DIS Walt Disney Co

By Pia Catton 

Disney's stage version of "Frozen" is letting go of its director Alex Timbers, a sought-after theater director whose eclectic productions include the irreverent "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" and the immersive rock musical "Here Lies Love."

Disney Theatrical Productions said a new director would be named soon, but didn't indicate if the change would affect the show's schedule. Currently, "Frozen" is set for summer 2017 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, with a Broadway run expected to follow.

The musical is poised to have a built-in audience: The 2013 animated film was an international hit, winning two Academy Awards and grossing $1.2 billion world-wide.

In a statement, Thomas Schumacher, president and producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, called the decision "especially painful" but expressed a commitment "to seeing 'Frozen's' tremendous theatrical potential brought to life onstage."

Mr. Timbers's agent didn't return a request for comment.

Mr. Schumacher had worked with Mr. Timbers in the past, on the early development of "Bloody Bloody" and on the Broadway play with music "Peter and the Starcatcher." He called him "one of the most exciting and innovative theatre directors I know."

Mr. Timbers, 37 years old, who is a creator of the Golden Globe-winning TV series "Mozart in the Jungle" and is currently developing film projects, is no stranger to translating beloved characters to the stage. In 2014, he directed the Broadway musical version of "Rocky."

"Frozen," however, comes with the need to appeal to a generation of children who dress up like the characters, throw "Frozen"-themed birthday parties and sing along to the 2014 Academy-Award winning song "Let it Go."

Director changes aren't infrequent on Broadway, either for artistic or scheduling reasons. In the coming season, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and the a-Cappella musical "In Transit" have already made a switch.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 05, 2016 02:48 ET (06:48 GMT)

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