Hey there Arizona readers! Running May 18 through June 12, the Phoenix Theater will host a brand new musical based off the life of Walt Disney. The production titled When You Wish – The Story of Walt Disney, will make its world premiere.
Writer, composer and lyricist Dean McClure portrays Walt (Joey Sorge) as a dreamer who suffers setbacks but perseveres with the support of his business partner and brother, Roy (Andy Umberger), his friend Ub Iwerks (Matthew Malecki) and his adoring wife, Lillian (Sydney Marie Hawes).
The journey begins in 1908 with six-year-old Walt drawing cartoons at home and concludes with his biggest dream of all, the opening of Disneyland in 1955. Roy serves as the story’s narrator, taking us on a journey of struggle, heartache, and enormous triumph — these moments including the opening and bankrupt closing of Laugh-0-Gram Studios in Kansas City; the formation of Disney Brothers Studios in Hollywood; the marriage of Walt and Lillian Disney; the departure of his best and closest animator Ub Iwerks; and the creation of a mouse named Mickey, which ignited his career and the legacy that would forever be Walt Disney.
If you are in the area and would like to know more about tickets or show times, please click here.
What do you think about this musical?
