EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is filled with culinary masterpieces, impressive acrobatic performances, marketplaces selling magnificent works of art and opportunities to let out your inner artist. What makes this festival my absolute favorite, though, is the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series. A Festival of the Arts staple, each night new and returning singers perform show-stopping numbers from Disney's beloved musical catalog. Whether you've seen a DISNEY ON BROADWAY show before or not, you're sure to recognize some tunes at any one of these performances. Here's everything you need to know about this acclaimed concert series!
Overview of the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series
The DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series takes place every night during the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, which runs this year from Jan. 17 to Feb. 24, 2025. There are three performances each night at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. Just like all of EPCOT's iconic concert series, you'll be able to catch these talented Broadway performers at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion. Each performance lasts just under 30 minutes.
Best of all, the concert series is included with regular admission to EPCOT and does not cost extra to attend. This is a great opportunity to catch high-quality Broadway performers up close!
The majority of these concerts feature two performers who have starred in at least one DISNEY ON BROADWAY show in New York City. Each pair of performers takes the stage for about two weeks. However, these pairs switch out every one to two days, so keep an eye on the schedule if you want to see someone in particular. Each duo performs a unique setlist so keep hopping back to hear a wide variety of songs!
Here's who you'll find gracing the America Gardens Theatre stage this year:
2025 DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series Performers
Who are these talented Broadway stars and what songs can you expect to hear from them? No need to grab a Playbill! I have all the info you need right here.
John Riddle (NEW)
Reuniting with his Princess Anna, John Riddle — Broadway's original Hans in "Frozen" — is making his Festival of the Arts debut this year! John has also graced the Broadway stage as the original Young Anton in "The Visit" and Raoul in "Phantom of the Opera." Other favorite credits of his include the first national tour of Evita and The Muny's production of "The Little Mermaid" as Eric. This year we had the honor of hearing him sing "Her Voice" from "The Little Mermaid" and "Love is an Open Door" from "Frozen."
Patti Murin
Patti Murin made her DISNEY ON BROADWAY debut in the national tour of "Beauty and the Beast" as Belle. Since then, she's played iconic roles such as Princess Ariel in "The Little Mermaid" and Glinda in the first national tour of "Wicked." Most notably, she originated the role of Princess Anna in "Frozen" on Broadway! Patti made her Festival of the Arts debut in 2023 and is paired this year with John Riddle. Past residencies have included performances of "A Million Dreams" from "The Greatest Showman" and, of course, "For the First Time in Forever" from "Frozen."
Caissie Levy
Caissie Levy has performed a variety of roles in her theater career including Fantine in "Les Miserables," Sheila in "Hair," Elphaba in "Wicked" and Penny in "Hairspray." Most notably, she originated the role of Elsa in "Frozen" on Broadway. In 2024, Caissie made her Festival of the Arts debut joining her "Frozen" co-star Patti Murin. She returns in 2025, but will perform with Jelani Remy. Past residencies have included performances of "Part of Your World" from "The Little Mermaid" and, of course, "Let It Go" from "Frozen."
Jelani Remy (NEW)
After getting his start as Chad Danforth in the touring company of "Disney’s High School Musical" and "Disney’s High School Musical 2", Jelani Remy went on to make his Broadway debut as Simba in "The Lion King." Since then, he went on to join the cast of "Ain't Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations" and the original Broadway cast of "Back to the Future" as Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry. This year, we had the honor of hearing him sing "Endless Night" from "The Lion King" and "Son of Man" from "Tarzan."
Josh Strickland
Josh Strickland answered the call of the wild and made his DISNEY ON BROADWAY debut back in 2006 as Tarzan in the original Broadway company of "Tarzan." He later reprised the role in Germany and recently at the Tuacahn Center for the Arts in Utah. And, just like Ashley and Kissy, he's been performing at the Festival of the Arts since it began. Past residencies of Josh's have included performances of "Strangers Like Me" from "Tarzan" and "My Strongest Suit" from "Aida."
Adam Jacobs
After making his Broadway debut as the original Marius in the 2006 Broadway revival of "Les Misérables," Adam Jacobs went on to join the DISNEY ON BROADWAY family by taking over the role of Simba in "The Lion King" and originating the role of Aladdin in "Aladdin." His first appearance at Festival of the Arts was in 2019, but since then, he also originated the role of Captain Walker in the 2024 revival of "The Who's Tommy." Past residencies of Adam's have included performances of "Circle of Life" from "The Lion King" and "Proud of Your Boy" from "Aladdin."
Ashley Brown
Ashley Brown made her DISNEY ON BROADWAY debut as Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" on Broadway but is most known for originating the role of Mary Poppins in "Mary Poppins" on Broadway and continuing to play the role on tour. She's also performed in classic musicals such as "My Fair Lady," "Oklahoma!" and "Hello Dolly!" Ashley is a Festival of the Arts veteran, having made her debut with the festival all the way back in 2017 and has come back every year since. Past residences have included performances of "No More Fear" from "Freaky Friday" and "Monster" from "Frozen."
Alton Fitzgerald White
A day-one alum of the DISNEY ON BROADWAY concert series, Alton Fitzgerald White originally joined the DISNEY ON BROADWAY family in 2010 when he took over the role of Mufasa. Prior to that, he had a long and impressive career on the Great White Way, which included stints in "Miss Saigon," "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and "The Color Purple." Past residencies of Alton's have included performances of "If I Can't Love Her" from "Beauty and the Beast" and, of course, "They Live in You" from "The Lion King."
Kissy Simmons
Like Alton and Adam, Kissy Simmons is a beloved member of "The Lion King" family. Kissy made her DISNEY ON BROADWAY debut in the role of Nala in 2003 and went on to play the same role on the national tour and in the Las Vegas production. Like Ashley and Josh, she's performed at the Festival of the Arts every year since its inception in 2017. Past residencies have included performances of "Easy as Life" from "Aida" and "Shadowland" from "The Lion King."
Michael James Scott
Michael James Scott made his DISNEY ON BROADWAY debut in the Broadway company of "Tarzan." Since then, he's performed in shows such as "Aida," "Mamma Mia!" on Broadway and "Hair" on Broadway. Most notably, he's been playing the role of Genie in "Aladdin" on the West End, the North American and Australian tours and currently on Broadway. This is Michael's fifth year at the Festival of the Arts, having made his debut in 2020. Past residencies have included performances of "Go the Distance" from "Hercules" and "Friend Like Me" from "Aladdin."
Rodney Ingram (NEW)
After making his Broadway debut as Raoul in "Phantom of the Opera," Rodney Ingram joined the DISNEY ON BROADWAY family as Aladdin in "Aladdin." Other favorite credits of his include Laurie in Theatre Aspen's production of "Little Women," Gremio in Gretna Theatre's production of "Kiss Me, Kate" and Prince Eric in White Plains Performing Arts Center's production of "The Little Mermaid." We hope to hear him bust out tunes such as "One Jump Ahead" from "Aladdin" and "One Step Closer" from "The Little Mermaid."
Kara Lindsay
Having made her Festival of the Arts debut in 2020, Kara Linsday joined the DISNEY ON BROADWAY family when she originated the role of Katherine Plumber in "Newsies." Since then, she joined the Broadway casts of "Wicked" as Glinda and "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" as Cynthia Weil. Most recently, she originated the role of Princess Winifred in the 2024 revival of "Once Upon a Mattress." Past residences of Kara's have included performances of "Watch What Happens" from "Newsies" and "A Change in Me" from "Beauty and the Beast."
Previous DISNEY ON BROADWAY Performers
We have fan favorites who return to the Festival of the Arts often. While they may not be performing this year, they could return in future years.
Heidi Blickenstaff
With a boatload of Broadway credits, Heidi Blickenstaff joined the DISNEY ON BROADWAY family in 2007 understudying, and later starring, as Ursula in "The Little Mermaid." In 2016, she originated the title role of Katherine Blake in "Freaky Friday" both on stage and in the Disney Channel Original Movie. Other notable roles include playing a version of herself in "[title of show]" and Bea in "Something Rotten." She has performed at many of the Festival of the Arts over the years, most recently in 2024.
Gavin Lee
A well-known name in theater, Gavin Lee originated the role of Bert in "Mary Poppins" both on the West End and on Broadway. He also originated the role of Squidward in "SpongeBob Squarepants: The Musical." Other notable roles include Lumiere in "Beauty and the Beast," Thenardier in "Les Miserables" and Max Detweiler in "The Sound of Music." A frequent performer at Festival of the Arts, he most recently performed in 2024.
L. Steven Taylor
L. Steven Taylor has a long and storied history with DISNEY ON BROADWAY. After joining the national tour of "The Lion King" back in 2005, he eventually joined the Broadway company where he has been understudying the role of Scar and understudying and playing the role of Mufasa on and off for years — even as recently as the show's Broadway reopening in 2021. Steven's made his Festival of the Arts debut in 2024.
Mandy Gonzalez
Mandy Gonzalez made her DISNEY ON BROADWAY debut as Amneris' standby in "Aida" on Broadway. After coming back a year later to take over the role, she portrayed more beloved characters on the Broadway stage, such as Nina Rosario in "In the Heights" (a role she originated), Elphaba in "Wicked" and Angelica Schuyler in "Hamilton." Mandy made her Festival of the Arts debut in 2023 and sang songs such as "Remember Me" from "Coco" and "My Strongest Suit" from "Aida."
Bradley Gibson
One with the Pride Lands, Bradley Gibson joined the DISNEY ON BROADWAY family in 2018. He played the role of Simba in "The Lion King" for nearly two years. He recently held the title role of Hercules in the stage production of "Hercules" at Paper Mill Playhouse. He's also performed in productions such as "Rocky," "Ragtime" and "A Bronx Tale: The Musical." Bradley made his Festival of the Arts debut in 2024.
Shoba Narayan
Shoba Narayan made her DISNEY ON BROADWAY debut in 2021 as Jasmine in "Aladdin." She made her Broadway debut in 2016 with "Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812." Other roles include Eliza Hamilton in "Hamilton" and Nessarose in "Wicked." Shoba's first year at Festival of the Arts was 2024.
Once Upon a Stage: 30 Years of Disney on Broadway
EPCOT's new CommuniCore Hall completely transformed for this fan-fave festival. Straight from the Museum of Broadway in New York City, this shining, shimmering exhibit gives you an up-close look at beloved costumes, props and set models from the stage productions of "Aladdin," "The Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast," "Frozen," "Newsies," "Hercules," "The Little Mermaid," and "Mary Poppins." Be sure to pop by as you're eating (and drinking) your way through all the artful EPCOT food studios.
DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series Tips
The DISNEY ON BROADWAY concert series is incredibly underrated. That also means not many parkgoers actually know it takes place during the festival. (I've had many fellow frogs over the years walk up to me in line and ask what everyone was waiting for.) That being said, it's much less popular than, say, Festival of the Holidays' Candlelight Processional and takes a lot longer to fill up. You can pretty much ensure a great seat if you arrive about 45 minutes prior to whichever performance you plan to attend, and you can typically just walk up ten minutes until showtime and find a seat easily in the back or sides (just be mindful of trees blocking your view!).
If you don't want to worry at all about being able to grab a seat and don't mind splurging a little bit, you can also take advantage of the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series dining package. Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner at one of eight restaurants around the World Showcase before attending a concert performance later that evening. Each package includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert or one full buffet (where applicable) and a nonalcoholic beverage, plus one guaranteed seat per person to a DISNEY ON BROADWAY concert held on the same day. Prices range from $39 (for adults; $23 for tadpoles) at Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue in the American Adventure Pavilion to $106 (for adults; $42 for tadpoles) at Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada Pavilion.
Advance reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to 60 days prior. However, you may also be able to purchase a same-day dining package, which allows you to dine without reservations, at Regal Eagle Smokehouse. To check availability, visit the restaurant on the day of your visit.
Want a sneak peek of the concert series? Check out last year's performance of Patti Murin and Caissie Levy (the first all-female duo!):
Have you been to a DISNEY ON BROADWAY concert before? Which performers are you most frogcited to see? Let me know in the comments below!
Related: Our Colorful Guide to EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
Related: Your Wish Is Granted! Our Top Reasons to See "Aladdin" on Broadway
Hoppy planning!
