Disneyland, U.S.A. (partially found multimedia stage show; 1962)
Publicity photo of Goofy and Pluto getting ready for the trip to New York City.
Status: Partially Found
Disneyland, U.S.A. was a multimedia stage show that was staged at Radio City Music Hall from April 5 to May 16, 1962.
Background
During its days as a movie theater, Radio City Music Hall typically presented extravagant stage shows in conjunction with the feature presentation. In the spring of 1962, Walt Disney's live-action comedy Moon Pilot was selected to be the Music Hall's big Easter attraction, and to compliment the film, they would collaborate with the Disney Studio staff to bring a bit of Disneyland to New York, the first time they would collaborate with another company to produce a show on their "Great Stage".[1]
The Disney show ran at the Music Hall from April 5 to May 16, 1962. Walt Disney, along with Disneyland ambassador Valerie Jane Watson, attended the premiere performance.
Show description
Prologue
The show's prologue was a combination of a live stage performance with a CinemaScope motion picture. It began with Mickey Mouse (voiced on the film's soundtrack by Walt Disney, in one of his last performances as the character) appearing onstage and welcoming the audience. After a humorous segment of a phone operator trying to connect to Hollywood, we are brought to Walt Disney in his Imagineering workshop. From here, Walt has a conversation with Mickey down below before he explains how Disneyland evolved from dream to reality.[2]
Stage performance
The show is divided into acts that take place in a different area of Disneyland. Main Street, U.S.A. is represented by a turn-of-the-century vocal ensemble and banjo soloist Pat Theriault. In Frontierland, the famous Golden Horseshoe Revue wild-west show is played out by Wally Boag as Pecos Bill. In Tomorrowland, the Music Hall's Corps de Ballet and Kirby's Flying Ballet combine to enact a submarine journey liquid space. After a humorous interlude with the Marquis Chimps, the world-famous Rockettes took to the stage dressed as dancing bluebirds in Fantasyland. For a finale, over thirty Disney characters come out for an "Easter Parade" before the entire company gathers to sing "When You Wish Upon a Star".
Preservation
In 2006, the Disney DVD release Your Host, Walt Disney (part of the Walt Disney Treasures series) contained a recreation of the show's prologue as a bonus feature, combining the newly-restored filmed prologue with 16mm footage of Mickey onstage.
Gallery
Concept art for the "Tomorrowland" portion.
Show credits
For Radio City Music Hall
- Staged and directed by: Leon Leonidoff
- Costume Designer: Frank Spencer
- Costumed executed by: Leanne Mitchell
- Lighting Effects: Eugene Braun
- Director of Stage Operations: John Jackson
- Stage Manager: Hal Turner
- Production Assistant: Nicholas Daks
- Special Lyrics: Albert Stillman
- Choral Director: Will Irwin
- Associate Director for Rockettes: Emilia Sherman
For Walt Disney Productions
- Coordinator: Tommy Walker
- Choreographer: Tom Mahoney
- Music composed and directed by: George Bruns
- Scenic Designers: Carroll Clark, Dick Hubbard
- Properties: Emile Kuri
- Assistant to Mr. Walker: Robert Allen
See Also
References
- ↑ Cameron, Kate. April 1, 1962. Disneyland at Music Hall. New York Daily News. New York, NY. Retrieved 12 Feb '24
- ↑ A recreation of the prologue