Staging a Comeback: Broadway, Hollywood, and the Disney Renaissance

Walt Disney Productions was struggling in the early 1980s but became one of the most powerful entertainment conglomerates in the world due to the hiring of theatrically trained talent into managerial and production positions. This turnaround revitalized the animation division and laid the groundwork for the company's growth into Broadway theatrical production, reflecting and influencing changes in Broadway and Hollywood.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

In the early 1980s, Walt Disney Productions found itself in a challenging position, largely buoyed by the success of its theme parks. However, within a mere fifteen years, the company had undergone a remarkable transformation and emerged as one of the most powerful entertainment conglomerates worldwide. This remarkable turnaround, according to Staging a Comeback: Broadway, Hollywood, and the Disney Renaissance, was not solely the result of executive brilliance but also owed much to the storytellers who were recruited during this period. Peter C. Kunze, in his comprehensive examination, delves into the intricate details of how the hiring of theatrically trained talent into managerial and production positions reorganized the struggling animation division and revitalized its output. By the time Aladdin was released, it became evident that animation, rather than live-action, was at the heart of a remarkable "renaissance" at Disney. The animated musicals that drove this revival laid the foundation for the company's subsequent growth into Broadway theatrical production. The Disney Renaissance not only rejuvenated the Walt Disney Company but also had a profound impact on Broadway and Hollywood as a whole. It reflected and influenced changes in these industries, marking a significant era of artistic and commercial innovation.

Weight: 50g
Dimension: 235 x 156 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978827813