Podcast: First Episode of Disney's Original Podcast Series Highlight's NEWSIES

Disney Theatrical Productions has released the first episode of "The Official Disney on Broadway Podcast," a six-episode pilot series which includes interviews and behind-the-scenes stories of Disney's most beloved titles and their journey to Broadway and beyond. Through in-depth conversations with cast and creators, the podcast will reveal untold stories of the creation of these world class productions.

Hosted by Patrick Hinds, founder of Theater Podcast Productions and creator, producer, and host of the podcasts "Broadway Backstory" and "Theater People," the series will release a new episode for download every two weeks.

Episode one tells the story behind the Broadway production of NEWSIES and its filming for theatrical release with original cast members Kara Lindsay (Katherine), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Crutchie), Ben Fankhauser (Davey), the show's director Jeff Calhoun, and President and Producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, Thomas Schumacher. The live film of Disney's hit musical Newsies, which was shot onstage in Los Angeles last September, will be released in cinemas across the U.S. February 16, 18, and 22, 2017 by Fathom Events.

LISTEN TO THE NEWSIES EPISODE HERE:

Upcoming episodes include featurettes on ALADDIN, THE LION KING, FREAKY FRIDAY, and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. The free podcast is available now for download on iTunes.

ABOUT Disney Theatrical Productions

Disney Theatrical Productions, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, was formed in 1994 and operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher. Worldwide, its nine Broadway titles have been seen by over 160 million theatergoers and have been nominated for 59 Tony Awards®, winning Broadway's highest honor 20 times. With more than 20 productions currently produced or licensed, a Disney musical is being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day.

The company's inaugural production, Beauty and the Beast, opened in 1994. It played a remarkable 13 year run on Broadway and has been produced in 28 countries worldwide.

In November 1997, Disney opened The Lion King, which received six 1998 Tony Awards including Best Musical. In its 20th smash year on Broadway, it has welcomed more than 90 million visitors worldwide to date, and can currently be seen in nine productions worldwide. Having played 19 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King's worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.

Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida opened on Broadway next, winning four 2000 Tony Awards. It was followed by Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, which opened in London in 2004 and went on to enjoy a six year Tony-winning Broadway run.

Tarzan®, which opened on Broadway in 2006, is now an international hit with an award-winning production in its 8th year in Germany. In January 2008, The Little Mermaid opened on Broadway and was the #1-selling new musical of that year.

Disney Theatrical Productions opened two critically acclaimed productions on Broadway in 2012, receiving seven Tony Awards between them: Newsies, which recently concluded its tour throughout North America, and Peter and the Starcatcher, which enjoyed a two year New York run.

Aladdin is its most recent Broadway hit, with a global footprint that has expanded to include productions in Tokyo, Hamburg, London, Sydney and a tour across North America.

Other successful stage ventures have included the Olivier-nominated London hit Shakespeare in Love, stage productions of Disney's High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, and King David in concert. DTP has collaborated with the country's leading regional theatres to develop new stage titles including The Jungle Book, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Freaky Friday.

Their new Broadway musical Frozen is slated to open on Broadway in spring 2018.