Posts Tagged: Disney Shows

I Don’t Get Why Broadway Fans Hate Disney On Broadway.

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When I talk to hardcore theatre buffs, many of them hate that Disney is all over Broadway and I don’t understand why. When I think of Disney on Broadway, I think of a company who has produced Musicals for years and redefined animation. They gave us some amazing songs, heroes, villains, princesses and everything else that we grew up watching, loving and hating. They also gave us some of our favorite songs and sing a longs. So how is that such a bad thing when Disney comes to Broadway?

You still have talented stars like Anthony Rapp in shows like Aida and you have amazing shows with incredible costumes like The Lion King. You get Tarzan swinging from trees and even singing Mermaids and Candlesticks. The thing about Disney on Broadway is that it brings characters to life that we all grew up watching and loving. No one had a problem with Disney on Ice so I’m not sure why there was a small fuss over Disney being on Broadway. What kid and even adult doesn’t want to see Mary Poppins take off and fly in real life or even watch their favorite cartoons sing the songs that they made famous. I think Disney does an incredible job with their shows. The other benefit of Disney on Broadway is that it gets kids to go to the theatres and to possibly actually have fun and enjoy Broadway shows.

The thing that I think Disney does really well is gets kids to want to go to and actually enjoy theatre. If you can get kids to love things like playing piano or singing or going to the theatre when they are little, there is a chance that they will continue to love it as they grow up. Getting to see Raul Julia and Sheena Easton in Man of La Mancha or Carol Channing in Hello Dolly or Brett Butler in Victor Victoria were some of my favorite childhood memories.

My whole family would get dressed up and we would meet my Aunts, Uncle’s and Cousins for dinner and then head to the theatre. Then we would watch a show and all go out for dessert right after. Because we were raised going to the theatre, all of us ended up still loving it as adults. We would also listen to showtunes as well as rock music when we were on car rides and the showtunes would sometimes be our requests. If you can get kids to love Broadway as kids, there is a chance that they will still love it as adults. What better way to help ensure that broadway doesn’t fade away than to give kids shows that they would be watching anyways?  Not to mention that Disney shows are a great way to get kids to want to go to the theatre.

I still don’t get why broadway snobs hate Disney on Broadway. I actually support it and love the fact that they are helping to get kids and families back into theatres. They also do an amazing job putting on performances and bringing cartoons to life. I think we should all thank Disney for helping to create an entirely new generation of broadway fans instead of trashing them for bringing a few shows to Broadway.

Mary Poppins on Broadway Reviewed

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If there is one thing I love more than anything, it is amazing choreography and solid voices.  Although Mary Poppins has the dancing, there really aren’t any songs that enable the Actors to show off their voices but there are moments in almost every song where you get to see their amazing choreography and how talented they are with their ability to dance.  Disney gets a lot of crap from the Broadway Community about Broadway being about talent and natural ability, not huge budgets and wardrobe, but I have to admit, sometimes I love the huge budgets and classic characters.

If there is one thing that Disney can do like no other show or production company it is create a story that people will fall in love with, characters that we will remember, heroes and heroines that we will admire and villains we will hate.   Not only can Disney do this with their movies and tv shows, but they have now found a way to bring these amazing characters to life and not just through the screens or running around their theme parks, but on Broadway and in touring casts all over the world.

Disney brings their animated cartoons to life with elaborate costumes and helps characters like Mary Poppins fly through a theatre above a crowd who stares in complete shock.  Combined with their deep pockets and ability to recruit the best talent on earth, if I’m in the mood to watch a classic story and fall in love with childhood heroes, there is nothing I love more than a Disney show and Mary Poppins is the perfect one to see.

Mary Poppins is a nanny who finds two little kids who need someone that can not only be their friend but also teach them responsibility and how to enjoy their lives.  Mary takes them to magical places and into dreams to not only discover more about themselves, but also how to be an adult.  Mary shows them how to sweep a chimney, enjoy a rainy day and teaches them to respect everyone no matter how much money they have or where they fall into the world socially.   Mary Poppins on Broadway is a classic Disney show with amazing dance routines, elaborate and colorful costumes and songs that we all remember from our childhood.  Although no one can replace Julie Andrews on the silver screen, no one can replace this new and real life Mary Poppins that floats above crowds and brings the character to life.

Between the singing, the dancing, the costumes and the music, Mary Poppins on Broadway is a must see family favorite.  Not for the hardcore theatre buff or artsy type but for the family or someone who wants a feel good thought free stress relief and great time with great dancing and music and an even better and more memorable night out with their friends and family.   Mary Poppins on broadway is appropriate for all ages and even though there is no real heavy thought or deep meaning to the show, I still have to give Mary Poppins a 4 out of 5 because to be honest, I love the music, the costumes and the choreography.  Although Disney gets a horrible reputation for ruining broadway, I personally think that sometimes you need a break from shows that make you think like Spring Awakening or shows about rebellion like Rent or even shows for adults like Phantom of the Opera.

Even though Disney shows are geared towards kids, we were all kids at one point and almost all of us remember the songs.  This is why no matter who you are and how much you hate that Disney has taken over broadway, you end up having to sing a long and even smile during a Disney show, especially a show like Mary Poppins.  Mary Poppins is a classic Disney Show and one that I highly recommend if you want a night out with the family and want something you can sing along to and remember for the rest of your life.  This classic tale is perfect for everyone in your family so don’t worry about having your kids there or even leaving the kids at home.  Mary Poppins  is a great classic Disney show and I give it 4 out of 5 stars.  If you’ve seen Mary Poppins on Broadway, feel free to leave a comment below and tweet this post by clicking the green box at the top.