Credit: DisneyAshley Brown, the original Mary Poppins on Broadway, raised eyebrows during her Disney on Broadway Concert Series performance at EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts on February 13. She sang “When Will My Life Begin” from Tangled and hinted that the beloved animated film might be adapted into a full Broadway musical, rather than just the abridged version performed on Disney Cruise Line since 2015.
This isn’t the first time the concert series has teased upcoming productions; shows like The Greatest Showman were announced before their official debuts. Brown’s choice of song and comments on future Disney plans suggest significant interest in bringing Rapunzel’s story to the stage.
Why Tangled Makes Perfect Sense for Broadway
Tangled represents an ideal candidate for Broadway adaptation. The 2010 film is vibrant, visually stunning, and filled with memorable songs by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater that translate naturally to theatrical staging. “When Will My Life Begin,” “I See the Light,” and “Mother Knows Best” are already structured like Broadway numbers with clear character development, emotional arcs, and staging opportunities that would work beautifully in live theater.
@crusingklc Not cruise related but needed a spot on the feed…THE ASHLEY BROWN singing when will my life begin #fyp #tangled #whenwillmylifebegin #ashleybrown #disneyonbroadway ♬ original sound – cruisingklc
The story also offers room to expand beyond the 100-minute film runtime. Broadway adaptations typically run longer than their source films, requiring additional songs, character development, and plot elaboration. Tangled’s world provides ample opportunity for new musical numbers exploring Rapunzel’s years in the tower, Flynn Rider’s backstory as Eugene Fitzherbert, or Mother Gothel’s motivations beyond what the film presented.
Menken, who won a Tony Award for his work on Aladdin on Broadway, would presumably return to work on Tangled for the stage. His collaboration with lyricist Glenn Slater has already proven successful on The Little Mermaid musical and the expanded Tangled: The Musical on Disney Cruise Line, making them the natural choice to develop additional material for a full Broadway production.
Tangled Already Exists on a Disney Stage
An abridged stage adaptation titled Tangled: The Musical premiered on the Disney Magic cruise ship in 2015. This version features three new songs written by Menken and Slater specifically for the stage adaptation, proving the creative team has already invested time developing how Tangled works in theatrical format.
The cruise line version runs significantly shorter than a typical Broadway show and has been adapted for the unique constraints of performing at sea with limited backstage space and technical capabilities compared to Broadway theaters. A full Broadway production would allow for more elaborate staging, additional musical numbers, deeper character development, and production values impossible to achieve on a cruise ship.
The existence of the cruise line version actually strengthens the case for Broadway adaptation. Disney Theatrical has already worked through initial challenges of translating Tangled from animation to live performance, tested audience response to the material in theatrical format, and developed new songs that expand the story. That foundation makes Broadway development less risky than starting completely from scratch.
Disney’s Broadway History
Disney Theatrical Group has a long history of developing stage versions of animated films, though not all eventually land on Broadway. The company often makes titles available strictly for professional licensing and schools rather than mounting full Broadway productions, so Tangled’s ultimate destination remains uncertain despite development being underway.
There hasn’t been a massive new Disney theatrical release on Broadway since Frozen opened in 2018. That show didn’t reopen after COVID, leaving Disney with only The Lion King and Aladdin currently running on Broadway in New York and Hercules in London, which is set to close on September 5, 2026. Both shows have been enormously successful, with The Lion King becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show of all time and Aladdin consistently performing well at the box office.
The gap since Frozen suggests Disney Theatrical is being selective about which properties receive full Broadway treatment rather than flooding the market with multiple Disney shows competing against each other. Tangled, with its built-in fanbase, strong musical foundation, and proven stage potential demonstrated by the cruise line version, represents a logical choice to fill that gap.
Development Workshops and Timeline
Reports from 2024 indicated developmental workshops of Tangled were underway, with Disney Theatrical Group exploring a stage version. Developmental work involves actors performing the musical without an audience, allowing directors, producers, and writers to shape the show before it hits the stage.
These workshops represent significant investment beyond just considering whether a property might work theatrically. Disney wouldn’t dedicate resources to developmental workshops unless seriously committed to bringing Tangled to life in some theatrical format, whether Broadway, touring productions, or regional theater.
The timeline from developmental workshops to Broadway opening typically spans years rather than months. Frozen underwent extensive development before its 2018 Broadway premiere, and similar trajectories would be expected for Tangled. Ashley Brown’s hint in February 2026 suggests development has progressed significantly since the 2024 reports, potentially putting a Broadway opening within a realistic timeframe if Disney commits to that path.
The Tangled Extended Universe
Unlike some Disney films from the early 2000s, Tangled doesn’t have a theatrical sequel in the works and currently lacks major details and plans for a live-action remake. A Broadway musical would bring back the beloved animated classic in a new format without requiring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi to reprise their voice roles or committing to a controversial live-action remake.
Tangled did spawn a short film, Tangled Ever After, and a television series, Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures, in which Moore and Levi reprised their roles as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. The show even brought back Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel for a brief time. This extended universe demonstrates sustained interest in the property beyond just the original film, supporting the case for a Broadway adaptation.
What Comes Next
Ashley Brown’s hint during the Disney on Broadway Concert Series represents the strongest public indication yet that Tangled is progressing toward Broadway rather than remaining in development indefinitely. For Disney and theater fans, the prospect of seeing Rapunzel’s story brought to life on Broadway with expanded musical numbers, elaborate staging, and the creative talents of Menken and Slater represents exciting potential.
Whether Tangled ultimately opens on Broadway, goes directly to regional licensing, or takes another path entirely remains to be seen. But Brown’s decision to highlight the property during her EPCOT performance suggests Disney Theatrical believes in Tangled’s stage potential enough to build anticipation among the audience most likely to buy tickets when the show eventually opens.