Disney’s Encanto became a sensation because of the second life it found on Disney+. To many fans, the musical story of a family crisis is an almost perfect representation of themselves or their family dynamic. To some, though, the movie seemed to end too soon. Multiple fan theories have emerged, and calls for a sequel or a Tangled-style series are reverberating among the Encanto faithful.
Cries for the expansion of this world are likely due to the resonance and apparent staying power of the film. One fan suggestion, though, is far more suited for further exploration of the world of the film. A stage musical would allow Encanto to explore a new medium, expand its story and songs and deconstruct its themes without losing elements in the transition from animated to live performance.
Encanto Is Perfectly Suited to Become a Stage Musical
Disney already has proven success transforming its animated classics into Broadway shows. The Lion King, for example, is a worldwide phenomenon and is recognizable even beyond its adaptation. Though not as widely known, Aladdin is recognized as an excellent production for its individuality within a structured script.
Encanto would be an excellent addition to this family, with the additional benefit of putting Latinx stage actors on marquees, echoing The Lion King‘s effect with Black actors. Encanto‘s town and party scenes beg for crowd interactions, increasing immersion. The comedic cadence of characters like Mirabel, Camilo and Bruno could allow for improvisation, making every experience unique.
Fewer Time Constraints Means More Music in Encanto
Encanto’s runtime is a tight one hour and 45 minutes. It hovers around the minimum for a feature-length film to appeal to as many families as possible. The Lion King, a two-and-a-half-hour stage musical, clocked in at an hour and a half in its movie form. With plentiful precedent to add more to the stage version, Encanto simply needs the content.
That content is present in the original versions of the songs from Encanto, which Lin-Manuel Miranda has shared on his Twitter feed. These original songs were not only longer (“All of You” was seven minutes in its original version), but they contained deeper character development. One cut song focuses on Mirabel, Augustín and Camilo doing chores together. This scene would be a welcome addition for the characterization of two under-explored characters.
Encanto Would Gain Far More Than It Would Lose as a Musical
In the transition from film to stage, one would fear losing certain elements of Encanto that make it truly itself. Bruno’s visions take place in a swirling sandstorm, and Isabela’s flowers must flourish and disappear at a moment’s notice. Camilo’s transformations would probably be less effective on-stage. All of these special effects could be lost in the transition.
However, similar effects have been achieved in other Disney musicals, and major set pieces can be maintained in the transition. What’s more, Encanto‘s structure and blocking actually work just as well, if not better, on stage. Mariano’s now-infamous walk during “We Don’t Talk about Bruno” translates perfectly to walking down the aisle on the way to the stage. Isabela’s verse in the same song would work similarly, with the blocking mimicking descents on stage. Even the “Dos Oruguitas” scene feels similar to the end of Mamma Mia! when Sophie and Sky leave to travel the world.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s work on stage productions means that many of the musical elements of Encanto are also made for the stage more than film. Dolores’ parts are in a distinct stage whisper. Musical elements from “The Family Madrigal” are revisited in the ending song “All of You,” with every Encanto song’s theme or coda being included. Nearly every element of the music works better on-stage than in a film, and this simply redoubles the argument.
Ultimately, transitioning Encanto into a stage musical is a near-perfect idea. What little is potentially lost in the transition is made up for with the extended look into the world of Encanto. A longer story with more music, more character exploration and a more sensible structure would be meaningful to fans of Encanto and the stage alike.
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