Disney Studios- The Triumph of the Disney Theatrical Group

  When people think Disney musical's, most will likely conjure up the eternal movies, but Disney Theatrical Group (DTG) is giving the film studios a run for its money. DTG is a great concept because it brings to life the characters and stories from the films. Their history is short and their movement is slow, but their successes so far are solid.

 Beauty and the Beast (1994)
 The Lion King (1997)
 Aida (2000)
 Mary Poppins (2004)
 Tarzan (2006)
 The Little Mermaid (2008)

Furthermore, Disney was wise enough to really begin expanding their theatrical investment with planned shows of:
   Dumbo
   Aladdin
   The Hunchback of Notre Dame
   The Jungle Book
   Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton version)

Though I can't say i'm excited about the Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland, the rest of the upcoming slate shows lots of promise. Disney has a variety of stories that they can bring to life in front of the audience. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Lady and the Tramp, etc. would all make potential popular musicals and will help make them popular and relevant again today. Disney must also use these in-production musicals as a test beacon before they attempt a musical based on a Pixar movie. You think Lion King was good, how about Finding Nemo, or Toy Story, or Up, etc. Pixar musicals would bring immediate sensation and make DTG the premier show producer in the country. Disney must be careful to protect and ensure these musicals are produced to their fullest, but need to keep the entity of the musical alive. Their shows are too often out of service; Beauty and the Beast should be traveling around the globe, Lion King will always be popular, Mary Poppins and Little Mermaid were not out long enough to gain the momentum needed. DISNEY MUST DEBUT ON BROADWAY, BUT THEN TRAVEL THE SHOW TO GAIN SUCCESS. THEIR MAIN AUDIENCE WILL NOT BE FOUND ON BROADWAY, BUT IN LARGER CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

   Disney also has a break in the theatrical venue because the audience will not be heavily scrutinizing the characters acting. Disney's main priority must be to ensure the music and the story flow well. If the actor can sing it well then the guest will enjoy, but a good actor who is unable to sing the character's notes like they do in film will cause disappointment and anger in the guest.

DTG has a strong future and I look forward to the future in this endeavor, I just wonder what took the company so long to actually make DTG a priority and realize the potential within it.