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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WondersOfLife5 days ago

They had two of them in the finale... But I also wonder if they were both the same position or not... I actually don't think the show needed the two acts to be honest. It was the best version of the show I had seen. There was not... But the pre-show lasted a bit longer and there was a LOT more interaction throughout the middle of the audience instead of just around the stage this time. Maybe that helped take up promised time.

TrainsOfDisney7 days ago

When I saw the Teeterboard act a couple weeks ago it was really rough…. One of the guys was very solid and did a triple to a mat - but lots of the act was really rocky. also - only one set of foot juggling, so i Guess both are out now. I definitely felt like the show as a whole is in pretty good shape now - much better then when I first saw it. Are there not any alternates for foot juggling and Teeterboard?

HauntedMansionFLA7 days ago

Most likely injury. The teeter board act isn’t the same since Jerome’s contract ended.

WondersOfLife7 days ago

No rubber band act or feet tumble act tonight. But part of their actors were there in the finale. Must be sick? Idk

WondersOfLifeAug 30, 2024

Possibly. But I certainly cant do that sh**. So its nice to watch people who can do that, do that. 👉

MisterPenguinAug 29, 2024

The original swings were a big miss for me. A swing -- powered by others pushing -- throws you into the air... you do a simple acrobatic flip/twist, and you land on super thick mats which the other ladies are holding up off the ground and let go when you land. And if they're going to land on the other swing, there's no timing. The other team holds the landing-swing up in place for you. I'm glad they're evolving the acts over time to make the weaker ones better.

WondersOfLifeAug 29, 2024

I swear to god i dont remember so many people being involved in the big swings act. Ive seen it done with 6 women. Then 9 women. All the men were new to me. Maybe it was a covid thing. I sweat the cast grew by double. But it was more exciting than i remember it being for sure.

TrainsOfDisneyAug 29, 2024

That was my favorite part - but I also love the Old Mill and was so happy they included a fairly obscure IP in that show. How is the finale act - the big swings? It was really lacking when I saw it.

WondersOfLifeAug 29, 2024

Just saw the show for an 8th time yesterday. I haven't seen it 8 times for myself. I have seen it 8 times to take people who haven't seen it. I think it's a great experience for people to have if they haven't seen it. After 8 viewings, my only complaint about the show are 2 things. 1). Some acts really overextend their interest. I thought the re-working of the lady being tossed in the air while integrating the cyclists and hoops and other things going on at the same time saved that scene... The rotating fan scene is the weakest scene in the show and a bit overdone in the 'cirque' industry. It would be fine if it wasn't so dang long. The show could use a half hour cut. But... For a first timer, it really is a fantastic show. After seeing the Vegas cirque shows, I definitely see where people are coming from on quality. But as someone who initially saw it with no previous Cirque du Soleil experience, I thought it was phenomenal. So that is what I assume most people going into this show will experience. And for that, it is worth it.

wdwmagicAug 29, 2024

Drawn to Life: Cirque du Soleil and Disney's 2025 Show Schedule Announced, Page to Stage Experience Expands to More Nights https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/cirque-du-soleil/news/29aug2024-drawn-to-life-cirque-du-soleil-and-disneys-2025-show-schedule-announced,-page-to-stage-experience-expands-to-more-nights.htm

DCBakerJul 01, 2024

There's a new offer out for Disney Visa cardholders: Take advantage of your perk early! Save up to 20% on tickets to upcoming performances of Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney at Disney Springs®. Tickets may be purchased at the Drawn to Life box office at Disney Springs® or online. Visit Cirk.me/WDWVisa and use your Disney Visa Card to purchase tickets today! More details via the Cirque link: Disney Visa Cardholder Offer is only valid for performances of Drawn to Life through 9/27/25 (subject to availability and blockout dates). Valid for seat categories Golden Circle, 1, 2 and 3. Limit eight (8) tickets per valid Disney Visa for the entire Offer period. Tickets must be purchased with a Disney Visa credit card and may be purchased online at cirk.me/WDWVisa or at the Drawn to Life Box Office at Disney Springs® area located at Walt Disney World® Resort. All tickets purchased online for the Disney Visa Offer must be picked up at will call at the Drawn to Life Box Office and the purchaser must show their valid Disney Visa to collect tickets. Tickets sold by Cirque du Soleil. Tickets are subject to taxes and fees. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. The Disney Visa Offer is subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offers. Blockout dates apply, including 11/27/24-12/1/24, 12/18/24 - 1/5/25, 2/19/25-2/23/25, 3/14/25-3/23/25, and 4/16/25 - 4/20/25

TrainsOfDisneyMay 18, 2024

That sums it up well - Drawn to Life is honestly the type of show that should be in the parks. It’s good - but La Nouba was 100% Cirque. I’m actually quite nostalgic for the Downtown Disney that used to be…. Disney Quest, La Nouba, Pleasure Island, nightly fireworks…. There was alot to offer that is drastically different now.

Miss RoriMay 09, 2024

I do get the sense that La Nouba was far more popular at its height than Drawn to Life is now. Cirque hadn't overextended itself when La Nouba was new (there were only a handful of tours and two other "resident" shows, both in Las Vegas, in 1998), so there was more novelty, and the two times I saw it (2005 and 2015) it had a good-sized audience. But also, I think one thing that drove La Nouba's success was that it had nothing to do with Disney while still being family friendly; it was high-quality but in a more adult way than other stuff at the resort. The Unofficial Guide's writers regarded it as THE best thing at Disney World and they never received negative mail from readers over it, even getting comments like "it was the best money we spent". But it's telling they haven't done a review of the new show as yet.

wdwmagicMay 08, 2024

We Go Behind the Curtain with Cirque du Soleil's new VIP 'Drawn to Life' Experience https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/cirque-du-soleil/news/08may2024-we-go-behind-the-curtain-with-cirque-du-soleils-new-vip-drawn-to-life-experience.htm and more photos at https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/cirque-du-soleil/gallery/01may2024-page-to-stage-signature-experience-backstage-tour-at-drawn-to-life-by-cirque-du-soleil.htm