Fox Stage Productions will be taken over by Disney Theatrical Productions beginning Wednesday.
The takeover comes after Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of the assets of 21st Century Fox, as of March 20, 2019. The theatrical arm of Fox, which developed stage adaptations of films in the Fox catalog, was created in 2013, with upcoming titles including the musicals “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “The Devil Wears Prada.”
Reached by telephone Tuesday evening, Isaac Robert Hurwitz, the senior vice president of Fox Stage Productions, said both “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “The Devil Wears Prada,” produced by Kevin McCollum, would move forward.
McCollum, who had partnered with Fox on developing titles for the stage beginning in 2013, did not respond to requests for comment.
Hurwitz took over as senior vice president of the theatrical arm in 2015, after serving as a consultant beginning in 2013. Other team members at Fox Stage Productions included Connor Brockmeier and Bob Cohen, the team’s executive vice president.
Hurwitz, Brockmeier and Cohen will not continue with the brand under Disney Theatrical. The team at Fox Stage Productions was informed about two weeks ago, according to Hurwitz.
Disney Theatrical said it did not have a comment at this time.
The “Mrs. Doubtfire” musical, which held readings in New York earlier this week, is scheduled to have its world premiere at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre this fall. Jerry Zaks has been brought on as the director.
The Broadway-aimed “The Devil Wears Prada” has not announced a production timeline, but has hired a creative team, including Elton John and Shaina Taub.
A press agent for the musical adaptation of “Working Girl,” which was announced in 2017, with Cyndi Lauper writing the score, is also moving forward — though no production dates have been announced. Disney is now licensing the previous 20th Century Fox title to producers Robyn Goodman and Josh Fiedler of Aged in Wood Productions, the press agent confirmed.
Fox Stage Productions previously developed “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical,” based on the children’s book series. The musical premiered in Minnesota in 2015.
Outside of its own theatrical production company, Fox has previously licensed its properties for stage, including “Anastasia,” “Young Frankenstein” and this season’s “Moulin Rouge!”
The Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox included the 20th Century Fox film division, Fox Television Group and a stake in its streaming service, Hulu.
After his last day Wednesday, Hurwitz, who co-founded the New York Musical Theater Festival, said he plans to continue to develop and produce theater.
