Touch of Evil Coming to Disney Cruise Line—Relax, It’s Fun

A new production is debuting on Disney Cruise Line—and it’s a nefarious one at that! Forget Tinker Bell, Peter Pan, Cinderella—this time, Disney’s villains get to strut their stuff.

“Villains Tonight!,” a musical spectacular, will debut during the March 27 voyage aboard the Disney Magic and will also play to guests aboard the new Disney Dream cruise ship in early 2011. It’s the first Disney show centered on Disney’s anti-heroes. But don’t be frightened: The show is a family-friendly, fun-filled musical.

“With ‘Villains Tonight!’ we are bringing the lovable and loathsome Disney villains to life in a way never seen before,” said Jim Urry, vice president of entertainment for Disney Cruise Line.

The show begins as Hades and his faithful sidekicks, Pain and Panic (from Hercules), welcome new souls (the audience) to the Underworld. But instead of a frightening realm, guests will discover that Hades has turned the Underworld into an upbeat and happier place. The fun comes to a halt when The Fates arrive and predict that Hades will lose his position as Lord of the Underworld if he doesn’t ramp up the evil factor.

Worried by the news, Hades checks his Evil-O-Meter and discovers it is running dangerously low. So he comes up with a plan: He’ll conjure up the very best of the worst —the most powerful Disney villains—to help him replenish the world of evil. What ensues is a comical journey as Hades, Pain and Panic embark on a quest filled with wacky antics and amusing musical numbers featuring favorite Disney villains and their sidekicks.

The roster includes: Dr. Facilier (The Princess and the Frog), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), the Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Captain Hook (Peter Pan) and Scar (The Lion King).
During “Villains Tonight!,” the 977-seat Walt Disney Theatre becomes a fun wicked world through the use of elaborate sets and special effects, extravagant costumes and contemporary musical score.

“Villains Tonight!” joins the lineup of shipboard stage musicals as the Disney Magic gets ready to embark on an unprecedented five-month season of Mediterranean and Northern European cruises. Departing from Barcelona, Mediterranean cruises go from April 24 to May 26 and August 7 to September 8, visiting popular ports in Italy, France and North Africa. Departing out of Dover, England, the Northern European cruises will sail from June 12 to July 18, visiting St. Petersburg, Oslo, Copenhagen and other ports.