PHOTOS - Details on two of the acts that will appear in the new Cirque du Soleil show at Disney Springs

Mar 03, 2020 in "Cirque du Soleil"

New 'Drawn to Life' Cirque du Soleil show at Walt Disney World
Posted: Tuesday March 3, 2020 12:17pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney and Cirque du Soleil are releasing more information and a look inside the new Disney Springs Cirque du Soleil show - Drawn to Life.

Drawn to Life will feature ten unique acrobatic acts, including an energetic Rhythmic Gymnastics group number and a pencil-test-inspired Aerial Pole routine.

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products are excited to reveal two acrobatic acts and the set of Drawn to Life,the highly anticipated, new family friendly show coming to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Written and directed by Michel Laprise and with Fabrice Becker as Director of Creation, this collaboration between Cirque du Soleil,Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering will officially premiere April 17, 2020. The show will take residency at Disney Springs. Tickets are on sale now at cirquedusoleil.com/drawntolife.

“Interpreting the works from Disney’s spectacular catalogue of animation into a live show was a thrilling opportunity for Cirque du Soleil, and we couldn’t be more proud of this production,” explained Diane Quinn, Chief Creative Officer Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “Together with Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, we have created a stunning show that will inspire audiences to dream and reach for the impossible.”

Drawn to Life is a live acrobatic journey telling the story of Julie, a determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her Disney animator father: an unfinished animation. As she dives into the inner world of animation, Julie embarks on an inspiring quest guided by a surprising pencil and filled with her childhood Disney memories. The story is driven by ten unique acrobatic acts, including an energetic Rhythmic Gymnastics group number and a pencil-test-inspired Aerial Pole routine, both of which were unveiled today. Drawn to Lifealso features animation from beloved Disney films as well as all-new animation created by Disney artists led by Eric Goldberg, best known for characters such as the Genie in the animated classic, “Aladdin.”

“Our show uses new technologies and art forms to portray the innate physicality of animation,” says Michel Laprise, Show Writer & Director. “During a number of the acts, classic Disney animation sequences come alive via contemporary projections, complementing the spectacular feats of our acrobats.

“Together Disney and Cirque du Soleil have created an incredible new family entertainment experience that is sure to awe audiences and touch the hearts of adults and children alike,” says Natalie Woodward, Vice President of Production for Disney Parks Live Entertainment. “Our two organizations are rooted in artistry and share a passion for creating memorable experiences. That’s one reason Drawn to Lifeis a show that could only come from the creative minds of Disney and Cirque du Soleil.

Audience members of all ages will not only be enthralled by the unbelievable talent and strength of the acrobats of Drawn to Life, but by the stunning stage and props as well. Stéphane Roy, the show’s award-winning Set Designer, managed to create a fully immersive world for Julie’s journey inside the world of animation with no detail overlooked. Drawn to Life plays out on a vast stage made to look like an animator’s desk; sheets of paper surround the stage resembling the stacks of drafts that an animator inevitably sifts through during their creation process while a colossal version of an animator’s lamp towers overhead.

“Every aspect of the set design has been meticulously crafted by Stéphane, who left no detail of the animator’s world untouched. The size and scope of props used in the show are spellbinding,’’ says Fabrice Becker, Creation Director.

With an international cast of 65 artists, Drawn to Lifewill perform two shows per day, Tuesday through Saturday, at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.

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brb1006Jul 13, 2023

Cirque Du Soleil's Official Youtube Channel just posted this short 2D animation of the main characters from "Drawn to Life" today.

CompedJun 27, 2023

Can't be good sign for their capacity then... Even at $59, I'd not take the chance personally.

ToTBellHopJun 26, 2023

There’s a new deal for summer. Tix as low as $59!

WondersOfLifeJun 06, 2023

I'm so glad I wasn't working pirates when that happened 😂

cranbizJun 05, 2023

You figured out my secret. 2 funny stories. The first one was when we went on Pirates. Our line had a large number of Pooh sized guests and they all ended up in our boat. Everything went well until the boat got stuck at the chase scene. Eventually the ride needed to be shut down and maintenance came to free the boat. We all got out, the boat was freed up and we all reboarded the boat. We then floated the rest of the ride but with the audio shut off. All the audio except the donkey braying. We keep in touch still and every call has at least one hee haw said in it. I (and them) never looked at Pirates the same way again. The second did involve Small World. We were on it and had just entered the goodbye room and the ride went down but the audio was never shut off. 45 minutes later the ride track restarts but I now know goodbye in many different languages. Yes, those friends never want to be on Small World again.

MisterPenguinJun 05, 2023

Were you making them go on It's a Small World with you each time?

cranbizJun 05, 2023

So much like. When I was a CM, the people who sucked up to me for comp admission were the ones that I quickly figured out what they were up to and only got in once (if at all). My genuine friends were invited much more frequently and were known to politely decline once in a while.

WondersOfLifeJun 05, 2023

Mmmm. I'm sure you don't mean any harm by this post. As a former DCP employee, we will hate you even more as soon as we realize you're using us for discounts and perks. And we pick up on it fast. It was suuuuuuuuper annoying. Lol 😂 It should be "Ask your CM friends if they want to go see Cirque" instead of "Make some CM friends" But that's a discussion for another time.

DznyGrlSDJun 05, 2023

Make friends with your fellow castmembers. They are (finally) offering us a discount on the shows!

WondersOfLifeJun 04, 2023

Just saw the show with the updates. Fourth time seeing this show now. Holy guacamole it was great!! The new act with the feet tumblers was a lot more entertaining that the two guys that used to come out on stilts. Also, it wasn't just an added scene that has been changed. They updated a lot of the projections, such as the scene with the two people tossing each other on the high wheel. That same scene also added other elements I didn't recognize the first two times I saw the show. They also added MORE to what they already had. More interactions and scene bits during the Cirque acts to keep you engaged... I think I must have caught a very energetic cast. There was a group of high school or college boys of about 200 or so tonight. So I'm wondering if that sparked some energy up in the cast. All that said.... Very good changes and additions! Loved it even more! I've seen this show four times now... 3 out of those 4 are because I'm a children's theatre director. So I take my students to go see the show. It's fantastic!

PrinceCharming617May 13, 2023

I'm glad you liked it buddy.

SaucyBoyMay 12, 2023

There are some valid critiques of the show. However, Drawn to Life is the perfect example of how blending Disney IP into another world can work well. It seems both parties have taken steps to improve the show by adding new acts earlier this year. I am looking forward to seeing how it's evolved later this summer.

PrinceCharming617May 12, 2023

I had to comment, I couldn't leave this thread at 666 for replies. hahaha I've heard this show isn't very good from a couple of people. They've said It doesn't seem to have the magic that the other ones have had. I'll give it a chance with my good friend Mary Jane though, she always makes them better.