Disney's Doug Live and other MGM ?s

[dougsmom98]

Disney's Doug Live was a show at MGM when we went a few years ago and we missed it. I have searched Steve Soares site, the UG book, and Walt Disney World's site but can't find this show listed. Is it gone? I hope not, my kids would really enjoy it.

I was also looking through the UG and they list Theater of the Stars as a "Live Hollywood-style musical, usually featuring Diney Characters..." and then later in their description they mentioned Beauty and the Beast as one of the shows. Has any one seen anything else performed there?

Also the UG describes the Backlot Theater as a "Live Hollywood-style musical, usually based on a Disney film..." What have people seen here? I am trying to determine whether or not to put it in our touring plan.
Thanks in advance for you help!
Amy

 

[Robo]

Doug is done.

A couple of years ago when it opened, my DW and I had no real desire to see this show.
We had no kids and no knowledge of "Doug" at all.
But we will try almost anything at Disney once...
It was being presented in the very large (former) "Superstar Television" Theater.

AND... We LOVED the show, very nice music, cute script, and a lively cast (think "Charlie Brown").
Several guests (mostly adults) were pre-selected from those in the que-area to be a part of the show (a'la Superstar Television).
The "sets" were actually projected(!) on a solid white backdrop that had concealed doors which the cast could enter and exit through... unique, creative set-design.

We only saw it twice that trip and it has since "gone dark" permanently.
Don't know if they'll ever find a successful show in that "Superstar Television" theater.

Sorry to see it go (along with "Hunchback" Show.)

The new "little kid" show at MGM, "Bear in the Big Blue House" was just not-at-all "adult-friendly" (read: NOT interesting).
I think the little ones (2-6 years) might like it, but its just a lot of "wiggling" puppets and smiley cast-members.
(Better than "Barney", though!)

Same thing about the "Diamond Horseshoe" Show... now its a "little-kid get up and wiggle" show, with Goofy and the Western characters from Toy Story.
Not much for adults to enjoy (especially compared to the fun family "saloon show" formerly held at Diamond Horseshoe.

Ah well, little kids love to "wiggle"!

 

[Banzai]

Disney's Doug Live was discontinued around 2001/2002. The theatre was later used for a show promoting the ABC fall line up.

Theater of the Stars is located near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock N Roller Coaster. I liked the show, which as been Beauty and the Beast for a long while. I also belive that Regis tapes there sometimes for Regis and Kelly. Click here for some reviews of the show done by DISers.

From what I understand, Backlot Theatre, which was formally the home of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." However, I belive that it is no longer showing, due to construction of a new auto stunt show.

Hope this helps!

 

[Robo]

Originally posted by dougsmom98
... Theater of the Stars as a "Live Hollywood-style musical, usually featuring Diney Characters..." and then later in their description they mentioned Beauty and the Beast as one of the shows. Has any one seen anything else performed there?

Also the UG describes the Backlot Theater as a "Live Hollywood-style musical, usually based on a Disney film..." What have people seen here?

Beauty and the Beast is virtually the only show at "Theater of the Stars."

Some here don't care for the show, but my DW and I see it at least TWICE every WDW trip. Almost always FULL and the crowds seem very satisfied with the performance. Mrs. Potts, Chip, Cogsworth, and Lumiere have fun over-sized costumes. And Gaston is usually a fantastic singer who gets to "ham-it-up" with his self-centered character. Beautiful full-orchestral score plays under the show for the singers to perform with.

Also, arrive about 30 min. before the scheduled showtime as the pre-show act is a very entertaining.
At certain times, this theater is used for "private" or corporate functions and "Beast" show skips a few showings.

One of the BEST things that happened to us it this theater was by ACCIDENT. The sky started to look very threatening that day, so we thought we'd go see B&B show and wait it out... BUT theater sign said "no show" because they had some visiting high school choirs performing there (for each other). But, it was starting to RAIN, and the CM at the door said we could go in if we wanted, but it was just going to be "some singing."
Well, the opening announcement came on to say that "The Voices of Liberty" were now going to perform a special concert in honor of the high school kids.
If you've ever heard tVoL choir in the lobby of The American Adventure in Epcot, you know how terrific this a cappella group sounds!
But you normally only get about a 10 minute set in Epcot... but WE got about a 40 minute show from them at this special event, as well as a couple of numbers they performed WITH some of the high schoolers (as well as shelter from a Florida DOWNPOUR!)
Stroke of Disney good luck!


As for the Backlot Theater, that is where "Hunchback" show WAS held (now closed).
As from the other post, don't think there is any show in there these days... it may even have "gone away" permanently with all the new Stunt Show construction.

 

[Samirella]

Originally posted by dougsmom98
Disney's Doug Live was a show at MGM when we went a few years ago and we missed it. I have searched Steve Soares site, the UG book, and Walt Disney World's site but can't find this show listed. Is it gone? I hope not, my kids would really enjoy it.

This show has been gone for several years now.

I was also looking through the UG and they list Theater of the Stars as a "Live Hollywood-style musical, usually featuring Diney Characters..." and then later in their description they mentioned Beauty and the Beast as one of the shows. Has any one seen anything else performed there?

Currently Beauty and the Beast is the only show at ToT. Before Sunset Boulevard was built the theater was on Hollywood Boulevard (where Sunset begins). There were other shows in that theater such as Hollywood, Hollywood; Dick Tracy; Hollywoods' Pretty Women.

Also the UG describes the Backlot Theater as a "Live Hollywood-style musical, usually based on a Disney film..." What have people seen here? I am trying to determine whether or not to put it in our touring plan.
Thanks in advance for you help!
Amy

There is currently nothing in this theater. It has housed such shows as Beauty and the Beast (during the building of Sunset Boulevard), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Spirit of Pocahontas, and Hunchback.

 

[chrisd596]

The Doug show was a great musical production with a positive message. As a music teacher I really enjoyed the performance. I was really sorry to see it cancelled. The kids that performed the show were really excellent.

 

[laceemouse]

While we miss Doug and the Pocahontas shows, the Huntchback show was one of our family all time FAVORITES!!! We saw it several times and found the set beautiful, the costumes great, and the singing FANTASTIC! It always seemed to be crowded too. I understand they are building something else in that space, but too bad they don't have the desire to keep making good shows like all of those for us to enjoy.

 

[QuickGold]

The Doug Show is and has been gone for a while with no replacement.

Theater of the Stars plays Beauty and the Beast.

The Backlot Theater was showing Hunchback of Notre Dame but it closed and nothing is there right now.