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    D23 2026 kicked off with a bang through every living Disney Princess (which will have a replay on Disney Plus on August 16th 8pm EST/PT Pacific) from film, television and Broadway with the ultimate concert celebration singing tunes that invoke pure joy. For more than 50 years, Joy is what this brand is known for as it takes all ages back to a simpler time where a song, character or favorite Disney tale could light us up from the inside out like the brightest rainbow one might ever imagine. But, my journey really began as a chorus member of the Broadway bound revival “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” starring Matthew Broderick and Megan Mullally. Unbeknownst to me, Broderick was the voice of “Young Simba” in the award-winning animated film and Ernie Sabella voiced “Pumba.” While we were rehearsing in LaJolla, Matthew and Ernie invited the cast to a screening. We had no idea of knowing that what were watching would become a more than 20-year legacy property for Disney Theatricals and that I would eventually become part of that legacy.D23, for me, is always a warm reminder of when I inhabited the role of Shenzi in the Original Los Angeles production of “The Lion King.“ I would go on to be nominated for an NAACP Theatre Award for that performance and to join another Disney family on the small screen. For three years, I would inhabit another character named Marcie Blue, who was Rocky’s (Zendaya)  Mom on the hit Disney sitcom, “Shake It Up.” So, you see my own personal Disney journey has deep roots that began with a Broadway production and pre-Broadway workshop of “Sister Act”. So, here’s what YOU have missed in Anaheim thus far. On the Premiere Stage, “Beauty and the Beast: A Tale an Old as Time,” got underway with a panel moderated by the amazing Disney Icon Ashley Eckstein including composer Alan Menken, Paige O’ Hara, Susan Egan and Kyra Belle Johnson – who stars as Belle in the current production of the show at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.  Nuggets were dropped like Menken and the late Howard Ashman being specific about casting actors who could sing and not the other way around. Or discovering the legendary Angela Lansbury had turned down role of Mrs Potts after hearing original demo of Menken. It was only after the demo was resent with the voice of Ashman and not Menken (which sounded a little more weathered) that she would finally agree to jumping into the role. As the song was being performed by Egan and Johnson, tears streamed down my face as the memory flooded back of watching a now deceased Peabo Bryson beautifully singing this Grammy award-winning song with Celine Dion.  The panel also showed footage of the late Roger Allers acting out the animation on-camera, which was fascinating to see how much work and energy these animators exhibit to bring these stories to life.  In celebration of the film’s 35th Anniversary, I highly suggest watching the 2018 biographical doc on Ashman, now streaming on Disney + and simply titled “Howard.” ****Interview with Roger Allers for THE PROPHET ***** Next up, the most anticipated event of the weekend where the television, stage and feature slates are revealed. A very pregnant and glowing Anne Hathaway hit the stage to honor the 25th Anniversary of The Princess Diaries and announce that a third installment is on the way! Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino are besties once in again with Romy and Michelle 2, Avengers Doomsday is coming for the 2026 holiday season, more sequels for Zootopia, Frozen, a Maya Boyd was announced by Marvel’s Kevin Feige as  “Storm” in the upcoming X-Men reboot for Marvel Studios and that was just scratching the surface. On Saturday, Emmy winning pro dancers from “Dancing With The Stars” hit the Spotlight Stage engaging the audience in a little Cha-Cha action, nor did Mousequerade disappoint with winning costumes from Toy Story, The Muppet Show and Snow White. Early screening footage of several shows, films  and ride for every global park premiered from everything like LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian to Camp Rock 3: The Next Generation to numerous photos opps on the convention floor to meet and greets with Disney Stars and finally honoring the 2026 Disney Legends – which include and are not limited to Anne Hathaway, Bob Iger, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kim Irvine, Dwayne Johnson and the Jonas Brothers. For the final day, Alice in Wonderland is celebrating 75 Years of Nonsense, The Fox and the Hound runts 45, Bednobs and Broomsticks celebrates 55 magical years, The Disney Legends get their awards ceremony and the ultimate fan experience winds down with A Whole New World of Alan Menken and Hey Jonas! Live concert.  As an ultimate Disney nerd, D23 is my happy place and it just gets more and more joyful and the years tick by. Thanks so much Team Click and the entire Disney team for allowing me to geek once again. For more information and detailed coverage, click on D23 And to catch the Disney Princess concert, hop on over to Disney Plus right now where it is streaming!
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