ABSTRACT
In 2006, Disney Theatrical Productions had produced four Broadway musicals, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aida, and Mary Poppins (in partnership with Cameron Mackintosh). Though the critical reception for the four productions was mixed, all four were financially viable, a track record of success that was almost unprecedented for a producer on Broadway. However, with 2006’s Tarzan, Disney Theatrical’s winning streak would come to an end. This chapter examines the production process for the musical, tracing the unusual decisions that were made along the way, which may have contributed to the show’s premature closure and financial loss.
