Frozen' Director Is Left Out in the Cold -- WSJ
August 05 2016 - 3:03AM
Dow Jones News
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)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024