When you think about your favorite Disney movie, there are a few classic characters such as Snow White, Aladdin, and Sleeping Beauty that immediately come to mind. As the stories usually unfold, the hero defeats the villain, and they all live happily ever after.
But have you ever wondered what happens during the happily ever after? Or what it’d be like if your favorite Disney characters had children, and attended school together?
Then you’ll definitely want to see Pensacola Little Theatre’s take on a story that’s not so old as time.
"Disney’s Descendants is going to be a fun show," said Roxie Smith, director and choreographer for Disney Descendants at Pensacola Little Theatre. "It's a live stage musical production that is mostly the plot of the first movie, but it definitely has songs from the second and third movie as well. It's all sprinkled in."
Disney’s Descendants, the first of three movies released in July 2015, places its focus on the son of Jafar from Disney's Aladdin, the daughter of the Evil Queen from Disney's Snow White, the son of Cruella de Vil from Disney's 101 Dalmations, and the daughter of Maleficent from Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
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Having lived with their parents their entire lives in the Isle of the Lost, fortune smiles upon them when they’re given the opportunity to live in the United States of Auradon.
"They're now high school age, and they get selected to attend Auradon Prep, which is where all the children of princes, princesses and heroes go," Smith said. "And you kinda see what they do from there. Are they going to follow in their parents' footsteps? Are they going to learn how to be good? And it's this 'they're gonna kinda choose for themselves' kinda deal."
One character to watch out for in particular − Mal, Maleficent's daughter. As the ring leader of her friend group, she'll be faced with making such a choice in the face of temptation and uncertainty. Because after all, the offspring of villains amongst children of the good guys could certainly shake things up!
"So many people love Disney and I thought it was a cool twist on things," Smith said. "You get to hear the Disney villain's side of the story. It's set a little further after the events of all the villains that took place in the original movies, so now it's their kids that have a turn in the spotlight."
Smith says the show has been one she's been wanting to direct and choreograph for the past two years. Planning future seasons and setting the production schedule ahead of time also made it easy to build hype and anticipation within the Pensacola Little Theatre community.
“There’s also going to be a lot of special effects that come along with the show as well,” Smith said. “Our costumer has been working hard and making sure that everyone’s costumes will be just right. Because you want to look like Disney, but you want to look completely different kind of deal.”
With opening night around the corner, Smith and the entire cast and crew have been working and rehearsing tirelessly.
"It's been going great, we're about halfway through in our rehearsal process and we taught everything really quickly," Smith said. "They learned the music really fast, they got down the dances, and everything I'm throwing at the kids they're just taking it and running with it."
But it's not just the kids that are having fun in rehearsals.
"We also have some adults cast as their parents, and they've been reliving their youth as they get into character," Smith said. “We have so many talented people in our cast. Some of them have been doing theatre for years, and we have many new faces as well, and they’re crushing it.”
Smith is no stranger to the Pensacola Little Theatre as she once graced the stage herself.
"Technically my first show was in 1996," Smith said. "But I was like, you know, 8, and played a flower in the munchkin land of Wizard of Oz. I'd say I've been pretty active (with Pensacola Little Theatre) since 2000. My brother, Michael, and I just latched onto theatre and did show, after show, after show."
When you order your tickets, you might just interact with Michael, as he works at the Pensacola Little Theatre box office.
“Both of us have definitely come full circle,” Smith said.
Disney's Descendants will begin its run at 7:30 p.m. July 19 and will perform 11 shows through Aug. 4.
A special sensory friendly production will be taking place at 1 p.m. July 27. If you’re uncomfortable staying in your seat for long periods of time, or overwhelmed with large groups, bright lights, special effects, or have other special needs, this show is for you. This show won’t be open to the general public, so you’ll need to call the box office.
“We want to be able to include all of our audiences, so we’re making some modifications for this performance,” Smith said. “We’ll cut down on the special effects and lighting, and the sound will be turned down a little bit. But this is the first ever sensory friendly performance Pensacola Little Theatre has ever tried, so it will be our debut.”
Pensacola Little Theatre is located at 400 S. Jefferson St. In Pensacola. Tickets are now on sale at www.pensacolalittletheatre.com For more information, the box office is open 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, call 850-432-2042.
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