#46 - Dan DeLuca

09/01/21 • 53 min

Get ready for this King of New York, as Dan DeLuca (Newsies) joins David to share his love of the Disney Parks. From growing up a true Disney kid and seeing "The Lion King" in the movie theaters and loving "A Goofy Movie," to collecting the classic VHS Cassette Tapes and Burger King glasses, Dan's love of Disney is pure. He shares his love of "Peter Pan" and "Pinocchio" (which leads to some intense conversations about those two films), and goes on to describe his first trip to Walt Disney World--remembering that it was "absolutely magical" and felt like home--and how each time he returns the "young at heart" feelings always reemerge. This 'World Boy' spells out a perfect day the Orlando Park, which includes Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and, of course, The Country Bear Jamboree for which Dan is a huge fan. In addition to his favorite park, the Magic Kingdom, he also shares his love for Animal Kingdom (specifically Expedition Everest, "Festival of the Lion King," & the spiritual experience that is Flight of Passage), as well as Hollywood Studios (did someone say Star Wars and "Fantasmic"?). As Dan shares more, we learn just how much he loves this special place--memorizing the script of The Haunted Mansion, enjoying Slaw Dogs at Casey's Corner on Main Street, and feeling hope when he sees the Castle. He and David chat all things "Newsies," how Dan first came to the musical in middle school, realizing the Newsie he dreamt of playing evolved into playing Jack Kelly, and singing "Something to Believe In" with fellow "E-Ticket to Broadway" guest Stephanie Styles, performing songs from the musical outside of the Walt Disney Animation Studios (which he describes as a magical experience), and together play "Santa Fe or Disneyland." What would Dan's dream job be at a Disney Theme Park? What would Jack Kelly's be? What would happen if all of the Newsies went on "it's a small world?" Listen to this episode to find out!

Follow on Instagram: @etickettobroadway
Dan's Instagram: @ddeluca15
David's Instagram: @directedbydavidalpert
Learn more at www.eticketpodcast.com
Part of the Broadway Podcast Network

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Follow on Instagram: @etickettobroadway
Dan's Instagram: @ddeluca15
David's Instagram: @directedbydavidalpert
Learn more at www.eticketpodcast.com
Part of the Broadway Podcast Network

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

#45 - Courtney Reed

Broadway's Jasmine, Courtney Reed ("Moulin Rouge" "In the Heights"), joins David for this episode of "E-Ticket to Broadway" for a thrilling chase through her Disney life. Courtney describes how as a child she was obsessed with the Renaissance of Disney animated films, specifically watching "The Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid," and, coincidentally, "Aladdin"; and how she loved Jasmine from a young age--for she was iconic, and also seeing that kind of representation in a Disney film had an enormous, important impact on her life.

Listen as Courtney recalls her first trip to Walt Disney World in college, and having the absolutely best time--enjoying those Mickey Waffles (iconic) and being in total awe of walking down Main Street to see Cinderella Castle (truly, Courtney could be a travel agent, she has such a wonderful point of view of why going to the Disney Theme Parks is so magical and...iconic).

Of course she and David talk about her journey of bringing Jasmine to the Broadway stage--fan girling when she met "Jasmine in real life" (Linda Larkin, the voice from the film), flying on the Magic Carpet for the first time, and working with the original voice of Jafar (and former "E-Ticket to Broadway" guest) Jonathan Freeman.

Courtney shares her first trip to Disneyland, when she learned that she prefers the charm of the OG Park--which involved going to Club 33, loving Peter Pan's Flight & Radiator Springs Racers, meeting Aladdin & Jasmine, and spending the day with the one and only Susan Egan!

Play along as Courtney and David play "These Palace Walls," a game involving the Disney Castles across the world. This episode also features a chat with Craig K., a member of the "E-Ticket to Broadway" Patreon.

Follow on Instagram: @etickettobroadway
Courtney's Instagram: @rhodesreed
David's Instagram: @directedbydavidalpert
Learn more at www.eticketpodcast.com
Part of the Broadway Podcast Network

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next Episode

#47 - Nik Walker

Nik Walker (Hamilton, Ain't Too Proud) is a true Disney Parks fan, and shares everything from his favorite memories of going to the Parks, as well as his connection to the brand on this episode of "E-Ticket to Broadway." As a young boy in Boston where he would watch all of the Disney animated classics ("Disney was my babysitter") Nik discusses how he very early on was affected by the magic that was started by a Mouse. He recalls his early trips to the Parks--including a connection with Tom Sawyer's Island, a stay at the Grand Floridian, as well as his first trip on The Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland (spoiler alert: it didn't last too long)--and finding a sense of home that is incredibly welcoming, full of incredible smells and sounds. Nik reveals his strong admiration for Flight of Passage and Galaxy's Edge, and shares a funny story of explaining The Haunted Mansion to his wife on a trip they took together to the Parks. He and David discuss Land v. World, and the joy that is taking non-believers to the Disney Parks and converting them. As such a devoted member of the different fandoms that are now included in the Disney umbrella--Star Wars, Marvel, and The Muppets--David asks about Nik's favorite characters from each world, and together they play "Walt, Stan, George, or Jim," a game in which David reads a quote and Nik guesses which visionary (Walt Disney, Stan Lee, George Lucas, or Jim Henson) said it. What's on Nik Walker's Disney bucket list? Listen to find out!