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"

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New 'Drawn to Life' Cirque du Soleil show at Walt Disney World

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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.

New 'Drawn to Life' Cirque du Soleil show at Walt Disney World

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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WondersOfLife20 days ago

Any additions are a plus. Nemo musical can learn from this. Lol.

You may have seen a more simplified version of the act (the Russian swings were a joke when I saw the show so it’s definitely possible) but the cradle act was very good and very impressive in my opinion. It was just staged extremely poorly.

the.dreamfinder23 days ago

Did they ever end up printing a proper show program for Drawn to Life? When I went last March, they only had a folded, double sided poster with the crew details on the back of the poster.

SaucyBoy24 days ago

These will be nice additions to the show.

JohnD24 days ago

Looking forward to it. Already bought my ticket for an April Sunday matinee so I guess too late to get a FR discount. I bought a Cat 2 at the regular rate. I'm not going to sweat the additional $10. The discount is $10-$11 depending on Cat 3 or Cat 2 (Cat 3: $87 regular, $77 FR; Cat 2: $104 regular, $93 FR). "Offer is only valid on purchases made between February 22nd, 2023 to March 12th, 2023, only valid on seat category 2 and seat category 3, and only valid for performances of Drawn to Life taking place between February 22nd, 2023 to May 7th, 2023, subject to the Blockout Dates below." See link below. https://tickets.cirquedusoleil.com/shop/#/b4d01ede-1439-4943-b99a-a6b45fd64309/shop/search?locale=en&skin=wdi

MisterPenguin24 days ago

The color sequence has other problems. The aerialist, even with the boost of being thrown into the air isn't doing more flips or twists than the other acrobatic acts. If it were an Olympic event, it would be characterized as "starting with a low point value." The guys on the teeter totter do more difficult elements in a quicker tempo (no lulls) with some humor. Putting two other aerialists in front of the color wheel is likely because audience polls show how underwhelming it is. Can the big wheel and bring in more 'wheel' acts: Like the big rings the acrobat rides inside. A hula hoopist. Etc... Dress them up like an artist's palette with paint daubs and color the floor with projected colors.

TrainsOfDisney24 days ago

Those are good additions - glad they are working on the show. The stilt walking was a solo when I saw the show and it was very underwhelming as an act. Icarian is usually very good so that will be a big improvement. I think they are missing the problem with the color sequence - it’s not a trapeze act it’s a Russian cradle act. The cradle needs to be set up in the circle close to the audience and performed low enough that safeties aren’t required. The staging of that act takes away from the talent. If they did that and added the Lyra in the background - that would be cool.

DCBaker24 days ago

Some changes have come to Drawn to Life - "New highflying acts have joined “Drawn to Life,” the Cirque du Soleil-Disney show at Walt Disney World, and Florida residents can buy discount tickets for a limited time to check out the changes. An all-new acrobatic act, additional aerial artists and a ‘flying guitarist” are now part of the spectacular, which is performed Wednesday-Sunday at Disney Springs. The changes, and a spring discount on certain tickets, were announced Monday morning. Only one act — a pair of stiltwalkers — has left the production, said Ann Paladie, director of public relations for Cirque du Soleil. The new additions primarily enhance existing scenes in “Drawn to Life,” which tells a sentimental and hopeful story of a little girl who uses animation to honor her late father, who was a Disney animator. By paying tribute to him, the legacy of Disney animation and the company’s beloved characters and movies also are honored. The stiltwalkers have been replaced by a pair of performers performing what is known as “Icarian Games” — a series of acrobatic feats in which performers use their legs and feet to toss fellow acrobats in the air for flips, somersaults and other dramatic visuals. That act, featuring a pair of Ethiopian acrobats, salutes “Disney’s animated forests — and the mysterious creatures that inhabit them,” according to the announcement. Aerialists in flying hoops will perform during an act known as “Dream of Colors” which already features a pair of trapeze artists on a suspended wheel. Because the wheel is at the back of the stage, the addition of the aerial hoops will bring the show closer to the audience during that scene, Paladie said. The “Dream of Colors” act is an homage to ink and paint animation artists; the trapeze artists appear to “paint” colors while they perform. Finally, the show-opening rhythmic gymnastics act, will be augmented with a guitarist who soars above the acrobats as they flip through the air. New musical compositions will be incorporated into the show with the additional acts, as well." Full article below. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/arts-and-theater/os-et-disney-cirque-drawn-to-life-changes-discount-20230227-tdohnoofx5ev5goje2qgi6gxru-story.html

JohnDFeb 17, 2023

Just purchased a green $87 seat in 202 one section over so a little more off to the side from 203.

SaucyBoyFeb 17, 2023

Any seat in sections 203-205 is ideal. When I saw the show last summer I sat in 204 row U and had a fabulous view of the entire stage.

JohnDFeb 17, 2023

Okay. That green seat is now gray. The great thing about having the Pixie Dust pass is that I can free up the weekend for doing other things so I'm going to a Sunday matinee at 4pm.

JohnDFeb 17, 2023

Awesome, I was looking at the $75 seats first but then thought the $87 might be better. They have seats along the top row facing at the center of the theatre. But just one seat over from $104 seats would save me some money. Thanks.