Disney’s The Magic Box, a theatrical experience developed in association with Disney Theatrical Group, has announced the world premiere of its English-language production. The show, featuring an all-South African cast and crew, will open at Artscape, Cape Town, on 9 October 2904 for a limited season and then transfers to Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg, from 22 November 2024 before embarking on an international tour.
The musical, which originally premiered with great success in January 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, immerses the audience in a theatrical adventure that combines puppetry, elaborate costumes, and projections in an innovative and large-scale staging. The show pays tribute to the art of animation and invites the audience to reconnect with the legacy of Disney music through the stories, songs, and characters that have accompanied them through the different stages of their lives. Disney’s songs merge into an iconic original score, and the characters come to life through various theatrical techniques, dance choreography, and the voices and performances of a South African cast of 26 artists.
Famous Disney song favourites
The Magic Box includes excerpts from more than 75 songs from Disney films written by some of the top songwriters and composers of all time, including Alan Menken, Phil Collins, Elton John, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tim Rice, Richard and Robert Sherman, Hans Zimmer, and many more. Some of the iconic songs that are part of the musical are “A Whole New World” (Aladdin), “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” (Encanto), “How Far I’ll Go” (Moana), “Circle of Life” (The Lion King), “Let It Go” (Frozen) and “This Wish” (Wish).
The musical’s creative team includes Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips (Co-Writer and Director, as well as Set Co-Designer), Lynne Kurdziel Formato (Choreographer), and Isaac Saul (Musical Director, Arranger and Orchestrator). Felipe Gamba has led the show’s development, co-wrote the book with Phillips and serves as Creative Producer.
What: The Magic Box
Where and when: Artscape, Cape Town from 9 October 2904 for a limited season | Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg from 22 November 2024 for a limited season
Ticket enquiries: Showtime
WS
