Going Beyond the Script THE LION KING Backdrops and Scenery Perspectives written by: Melanie Simmons “Nants ingonyama bagithi baba!” There is nothing quite like the opening call of Disney’s The Lion King. One of the first original stories produced by Disney after decades of creating twists on classic fairy tales, The Lion King is a coming-of-age…
Going Beyond the Script Alice in Wonderland Backdrops and Scenery Perspectives written by: Melanie Simmons Lewis Carroll’s classic story of Alice and her reality-warping journey down the rabbit hole is a childhood mainstay. Nearly everyone is familiar with the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, and the eponymous Alice herself. Carroll’s story has been frequently re-imagined…
Going Beyond the Script Into the Woods Backdrops and Scenery Perspectives written by: Melanie Simmons Stephen Sondheim is a Broadway legend in his own time, celebrated for his brilliant scores, which come together with off-beat books and characters to create memorable and often daring theatrical works. One of his most enduring and, arguably, most audience-accessible works…
Going Beyond the Script Cinderella Backdrops and Scenery Perspectives written by: Melanie Simmons Cinderella is one of the most beloved rags-to-riches stories of all time. There are so many versions of this classic fairy tale available and similarly endless ways to stage this beloved story. Whether you’re going for a more “Disney-esque” feel for younger audiences…
Going Beyond the Script Aladdin Backdrops and Scenery Perspectives written by: Melanie Simmons Disney’s Aladdin is currently running on Broadway, receiving rave reviews and seemingly endless awards. Even if you’re not in New York City, however, you can bring the magic of Agrabah to younger audiences everywhere with the Jr. Edition! Let’s take a magical carpet ride through some of…
Going Beyond the Script The Wizard of Oz Backdrops and Scenery Perspectives written by: Melanie Simmons The Wizard of Oz first appeared as a stage play in 1903. Over the last 110 years, it has been remade many times over for musical theatre, film, and television. L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale of displacement, enchantment, friendship,…
Going Beyond the Script Beauty and the Beast Backdrops and Scenic Perspectives The beloved tale of Beauty and the Beast is set in an enchanted world where true love overcomes curses and reality is more than skin-deep. With award winning musical numbers, elaborate costumes, and cheeky humor, Beauty and the Beast is a “tale as…
Going Beyond the Script Alice in Wonderland Backdrop and Scenery Perspectives ALICE IN WONDERLAND is a journey of imagination and nonsense. Written in 1865 by English author Lewis Carroll, the novel tells the story of a young girl named Alice who falls into the fantasy world known as “Wonderland.” Since the early 1900’s, the book has…