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Disney Cruise: Disney’s shows rank from magic to a mess
Thu, 12 Aug 2010(Theme Park Ranger Matt Palm is beating the dog days of summer by reliving his Disney Cruise Line vacation aboard a Disney Magic Mediterranean sailing this year.)
 The cast of 'Twice Charmed,' aboard the Disney Magic. Disney is, of course, known for providing world-class entertainment so I was intrigued by how well its cruise-ship shows would rate (especially, because in my full-time job for the Sentinel I write about the performing arts and serve as theater critic.)
There were five principal shows during the cruise, and they were a mixed bag. Here’s how I’d rank them.
1. Twice Charmed — This delightful show could have a shot at Broadway if it was expanded. The story idea — a retelling of Cinderella — is engaging and heartwarming. And the songs, especially “Chasing a Dream” and “Believe in Me” are clever and memorable. With the exception of Lady Tremaine, the villains (her daughters, the evil fairy godfather) are more comic than scary; in fact, the whole thing as an appropriately light touch. Bravo.
2. Disney Dreams — This is classic Disney, a nostalgic, hopeful child’s bedtime story. The mix of beloved Disney tunes and the heartwarming tale, plus a special effect or two, warmed our hearts and won us over. Emotionally manipulative? Of course, but in that gooey, feel-good Disney way.
 Ursula didn't do it for my group. Here, in 'Villains Tonight,' she sings "Poor Unfortunate Souls," a number that includes tenticlography. 3. Villains Tonight – Sharp singing from the actors pulled this show together. And the comedy bits, courtesy of that stand-up Lord of the Underworld — Hades — were mostly funny. The best moment? Scar’s rendition of “Be Prepared.” Most disappointing? Ursula. While all the other villains sing in character, Ursula didn’t look like her, sound like her or particularly act like her. Puzzling, but just a blip in an otherwise entertaining show.
4. Walt Disney: The Dream Goes On – This show tells the story of Walt Disney, the man, through narration and song. As the audience is told about Walt’s life, songs from the time period being referenced are performed. Unfortunately, it’s all a bit out of balance. A rollicking, colorful segment with the Jungle Book music was entertaining. The fourth encyclopedia-sounding burst of narration that starts “In 1954, Walt blah blah blah” was not. Our verdict: More music and dancing, less teaching
5. Once Upon a Song — Oh, how we laughed, and not in a good way, at this mishmash of Disney songs old and new. The over-the-top, overproduced singing actually stripped the emotion from the songs. The pedestrian “choreography” — everyone cross stage right, everyone cross stage left, everyone raise their right arm — was interesting only in how mechanical and banal it was. The mashups, mixing Disney songs together, more often than not created strange, discordant sounds. We were very glad to reach the finale of this one.
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