" Add me to disappointed crew. We're travelling over March break - surely a high-rate, high-volume time - and we'll not get a chance to enjoy the full theatrical fare. I find it a bit odd that the new cast isn't ready when the old cast departs. "
Being a performer on
DCL is a completely different ballgame than let's say, a WDW performer. The incoming cast rehearses the shows in Toronto, while the current cast is performing on the ship. When the new cast comes in, they have a 2 week crossover period, where all of the shows are rehearsed during the day and the current cast performs at night. However, with a new show, there is simply not enough time to "tech" a brand new show within those 2 weeks. Whereas at WDW, they are not replacing any cast, so they have full use of whatever stage space they are using to both rehearse and tech the show. They can set whatever "soft" opening dates they want.
So much more happens than just simply opening the new show right away with the new cast.
1) The technicians onboard need to figure out how the new show fits within the confinements of the space. This includes moving lights, hanging set pieces, finding space for new costumes, how they will deal with repairs, troubleshooting, contingencies, etc.
2) The creative team for the new show needs time alone in the theatre to figure out lighting sequence cues, mixing the volume of the show, how pyrotechnics can safely fit into the show, when set pieces will be moved, etc.
3) The cast needs time to become comfortable with the ship and the stage, which they have never performed on. Expecting them to rehearse (on the magic at least...) welcome aboard, farewell, disney dreams and twice charmed PLUS tech a brand new show is absolutely absurd. To guests who think this is possible...you clearly know nothing about performing arts, especially ones pertaining to a cruise ship.
To answer your "indirect" question of, "I find it a bit odd that the new cast isn't ready when the old cast departs. " -- The new cast will have been rehearsing all of the shows for almost three months; the knowledge of the new show and other shows is absolutely well rehearsed, but once again, you cannot expect them to drill that much material in a 2 week crossover period. It is impossible. It is also unsafe. Imagine if your son or daughter was a performer on DCL and they were expected to be introduced to an entirely different living environment, dangerous lifts and pyrotechnics, performing on a stage that is rocking back and forth (sometimes violently), etc. Would you expect them to have all of these shows ready in 2 weeks? I don't think you would like DCL very much if they did. Injuries would surely ensue, and then the show certainly wouldn't be able to premiere on it's opening cruise.
" I'm just another dissapointed passenger that is also on a March cruise with only 2 shows. In the parks, Disney always does a "soft" opening of rides, shows, etc. I still don't understand why the same can't apply here...we would all understand that the show wouldn't be perfect, but come on, at least give us the show. All I can say is whatever they do, it better be good!! "
There will be no show to "show", because in the theatre world you don't rehearse/tech an entire show overnight. The show will be slowly pieced together, scene by scene, and will finally be ready to be presented in it's full form to an audience at the end of the tech period. The cast could "show" you the show, which would consist of maybe a few minutes here and there, with no costumes, hardly any music, no lighting, etc. Would you really want to ruin your child's vision of these characters? They would see Hades and Cruella in jazz pants and tank tops?
Quit being so ignorant. The fact that Disney is spending this much money and is willing to always push the boundaries for cruise ship entertainment should be applauded. Try going on another cruise ship, where on a 10-11 day cruise, there are 3 shows, whereas on Disney there are 7 shows.
I think my kids would get a kick out of having their pictures taken with them since the villians are not the most common in the parks.
