I was overwhelmed with feelings of nostalgia that brought me back to the first time I saw many of these films.

The show relies heavily on classic films, from Disney’s groundbreaking 1937 animated short, The Old Mill, to childhood favorites like Dumbo, Pinocchio, and Cinderella. Drawn to Life Review: What Parents Will Love Drawn to Life relies heavily on classic Disney films (Photo: Disney)Īt its core, Drawn to Life is a celebration of Walt Disney animation and how this particular art form bonds a father and daughter, even after he can no longer be with her in person. In a recent press conference, Drawn to Life’s writer and director, Michel Laprise, described the show as a “love letter to the art of animation.” By combining acrobatics, an original score that playfully hints at popular Disney songs, larger-than-life set pieces, animations (some of which are all-new), Disney’s vast film library, and on-stage projections that bring the sets to life, each act highlights the various facets of animation in tandem with Julie’s journey. PLEASE REMAIN SEATED: Read Our Monthly Theme Park News Column by Tarah Chieffiįor research and inspiration, Disney allowed Cirque du Soleil unprecedented access to the Walt Disney Archives, Walt Disney Animation Studios (and some of its legendary animators), The Walt Disney Family Museum, and many, many visits to Disney theme parks. In true Disney fashion, this gift sends Julie on a journey of self-discovery in a fantastical, dream-like world that only Cirque and Disney could conjure. In the letter, Julie’s father reveals that his final wish was for her to finish an animation sequence he never had the chance to complete. In the opening act, Julie’s mother presents her with a letter from her father, a Disney animator who recently passed away.

The Story of Drawn to Life Drawn to Life tells the story of a 12-year-old girl named Julie (Photo: Disney)ĭrawn to Life tells the story of a 12-year-old girl named Julie. Judging by the lengthy standing ovation given to the cast, crew, and creators of the show following the final act, I was far from the only one in the audience who was blown away by this performance. The first-ever collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Imagineering, Drawn to Life expertly combines acrobatic expertise with the art of storytelling in a way that’s never been done before.īy the end of the show, I’d laughed, gasped with excitement, and cried the type of tears I couldn’t quietly hide from the other guests in my row.

Cirque de soleil drawn to life