The Pre-Broadway production at UCLA's Freud Playhouse of "When You Wish" The Story of Walt Disney sure has some magic in it. Starting in the notes on the Production Team, with Playwright/Composer/Producer Dean McClure, who was inspired by watching his daughter's dream come true of dancing in a parade at Disneyland, to create a Broadway Musical based on the life of Walt Disney. And here it is, playing in Los Angeles until November 3rd.
This musical hits all the notes you'd expect of a Broadway Musical. With drama, laughs, dance, and a cast able to meet the challenges. A few liberties were taken, which may well jar the Disney Fanatic, but it was still and enjoyable play. There was a focus on the daily life of Walt and what he must have felt at times when the world around him didn't want to go along with his new ideas and the struggle it mush have been. We often think of him as this perfect shining example of entertaining genius, without realizing the costs of being a genius. Much of Disney's success is owed to his brother Roy Disney who appropriately features prominently in the play.
The website for the play can be found here.
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