Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation

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Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation
Winnie the Pooh The New Musical Adaptation poster.png
Broadway promotional poster
Music Richard M. Sherman
Robert B. Sherman
LyricsRichard M. Sherman
Robert B. Sherman
Book Jonathan Rockefeller
Basis Winnie-the-Pooh
by A. A. Milne
Productions

Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation is a 2021 musical based on the film franchise of the same name. The music and lyrics were written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman [1] with a book by Jonathan Rockefeller. The production also borrows elements from the short stories of the same name.

Contents

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the musical had its debut at the Theatre Row Building in New York City in October 2021 and was met with a positive critical response.

Development

In 2019, it was reported that there had been plans to adapt the Winnie the Pooh stories into a Broadway musical with a book written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Edward Albee ( Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? ), but those plans were put on hold when Albee became busy. [2] In May 2021, Disney Theatrical Productions announced that the Winnie the Pooh stories would be adapted as a musical, utilizing puppetry to portray the characters. [3]

Productions

Off-Broadway (2021)

Previews occurred Off-Broadway at the Theatre Row Building in New York City from October 21, 2021, until its world premiere on November 4, 2021. [4] [5] Jonathan Rockefeller adapted the characters, while utilizing several pieces of music and lyrics from the Sherman Brothers. [6] In September 2021, the cast was revealed to consist of Jake Bazel as Pooh, Chris Palmieri as Tigger, Kirsty Moon as Piglet/Roo, Emmanuel Elpenord as Eeyore/Owl/Rabbit, and Kristina Dizon as Kanga, while Sebastiano Ricci served as an understudy. [7] After an open call for young actors, Kaydn Kuioka, Max Lamberg and Cooper Lantz were cast to share the role of Christopher Robin. [8] The production closed on January 30, 2022. [9]

Chicago (2022)

A production began playing at Mercury Theatre Chicago in Chicago for a limited 13-week run lasting from March 15 to June 12, 2022. [10]

Off-Broadway Revival (2022)

The production returned to the Theatre Row Building in New York City for a limited 6-week run lasting from June 18 to July 31, 2022. [11]

National Tour (2022)

In June 2022, a US touring production was announced. Performances began on September 16, 2022, at Irving Arts Center in Irving, Texas and were originally set to conclude on May 7, 2023, at Marcus Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. [12] However, the production went on hiatus, ending its run early on February 26, 2023, at North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. [13]

West End (2023)

In August 2022, a UK premiere was announced. Performances began on March 17, 2023 in London's Riverside Studios, and ended on September 2, 2023. [14] The cast consisted of Benjamin Durham, Laura Bacon, Harry Boyd, Alex Cardall, Chloe Gentles, Lottie Grogan, and Robbie Noonan. [15]

Cast

Character Off-Broadway (2021) [16] Chicago (2022) [17] National Tour (2022) [18]
Pooh Jake BazelWill B. RupertColdin Grundmeyer
Tigger Chris PalmieriJosh Bernaski
Sebastiano Ricci		Josh Bernaski
Luke Dombroski
Blake Rushing
Eeyore/Owl/Rabbit Emmanuel ElpenordFrank Cesario
Piglet/Roo Kirsty MoonEmilie Rose Danno
Tina-Kim Nguyen
Carolyn Plurad		Kaitlyn Lunardi
Melissa Xiaolan Warren
Hannah Lauren Wilson
Kanga Kristina Dizon
Christopher Robin Kadyn Kuioka
Max Lamberg
Cooper Lantz		William DalyRoss Coughlin

Musical numbers

The show features songs from several Winnie the Pooh films, including Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree , Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day , The Tigger Movie , and Piglet's Big Movie ; all songs were written by the Sherman Brothers, except where otherwise noted.

† Music and lyrics by Carly Simon

Reception

Alex Reif of The Laughing Place gave a positive review, saying the show "captures the charm and whimsy of A. A. Milne's timeless stories and Disney's memorable animated adaptations." [19] Alexia Fernández of People commented on the production, saying the life-sized puppetry was "stunning". [20] Writing for Yahoo! , Fernández also said the show "has already broken theatre box office records for the largest advance of any show at Theatre Row in New York City. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tigger</span> Fictional tiger-like character

Tigger is a fictional character in A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh books and their adaptations. An anthropomorphic toy tiger, he was originally introduced in the 1928-story collection The House at Pooh Corner, the sequel to the 1926 book Winnie-the-Pooh. Like other Pooh characters, Tigger is based on one of Christopher Robin Milne's stuffed toy animals. He appears in the Disney animated versions of Winnie the Pooh and has also appeared in his own film, The Tigger Movie (2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piglet (Winnie-the-Pooh)</span> Fictional character

Piglet is a fictional character from A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh books. Piglet is Winnie‑the‑Pooh's closest friend amongst all the toys and animals featured in the stories. Although he is a "Very Small Animal" of a generally timid disposition, he tries to be brave and on occasion conquers his fears.

<i>The Tigger Movie</i> 2000 animated Disney film directed by Jun Falkenstein

The Tigger Movie is a 2000 American animated musical comedy-drama film produced by Walt Disney Television Animation with animation production by Walt Disney Animation (Japan), Inc., written and directed by Jun Falkenstein from a story by Eddie Guzelian, and released by Walt Disney Pictures on February 11, 2000. It is the second theatrical Winnie the Pooh film after The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and features Pooh's sidekick Tigger as the main protagonist searching for his family tree and other Tiggers like himself. The film was the first feature-length theatrical Pooh film that was not a collection of previously released shorts.

<i>Piglets Big Movie</i> 2003 American film

Piglet's Big Movie is a 2003 American animated musical adventure comedy-drama film produced by the Japanese office of Disneytoon Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The animation production was by Walt Disney Animation Japan, Inc. with additional animation provided by Gullwing Co., Ltd., additional background by Studio Fuga and digital ink and paint by T2 Studio. The film features the characters from the Winnie-the-Pooh books written by A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard and is the third theatrically released Winnie the Pooh feature. It was released on March 21, 2003, to generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $62.9 million worldwide. In this film, Piglet is ashamed of being small and clumsy and wanders off into the Hundred Acre Wood, leading all of his friends to form a search party to find him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sherman Brothers</span> American songwriting duo

The Sherman Brothers were an American songwriting duo that specialized in musical films, made up of brothers Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman. Together they received various accolades including two Academy Awards and three Grammy Awards. They received nominations for a Laurence Olivier Award, a BAFTA Award, and five Golden Globe Awards. In 1976, they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the National Medal of the Arts in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard M. Sherman</span> American songwriter (1928–2024)

Richard Morton Sherman was an American songwriter who specialized in musical films with his brother Robert B. Sherman. According to the official Walt Disney Company website and independent fact checkers, "The Sherman Brothers were responsible for more motion picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert B. Sherman</span> American songwriter (1925–2012)

Robert Bernard Sherman was an American songwriter, best known for his work in musical films with his brother, Richard M. Sherman. The Sherman brothers produced more motion picture song scores than any other songwriting team in film history. Some of their songs were incorporated into live action and animation musical films including Mary Poppins, The Happiest Millionaire, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Slipper and the Rose, and Charlotte's Web. Their best-known work is "It's a Small World " possibly the most-performed song in history.

<i>The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh</i> 1977 American animated anthology film produced by Walt Disney Productions

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a 1977 American animated musical anthology fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution. It was first released on a double bill with The Littlest Horse Thieves on March 11, 1977.

<i>Poohs Heffalump Movie</i> 2005 animated film directed by Frank Nissen

Pooh's Heffalump Movie is a 2005 American animated musical adventure comedy-drama film produced by the Japanese office of Disneytoon Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Featuring characters from A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh stories, the film is the fourth theatrical animated film in Disney's Winnie the Pooh franchise and DisneyToon Studios's third adaptation of Winnie the Pooh stories, following Piglet's Big Movie (2003) and Springtime with Roo (2004). The film was released on February 11, 2005, to generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $52.9 million worldwide. It was followed by a direct-to-video Halloween sequel, titled Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie which came out seven months after the film's release.

<i>Welcome to Pooh Corner</i> 1983 American TV series or program

Welcome to Pooh Corner is a live-action/puppet television series that aired on Disney Channel, featuring the characters from the Winnie the Pooh universe portrayed by actors in human-sized puppet suits, except Roo, who was originally a traditional puppet. The animatronic costumes used for the characters were created by Alchemy II, Inc., headed by Ken Forsse who later created Teddy Ruxpin. The show was first aired on April 18, 1983, the day The Disney Channel was launched. Its timeslot for its early run was at 8:30 a.m. Eastern/Pacific Time, making it the third program of The Disney Channel's 16 hour programming day. Reruns of the show aired on The Disney Channel until May 30, 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disney Theatrical Productions</span> Subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company

Disney Theatrical Productions Limited (DTP), also known as Disney on Broadway, is the stageplay and musical production company of the Disney Theatrical Group, a subsidiary of Disney Entertainment, a major division and business unit of The Walt Disney Company.

<i>Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day</i> 1968 short film directed by Wolfgang Reitherman

Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day is a 1968 American animated musical fantasy short film based on the third, fifth, ninth, and tenth chapters of Winnie-the-Pooh and the second, eighth, and ninth chapters from The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne. The featurette was directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, produced by Walt Disney Productions, and released by Buena Vista Distribution Company on December 20, 1968, having been shown in theaters with The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit. This was the second of the studio's Winnie the Pooh theatrical featurettes. It was later added as a segment to the 1977 film The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The music was written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. It was notable for being the last Disney animated short to be produced by Walt Disney, who died of lung cancer on December 15, 1966, two years before its release.

<i>Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too</i> 1974 film directed by John Lounsbery

Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too is a 1974 American animated musical fantasy short film based on the third chapter of Winnie-the-Pooh and the fourth and seventh chapters of The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne. The featurette was directed by John Lounsbery, produced by Wolfgang Reitherman, released by Walt Disney Productions, and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution. It was released on October 21, 1974, and released again as a double feature on December 20, 1974, with the live-action feature film The Island at the Top of the World. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, but lost to Closed Mondays.

<i>Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore</i> 1983 animated short film directed by Rick Reinert

Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore is a 1983 American animated short film based on the sixth chapter of both books Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne. Produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution, the short initially received limited release on May 11, 1983, before expanding to a wide release on May 25 as part of a double feature with the re-issue of The Sword in the Stone (1963), which it accompanied in most countries except Australia where it accompanied a reissue of Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). Directed by Rick Reinert, the featurette featured the voices of Hal Smith, John Fiedler, Will Ryan, Ralph Wright, and Paul Winchell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winnie the Pooh (Disney character)</span> Fictional teddy bear created by A. A. Milne

Winnie the Pooh is a fictional bear and the main character in Disney's Winnie the Pooh franchise, based on the character Winnie-the-Pooh created by English author A. A. Milne and English artist and book illustrator E. H. Shepard, being one of the most popular characters adapted for film and television by The Walt Disney Company. Disney first received certain licensing rights to the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, characters, and trademarks from Stephen Slesinger, Inc. and the estate of A. A. Milne in 1961. Winnie the Pooh is one of the most popular characters adapted for film and one of Disney's most popular characters, especially in terms of merchandising.

<i>My Friends Tigger & Pooh</i> American animated Disney television series

My Friends Tigger & Pooh is an American animated children's television series that aired on the Playhouse Disney block on Disney Channel. Inspired by A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh, the series was developed by Walt Disney Television Animation, with Brian Hohlfeld serving as executive producer. It originally aired in the United States from May 12, 2007, to October 9, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winnie-the-Pooh</span> Fictional character created by A. A. Milne

Winnie-the-Pooh is a fictional anthropomorphic teddy bear created by English author A. A. Milne and English illustrator E. H. Shepard. Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared by name in a children's story commissioned by London's Evening News for Christmas Eve 1925. The character is inspired by a stuffed toy that Milne had bought for his son Christopher Robin in Harrods department store, and a bear they had viewed at London Zoo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristen Anderson-Lopez</span> American songwriter

Kristen Anderson-Lopez is an American songwriter. She is known for co-writing the songs for the 2013 animated musical film Frozen and its 2019 sequel Frozen II with her husband Robert Lopez. The couple won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Let It Go" from Frozen and "Remember Me" from Coco (2017) at the 86th and 90th awards respectively. She also won two Grammy Awards at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, and she is signed to Disney Music Publishing.

<i>Winnie the Pooh</i> (franchise) Disney media franchise

Winnie the Pooh is a media franchise produced by The Walt Disney Company, based on A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard's stories featuring Winnie-the-Pooh. It started in 1966 with the theatrical release of the short Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree.

References

  1. ↑ "Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation Will Premiere Off-Broadway This Fall". Playbill. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  2. ↑ Why Disney’s Winnie the Pooh and Dumbo never hit Broadway The New York Post, April 11, 2019
  3. ↑ WINNIE THE POOH: THE NEW MUSICAL ADAPTATION Will Open Off-Broadway This Fall Broadway World, May 25, 2021
  4. ↑ VIDEO: "Winnie the Pooh – The New Musical Adaptation" Coming to New York in October 2021
  5. ↑ Harms, Talaura (October 21, 2021). "Check Out Photos of Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation". Playbill . Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  6. ↑ Winnie the Pooh Stage Musical, Featuring Disney's Sherman Brothers Songs, to Open This Fall
  7. ↑ Rabinowitz, Chloe (September 17, 2021). "Cast Announced for Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation". Broadway World . Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  8. ↑ Rabinowitz, Chloe (September 24, 2021). "Disney's WINNIE THE POOH to Hold Open Call for Young Actors for the Role of Christopher Robin". Broadway World . Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  9. ↑ Rabinowitz, Chloe (January 11, 2022). "DISNEY'S WINNIE THE POOH: THE NEW MUSICAL STAGE ADAPTATION to Celebrate its 100th Performance". Broadway World . Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  10. ↑ Rabinowitz, Chloe (January 4, 2022). "Tickets on Sale for Disney's Winnie the Pooh in Chicago". Broadway World . Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  11. ↑ Wild, Stephi (February 16, 2022). "WINNIE THE POOH Musical Will Return Off-Broadway This Summer". Broadway World . Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  12. ↑ Rabinowitz, Chloe (June 17, 2022). "Winnie the Pooh Announces Tour". Broadway World . Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  13. ↑ Putnam, Leah (February 21, 2023). "Winnie the Pooh on Hiatus". Playbill . Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Winnie The Pooh The Musical - In the West End for Spring 2023". London Box Office . August 31, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Disney's 'Winnie the Pooh' musical sets full London cast". London Theatre . March 24, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Winnie the Pooh Off-Broadway Cast". BroadwayWorld . September 17, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Winnie the Pooh Chicago Cast". Theatre in Chicago. February 28, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Winnie the Pooh National Tour Cast". Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  19. ↑ Reif, Alex (October 21, 2021). "Theater Review: "Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation" is Full of Charm for Audiences Young and Young at Heart". Laughing Place. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  20. ↑ Fernández, Alexia (October 21, 2021). "Disney's Winnie the Pooh Is Debuting Its Musical Adaptation Off-Broadway". People . Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  21. ↑ Fernández, Alexia (October 21, 2021). "Disney's Winnie the Pooh Is Debuting Its Musical Adaptation Off-Broadway". Yahoo! . Retrieved October 23, 2021.
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