Production Set to Begin on The Finest Hours

The Walt Disney Studios announced that production is scheduled to begin this month on The Finest Hours, starring Chris Pine, Academy Award®- and Golden Globe®-nominee Casey Affleck and Holliday Grainger.

The thriller, which will be directed by Craig Gillespie, will shoot on location in Quincy and Chatham, Massachusetts.

In February of 1952, one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast struck New England, damaging an oil tanker off the coast of Cape Cod and literally ripping it in half. On a small lifeboat, faced with frigid temperatures and 70-foot-high waves, four members of the Coast Guard set out to rescue the more than 30 stranded sailors trapped aboard the rapidly sinking vessel. The Finest Hours is the story of their heroic mission, which is still considered the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history.

The film will be released in the U.S. fall 2015.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Celebrates 40 Years Of Foot-Stompin’ Fun

When Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue launched on June 30, 1974,

. . . the high-energy dinner show at Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground was created in the heyday of dinner theaters for Walt Disney World guests with a summer college intern cast. The foot-stompin’, hand-clappin’ musical starred six young actors and offered endless buckets of fried chicken and ribs.

Today one member of the original cast from the college program still works for Disney–Marilyn Kay Magness, who played the part of Dolly Drew. She’s executive creative director, Disney Parks, Creative Entertainment.

As that first summer ended and guests were clamoring for more, Walt Disney World Entertainment already was auditioning a full-time cast, and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue opened as a permanent show on September 5, 1974. Today it’s one of the country’s longest-running dinner shows and has presented more than 37,000 performances. More than 10.5 million guests have seen the high-spirited show.

And while Hoop-Dee-Doo has been fine-tuned over its 40-year run, the heart of the show never has changed: a slice of Americana, old-fashioned family fun, and heaping helpings of good, down-home food. “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue exemplifies everything that Disney stands for,” said show director Tom Vazzana. “It’s interactive fun for families and stellar entertainment–six performers put on a show that’s 90 minutes of pure enjoyment.”

Performers sing, dance, and act their way through the timeless classic. “I love to go and hear kids squeal with delight at Six Bits, but also hear strong American ballads,” says Vazzana. “Families tell me it’s the first time they’ve seen a Broadway-style show—it’s obtainable and accessible, quintessential Disney.”

Looking Back

In true Disney fashion, Walt Disney Imagineers designed Pioneer Hall in authentic Wild West style with 1,283 hand-fitted pine logs from Montana and 70 tons of stones from North Carolina to re-create a look from the late 1800s. The building opened April 1, 1974.

Themed entertainment is always part of the Disney story. While Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue was being written and cast, a group of country-western musicians called The Star-Spangled Washboard Band opened in Pioneer Hall, according to a historical timeline by Larry Billman, author/writer and Disney entertainment consultant, who was the author and writer of the original show.

Bob Jani, the director of Entertainment for both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, saw the potential for a “dinner theater show” and hired Billman. After multiple rewrites (the first version was called “We’re With You, Mother McCree!”), Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue was born.

Students from the Disney World Fine Arts College Workshop program, an 11-week work experience program, auditioned for the three female and three male character performers in Hoop-Dee-Doo: Six Bits Slocum and Dolly Drew (comic relief), Jim Handy and Flora Long (the singers), and Johnny Ringo and Claire de Lune (the dancers).

“The college students sent us video auditions, and we had more than 600 applicants,” said Forrest Bahruth, show director, Disney Parks & Resorts Creative Entertainment. The cast arrived at Walt Disney World Resort in early June for quick rehearsals, and the show opened on June 30, 1974.

Through the decades, the show saw some small revisions to songs and dance numbers, but the basic premise—a Wild West show in an old-timey music hall with a romantic leading lady and man—always remained as the guests clapped, stomped their feet, and sang along, all the while sharing an all-American dinner around a communal, “please pass the cornbread” table.

The Food

There’s been just one change to the Hoop-Dee-Doo menu since 1974–the strawberry shortcake for dessert. When the show opened it served apple pie, but changed to shortcake in 1979.

Today, servers dish up about 900 pounds of fried chicken every night, and cooks spend about six hours each day just breading the chicken. Add 400 pounds of pork ribs, slow cooked starting at 11 a.m. daily on a big outdoor smoker. For sides, there are 120 pounds of corn, 400 pounds of potatoes to be mashed, and 30 gallons of baked beans. It takes 15 gallons of strawberries and 12 gallons of whipped cream to make dessert.

Servers are part of the show, happily slamming all-you-care-to-eat buckets of ribs and chicken on the tables as they sing and dance their way through the dining room. Beer, wine, sangria, and soft drinks are part of the menu.

Hong Kong Disneyland Crawls With Frightful Halloween Attractions For 2014

The brand new Sideshow Carnival Extraordinaire has rolled into Adventureland with a group of glamorous and extraordinary beings.

What’s New at Disney Parks for Halloween 2014 ►

Featuring an all-new show, Horrors of the Amazon, Sideshow Carnival Extraordinaire, and more ominous entertainment offerings, the Haunted Halloween footprint will spread from Adventureland and seep into many other themed lands.

Available from October 2, on every Friday to Sunday in October, guests will see a different Hong Kong Disneyland at night time as they journey through many new eerie and mysterious stories.

The all-new Horrors of the Amazon show will be staged at the Theatre in the Wild. The show will feature local celebrity Power Chan Kwok-pong who will act as the adventurer Jonas Brisbane and narrate his thrilling tale of his adventures in the Amazon. His illustrious adventures and foreboding encounters will capture and enthrall guests. This is the very first time Hong Kong Disneyland is engaging a local celebrity as a performer in a show.

The mysterious world of lights seeps across the Park and presents a different nighttime atmosphere. In Fantasyland’s Fantasy Garden, Mickey and his friends are hosting a masquerade ball this Halloween. The popular Sideshow Extraordinaire in Adventureland, Grizzly Gulch Halloween Fair, Graves Academy and Revenge of the Headless Horseman will return this year for more haunting fun.

the cannibalized toy Babyhead from Toy Story — Over at Toy Story Land, the cannibalized toy Babyhead fromToy Story has taken up residence in a dark corner after having escaped from his destructive owner, Sid.

Graves Academy, where Master Graves is breeding the evil of the future — *Graves Academy*, where Master Graves is breeding the evil of the future, is opening its doors in a search for new enrollees.

Revenge of the Headless Horseman, a traveling show set up in the heart of Adventureland, dares morbidly curious Guests to find out why the Headless Horseman is seeking revenge from the Barker.

Adventureland and its renowned main exhibit at Revenge of the Headless Horseman — Guests should beware of the imminent treachery they will be exposed to when they visit the traveling show set up in the heart of Adventureland and its renowned main exhibit at *Revenge of the Headless Horseman*.

Hong Kong Disneyland to Paint the Night This Fall

Performers wield light-up lassos in this concept art for the Disney Paint the Night parade unit celebrating Toy Story, which opens at Hong Kong Disneyland on October 1, 2014.

The first-ever fully LED parade created by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will step onto the Hong Kong Disneyland parade route on October 1, and we couldn’t be more excited about how much of a visual treat the new show is going to be.

Disney Paint the Night features seven original floats containing over 740,000 individual lights. The seven units/floats include: Tinker Bell, Monsters Inc., Cars, The Little Mermaid, Belle Candlelight, Toy Story, and an incredible Mickey & Friends finale unit. While images have not yet been released of the finale unit from Disney Paint the Night, we do have concept art for the rest of the floats and costumes to give you an idea of just how spectacular this new nighttime parade is going to be.

Here’s a rundown of the Disney Paint the Night parade units in order:

Tinker Bell Opening Float

Tinker Bell leads the way before a dazzling "color spiral" of sparkling fairy dust at Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night — Tinker Bell leads the way before a dazzling “color spiral” of sparkling fairy dust! She will magically fly within this “color spiral” while capturing and harnessing all of the colors and pixie dust.

Monsters Inc.

The Scare Floor in Monstropolis at Hong Kong Disneyland — The Scare Floor in Monstropolis comes to crazy, vivid life as Mike and Sulley navigate an array of vibrant, twirling doors! The doors contain embedded hi-res screens that feature an endless array of appearances by “surprise visitors.”

Cars

Lightning McQueen, Mack, and DJ at Hong Kong Disneyland — The Cars unit includes Piston Cup champion Lightning McQueen, Mack, and DJ. The Mack float is over 54 feet long and 18 feet tall. He is driving along in larger-than-life fashion, equipped with giant “light display” panels affixed to his sides!

The Little Mermaid

King Triton, Ariel, and a school of glowing "sea creatures" at Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night — Life under the sea is an underwater, watercolor wonderland of vibrant, glowing hues! King Triton, Ariel, and a school of glowing “sea creatures” show the guests their own briny brilliance!

Belle Candlelight

Giant imageries projection features unforgettable chapters from Belle's love story at Hong Kong Disneyland — Giant imageries projection features unforgettable chapters from Belle’s love story. Following Belle are giant glowing candelabras that are framed by lovely Dove Performers and a series of illuminated Court Couples who provide grace and elegance and add the right touch of royalty, majesty, and brilliance to this nighttime “ball on the street.”

female performers on peg stilts as Rose Goddesses at Hong Kong Disneyland — It’s the very first time that Hong Kong Disneyland will feature female performers on peg stilts as Rose Goddesses.

Toy Story

Slinky Dog scampers along with Woody and Buzz at Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night — Slinky Dog scampers along with Woody and Buzz holding on for dear life! Slinky’s ever-moving, ever-changing “coils” glow with eye-popping, ever-changing, iridescent patterns, as does Woody’s lasso.

Mickey & Friends Finale

Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Float — Stay tuned to D23.com for the reveal of the parade’s finale float.

The creative team spent two years developing more than 1,000 scenic and lighting designs. New technology coupled with unleashed imagination takes this parade to a whole new level. Each costume has its own very sophisticated system of lighting controls. The team used new technologies in ways that have never been used on costuming before to bring a new perspective to park guests.

More than 80 talented performers have spent over 3 months training with a variety of kinetic lighting props that will be used for the first time at Hong Kong Disneyland.

The talented Cosmetology team (hair, wigs, and makeup) at Hong Kong Disneyland has developed a new technique to create fiber optic wigs that can be styled to create a beautiful glowing effect. They also developed exquisite fiber optic eyelashes that can change color.

Twenty-four new costume designs are especially created for Disney Paint the Night nighttime spectacular. Each costume has its own sophisticated lighting control system, enriching the entire performance.

During two show stop moments of Disney Paint the Night, guests will be able to “paint the night” with an all-new interactive merchandise item. The Mickey Magic Paint Brush will let guests interact with performers. It can change the colors of the performers’ costumes at the touch of a button. Similar to Glow with the Show ear hats, the floats will also sync up to additional magic-enabled merchandise items, including a Mickey Glow Mitt and Minnie Glow Bow, and change the colors of the items on cue.

11 Not-To-Miss Halloween Attractions at Disneyland Resort

This Halloween season, guests will explore their spooky Disney Side with special Halloween transformations of Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain, encounter Disney villains conjured by a magic cauldron, dance to the Mad T Party band, and meet Mickey Mouse and his friends in Halloween costumes.

We’ve pulled together 11 of our favorite attractions that are materializing at the Disneyland Resort this year!

Mickey’s Halloween Party

An additional Halloween Time highlight is the separate-ticket, after-hours Mickey’s Halloween Party, where adults and children show their Disney Side by dressing in costumes and trick-or-treating at Disneyland Park.

Halloween Screams Fireworks

Guests can enjoy an array of special entertainment, including the exclusive Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular as part of Mickey’s Halloween Party.

Mickey’s Costume Party

The Mickey’s Costume Party cavalcade features some favorite characters, performed twice nightly and preceded by the new Frozen float with Elsa, Anna, and Olaf from the blockbuster animated film as part of Mickey’s Halloween Party.

Villains Square

Throughout the evening, the Disney villains arrive in Disneyland Town Square as the “Bad Apple Party Crashers,” riding a black horse-drawn carriage accompanied by thunder, fog, and special lighting effects. Villains such as Cruella De Vil, the Queen of Hearts, Judge Frollo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Lady Tremaine from Cinderella appear for photos and character greetings, and guests are invited to “Party Like a Villain” as part of Mickey’s Halloween Party.

Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy

Spooky Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Tomorrowland is a guest favorite during Halloween Time. The unique Halloween-themed experience begins as a typical Space Mountain adventure, but suddenly launches voyagers into a haunted section of the universe. Ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and swirling galaxies of Space Mountain, reaching out as if to grab guests as they speed through space. The exhilarating drops and curves are punctuated by piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music.

Haunted Mansion Holiday

Jack Skellington returns to Disneyland to take over the Haunted Mansion and brings Haunted Mansion Holiday back to New Orleans Square. Transformed with a mix of Halloween spookiness and Christmas cheer, Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by the classic animated film Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.

Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House

Guests find new surprises within the Mansion every Halloween, including this year’s special gingerbread house. This year’s creepy creation adds a little whimsy with a hapless gingerbread zombie who is trapped inside—surrounded by frightening spikes that are very sharp, red-and-white candy canes, and it’s the 14th original gingerbread design since Haunted Mansion Holiday debuted in 2001.

Halloween Carnival

In Frontierland, guests discover an exciting new magic show presented on the Halloween Carnival stage at Big Thunder Ranch. Also at the Halloween Carnival in Big Thunder Ranch, guests encounter favorite Disney characters in Halloween costumes, pumpkin carvers showing their Disney Side with elaborate creations, Halloween décor, and activities for youngsters.

Astounding Cauldron of Magic

Nearby they also may conjure up a Disney Villain at the Astounding Cauldron of Magic sideshow tent at the Halloween Carnival.

Pumpkin Festival

Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland transforms to become the Pumpkin Festival, with hundreds of pumpkins on display, no two of them the same.

Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Frontierland observes Dia de los Muertos with a traditional skeleton display that will remain through Sunday, November 2.

In Disney California Adventure Park, Halloween Time offers frightful fun for guests of all ages, with favorite attractions such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, where a “supernatural” event happened on Halloween evening 1939, 75 years ago, forever haunting the building with spine-tingling fun. Also at Disney California Adventure, the nighttime Mad T Party in Hollywood Land gets some new Halloween spice. Tweedledee and Tweedledum welcome guests as the Mad Hatter offers some devilishly delicious All Hallows Eve fun featuring new Halloween music and a chilling new look for the Mad T Party band.

Skeletons Take Over Disney TokyoSea!

Disney’s Halloween takes over Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea parks from September 8 through October 31, 2014!

What’s New at Disney Parks for Halloween 2014 ►

Tokyo DisneySea will host a unique event themed to a Halloween carnival with a brand-new program. Skeletons join in the carnival from different areas of Tokyo DisneySea to liven up the atmosphere with the Disney characters.

At American Waterfront, the show New York Halloween Follies will be presented. The skeletons and the Disney friends, dressed in 1920s style, will entertain Guests in a Halloween party with music, dance, and great fashions.

Also new this year is the entertainment program, Welcome Skeleton Friends, presented at Lido Isle in Mediterranean Harbor. Wishing to become even better friends with the Guests visiting Tokyo DisneySea, the skeletons host this show full of smiles and excitement that the Guests can participate in.

And at Lost River Delta, the colorful parade Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Skeleton Fiesta will be presented again in 2014. The skeletons will make their first appearance in this show this year.

Additionally, a special program titled Skeletons’ Street Party will be offered in various areas around the Park. In this spooky-but-fun program, the skeletons dance and play music, greet Guests while they are dining, get Guests to join in the fun, and lots more.

Presented again this year at Tokyo Disneyland is Happy Halloween Harvest. In this parade, the Disney characters will be joined by Halloween ghosts and pumpkins, which have expressive personalities, as they put on a happy Halloween fair. When the floats come to a stop, the guests are invited to join in the fun for even more excitement. The Halloween spirit around the park is enhanced even more with attractions, special menus, and decorations that are linked to the Halloween fair.

In the Plaza at Tokyo Disneyland, guests will find decorations of a traveling fair where Mickey and the Halloween ghosts play on a merry-go-round, and photo locations depicting the Disney pals and the ghosts enjoying the Halloween fair.

Guests can enjoy the Halloween atmosphere at other locations within the park, such as Crystal Palace Restaurant, with its sweet shop decoration, and Westernland Shootin’ Gallery, decorated like a Halloween fair game booth. Again this year, Westernland, Fantasyland, and Toontown will be decorated with pumpkins and more for a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

Guests can also enjoy the Halloween atmosphere at the Disney Hotels and on the Disney Resort Line. The Disney-style Halloween is sure to provide families and friends—together with the Disney characters—even more enjoyment.

The Disney Ambassador Hotel will offer a number of guest rooms that are specially decorated for Halloween. Guests will find the bedspread, designed with pumpkins and the Disney characters dressed in Halloween costumes, setting the mood for Halloween even more. In conjunction with the special event at the Parks, the restaurants and lounges at the Hotels will offer a special course from September 1. The course menu—with an original product designed with the Disney characters from Disney’s Halloween, as well as dishes using seasonal ingredients—will provide some Halloween fun as only the Disney hotels can offer.

About 120 types of merchandise will be available at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. For the first time this year, the shared designs will feature the spooky-but-cute “funny monsters,” including Mickey Mouse dressed up as a vampire and Donald Duck as a mummy. There are also other items that feature a pumpkin motif.

In addition, guests can enjoy Halloween treats such as a sundae topped with “ghost” chocolates, a special menu with a souvenir item, and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse buns in a Halloween version.

Maleficent Brews Up Halloween Fun at Disneyland Paris

From October 1 to November 2, 2014, Disneyland Paris is the place to be to meet the Halloween gang of Disney Villains.

What’s New at Disney Parks for Halloween 2014 ►

Every day, Maleficent will bring together the Disney Villains in a cheerfully ominous atmosphere, promising Disneyland Paris guests encounters to die (laughing) for. The Sleeping Beauty Castle Courtyard will be transformed to welcome the good Disney Villains who will take mischievous pleasure in taking over Disney’s Halloween Festival.

And that’s not all! During this delightfully frightening month, ghosts and Disney’s Funky Pumpkins will take possession of Main Street, U.S.A., astonishing pumpkins will take over the flowerbeds in Central Plaza, and Frontierland will be transformed into an autumn garden where sunflowers and pumpkins will take center stage.

Finally, Mickey and friends will offer guests a special Harvest festival-themed cavalcade, not far from Minnie’s Halloween Costume Corner or the incredible candy-making machine invented by greedy Goofy, all designed to ensure Disney’s Halloween Festival is a laugh a minute!

Maleficent’s Court

This year, Maleficent will cast a spell on the Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Disneyland Park and will invite some of the Disney Villains to join her in the Castle Courtyard. Maleficent, surrounded by her friends, the Disney Villains, will take over the place—it has now been invaded by imposing brambles, which guests will be able to pose in front of, next to the Disney Villains. That is how huge brambles mysteriously appear in the Castle Courtyard. Shaped like the famous horns of Maleficent herself, these brambles form the outline of an imposing dragon. As night falls, the bramble will take on a more disquieting look, immersing guests in a universe of bright, unsettling colors.

Mickey’s Halloween Celebration

To celebrate Halloween and to provide guests with a unique party, Mickey and friends will offer guests a cavalcade specially dedicated to the Harvest festival, and have naturally been inspired by the autumn and Harvest theme. Several times a day, Mickey and friends will parade in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and along Main Street, U.S.A., surrounded by dancers wearing autumn colors.

This year, the lovely Daisy will open the cavalcade. The Three Little Pigs and Horace will join Mickey’s Halloween Celebration on their brand new float “Raise the Rafters!” Surrounded by owls, black cats, spiders, and bats, the Three Little Pigs, Horace, and Clarabelle will dance to country music in front of their farm. A tree and an enchanted mushroom will come to life as if by magic.

As for the Disney Characters, they will be showing off their most stunning seasonal costumes. Donald will explore the wonders of autumn in a world made of straw and pumpkins, together with his inseparable nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. Meanwhile, Uncle Scrooge will bring up the rear, determined to keep careful watch over a strange pumpkin that appears to be worth its weight in gold…

Mickey and Minnie pay homage to the Harvest season from their huge horn of plenty, filled with autumn leaves, fruits, and pumpkins. Behind them, Chip and Dale, accompanied by the charming Clarice, have taken advantage of the Harvest to steal and hoard as many hazelnuts as they can lay their hands on!

Ghosts invade Disneyland Park

The ghosts of the former residents of Main Street, U.S.A. will use Halloween as the perfect opportunity to make their grand appearance. Delighted to be able to make an appearance during Disney’s Halloween Festival, they will take over Main Street, U.S.A., trying to blend into the scenery. The park’s apprentice ghost hunters will be invited to unmask them, armed with their cameras.

Halloween Costume Corner

Passionate about sewing and fashion, Minnie will invite guests to discover her amazing sewing workshop—specially created for Halloween—an extravagant, colorful world where everyone is encouraged to let their imagination run wild. Minnie, in her fabulous Halloween-inspired dress will no doubt jump at the opportunity to pose with her admirers.

Goofy Bonbons

Halloween would not be the same without bonbons and spells. For that reason, Goofy has designed and created a truly amazing candy-making machine to dazzle those with a sweet tooth, young and old! Fans of bonbons and Goofy will not miss the opportunity to stop in front of this astonishing machine. Goofy might even join them to make sure everything is in good working order. A moment to treasure and a chance for everyone to persuade him to share his confectionery secrets!

Jack and Sally’s Cemetery

The famous couple created by Tim Burton will be at Disneyland Paris during Halloween for a mortally enchanting encounter. The set recreates the universe of the film The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Jack and Sally—in person—will welcome those courageous enough to meet them. A reproduction inspired by the universe of Tim Burton, Jack and Sally’s Cemetery is a unique place.

Disney’s Halloween Party

The now famous Disney’s Halloween Party will be held on October 31 in Disneyland, a unique experience to share with family or friends from 8.30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Disneyland Park will reopen its doors after dark and guests will see it as they have never seen it before—in a more mysterious atmosphere than ever, with unexpected animations, terrifyingly delicious surprises, and a “hellish” atmosphere. The moon will bring out the ghosts, Disney Villains, and other creatures for the party, who are all ready to play their tricks around the most mysterious of places. After enjoying the many attractions Disneyland Park has to offer, guests will be able to immerse themselves in the magical extravaganza of the Disney Dreams nighttime show.

Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Disney On Ice Presents Frozen

It seems like it was yesterday when Frozen swept across movie screens and dazzled audiences around the world with its heartwarming story and unforgettable soundtrack. But believe it or not, it debuted almost a year ago, and the film’s gone beyond the box office in generating what’s become a booming franchise for Disney. Turns out no one can let “it”—the phenomenon that is Frozen—go.

This month, fans can enjoy Disney On Ice presents Frozen, a brand-new experience inspired by the film, which kicks off its domestic tour in Orlando, Florida. For producer Nicole Feld, this wintery tale was a perfect fit for the arena medium. We recently sat down with Nicole to get a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming production.

What has it been like to develop this show with Disney Theatrical Group?
We have such a great relationship with Disney. The team always keeps us apprised of new content, and Frozen has been in that pipeline. The expectation is very high, and not just because of the quality we like to create for our Disney On Ice shows. Our audience knows every line, music chord, and character so well.

When did your team decide to adapt Frozen for the ice?
We were invited to early screenings of the film, and we felt it would be a beautiful story for the ice.

We heard you partnered with Frozen directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, along with Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter to bring Disney On Ice presents Frozen to life. What was it like to work with them?
They are wonderful partners and have been involved every step of the way. Everything from just looking at costume designs to giving our team really great feedback and insight about these beloved characters and character development.

What was your favorite scene from Frozen to re-imagine for the show and—we have to ask—will there be snow?!
We spent untold hours conceiving the “Let It Go” scene. We’ll even have special effects to form different types of snow. Anything from light snow to heavy snow and a full-on blizzard!

What are you most looking forward to with this production?
This Disney On Ice production is sure to touch audiences emotionally though the innovative show elements we’ve developed and world-class skating. And there’s nothing more exciting than enjoying an experience with people who share the same passion.

And lastly, which Frozen character do you identify with the most?
I definitely identify with the sisters, especially Elsa, because I have two younger sisters and I’m the oldest. The power of love between sisters is so special; it really is an unbreakable bond.

ABC Announces Season 19’s Dancing with the Stars Cast

September 4, 2014March 27, 2018

Season 19’s cast of celebrity dancers includes a fashion icon, a YouTube sensation, a NASCAR legend and a movie star, to name a few. The stars will grace the ballroom floor for the first time on live national television with their professional partners during the two-hour season premiere of “Dancing with the Stars,” which airs Monday, September 15 (8–10:01 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. One couple will be eliminated on the Dancing with the Stars results show the following day, Tuesday, September 16 (8–9 p.m. ET).

The 13 professional dancers teaching the celebrity cast how to bring heat to the dance floor are Mark Ballas, Cheryl Burke, Sharna Burgess, Witney Carson, Artem Chigvintsev, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Tony Dovolani, Allison Holker, Derek Hough, Keo Motsepe, Peta Murgatroyd, Emma Slater and Karina Smirnoff. Two-time Mirrorball champion and movie star Julianne Hough joins Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba at the judges’ desk.

As announced this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America by Dancing with the Stars hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, the 13 celebrities (in alphabetical order) heading to the dance floor this season with their professional partners are:

Jonathan Bennett—Though his striking good looks may have made Jonathan Bennett an object of affection for the ‘plastics’ in Mean Girls, his talent and commitment are what have led him to become one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood.

Tommy Chong—Grammy®‎-winning comedian Tommy Chong is legendary for his invaluable contribution to comedy and American counterculture as part of the legendary comedy team Cheech & Chong.

Randy Couture—As a six-time World Champion and Hall of Famer in the fastest growing sport in the world, Randy Couture is a true icon in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Betsey Johnson—Known for her over-the-top celebration of the exuberant and the embellished, Betsey has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique and original designs since the 1960s.

Lolo Jones—Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Lolo Jones is one of the greatest track athletes of her generation and one of the greatest American hurdlers of all time. In addition to appearances at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics for hurdles, Lolo became just the 10^th American in history to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics, as a member of the U.S. Bobsled Team for the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia.

Bethany Mota—In only five years, YouTube sensation, fashion designer and beauty expert Bethany Mota has become one of the most recognizable names on social media. Today, Bethany’s YouTube channel has more than seven million subscribers, and her videos have been viewed almost 500 million times.

Janel Parrish—Born in Hawaiʻi, Janel Parrish plays Mona in the top-rated ABC Family TV series Pretty Little Liars.

Alfonso Ribiero—Alfonso’s interests and loves vary from acting, best known for his role as Carlton Banks on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, to his active career today as a television director, host and voice-over.

Sadie Robertson—Sadie Robertson is well known for her dimples and engaging smile, but there is more to the 17-year-old charmer and star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty than that. She’s also a high school athlete and motivational speaker.

Antonio Sabato Jr.—Antonio is widely known for his fan-favorite role as Jagger Cates on ABC’s General Hospital and for playing Jack Parezi on Melrose Place. He was also featured in People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” issue. He’s also a fitness and auto-racing enthusiast and an accomplished author of No Excuses: Workout for Life.

Tavis Smiley—Tavis Smiley is currently the host of the late-night television talk show Tavis Smiley on PBS, as well as The Tavis Smiley Show from Public Radio International.

Lea Thompson—Lea Thompson is perhaps best known for her role as the various incarnations of Lorraine McFly in Back to the Future I, II and III and as the star of Caroline in the City.

Michael Waltrip—Michael Waltrip is a winning professional racecar driver, founder and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, a widely recognized network racing commentator and author of a best-selling biography.

Casting Announced for North American Tour of Disney’s Newsies

Disney Theatrical Productions is pleased to announce full casting for the eagerly anticipated North American tour of Broadway’s Tony® Award-winning smash hit musical, Disney’s Newsies. Rehearsals began on Wednesday, September 3 in New York City in preparation for the first performance on Saturday, October 11 in Schenectady, New York, at Proctors. During its first year of touring in the 2014–15 season, the production will play 25 cities, over 43 weeks.

The production features Dan DeLuca as Jack Kelly, Steve Blanchard as Joseph Pulitzer, Stephanie Styles as Katherine, Angela Grovey as Medda Larkin, Jacob Kemp as Davey, Zachary Sayle as Crutchie, and Vincent Crocilla and Anthony Rosenthal alternating the role of Les.

Rounding out the cast are Mark Aldrich, Josh Assor, Evan Autio, Bill Bateman, Joshua Michael Burrage, Kevin Carolan, DeMarius Copes, Benjamin Cook, Julian DeGuzman, Nico De Jesus, Sky Flaherty, Steve Greenstein, Jon Hacker, Jeff Heimbrock, Stephen Hernandez, James Judy, Meredith Inglesby, Eric John Mahlum, Ginna Claire Mason, Michael Ryan, Jordan Samuels, Jack Sippel, Melissa Steadman Hart, Andrew Wilson and Chaz Wolcott.

Newsies, the new American musical, features a Tony Award-winning score with music by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, a book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein and is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. Newsies is directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, who won a 2012 Tony Award for his work. The entire creative team is reuniting to bring the breakout, smash musical to audiences across North America.

For more information, visit NewsiesTheMusical.com/Tour, Facebook.com/Newsies and Twitter.com/Newsies.