands at Scheveningen’s Circustheater, succeeding The Lion King. This swift international rollout was notable for a Broadway production. Phil Collins announced this Dutch staging during the 2006 Johnny Kraaijkamp Musical Awards. The expansive Circustheater venue allowed for an enhanced production beyond the original Broadway design.
In Germany, a production launched in 2008 following a televised casting competition titled "Ich Tarzan, Du Jane" to select lead performers. A redesigned tour was planned for January 2009 in Atlanta featuring direction by Lynne Taylor-Corbett and creative teams responsible for scenic design, aerial choreography, and lighting; however, this tour was eventually cancelled.
The Little Mermaid
Derived from the 1989 animated classic, The Little Mermaid commenced Broadway previews on November 3, 2007, officially opening on January 10, 2008, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre despite postponements caused by the Local One stagehands strike. Its initial world premiere took place at Denver’s Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The score includes all original songs along with nine additional compositions by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. The script was written by Pulitzer and Tony recipient Doug Wright, while Francesca Zambello and Stephen Mear handled direction and choreography respectively.
The original ensemble featured Sierra Boggess as Ariel, Norm Lewis portraying King Triton, Sherie Rene Scott as Ursula, Sean Palmer in the role of Prince Eric, and Tituss Burgess as Sebastian. Although critical reception was mixed, the production ran for a total of 685 performances before closing on August 30, 2009. A Dutch rendition followed in 2012.
Aladdin
In November 2010, Alan Menken confirmed that a stage musical adaptation of the 1992 animated film Aladdin was underway, with Chad Beguelin penning the book. The production debuted at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre in July 2011 and later appeared at St. Louis’s Muny Theatre in July 2012. It officially premiered on Broadway on March 20, 2014, at the New Amsterdam Theatre, taking over from Mary Poppins. Before its Broadway opening, it underwent a pre-Broadway engagement at Toronto’s Ed Mirvish Theatre from November 2013 through January 2014.
Under the direction and choreography of Casey Nicholaw, with additional lyrics contributed by Beguelin, Bob Crowley designed the sets while Gregg Barnes created the costumes. This musical marked an important addition to Disney’s expanding live theatre portfolio. Subsequently, it launched in London’s West End at the Prince Edward Theatre in June 2016, following a revival of Miss Saigon.
This show exemplifies Disney’s strategic approach to capitalizing on well-known intellectual properties to fuel expansion within international theatre markets.
The Jungle Book
Variety reported an early developmental phase for a musical adaptation of The Jungle Book, featuring songs from the original 1967 film inspired by Rudyard Kipling's novel. Mary Zimmerman was attached as writer and director. The production was jointly presented by Chicago’s Goodman Theatre and Boston’s Huntington Theatre in 2013 in partnership with Disney Theatrical Productions. As of 2015, progress was paused pending the release of the live-action film in 2016. On May 15, 2020, Rajiv Joseph was announced as the book writer, with Richard M. Sherman composing new music and Christopher Gattelli overseeing direction and choreography.
Frozen
In January 2014, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed plans for a Broadway adaptation of the acclaimed 2013 animated film Frozen. By February 2015, Alex Timbers—twice nominated for a Tony—was attached to direct with an anticipated opening in 2017. The timeline shifted to spring 2018; a private reading took place in May 2016 featuring Betsy Wolfe as Elsa and Patti Murin as Anna. In September 2016, Michael Grandage replaced Timbers as director while Christopher Oram joined as scenic designer.
The pre-Broadway tryout occurred between August and October 2017 at Denver’s Buell Theatre with Caissie Levy portraying Elsa, Patti Murin as Anna, Jelani Alladin playing Kristoff, Greg Hildreth as Olaf, and John Riddle in the role of Hans. Broadway previews began February 22, 2018 at the St. James Theatre with an official opening on March 22. After completing 26 previews and delivering 825 performances, the production closed on March 11, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020 Disney announced it would not resume Broadway performances but planned a U.S. national tour.
The West End staging previewed on August 27, 2021 at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and officially opened September 8. It is slated to conclude on its third anniversary on September 8, 2024.
Hercules
In July 2017, Alan Menken revealed plans for a theatrical version of the 1997 film Hercules. Its world premiere was held at the Public Theater's Delacorte Theater between August 31 and September 8, 2019. The cast included Jelani Alladin as Hercules, Roger Bart portraying Hades, James Monroe Iglehart as Phil, among others. A reworked edition featuring a new script by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Robert Horn was staged at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey during the 2022–23 season. The production is scheduled to debut in London's West End at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in summer 2025.
Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation
Originally intended for Broadway with a book by Edward Albee, Disney's Winnie the Pooh musical faced delays due to Albee's availability. In May 2021, Disney Theatrical Productions announced an Off-Broadway engagement at the Theatre Row Building, commencing October 21, 2021, where the venue was temporarily renamed The Hundred Acre Wood Theatre for the show. Subsequently, a limited 13-week engagement took place at Mercury Theatre Chicago from March through June 2022.
Coco
During Epcot's Disney on Broadway concert on January 24, 2023, L. Steven Taylor, known for his role in The Lion King, announced that a live stage version of Coco is in development, marking an expansion of Disney Theatrical Group’s portfolio.
Tangled
In February 2024, Disney Theatrical Group initiated development on a stage adaptation of Tangled, with workshops already underway as part of their strategic enhancement of live theater offerings.
Mary Poppins
Cameron Mackintosh’s stage rendition of Mary Poppins premiered at Bristol Hippodrome in September 2004 before transferring to London’s Prince Edward Theatre. It ran for over three years until January 2008 and remains Disney’s sole production to have its premiere in the West End.
The Broadway version debuted in November 2006 at the New Amsterdam Theater and concluded in March 2013 after 2,619 performances, reflecting robust commercial success. A North American tour began in 2009 alongside international stagings in Australia (2010), the Netherlands (2010), Czech Republic (2010), Mexico (2012), Iceland (2013), Austria (2014), and Germany (2017–2018). Notably, the Icelandic production was both the most expensive and successful theatrical venture in that country’s history.
A West End revival was announced in September 2018 and reopened at the Prince Edward Theatre in late 2019 following the closure of Aladdin, highlighting Disney’s continued influence in global live entertainment markets.
Disney's My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto's Musical Tale
Disney's My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto's Musical Tale is a musical adaptation based on Disney’s 2000 television movie Geppetto, which itself draws from David Stern’s book. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, the narrative retells The Adventures of Pinocchio from Geppetto’s viewpoint, centering on his journey to locate Pinocchio after he runs away to join Stromboli’s puppet show.
High School Musical
The hit Disney Channel film High School Musical was transformed into a stage production in 2007, debuting professionally at Atlanta’s Theatre of the Stars. The show toured across the United States from August 2007 through August 2008 and had a brief engagement in the West End. Since then, it has expanded globally to countries such as Japan, Spain, Italy, South Africa, Australia, the Netherlands, and South Korea. Available through Music Theatre International licensing, the musical has been staged by more than 5,000 theaters worldwide and is offered in Full-Length, One-Act, and JR editions designed specifically for middle school performers.
High School Musical 2
Building on the success of the original, a theatrical version of High School Musical 2 was launched in October 2008. This adaptation is also licensed by Music Theatre International and comes in Full-Length, One-Act, and JR formats tailored for middle school audiences.
Camp Rock
This musical adaptation draws from the 2010 film Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, incorporating songs from both Camp Rock movies. It premiered at Gardiner Spring Auditorium in Ontario, California, on August 5, 2010, and has since toured internationally. Licensing rights are held by Music Theatre International.
Descendants
The stage version of the well-known Disney Channel series Descendants includes elements from all three films—Descendants, Descendants 2, and Descendants 3. The production features music from the films and the animated series Descendants: Wicked World, with new songs composed by Madeline Smith and Nick Blaemire. It was released via Music Theatre International on February 6, 2020.
Newsies
Adapted from the 1992 movie, this musical features a book by Harvey Fierstein with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman. After a reading in New York City in December 2010, it premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in September 2011 under director Jeff Calhoun. Although not initially planned for Broadway, positive critical reception led to its Broadway opening on March 29, 2012, at the Nederlander Theatre. The production received eight Tony Awards nominations and won awards for Best Choreography and Best Original Score. It concluded its Broadway run on August 24, 2014, followed by a national tour starting in October of that year. A filmed adaptation debuted in theaters on February 19, 2017. Both full-length and junior versions are available through Music Theatre International. The musical made its West End debut in London in 2022 and ended its extended engagement at Wembley Troubadour Park Theatre on July 30, 2023.
Shakespeare in Love
In November 2013, Disney Theatrical Productions revealed plans for a stage version of Shakespeare in Love for London audiences, co-produced with Sonia Friedman Productions. The West End show opened at the Noël Coward Theatre on July 23, 2014. Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall from the original screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, it was directed by Declan Donnellan with set design by Nick Ormerod, both associated with the theatre company Cheek by Jowl. The production closed on April 18, 2015.
Freaky Friday
The musical version of Freaky Friday developed through initial workshop productions beginning at the La Jolla Playhouse in spring 2012, originally featuring a book by Bridget Carpenter with music by Ryan Scott Oliver. Eventually, the score and lyrics were crafted by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, recognized for their work on If/Then and Next To Normal. Its world premiere took place at Arlington, Virginia’s Signature Theater from October to November 2016 under the direction of Christopher Ashley. The production returned to La Jolla Playhouse from January through March 2017, maintaining much of the original creative team. The Studio Cast Recording was released by Walt Disney Records on February 10, 2017.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
This musical adaptation, inspired by the 1971 film and stories by Mary Norton, combines original songs from The Sherman Brothers with new compositions by Neil Bartram and a book written by Brian Hill. Produced by Michael Harrison in partnership with Disney Theatrical Productions, it debuted in August 2021 at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal before embarking on a tour across the UK and Ireland. Direction was led jointly by Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison, who also designed the sets and oversaw the illusions.
The Greatest Showman
On August 9, 2024, Disney Theatrical Group revealed plans for a stage musical adaptation of the 2017 film The Greatest Showman, featuring Alan Vaytsman as P.T. Barnum. The production is slated to open at Bristol Hippodrome in Spring 2026, representing a deliberate extension of Disney’s live entertainment offerings.
Alice in Wonderland
In 2011, Disney Theatrical initiated development of a Broadway musical inspired by the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland, with Tim Burton attached as designer and Linda Woolverton adapting her screenplay. Woolverton—known for her contributions to The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast—was responsible for the book adaptation, while Robert Jess Roth was set to direct and Matt West to choreograph. Despite this experienced team, no composer or cast members were announced, and the project has remained dormant for over ten years.
Father of the Bride
Also in 2011, an early-stage musical adaptation of the 1991 movie Father of the Bride was underway with Bartlett Sher expected to direct. This initiative appears to have been discontinued as well.
King David
King David is described as a modern oratorio-style musical featuring book and lyrics by Tim Rice alongside music composed by Alan Menken. Its narrative draws from Biblical accounts found in the Books of Samuel, 1 Chronicles, and the Psalms attributed to David.
Aida
Premiering in March 2000, Aida features lyrics by Tim Rice with music composed by Elton John. The show is adapted from Giuseppe Verdi’s opera bearing the same title.
On the Record
First staged in November 2004, this production presented a compilation of 60 Disney songs spanning from 1930 to 2004 within a framing story set inside a recording studio. It toured nationally and included performances at Washington D.C.’s National Theatre.
Peter and the Starcatcher
Disney Theatrical Productions, in collaboration with La Jolla Playhouse, transformed Peter and the Starcatchers, a prequel to the Peter Pan story, into a musical play written by Rick Elice. The show was co-directed by Roger Rees and Alex Timbers and had its debut at La Jolla Playhouse in early 2009. It later transferred to an Off-Broadway venue at New York Theatre Workshop in 2011, followed by a Broadway opening in April 2012. After closing in January 2013, the production resumed Off-Broadway at New World Stages in March 2013.
Backstage with Disney On Broadway
The ABC television special titled Backstage with Disney On Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years was broadcast on December 14, 2014. It showcased performances by Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio from ABC's series "Nashville," who presented numbers from ten Disney musicals including Pinocchio, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, and Tarzan.
Newsies
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the original movie, the filmed version of the stage musical Newsies was made available for digital download on May 23, 2017. Principal cast members from the Broadway production—Jeremy Jordan (Jack), Kara Lindsay (Katherine), Ben Fankhauser (Davey), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Crutchie), and Tommy Bracco (Spot Conlon)—returned to their roles. The release also included additional ensemble tracks to feature a broader range of performers. Furthermore, the filmed production was shown again during a two-day theatrical event on August 5 and 9, 2017.
Freaky Friday
The musical television movie Freaky Friday premiered on Disney Channel on August 10, 2018. Adapted from the 2016 stage version by Bridget Carpenter, this film represents the fourth entry in the Freaky Friday series. It stars Cozi Zuehlsdorff alongside Heidi Blickenstaff.
Frozen
The stage musical Frozen was recorded live at The Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London and subsequently released on Disney+ in June 2025.
Aladdin
The filmed adaptation of Aladdin was originally scheduled for release on Disney+ in 2022 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original film but its premiere has been postponed indefinitely.