Disney Shares Behind-the-Scenes Video and Original Song from New Villains Show

17 days ago in "Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After"

Gallery / 6 Photos
Villains Show concept art

Posted: Thursday April 17, 2025 9:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has shared a new behind-the-scenes video offering us a closer look at the creative process behind Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, the upcoming stage show debuting May 27, 2025 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The video also includes a first listen to one of the show’s original songs, giving guests a preview of the musical style and tone of the production.

The music, described as a mix of theatrical drama and villainous fun, sets the mood for a show designed to bring depth and entertainment to some of Disney’s most iconic characters.

“Being in this studio and hearing live musicians bring to life every moment, every wind chime—it’s pure music magic for Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After,” said Tom Vazzana, Executive Creative Director.

“Basically, the show is built around three classic villains. We’ve got Cruella de Vil, we’ve got Hook, and we’ve got Maleficent,” explained Tim Heintz, Music Arranger.

Villains Show concept art

“We wanted to tell a story that’s a little bit different than it was told before,” added Mark Renfrow, Show Director. “Which one of them has been treated the most unfairly ever after?”

The show will take place inside Sunset Showcase and feature a mix of live music, dramatic lighting, immersive stage effects, and an audience-driven finale. Among the surprises teased in the video: the Magic Mirror will not only serve as narrator, but will also perform an original song.

“This show is groundbreaking in that the Magic Mirror does more than just talk,” said Doug Morris, Music Producer. “He’s actually going to have a song of his very own.”

“It’s a little bit rock and roll, a little bit of orchestra, classic Gothic score,” said Roger Butterley, Composer. “It is just fun from start to finish.”

Villains Show concept art

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Jedi141 day ago

The roles were for singing and speaking.

Comped1 day ago

Equity roles do not (technically) require live singing, unfortunately.

discos2 days ago

It's already been confirmed through casting breakdowns that the three main Villain characters are Equity roles which means they will be singing and speaking live. As per Equity rules, I believe a lip sync track for each performer is recorded for backup just in case but on a day to day basis, the 3 main Villains as well as Ariel and Eric in the reimagined Little Mermaid show will all be equity roles that will sing and speak live.

Comped2 days ago

Obvious every other villain would be recorded, if not pulled straight from archive material. While some of the lesser known voice actors would be pretty happy to record new stuff, I doubt it. I just don't thi k with an 18 minute show, we can rule out the possibility of having tracks for everyone which would lower the cost by a fair amount. Assuming this is even a long-term thing. Then again who the hell knows, it'll probably stay for 15 years and decay. If I'm wrong I will be very happy to be wrong because we have so much less live performance in Orlando then we did even 10 years ago, but I doubt it. And that's not coming from any source or anything, that's just my opinion based on what we have seen come out of entertainment for years and years here. Cost cutting after cost cutting...

Jedi143 days ago

I think it will be that Cruella, Hook, and Maleficent are live and anyone else will be recorded.

ToTBellHop3 days ago

I would guess a hybrid with some live, some pre-recorded. They usually want more recent villains to be pre-recorded since people know the voices. They have more latitude with classic villains since they’d need new voice artists anyway for a recording.

Comped3 days ago

That I hadn't heard (don't snoop around the Disney auditions website as much as I used to), so we just have to hope it stuck!

Jedi143 days ago

I remember seeing auditions for the Villain show for singers.

Comped3 days ago

It could have live vocals, but that was far more likely at 40 minutes than 20. IMO. Wouldn't doubt if that gets cut in exchange for movie-accurate tracks. Of course if I'm wrong (and I dearly hope I am), all the better. But I can't trust DLE making the right choice here.

ToTBellHop3 days ago

That would be very disappointing as this has potential. At least Mermaid will have some live vocals…

Comped3 days ago

It annoys me immensely because I KNOW DLE (even with many of the best writers, producers, and so forth, from the old days gone) can do better than an 18 minute show. I'm leaning to it not having live singing if it's that short in all honesty. Saves Equity agreement required $$$, which seems to be really important to Disney these days.

ToTBellHop3 days ago

I guess we can’t be expected to focus any longer than that.

Comped3 days ago

Maybe less... Hearing closer to 15 than 30.

easyrowrdw4 days ago

I agree. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs was clever, almost 30 years ago. But it's not supposed to be taken seriously. They're bad guys! They're not misunderstood; they're just bad.