One of my most vivid childhood memories from Walt Disney World is seeing Cirque du Soleil ’ s La Nouba at what was then known as Downtown Disney . The acrobatic show ran for nearly 20 years in its custombuilt theater in the shopping and dining district . As a kid , I found the performance to be as magical as pulling the sword from the stone in Magic Kingdom .
Drawn to Life eventually replaced La Nouba ; this new show takes inspiration from the history of Disney animation ( but still with plenty of high-flying acrobatics ). After more than two decades since my last Cirque experience at Disney , I was eager to return for Drawn to Life . And this time , I had a special opportunity to peek behind the curtains and see how the acrobatic magic happens through the Page to Stage Signature Experience .
DRAWN TO LIFE WITH FRESH EYES Having covered news about Drawn to Life throughout the past few years , it was all too easy to feel like I ’ d already experienced the show . That couldn ’ t have been further from the truth . After all , you can read a million times about a man balancing on an aerial pole using only his thigh strength , but it will still shock the heck out of you to see it live .
But aside from the acrobatics and general athleticism of the performers , what really fascinated me about the show was seeing a love letter to Disney performed on stage . The production pays tribute to the history of Walt Disney Animation Studios , from the sets to the costumes to the actual performers . For instance , one act pays tribute to the Ink and Paint Girls and Mary Blair ( my favorite Disney animator ), and another honors the history of Disney Villains . While you won ’ t see Mickey Mouse march out on stage , his presence and the intention of Disney animators throughout history are very much alive in the theater .
About the Page to Stage Signature Experience
The Page to Stage Signature Experience allows you to go behind the scenes of Drawn to Life after watching the show ( available during select late performances ). Your ticket includes :
● Backstage tour with a small group
● $ 25 merchandise credit
● A dedicated host and premium seating
● Lanyard and pin
● An opportunity to meet with a performer in the show
You can purchase tickets at the box office or online from the Drawn to Life website .
PEEKING BEHIND THE CURTAIN For decades , I had pondered over the magic I saw during La Nouba — and how it was all done . La Nouba ’ s secrets may still be a mystery to me , but after Page to Stage , I feel like an expert on Drawn to Life .
After the show — which I enjoyed from prime seating ( thanks to the Page to Stage ticket ) with a Mickey Pretzel in hand — I met with a small group and our tour guide who would bring us backstage for the evening . The tour only had six people total , giving plenty of time and space for everyone to ask any questions we had during the experience .
“ When the decision was made to retire [ La Nouba ] and bring a new show in on Disney Springs property , the ask was ‘ Can we create a show that ’ s not only on Disney property , but that actually reflects the history , the tradition , the beauty , the nostalgia of Disney ?’” Justin Sullivan , Artistic Director of Drawn to Life , told me the evening of the performance .
Justin also shared that the intention was to inject Disney into the high acrobatics of Cirque , but the team wanted to balance the tightrope , if you will , so that it didn ’ t come across overly Disney . That intention was clear while watching the show , but I understood it more deeply when I went backstage for the Page to Stage tour .
ABOVE : Morgan sits down with Justin Sullivan , Artistic Director of Drawn to Life . PREVIOUS : Go behind the scenes at Cirque with the Page to Stage Signature Experience .
The show includes hallmark Cirque acrobatics , but with Disney storytelling . © DISNEY