Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation

Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation is a 2021 musical based on the film franchise of the same name. The music and lyrics were written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman[1] with a book by Jonathan Rockefeller. The production also borrows elements from the short stories of the same name.

Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation
Broadway promotional poster
MusicRichard M. Sherman
Robert B. Sherman
LyricsRichard M. Sherman
Robert B. Sherman
BookJonathan Rockefeller
BasisWinnie-the-Pooh
by A. A. Milne
Productions

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the musical had its debut at the Theatre Row Building in New York City in October 2021 and was met with a positive critical response.

Development

In 2019, it was reported that there had been plans to adapt the Winnie the Pooh stories into a Broadway musical with a book written by Edward Albee, but those plans were put on hold when Albee became busy.[2] In May 2021, Disney Theatrical Productions announced that the Winnie the Pooh stories would be adapted as a musical, utilizing puppetry to portray the characters.[3]

Productions

New York City Production (2021)

Previews occurred at the Theatre Row Building on Theatre Row in New York City, New York, from October 21 until its world premiere on November 4, 2021.[4][5] Jonathan Rockefeller adapted the characters, while utilizing several pieces of music and lyrics from the Sherman Brothers.[6] In September 2021, the cast was revealed to consist of Jake Bazel as Winnie-the-Pooh, Chris Palmieri as Tigger, Kirsty Moon as Piglet and Roo, Emmanuel Elpenord as Eeyore, Rabbit, and Owl, and Kristina Dizon as Kanga, while Sebastiano Ricci served as an understudy.[7]

Chicago (2022)

A production began playing at Mercury Theatre Chicago in Chicago, Illinois for a limited 13-week run lasting from March 15 to June 12, 2022.[8]

Cast
Character New York City

2021

Winnie-the-Pooh Jake Bazel
Tigger Chris Palmieri
Piglet Kirsty Moon
Roo
Eeyore Emmanuel Elpenord
Rabbit
Owl
Kanga Kristina Dizon

Musical numbers

Jonathan Rockefeller composited several pieces of music and lyrics from the Sherman Brothers.

Reception

Alex Reif of The Laughing Place gave a positive review, saying the show "captures the charm and whimsy of A. A. Milne's timeless stories and Disney's memorable animated adaptations."[9] Alexia Fernández of People commented on the production, saying the life-sized puppetry was "stunning".[10] Writing for Yahoo!, Fernández also said the show "has already broken theatre box office records for the largest advance of any show at Theatre Row in New York City.[11]

References
  1. "Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation Will Premiere Off-Broadway This Fall". Playbill. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  2. Why Disney’s Winnie the Pooh and Dumbo never hit Broadway The New York Post, April 11, 2019
  3. WINNIE THE POOH: THE NEW MUSICAL ADAPTATION Will Open Off-Broadway This Fall Broadway World, May 25, 2021
  4. VIDEO: "Winnie the Pooh – The New Musical Adaptation" Coming to New York in October 2021
  5. Harms, Talaura (October 21, 2021). "Check Out Photos of Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation". Playbill. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  6. Winnie the Pooh Stage Musical, Featuring Disney's Sherman Brothers Songs, to Open This Fall
  7. Rabinowitz, Chloe (September 17, 2021). "Cast Announced for Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation". Broadway World. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  8. Rabinowitz, Chloe (January 4, 2022). "Tickets on Sale for Disney's Winnie the Pooh in Chicago". Broadway World. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  9. Reif, Alex (October 21, 2021). "Theater Review: "Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation" is Full of Charm for Audiences Young and Young at Heart". Laughing Place. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  10. Fernández, Alexia (October 21, 2021). "Disney's Winnie the Pooh Is Debuting Its Musical Adaptation Off-Broadway". People. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  11. Fernández, Alexia (October 21, 2021). "Disney's Winnie the Pooh Is Debuting Its Musical Adaptation Off-Broadway". Yahoo!. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
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