Disney Developing a ‘Tangled’ Musical For Broadway

Near the very bottom of an article on The Hollywood Reporter website, there was a throw-away line, but the line had a deeper meaning to fans of Disney and Broadway. The story was about the Actor’s Equity Union, representing thousands of Broadway actors, authorizing a strike against the Broadway League.

The Actrors’ Equity Union wants pay increases for developmental work. Developmental work is where actors perform a musical or play without an audience. This allows directors, producers, and writers to better understand how to shape the play before it hits the stage.

Related: Disney Teases ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Tangled,’ and ‘Coco’ Attractions in New $2.5 Billion Expansion

Near the bottom of the article, it says that should the Actors’ Equity Union go on strike, it would further delay several productions that are currently in development. One of those productions that was mentioned is a Tangled (2010) musical, which is currently being developed by Disney.

It was this revelation that was exciting news to Disney fans. Disney has already released Tangled The Musical on the Disney Cruise line ship, the Disney Magic. However, it has not produced a full-length musical for Broadway until now.

There has not been a Disney theatrical release on Broadway since Frozen opened in 2018. However, the show did not reopen after COVID. Disney currently only has The Lion King and Aladdin on Broadway.

The music for Aladdin on Broadway was written by world-famous Disney Composer Alan Menken, who also wrote the music for Tangled. Menken won a Tony Award for his work on Aladdin and would presumably return to work on Tangled. 

Unlike some of its counterparts from the first part of this century, Tangled does not have a sequel in the works and currently doesn’t have a live-action remake planned, only rumors. A stage show would bring back the beloved Disney animation classic.

However, Tangled did have a short film, Tangled Ever After, and a television show, Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures, which saw the return of Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Zachary Levi as Flynn Ryder. The show even brought back Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel for a brief interlude.

A new stage show could be what audiences are looking for from the Disney theatrical group, mainly if it includes new songs with the possibility of Alan Menken working with lyricist Glenn Slater. The duo worked together on The Little Mermaid musical and Tangled The Musical on Disney Wish.

We will see what Disney on Broadway has in store for us in the future.

What do you think of a Tangled musical coming to Broadway? Let us know in the comments.