ANAHEIM, Calif. — Over the shrills of excitement from audience members donning red, white and blue, a transatlantic voice from a console radio announces, “The Starkettes are on their way.”
In blue, sparkling uniforms, the trio breaks through the curtain with a story to tell — the story of Captain America.
The star-spangled man with a plan is taking center stage at the Disneyland Resort. “Rogers: The Musical” — a one-act musical theater production following the journey of Steve Rogers — premieres Friday at the Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure Park as a part of the Disney100 celebration.
The all-new show will feel familiar to Marvel fans, with Peggy Carter, Nick Fury and select members of the Avengers cast telling the story of Rogers’ transformation to Captain America alongside a cast of singers and dancers.
“Rogers: The Musical” is about much more than a small boy from Brooklyn getting superpowers and a stars-and-stripes shield. It is also about time travel and romance — and the heart of Rogers is the star of the show.
“Both avid fans and guests that are new to the story of Captain America will relate to Steve’s journey to answer, 'What do I aspire to? How do I get it? What choices do I have to make?’" said Jennifer Magill, producer at Disney Live Entertainment. "Guests of all ages will be won over by the humanity and good-natured positivity of 'Rogers: The Musical.’”
The performance guides the audience through the 70-year story of Captain America, giving everyone something to love. The music and choreography span the decades, from classical orchestra pieces to big jazz and modern funk. Iconic costumes from the Marvel franchise are re-imagined while staying true to their classic form — Nick Fury sports a sparkling eye patch and even sings!
“The music and lyrics tell such a great story from the opening to the final bows, and I wanted to make sure the dance carried the same strong narrative," said Sarah Kobayashi, choreographer at Disney Live Entertainment. "The time travel aspect gave us a great well to draw from choreographically, taking inspiration from various dance styles throughout the decades and spinning them with a modern twist.”
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Dan Fields, executive creative director at Disney Live Entertainment, said the production was born out of a fictional Broadway musical theater sequence.
“The moment we saw ‘Save the City’ performed in the ‘Hawkeye’ series on Disney+, it sparked an idea: What if we could bring ‘Rogers: The Musical’ to life at Disneyland Resort? I’m thrilled that audiences are finally going to get to experience the humor, heroism and heart of that show on stage at the Hyperion Theater," Fields said.
The show also features five all-new songs with music by Grammy-winning composer Christopher Lennertz and lyrics by Lennertz, Jordan Peterson and Alex Karukas.
Avengers aficionados will love the “easter eggs” scattered throughout the show and the use of iconic objects like the Time Stone, which inspires a special duet (no spoilers here).
The creative direction brings the audience into the show, with layered two-dimensional scenery, physical set pieces, light projections, smoke, streamers and the theater’s 2,200-square-foot video screen. Audience members seated in the orchestra will experience a special “blast” during “Star Spangled Man.”
Keeping the spirit alive outside the theater, select locations across Disney California Adventure Park will serve food and beverages inspired by the first Avenger, including A Cap’n Everything dog, Red, White and Blue Shake, Shawarm-Izza, Like an Apple Pizza Pie, Blue Cotton Candy and more.
Guests may choose to purchase a $29 Premium Viewing Experience package, which includes access to lounge seating before the show, priority choice of seating in the theater, a “Rogers: The Musical” popcorn bucket with red, white and blue kettle corn, choice of bottled beverage, souvenir lanyard and access to a unique photo memory with Captain America’s shield.
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“Rogers: The Musical” is scheduled to perform several times per day, Tuesday through Saturday most weeks during its run. The show is set to close Aug. 31. Guests will be able to access viewing areas for “Rogers: The Musical” through a virtual queue system available only via the Disneyland app. How-to details on the virtual queue system are available at Disneyland.com.