This year, fans of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts have been dazzled by the theatrical transformation of CommuniCore Hall with Once Upon A Stage: 30 Years of Disney on Broadway. Throughout the festival, fans are invited to wander through a magical world of on-stage details and theatrical flair…including nine details you may have missed! Don’t worry – I have the backstage pass to all the insights, from the costumes to props!
1. Mufasa Mask Prototype Debut
In The Lion King Puppet Workshop, you will notice a beautifully crafted lion’s head mask. That is the original Mufasa mask prototype for “The Lion King” on Broadway made by Julie Taymor.
This legendary artifact has never been on display until now, and it’s fit for a king!
2. Puppet Embellishments
In The Lion King Puppet Workshop, you may notice that there are many types of natural materials used to bring all the animals in Simba’s kingdom to life.
You will spot feathers featured in the Zazu puppet, along with straw for the giraffes and pom poms for the wildebeests. Aren’t these wild-ly genius creations?
3. Perfect Puppet Placement
To ensure that the Puppet Workshop display was as true to reality as possible, Arthur Caudros, a puppet dayworker at “The Lion King” on Broadway, stepped into the space and interacted with it just as he would during a typical workday.
He carefully arranged each item, placing everything exactly where it would naturally belong in a workstation, showcasing an even more authentic display.
4. The Sands of Time
You don’t have to be stuck in the Cave of Wonders for 10,000 years to appreciate this time-specific detail!
Take a look at the Aladdin Costume Studio for a clock next to a bulletin board stuck at the time 3:20. This time represents the musical’s opening date on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2014.
5. Genie’s Fabulous Style
The costume studio also features a bin bursting with all kinds of bolts of colorful material. These fabrics were pulled directly from the costume shop that supplies all Disney on Broadway shows, including international productions.
You can spot a bold blue fabric bolt in the bin that creates the Genie’s fabulous pants, which are displayed with other costumes in CommuniCore Hall.
6. Classic Hidden Mickeys
Here at Disney, we love our Hidden Mickeys … and that includes Disney on Broadway! Try to find all seven Hidden Mickeys in between the Aladdin Costume Studio and The Lion King Mask & Puppet Workshop. There also may be a bonus eighth Mickey at the tip of a brush.
7. Tale as Old as Time
The King Arthur book in the display case is from the original 1994 Broadway debut of “Beauty and the Beast” and just so happens to be the oldest artifact on display. Stan Meyer, the senior props designer, hand-made the entire book for the stage production.
8. Dancing from On-Stage to On-Screen
Anyone a fan of carrying the banner? Well, it’s a fine life when you get to see the exact Jack Kelly costume that Jeremy Jordan wore for the Disney+ filming of “Newsies.” I had to seize the day to visit it again once I learned this fun fact.
9. Arendelle Couture
The iconic “Frozen” dresses of Anna and Elsa are on display in this exhibit, which alone is incredible to see up close. But did you know that Anna’s dress weighs 15 pounds, and the Elsa ice outfit weighs 25 pounds?
That’s a lot of beautiful beadwork and sumptuous fabric – kudos to Patti Murin, Cassie Levy and every other Anna and Elsa that have performed to perfection in these highly detailed works of wearable art!
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts ends on February 24, so there’s no time to wait! Witness the stage magic and detail yourself by visiting EPCOT during the most artful time of the year.