LPWire: New Stage Show Aboard Disney Cruise Line Creates Twist on Cinderella's Happily Ever After Story

New Stage Show Aboard Disney Cruise Line Creates a Twist on Cinderella's Happily Ever After Story

With a swish of a wand, several Bibbidi Bobbidi Boos and the turning of storybook pages, the brand new stage show aboard Disney Cruise Line -- "Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story" -- immerses audiences in a new rendition of the happily ever after story of Cinderella and her Prince Charming.

Giving guests an opportunity to experience the story of Cinderella in a whole new way, the Broadway-style show recently made its theatrical debut in the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship, just in time for the ship's special West Coast cruises honoring the 50th anniversary of the Disneyland park.

"This enchanting production brings some of the most beloved Disney characters to life in a compelling story the entire family can enjoy together," said Jim Urry, Director of Entertainment for Disney Cruise Line. "Everything from the music to the choreography to the incredible set designs and the humor and romance of the story will delight our guests."

With the story beginning where the original ended -- during the wedding celebration of Cinderella and Prince Charming -- good fortune takes a turn when a new character, evil Fairy Godfather Franco DiFortunato, enters the picture on behalf of Lady Tremaine, Cinderella's stepmother. Granting Lady Tremaine's wish, he sends the family back in time to break Cinderella's glass slipper, thus destroying her chances of marrying the prince and writing a whole new story for Cinderella.

The 52-minute production features a rich musical score with six original compositions and two classic Disney songs including the beloved "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" and "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." With an accomplished cast, lavish costumes, elaborate set designs and special effects that cleverly turn back the pages of time, the combination seamlessly transitions the show from scene to scene.

"Twice Charmed" was created by Disney Creative Entertainment, which has also been responsible for the creation of "The Golden Mickeys" currently showing aboard Disney Cruise Line and two recent Disneyland productions, "Disney's Aladdin -- A Musical Spectacular" and "Snow White -- An Enchanting New Musical." Executive Vice President Anne Hamburger heads the group.

Hamburger said, "The goal of our division, Disney Creative Entertainment, is to create great shows that will delight our guests in ways they have never before experienced. It is a combination of moving stories, heartfelt music and unforgettable stage imagery and design, which we bring to our guests at every performance."

As Disney's largest theatrical production ever aboard, the show includes a repertory cast of 21 performers who are well-versed in acting, singing and dancing. This cast not only performs "Twice Charmed," but is also responsible for the two other main stage shows performed in the Walt Disney Theatre throughout the cruise -- "The Golden Mickeys" and "Disney Dreams."

Urry said, "We searched for a long time for the absolute best artistic talent we could find for the creation and production of 'Twice Charmed.' In addition, because the range of acting ability required to perform several shows on a ship is significant, we look for the best actors in the business."

There are an additional nine crew members who perform technical roles backstage as part of these three shows helping to bring the Walt Disney Theatre to life. With 977 seats, the theatre is magnificent within itself, as the most technologically equipped show place at sea.

The book, lyrics and score for "Twice Charmed" were composed by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, who are among the most promising new composers and lyricists for musical theatre and are currently collaborating on an upcoming Broadway musical. The orchestrations and arrangements were by Alan Lee Silva and Timothy Mark Williams.

"Twice Charmed" was directed by Joe Calarco, whose "Shakespeare's R & J," a re-telling of "Romeo and Juliet," was a hit off-Broadway in New York and was critically praised in Chicago, Washington, D.C., London and Tokyo.

Karma Camp, who has both Broadway and off-Broadway credits, choreographed the show. She has choreographed more than 20 productions at Signature Theatre of Arlington, Va., and also developed the choreography for "Snow White -- An Enchanting New Musical" at Disneyland.

The designers on "Twice Charmed" were Sets: James Kronzer; Costumes: Helen Huang; and Lighting: Chris Lee.

After its debut, "Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story" will continue to run aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship throughout 2005, as the ship returns back to her East Coast Caribbean itineraries.

In addition to its special West Coast seven-night itinerary to the Mexican Riviera this summer, Disney Cruise Line offers seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruise vacations, three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas, and land/sea packages that combine the fun and excitement of the Walt Disney World Resort with the enchantment of a Disney Cruise Line voyage to the Bahamas.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit http://www.disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at (888) DCL-2500. Travel agents can also call Disney Cruise Line at (888) 325-2500 or visit http://www.disneytravelagents.com.

--Posted June 7, 2005
Source: Disney Cruise Lines