Toy Story: The Musical is a musical based on Disney·Pixar's 1995 animated film Toy Story. The show was created by Walt Disney Creative Entertainment for Disney Cruise Line, replacing the earlier Hercules: The Muse-Ical.[1] After a year of pre-production and workshops, it had a soft premiere on board the Disney Wonder in March 2008, with an official opening on April 10, 2008.[2] The show was performed in the Walt Disney Theatre, the grand showplace located on Deck 4.
The show was directed by Los Angeles–based director, Stefan Novinski, and choreographed by New York–based choreographer, Warren Adams. Throughout the 55-minute musical, there are 6 original songs, written by Valerie Vigoda and Brendan Milburn. It also features one song from the original soundtrack of the animated feature, "You've Got a Friend in Me", written by Randy Newman. Music direction and arranging was handled by Los Angeles–based music director, David O. The book was written by New York–based lyricist, Mindi Dickstein, who penned the lyrics for the Little Women musical on Broadway. Sets were designed by Los Angeles–based set designer, Sibyl Wickersheimer, costumes were created by Los Angeles–based avant garde costumer, Ann Closs-Farley, lighting was designed by New York–based designer, Jason Kantrowitz, and sound design was by Los Angeles–based designer Drew Dalzell.
Toy Story: The Musical follows the film's storyline, with certain theatrical liberties taken.[example needed]