In the Disney+ series Hawkeye, Clint “Hawkeye” Barton visits New York and attends a Broadway performance of Rogers: The Musical. At first, the short scene is played for laughs and features a very catching tune called “Save The City,” but eventually it becomes clear that it has a greater effect on Barton. What initially might seem like a throwaway gag becomes a somewhat emotional moment for the character and the audience.
At Disney’s California Adventure, Marvel and Disney have partnered to bring Rogers: The Musical to life at the theme park’s Hyperion Theater. And like in Hawkeye, what at first seems like a joke-y treat for Disneyland fans turns out to be a surprisingly emotional tribute to Steve Rogers/Captain America.
Rogers: The Musical is available during the summer at Disney California Adventure Park and The Best War Games was able to attend an early media preview of the show. At 30 minutes long, the musical packs a lot of exposition into a relatively short time frame, but it’s packed with all the spectacle and excitement of a true Broadway show. With impeccable choreography, impressive sets, and endearing performances, Rogers: The Musical is another must-see at Disney’s California parks.
The core of the story of Rogers: The Musical is to take a journey with Steve Rogers as he transforms from a scrawny Brooklyn paragon to Captain America to the leader of The Avengers. It features original music created specifically for the show as well as some familiar dittys like “Star-Spangled Man with a Plan” from Captain America: The First Avenger. And, of course, it has the big showstopper “Save the City” recreated for a real live audience.
Much like the Aladdin show that used to be a mainstay of the Hyperion Theater, Rogers: The Musical is endlessly entertaining and it has a ton of funny moments. Just getting to see a singing Nick Fury (and the lyrical song he signs) is worth waiting in line or fighting for a virtual queue spot. However, it’s the emotional through-line of Steve’s connection to Peggy Carter that gives Rogers: The Musical its heart. While the films touched on the heartbreaking love story between Carter and Rogers, the musical fleshes that out in some surprising ways. For fans of the character(s), it’s a chance to explore that unique conflict within Steve – how he left Peggy waiting and is forced to focus on being a hero.
It might seem like going beat-for-beat through Rogers: The Musical is safe from spoilers since the Marvel films have revealed all there is to know about the character of Captain America. And yet the show deviates from the narrative in at least one significant way that it’s not worth revealing too much. Key beats like the super soldier serum and the USO show are featured prominently, but even those moments from the films take on different tones thanks to the musical backing. The argument could even be made that Rogers’ story – or at least the end of his story – has a more satisfying conclusion than in Avengers: Endgame. A big musical number certainly helps hammer home the right emotions.
In true Broadway fashion, Rogers: The Musical has everything that musical theater fans could want. The choreography is tight, there are big moments that will have younger viewers cheering, the songs are catchy but also packed with emotion, and the cast is simply superb. Based on this first preview of the show, there is no question that Disney California Adventure has a hit on its hands and the only sad part is that the show only runs until August 30th. One could assume that Disney might be able to tweak that plan, though, if only it had access to a Time Stone.
Rogers: The Musical runs June 30 to August 31 at Disney California Adventure Park.