Passamaquoddy

For anybody who has seen me over at the Passamaquoddy Players stage, you know that I really enjoy the theatre. And one of the biggest changes the theatre has seen of late was Disney’s successful track record with bringing their story-telling to the stage. As with most of Disney’s greatest successes, their efforts were immediately unique as they ignored many of the rules along the way. In the process, their shows introduced a new audience to the wonders of live theatre. So it’s only appropriate that the coolest book that ever covers the theatre experience comes to us from Thomas Schumacher, the head of Disney Theatricals.

A good play begins with its script- its storyline. Here the journey is suggested in text, providing a beginning, middle and an end. Likewise, this book begins with a telling, informative narrative. It describes in simple yet effective words practically every element of the theatrical experience, be it on stage, backstage or in the 3^rd row of the balcony. What will you experience from the moment you arrive at the theatre all the way through the end of the curtain call? This book and a little imagination provide answers to that question quite fully. But watching a show is only the beginning. We also experience the many house activities, to the backstage work, to belting a song center stage and even at the initial creative meetings. It’s quite simple and informative.

Like any play that begins with a good script, the creative job to follow is how to tell that story. For anyone who has seen any of Disney’s Broadway shows, you know that their “way” is simply stunning. From THE LION KING’s introduction of Simba to MARY POPPINS’ flying retreat over the balcony; from TARZAN’s use of vertical stage work to AIDA’s mix of modern stagework with a classic tale, the Disney audience usually leaves richly experience. So it should come as no surprise that the book is as beautiful and wild an experience as the works it trumpets. Not only is the book a collage of beautiful photographs easily identifiable to the Disney fan, but they are also surrounded by mixed media samples such as removable ticket booklets, script pages and even costume designs.

HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON? is a great book for the theatre novice and also the seasoned veteran. It’s a nice wink to the audience, a pat on the back to the backstage crew, a nod to the creators and a standing ovation to the performers. Check it out!

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There’s quite a story behind the creation of Peter Pan.  How creator J M Barrie created the stories to entertain a dear friends children, how he first wrote the material down into a popular play format and subsequent novel, and how he left all proceeds from the creation of Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Hospital which still owns the copyright today.  But what we don’t know is where Peter Pan came from himself.  Sure there are brief references in many of the works, but there is no extended origin for the boy who never grew up.  Well, there is now.

PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS

Humorist Dave Barry and suspense novelist Ridley Pearson have crafted quite a clever prequel to the Pan that we’ve known since we were youngsters.  Spurred on by the phenomenal success of the Harry Potter books, they approach the story with a sly sense of humor and intelligent story structure.  Just shy of 500 pages, the book is solidified for the older teen to adult who never grew up age groups.

The story follows several groups that are hunting down a chest filled with starstuff, more familiar to us as pixie dust.  Each group has their reasons for needing the magical material inside, and in typical Disney fashion, those that have the best intentions win out in the end.  Along the way, the trunk provides a load of twists and turns, leading us to a point where we recognize the rules of Neverland at their infancy.  Creatures change and morph and characters grow and evolve.  It bridges well to an eventual Captain Hook and a Peter Pan story that we know so well.  It has got savages and mermaids, Pirates and lost boys and if any of those things are of interest to anybody, the book is worth a few nights reading.

One area where this book strays from the Harry Potter mode is in the extreme focus.  Early on we are introduced to the goal and the entire book sticks with that pursuit pretty aggressively.  It lacks the episodic nature of much of the boy wizard’s experiences.

There are a couple more ties of interest with PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS.  Firstly, the book which spent over 47 weeks on the New York Times best seller list is to be developed as a 3-D CGI film by Disney animation.  But even more interesting to us here in Passamaquoddy, the book is available in an audio version recorded by Jim Dale who played our very own Doc Terminus in Disney’s film PETE’S DRAGON.  If he does as well as he did with the Harry Potter audio recordings, this is one not to miss…

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Let’s face it.   There are hundreds of books about Disney.  The movies… the stage shows… the company…  the management style… recipes… fiction… even an incredible collection of Walt Disney World Trivia (currently in its second edition!).  Occasionally, a book comes through that fills a unique void. 

John Hench was a designer with Disney for over 65 years.  His designs are as identifiably Disney as anything else coming from the mouse house. In around 150 pages, Hench shares some of his design work in artist’s concepts and blueprints.  These are beautiful and rare, but it is his insight into the thought behind the design choices that turn this book from yet another Disney book to a text book worth much study.

Many books discussing Disney magic often push the art of looking around, taking note of details.  This book helps you to know “How” to look around and “What” you are looking for… Hopefully, you’ll never look at it the same way ever again.  Entire sections are devoted to in depth discussion on color, costumes, character, line, layout and most of all, story.  With over half a century working for Disney, Hench’s resume is able to back it all up with beautiful artwork.

If there is one thing that is surprisingly absent from a Disney legend that spent years working directly with Walt, it is a lack of stories that bring you into Walt’s presence.  It lacks that emotional touch, but makes up for it in intellectual stimulation that will affect your thinking about Disney for many years to come.

Recently, I had read and reviewed Charlie Ridgway’s book “Spinning Disney’s World”. That book examined many Disney experiences and explored how the situation was resolved through Public Relations. That book seemed to hop around, sometimes decades as Ridgway ‘remembered’ items of interest.

I have just finished reading David Koenig’s ambitious book REALITYLAND. It too explores experiences and stories, but this time it’s well organized, and thoroughly chronological. And most importantly for the “spin” on this book… devoid of Disney’s Public Relations spin.

I enjoyed the book in very much the same way as Koenig’s earlier offerings MouseTales and More MouseTales. All are unauthorized and live up to it. The read is fun, especially if you are into the sort of back alley stories that Koenig slyly relates.

There is plenty of behind the scenes gossip and dirty dealings. After reading some chapters, I actually felt dirty. The worst is reserved for former CEO Michael Eisner and here is where I felt Koenig gave in to a lot of the anti-hype. At no other time in the book did the information delivery become emotional. Statements along the lines of “Eisner arrogantly dismissed” or that Eisner was an “egotistical bully” that are not quoted to someone else seem out of place in a book so thorough in researched material. Especially after giving a pass to previous administrations whose issues were even more flagrant.

Koenig knows his stuff and knows how to deliver it. Capitalizing on a pre-ordained villain helps bring just enough of a soap opera to keep cynics grumbling for another decade. He’s also a bright enough individual to end the book on an equalizing tone, validating both the cynical and optimistic point of view of the Disney Corporation.

As readers and Disney fans, you will know if this book is for you only if you can stomach a telling with a negative lean… scraping away that pixie dust.

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Has there ever been an organization that had as many books written about it as Disney? From its movies, television and Broadway shows to its fabulous theme parks, even on to its corporate strategies; there are enough books to garner its own section of most bookstores. But still, most fans will scour the pages of any new tome in hopes of uncovering a small gem or two of knowledge. When a new book comes along that is penned by a true Disney legend, it is sure to be a treat.

Charlie Ridgway began his Disney career as a press agent in 1955. He has attended openings of all the theme parks from the original Disneyland to the most recent park in Hong Kong. His fifty year association with Disney has resulted in a vast offering of experiences, and each one evolves into a story or two. So, it’s easy to pick up Charlie’s new book “Spinning Disney’s World”, and find yourself taken in.

Charlie devotes his time to stories focused on situations and stories directly related to his duties as press agent; whether it be guiding ducks down Main Street USA or posing Walt behind the wheel of a fire truck. So many of Charlie’s “Adventures” are as globe-trotting as a James Bond novel but he remains as humble and accessible as possible. The book is a must for anyone interested in a career in public relations, especially when penned by the man who pretty much created Disney public relations from scratch. But more than likely, it is going to be read be fans (and detractors) of Disney.

At its heart, the book is a reminiscent journey through fifty years of a man s career – a career that he loved. At times, his memory hops around a bit, so the book can meander. But if you’re willing to go along with Charlie, you’re sure to have a good time.

Here is a picture of Charlie’s Window on Main Street, U.S.A..