Rob Marshall: Movie-Musical/Theatre Magician

Throughout the history of Hollywood, incredibly skilled directors have created movie-musicals that are considered classics including Victor Fleming’s The Wizard of Oz (1939), George Cukor’s My Fair Lady (1964), and Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music (1965). However, few directors have the unique skill of making a movie-musical that makes you feel as though you’re watching a Broadway show, rather than a movie. Rob Marshall is one such example of a director who falls into that category.

Originally, it was “all Broadway” for Marshall, who began his career as a dancer, performing in various Broadway shows, including the original company of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats. Unfortunately, a herniated disc while performing in Cats ended his dancing career. After recovering, he decided to become a choreographer and then director. He received his first Best Choreography Tony Award Nomination, collaborating with Vincent Paterson on the musical based on the 1985 film of the same name, Kiss of the Spiderwoman. Next came Tony Nominations for choreographing the 1993 revival of the musical She Loves Me and the 1994 revival of the musical Damn Yankees. He received his 4th and 5th Tony Nomination for Best Choreography and Best Director for the 1998 revival of Cabaret, sharing the honors with Sam Mendes. He received another nomination the very next year for choreographing a musical entitled Little Me.

Marshall transitioned from Broadway into Hollywood when he was hired by by CBS to choreograph the made-for-television movie-musical Mrs. Santa Clause starring Angela Lansbury. And he was hired by ABC to direct the third made-for-television film adaptation of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella starring Whitney Houston, which reunited him with “Yankees,” star Victor Garber. He was then re-hired by ABC to not only be the choreographer, but also the director of their next TV musical, Annie (1999), reuniting him with “Cabaret” star Alan Cumming and, again, with Victor Garber. (Cumming won a Tony Award for his performance as the Emcee in Cabaret under Marshall’s direction). He initially did not want to direct “Annie,” simply because he had only wanted to do the choreography, but he was ultimately persuaded to do both. The film’s success earned him the job of directing and choreographing Chicago (2002), for Mirimax Studios. He would go on to receive an Academy Award Nomination for Best Director for the film. Though he lost that award to Roman Polanski for The Pianist (2002), “Chicago,” went on to receive 6 Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones for her performance as Velma Kelly and Best Motion Picture of 2002.  

Marshall’s next film was Columbia Pictures’ Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) which garnered 3 Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography for Dion Beebe, who had also been Marshall’s cinematographer on “Chicago,” and had received a previous nomination for his work. His film after that was the Weinstein Company’s Nine (2009), which like “Chicago,” was also based on a Broadway musical of the same name. He choreographed, co-produced, and directed “Nine.” 

He was hired by Disney to direct Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), the 4th film in the franchise, reuniting him with “Nine,” star Penelope Cruz. (Cruz received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Carla in “Nine.”). Disney re-hired him in 2014 to co-produce and direct their film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. The film received 3 Academy Award Nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Meryl Streep for her performance as the Witch and Best Costume Design for Colleen Atwood who won 2 Academy Awards for designing the costumes for “Chicago,” and “Memoirs of a Geisha,” and received another nomination for her work on “Nine.” 

Rob Marshall is currently attached to direct a “Mary Poppins,” motion-picture sequel for Disney, which is to be released in 2018, which will reunite him with “Into the Woods,” star Emily Blunt in the title role, cinematographer Dion Beebe, and costume designer Colleen Atwood, as well as “Chicago,” Art Directors John Myhre and Gordon Sim and “On Stranger Tides,” editor Wyatt Smith.

Looking back on all of Rob Marshall’s work, each of his movies have been hits for their production/distribution companies, but more interestingly, they are full of a diverse group of stage and screen performers who did some of their best work under his direction. The look and feel created by his incredibly talented creative teams, and his own personal skills of choreographing and directing, makes his work comes to life in such an astonishing way, that it looks more like live theatre than it does a motion picture.  

Pixar Voice-Talents

In animated movies, the filmmakers usually cast A-List Hollywood actors to provide the voices of the main characters in their movies. Did you happen to know, however, that the filmmakers at Pixar Animation Studios every so often cast themselves as bit characters in each of their movies? You might be surprised to know that in addition to creating creative and heartwarming stories for the silver screen, the filmmakers of Pixar are also responsible for giving “small” characters their souls and egos just like the main actors.

John Lasseter who founded Pixar with Ed Catmull and Steve Jobs and is the current Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and DisneyToon Studios had a bit voice part in Toy Story (1995). He also voiced Bug Zapper Bug #1 in A Bug’s Life (1998), the Blue Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robot #1 in Toy Story 2 (1999), and provided additional voices in Cars 2 (2011). He is currently attached to co-write/co-direct and executive produce Toy Story 4 for Pixar which will be released in 2018.      

The late, great Joe Ranft, who served as a Pixar screenwriter/animator/storyboard artist did a LOT of voice work: also provided the voices of Elmo St. Peters in The Brave Little Toaster (1987), Igor in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Lenny the Binoculars in Toy Story (1995), Heimlich the Caterpillar in A Bug’s Life (1998), the speaking voice of Wheezy the Penguin in Toy Story 2 (1999), various additional voices in Monsters, Inc. (2001), Jacques the Shrimp in Finding Nemo (2003), and Red in Cars (2006). Ranft unfortunately passed away in a tragic car accident at the age of 45, on August 16th, 2005, 10 months before the release of “Cars.” There is a dedication to him in the end titles of the film. (His brother, Jerome Ranft, who works as a character sculptor for Pixar, voiced Gamma in Up (2009) and succeeded his brother in the role of Jacuqes for Finding Dory (2016)).   

Andrew Stanton won 2 Academy Awards for being the writer/director of Finding Nemo (2003) and Wall-E (2008). He voiced for Toy Story (1995), A Bug’s Life (1998), Toy Story 2 (1999), and was a big hit as Crush the Sea Turtle in Finding Nemo (2003) and Finding Dory (2016). He was also Fred in Cars (2006), and Axiom Passenger #1 in Wall-E (2008). Stanton also wrote and directed Finding Dory (2016).

Pete Docter was the Academy-award winning writer/director of Up (2009) and Inside Out (2015), and also wrote and directed Monsters, Inc. (2001). He provided voices for Monsters, Inc. (2001), The Incredibles (2004), and Inside Out (2015). Docter also voiced the Lifeguard Bot in Wall-E (2008) and Campmaster Strauch in Up (2009).

Brad Bird got his awards as the writer/director of The Incredibles (2004) and Ratatouille (2007), but he also voiced Edna “E” Mode in The Incredibles (2004) and the Ambrister Minion in Ratatouille (2007). He is currently attached to direct The Incredibles 2 for Pixar which will be released in 2019.

The acting skills of each of these people can’t compare to those who have been the lead Disney/Pixar Cartoons, i.e. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Billy Crystal, etc. However, I’m sure you could agree that it is interesting how each of these individuals have been able to work their multiple creative talents into their creative talents into their projects!

Disney’s Connection to Classic 90’s Sit-Coms

While Broadway performers have usually gotten the roles in most of Disney’s movie-musicals, 90’s Sit-Coms stars have gotten the roles in non-musicals-many of them have several different times!

Kelsey Grammer, best known throughout the world for his role as Dr. Frasier Crane on Cheers (1982-1993) and on Frasier (1993-2004) provided the voices of Stinky Pete the Prospector in Toy Story 2 (1999) and Dr. Ivan Krank in Teacher’s Pet (2004). David Hyde Pierce who played Frasier’s on-screen brother, Dr. Niles Crane voiced Slim the Walking Stick in A Bug’s Life (1998) and Dr. Doppler in Disney’s Treasure Planet (2002).

Laurie Metcalf-best remembered for portraying Roseanne’s sister, Jackie Harris on Roseanne (1988-1997)-was the voice of Andy’s Mom in all three Toy Story movies, and the voices of Jim Hawkins’s Mom in Treasure Planet (2002) and Lucille Krunklehorn in Meet the Robinsons (2007).

Brad Garrett, better known as Robert Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, a frequently used Disney voice-over artist, made his Disney debut as the voice of Dim in “A Bug’s Life,” (1998). Next, he voiced Tank in the direct-to-video sequel An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000). He also voiced Bloat the Puffer Fish in Finding Nemo (2003) and reprised that role for Finding Dory (2016). He lent his voice to Uto the Ape in the direct-to-video sequel, Tarzan 2 (2005), and played the voice of Gusteau the Chef in Ratatouille (2007). Other roles include those of the Hook Hand Thug in Tangled (2010) and Chug in Planes (2013) and it’s sequel Planes: Fire and Rescue (2014). In addition to all of these roles, plus several other various voice-over roles on Disney-produced television shows (i.e. Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000-2001), House of Mouse (2001-2002)), Garrett also played the evil Vice Principal Dwayne Murney in Disney’s live-action film, The Pacifier (2005) and he lent his voice to Disney’s live-action/CGI film, Underdog (2007). 

You more than likely remember Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Wayne Knight, and Patrick Warburton for the characters that they played on Seinfeld (1989-1998). Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who played Elaine Benes on “Seinfeld” voiced Princess Atta in “A Bug’s Life,” and Rochelle in “Planes.” She also portrayed the Blue Fairy in the Disney/ABC made-for-television film Geppetto (2000). Jason Alexander, who played George Costanza on “Seinfeld,” was the voice of Hugo the Gargoyle in Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996). He also lent his voice to the character of Lightning the Dog in the direct-to-video sequel 101 Dalmatians 2: Patch’s London Adventure (2003). Like Dreyfus, Alexander also acted in a made-for-television film produced by Disney/ABC, playing the role of Lionel, Prince Charming’s Butler/Valet in the third film adaptation of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997). He also acted the part of Philip Stuckey in the classic romantic comedy Pretty Woman (1990).

Wayne Knight, who played Seinfeld’s narrow-minded enemy, Newman on “Seinfeld,” provided the voice of Demetrius the Pot Maker in Hercules (1997). He also voiced the Microwave in the direct-to-video sequel, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars (1998). The following year, in 1999, Newman voiced Tantor the Elephant in Tarzan (1999), Al the Toy Maker in Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 2 (1999) and Orthus in the direct-to-video sequel, Hercules: Zero to Hero (1999). He took over the role of the Evil Emperor Zurg for the direct-to-video movie, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins (2000) and it’s following series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000-2001), succeeding Pixar writer/director Andrew Stanton in the role who had voiced the character in “Toy/2.”

Patrick Warburton, who played Elaine’s on-again-off-again boyfriend David Puddy on “Seinfeld,” made his Disney debut as the voice of Kronk in The Emperor’s New Groove (2000). He succeeded Tim Allen as the voice of Buzz Lightyear for “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command,” the series. Warburton was also the voice of Patrick the Horse in Home on the Range (2004), the Alien Cop in Chicken Little (2005) and reprised the role of Kronk for the direct-to-video sequel, Kronk’s New Groove (2005) and for the television series, The Emperor’s New School (2006-2008). He also lent his voice to the character of Royal Pain in the live-action film, Sky High (2005).

      Each of these actors is perhaps more memorable for their roles on television but their animated and live-action work for Disney was also part of their distinguished careers.

Jonathan Freeman: Disney Film and Theatre Legend

You might remember from some of my previous blog pieces how I’ve mentioned the colorful history of actors who have portrayed classic Disney villains (i.e. Eleanor Audley as Wicked Stepmother/Maleficent and Betty Lou Gerson as Cruella De Vill) and if they’ve played any other roles besides those villains. In this piece I would like to tell you about another actor who best known for his portrayal of a Disney villain-one who has acted in Television, Film, and Broadway: Jonathan Freeman.

Jonathan Freeman voiced Jafar in Aladdin (1992) and reprised the role for the direct-to-video sequel, The Return of Jafar (1994). He took it a step further, recreating the role of Jafar for Aladdin on Broadway where he is currently playing today. In addition to originating the role of Jafar in “Aladdin,” on Broadway, Freeman also originated the role of Grimsby, Prince Eric’s elderly guardian in The Little Mermaid on Broadway. I had the good fortune of getting to see Mr. Freeman in this role when it premiered at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in 2008. Prior to that, in 2006, Freeman took over the role of Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, starring opposite Ashley Brown as Belle. Brown would go on to originate the role of Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins. Freeman would go on to take over the role of Admiral Boom and the Bank Chairman in “Poppins,” in 2009.

Beyond his work for Disney, Jonathan Freeman acted in several “Revival” musical productions on Broadway, including How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, On The Town, 42nd Street, The Producers, and She Loves Me, which earned him a Tony Award Nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in Musical in 1994. On Television, he portrayed Tito Swing on Shining Time Station (1989-1995) and made appearances in episodes of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-present) and Law and Order: Criminal Intent (2001-2011). 

He also lent his voice to several Disney-produced television shows including Disney’s House of Mouse (2001-2003), where he reprised the role of Jafar, Lilo and Stitch: The Series (2003-2006), and American Dragon: Jake Long (2005-2007). He had bit parts in the movies Forever, Lulu (1987) and Homeboy (1988). He reprised the role of Jafar again for many Disney Video Games, including Aladdin Activity Center (1994) and Kingdom Hearts (2002).

Jonathan Freeman will be forever remembered as the voice of Jafar, though he is one of the very few Disney voice-over artists ever to act for Disney on Broadway as well. His uniquely deep, sinister voice helped make the character of Jafar seem just the right amount of “diabolical,” while remaining one of Disney’s classy and unforgettable villains.