In celebration of Disney Theatrical Productions' 20 years on Broadway, the ABC Television Network will air BACKSTAGE WITH DISNEY ON BROADWAY: CELEBRATING 20 YEARS, airing TONIGHT, DECEMBER 14 at 7:00 p.m., ET and hosted by Broadway veteran Jesse Tyler Ferguson, star of ABC's Modern Family. This one hour special, produced by Lincoln Square Productions, takes viewers on a journey through the creation of Disney's eight Broadway musicals: "Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King," "AIDA," "Tarzan," "The Little Mermaid," "Mary Poppins," "Newsies" and "Aladdin." The special features new commentary and revealing anecdotes by the stars and theatre professionals about the creation and long runs of these beloved titles.
"Backstage with Disney on Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years," also features music from the Disney on Broadway catalog, including special musical performances from Sir Elton John, Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen (ABC's "Nashville"), Ashley Brown ("Mary Poppins"), Adam Jacobs ("Aladdin") and Darren Criss ("Glee").
For the first time, viewers have unprecedented access to the fast pace and high stakes world of Broadway. Cameras are backstage during an actual performance of "Aladdin" during the show stopping production number, "Friend Like Me." Composer Lebo M leads the ensemble of "The Lion King" in a special rehearsal, celebrating the show's South African roots and themes that are the very heart of this landmark musical. The cast of the North American tour of "Newsies" takes viewers on the road as the tour prepares for its official opening night in Philadelphia, as they "carry the banner" of this unlikely Disney smash hit musical.
Lincoln Square Productions produces original programming for broadcast, cable and digital distribution specializing in entertaining ways to tell fact based stories. Clients include ABC Television Group, Scripps Networks, Viacom, Discovery Communications, National Geographic Networks, and more. Lincoln Square Productions is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. The headquarters are located in New York City.
