Some legendary holiday stories are simply to classic to ever die out. From the tale of old St. Nick to the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Christmas has so many accompanying stories and tall tales that it has practically become a genre itself.
Walt Disney Records Set To Release Zootopia Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Walt Disney Records releases the Zootopia soundtrack which features score by Oscar®-winning composer, Michael Giacchino and the end-credit song “Try Everything” performed by Grammy®-winning artist Shakira. The original motion picture soundtrack will be available wherever music is sold today, March 4, 2016. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia,” a comedy-adventure directed by Byron Howard (“Tangled,” “Bolt”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “The Simpsons”) and co-directed by Jared Bush (“Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero”), opens in theaters on March 4, 2016.
The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde, to solve the mystery.
Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino marks his first-ever feature collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios for “Zootopia.” Featuring an 80-piece orchestra and conductor Tim Simonec, Giacchino’s score reflects the diversity of the world.
“In a world as vast as Zootopia, we needed someone who could deliver a score that can feel exotic and powerful, but also provide that same emotional intimacy,” says director Byron Howard. “We tell stories with images, Michael tells stories with music. ‘Zootopia’ is a massive film with deep emotional themes running throughout the story, and Michael was the perfect choice to bring the music of this extraordinary animal world to life.”
Adds director Rich Moore, “Zootopia is a thriving metropolis inhabited by animals from around globe, and Michael’s music has captured a wonderful international spirit that marries perfectly with the visuals. I’m very excited for audiences to experience this incredible new world we’ve created together.”
According to the composer, the score is very diverse instrumentally. “There are flavors of world music sprinkled in everywhere. But at its core, the score always follows the emotional story of Hopps and Nick.”
Giacchino’s credits feature some of the most popular and acclaimed film projects in recent history, including Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out,” “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille,” as well as “Jurassic World,” “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” and “The Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” His score for Disney•Pixar’s 2009 feature “Up” earned him an Oscar®, a Golden Globe®, the BAFTA®, the Broadcast Film Critics’ Choice Award and two Grammy® Awards.
“I am really proud to be a part of this film,” continues Giacchino. “It’s one of those films with a huge heart and wonderfully realized characters set within a story that’s not only incredibly fun and entertaining but takes an honest look at our own world and the important issues we deal with living in such a diverse society. That’s what really attracted me to the film—the chance to write music that reflects these kind of challenges.”
Performed by Shakira, “Try Everything” exemplifies Judy’s journey from small-town bunny to big-city cop. The original song was written by Grammy® winning singer-songwriter Sia and songwriting duo Stargate. “I think that they really captured the spirit of the movie,” says Shakira, “not only in terms of the music, but the lyrics, too. It’s a song about being unafraid of your dreams and being willing to fight for them.”
The Zootopia soundtrack is now available at iTunes http://smarturl.it/zsa1, Amazon http://smarturl.it/zsama1, and wherever music is sold.
‘Frozen – Live at the Hyperion,’ a New Stage Musical, Opens May 27, 2016, at Disney California Adventure Park
“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion,” a new musical based on Disney’s animated blockbuster film, will open at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park on May 27, 2016. Audiences will be immersed in the emotional journey of Anna and Elsa with all of the excitement of live theater, in an entertaining musical adaptation that includes elaborate costumes and sets, stunning special effects, show-stopping production numbers and unique theatrical surprises.
Disney Creative Entertainment, the arm of Walt Disney Imagineering responsible for live theatrical entertainment at Disney Parks, is producing “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” with all of the creativity and resources of its predecessor “Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” which ran for a remarkable 13 years, with a total of 14,000 performances to 13 million park guests at the Hyperion Theater.
The 1,873-seat Hyperion is equipped with a backstage facility to support a production of the kind that plays in any venue of that size in the world, as well as the full creativity of Walt Disney Imagineering.
“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” is based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film “Frozen,” which is the No. 1 animated feature of all time and among the most critically acclaimed animated films. It is the winner of two Academy Awards (2014), for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.
“While our production of ‘Frozen‘ will stay true to the heart and soul of the film, we have adapted it for the stage so it’s truly a musical theatre production that befits our beautiful Hyperion Theater,” said Dana Harrel, creative entertainment executive with Walt Disney Imagineering. “The goal of this creative team is to take all audiences – including those that know the film, and those new to these characters – on this exciting and touching adventure with Anna and Elsa.
“We know that for many in the audience — adults and children alike – this production will be a first or rare theatergoing experience. We undertake this responsibility with seriousness as we adapt the film to the stage.”
The new musical features music and lyrics by the creators of the film score, Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“In Transit,” “Up Here”) andRobert Lopez (“Avenue Q,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Up Here”), and is adapted from the screenplay by four-time Tony® nomineeChad Beguelin (“Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” at Hyperion Theater; Broadway: “Gotta Dance,” “Aladdin,” “The Wedding Singer,” “Elf”).
“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” is directed by Liesl Tommy, who is currently represented on Broadway with “Eclipsed,” starring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong‘o. The choreographer is Christopher Windom and this is his seventh collaboration with Tommy. The musical supervisor/arranger/adaptor is Jason Michael Webb, whose Broadway credits include “The Color Purple,” “Motown: The Musical,” “Violet,” and “Memphis.”
A great variety of creative energies has been employed to bring “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” to the stage. Harrel and Tommy have assembled a team of creative talent from both Broadway and Walt Disney Imagineering to create this production. The principal designers are Robert Brill (scenery), Clint Ramos (costumes), Charles Lapointe (wigs) David Weiner (lighting), Aaron Rhyne(projections) and Broken Chord (audio).
As the audience anticipates the rise of the curtain, guests will find that the interior of the Hyperion Theater is entirely wrapped, immediately immersing the audience in the world of “Frozen.” As part of the scenic design, large set elements will move the action in a cinematic way, allowing the production a great forward narrative energy, accompanied by state-of the-art projections that allow the actors to have a greater sense of movement and a sound design that completely envelops the audience in the story.
And of course there will be snow throughout the interior of the theater – on stage and over the audience.
And as would be expected from Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Parks, new technologies – especially with projections, fabrics and special effects – will delight audiences in new and unique ways.
The challenge of bringing Olaf and the Trolls to the stage has been assigned to master puppet designer Michael Curry, who co-designed with director Julie Taymor the puppets of “The Lion King” on Broadway, the magic mirror in “Snow White” at Fantasyland Theatre, and many other Disney parades, shows and projects, as well as projects for the Olympics, Cirque du Soleil and the Metropolitan Opera.
An entirely separate Broadway production of “Frozen” is currently being prepared by Disney Theatrical Productions and is slated to join Disney Theatrical’s New York productions of “Aladdin” and “The Lion King” for spring 2018 at a theater to be announced. It will have a pre-Broadway engagement starting in summer 2017 in Denver.
THE WILD INSPIRATIONS BEHIND ZOOTOPIA BY SAM ALLEN
In addition to celebrating the natural world, Disney’s Animal Kingdom also celebrates those animals that live in our imaginations including those brought to life through Disney animation. Recently a new exhibit opened up in the park’s “Rafiki’s Planet Watch” area all about Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest feature film: “Zootopia.”
10 Awesome Disney World Freebies
If you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World or you’re planning a Disney trip for the family, you understand all too well how expensive a Disney vacation can be.
KRISTOFF & OLAF TO HOST FROZEN GAMES AT DISNEY’S BLIZZARD BEACH WATER PARK
This summer, Disney’s Blizzard Beach® Water Park at the Walt Disney World® Resort will play host to the inaugural Frozen Games.
When guests visit Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park this summer, they can join “Team Kristoff” or “Team Olaf” and participate in a variety of activities, including Ice Pail Relays, a Snowball Toss to Ski Pole Limbo and Slide Races.
Olaf and Kristoff will join the Winter Games Committee members in the games’ Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and will give updates throughout the games to report on their team’s achievements.
Disney’s ‘Zootopia’ is the best movie of the year so far
The year’s best film so far, “Zootopia,” is a Walt Disney Animation Studios ’toon set in a brilliantly imagined animals-only city where the first bunny on the police force tries to solve a crime with the reluctant help of a con-artist fox.
RESERVATIONS NOW OPEN FOR “WORLD OF COLOR” DESSERT PARTY AT DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK
Soon guests can experience a delicious new way to watch “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure® Park. Beginning March 17, 2016, Paradise Park will host nightly sparkling dessert parties with reserved seating and a spectacular view of “World of Color – Celebrate!”
Cost is $79 per person, tax and gratuity included. Reservations are highly recommended, and are now open for dates beginning March 17, 2016.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 5, 2016
Discover the complete story behind the making of Star Wars: The Force Awakens with an in-depth documentary and bonus material that will take fans on an exciting journey behind the scenes. Secrets will be revealed through extensive footage, never-before-seen deleted scenes, and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers.
“THE JUNGLE BOOK” SNEAK PEEK COMING TO DISNEY PARKS MARCH 18
Beginning March 18, 2016, guests can catch a preview of scenes from Disney’s all-new live-action adventure “The Jungle Book” in sneak peeks planned for Disney California Adventure® Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, each with a special introduction by Director Jon Favreau that pays homage to Walt Disney, the original animated classic and Disney’s legacy of innovative storytelling.
At Disney California Adventure Park, the preview of “The Jungle Book” will be presented at the Bug’s Life Theater with special in-theater effects. Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will get to see this advance look at clips from the film, as part of the Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream attraction on Mickey Avenue.
