Disney Broadway Shows for Students

Student groups have some iconic options when it comes to Disney Broadway shows for student groups to experience

Amidst the towering skyscrapers and the irresistible pulse of Times Square’s bright lights, Broadway is an unrivaled destination for world-class theatre. From the timeless classics to the newest sensations, it showcases a variety of performances that capture hearts, inspire minds, and stir the imagination. But what happens when it collides with another realm of magic? Disney! 

Disney has been weaving its tales into the world of Broadway since the 1990s, when the idea of “Disney on Broadway” was born from a blend of Broadway’s grandeur and Disney’s storytelling prowess. This collaboration has produced some of the best-selling, longest-running, and most-loved shows of all time, reliving classic tales through toe-tapping numbers and breathtaking live performances.

Notable musical adaptations from Disney’s repertoire include The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Frozen, and many more. These productions offer a remarkable fusion of Disney’s fantastical storytelling and Broadway’s dynamic performance style, bringing animated tales to life right before your eyes. These shows feature everything we adore about Disney – from princesses and daring heroines to scheming villains and magical worlds – all brought to life on the grand stage.

Owned by Disney since 1997, the New Amsterdam Theatre serves as a marvelous testament to the history of Broadway and the enchanting presence of Disney. Disney didn’t merely invest in the theatre; they rejuvenated it into a beacon for fans worldwide. Currently home to Aladdin, it has also hosted the iconic production of Mary Poppins.

One of the elements underscoring the success of Disney on Broadway is the perfect blend of voice talent from Broadway performers who’ve lent their voices to animated Disney characters. Prime examples include Idina Menzel, who voiced Elsa in Frozen; Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf; and Lin-Manuel Miranda, best known for his work on Broadway’s Hamilton, but also for his contribution to Disney’s Moana. And, of course, there’s Anika Noni Rose. Having given a spine-tingling and Tony®-winning performance in Caroline, or Change on Broadway, she also voiced the ambitious dreamer princess, Tiana, in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. Upcoming talent includes Jeremy Jordan, set to star in Broadway’s The Great Gatsby starting 2024, who also starred in Disney’s TonyⓇ Award-winning adaptation of the hit movie Newsies.

The Broadway-Disney partnership is more than just a commercial enterprise; it’s the joining of two different yet very close worlds that value storytelling, emotion, and the power of music and performance, which come together in unforgettable experiences. To help you plan your next Broadway journey, let’s dive into the currently running shows you and your students can enjoy this season!

Current Broadway Shows

The Lion King on Broadway

The theatrical masterpiece known as The Lion King sits in the heart of Broadway, with a TonyⓇ-decorated history spanning more than two decades. Inspiring over 100 million people worldwide, the show’s journey from a Disney animated classic to a stage sensation is as mesmerizing as the performance itself.

Adapted from the 1994 animated film, the Broadway musical brings the story of Simba, Pride Rock, and the circle of life onto the stage. Disney worked closely with a talented team, including director Julie Taymor and choreographer Garth Fagan, to ensure the essence of the film remained intact while the tale unfolded in an entirely new medium.

For students, The Lion King is an engaging exploration into storytelling and character development, where they can experience a classic narrative arc complete with conflict, resolution, and lessons to learn. With the charming cub prince Simba on a journey of self-discovery and rightful heritage, students are exposed to themes of responsibility, bravery, and the cyclical nature of life. Moreover, the show’s African-inspired visual and musical influences provide insights into cultural representation and diversity in art.

A strikingly imaginative aspect of the show is the fusion of the brilliant score, innovative visuals, and beautifully implemented puppetry. Elton John’s music and Tim Rice’s lyrics first brought to life in the Disney film, come alive on stage, stirring hearts and inspiring minds. Likewise, the ground-breaking puppetry and mask work (both co-designed by Michael Curry and Julie Taymor) allow for a unique blend of human and animal traits, inspiring fascination and expanding students’ perspectives on the artistic possibilities beyond conventional modern theatre.

• Finally, to further enrich the educational value, a Study Guide is available for The Lion King, providing a more in-depth understanding of the show’s themes, the artistic processes involved in creating the show, and discussion points for classroom activities.

Flawlessly integrating education and entertainment, The Lion King offers students and their chaperones an unforgettable Broadway experience while sparking original thinking and developing a taste for good music.

Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway

Swiftly following the four-toed footprints of its theatrical predecessor, Disney’s Aladdin is a magnificent retelling of the rags-to-riches story, complete with an iconic magic carpet ride.

An adaptation of the 1992 animated film Aladdin is the electrifying tale of a street-smart young man who stumbles upon an enchanted lamp possessing unimaginable powers. At its core, the musical paints a vivid picture of friendship, honesty, and the importance of staying true to oneself. Aladdin’s journey is a tale of transformation, brought upon not by magic but by his inherent virtues and growth, providing thought-provoking teaching moments.

The witty and humorous Genie occupies a special place in the story and in every spectator’s heart. His role offers viewers comedic relief, demonstrating how humor can shape a narrative’s tone and dynamics and how humor and music can naturally co-exist.

Aladdin on Broadway is a visual masterpiece, dazzling audiences with its grandeur and intricate technological aspects. From lavishly detailed sets and costumes (the show uses a total of 337 costumes, created from 134 individual designs!) to high-tech visual effects, it’s a spectacle that may spark a student’s interest in stagecraft. This fascination can be further indulged in Broadway Inbound’s workshops, which provide intriguing hands-on insight into the complexities behind such tremendous productions.

Aladdin also offers a Study Guide providing a comprehensive understanding of the show. The guide covers topics from characterization to cultural representation and is valuable for classroom discussions and post-show reflections.

Planning Your School Trip To Broadway

Planning and organization can ensure an enjoyable experience for students. Here’s how to plan an exceptional Broadway visit that aligns with educational standards and entertains young minds.

Start by arranging your group tickets, a process made more straightforward and efficient with Broadway Inbound. Known for offering special rates for school groups, Broadway Inbound is your ticket to securing the best deals for your group Broadway visit, whether it’s 10 tickets or 110. The earlier you book, the better the chances of obtaining prime seating options, especially crucial for large student groups. And what we mean by “prime” is you are sitting in the section of the venue you were planning for.

Broadway Planning and Organizing Tools:

• Broadway Inbound also has a dedicated How to Plan section on the website, which provides a comprehensive guide detailing every step of the planning journey, from ticket booking to transportation and pre and after-show activity ideas. Additionally, Broadway Inbound’s GroupTools can prove to be an enormous time-saver. This platform is designed to organize group visits and allows you to manage everything in one place, from payment to detailed itineraries visible to all the group members.
• A school trip to Broadway wouldn’t be complete without enriching the experience with some educational resources. Broadway Inbound collaborates with shows to provide quality Study Guides for shows and other educational tools. These materials can tie the Broadway experience directly to your curriculum, hitting on critical educational standards and providing valuable context that varies from characterization to history to cultural representation.
• Augmenting the Broadway experience are workshops offered by partners of Broadway Inbound. Students can explore various aspects of stagecraft and glimpse the effort behind every Broadway show. It includes the performative aspects, like singing, acting, dance, and technical wizardry, that only the initiated into the theatrical world can know.

A well-planned trip to Broadway will deepen students’ understanding of theatre and art forms and stimulate their creativity and critical thinking. With such an unforgettable educational experience awaiting, the theatre is excited to welcome you on your memorable school trip to Broadway!