Disney working on The Jungle Book, The Princess Bride & Bedknobs and Broomsticks stage adaptions

Disney is working on stage adaptions of a number of its iconic films.

Thomas Schumacher, the president of Disney Theatrical Productions, shared details of current projects in a letter to staff (via The New York Times).

It follows news that the company’s Broadway production of Frozen would be closing amid the ongoing theatre shutdown.

Schumacher said that Disney remains “committed to developing and producing stage musicals for a long time to come.”

Projects in the works include adaptions of Hercules, which recently had its world premiere at the open-air Delacorte Theater in New York’s Central Park in 2019.

The stage version is directed by Lear deBessonet and will be written by Robert Horn, Alan Menken and David Zippel.

Also set for the stage is an adaption of The Jungle Book which is to be directed by Christopher Gattelli with a book by Rajiv Joseph and new songs by the film’s original composer Richard M. Sherman.

Further projects in development are musical adaptions of both The Princess Bride and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

The Princess Bride has a book written by Bob Martin and Rick Elice with songs from David Yazbek while Bedknobs and Broomsticks will feature direction by Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison with a book by Brian Hill and new songs by Neil Bartram.

Playbill reports that Bedknobs and Broomsticks could hold its premiere in the UK.

Alongside the new productions, it was also revealed a revival of Beauty And The Beast was in the works for 2021.

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About the author: Rachel Wise

UK based freelancer journalist Rachel contributes regularly to Stageberry with features and interviews from the hottest new shows and stage stars.