The Tale of Moana – Disney Cruise Line – Disney Treasure
Submitted by: Karleigh Golinowski
Lead Designer: Michael Serna
Studio: Disney Live Entertainment
Outfitter: Milagros Ponce De Leon
Shipyard: Meyer Werft
Completion Date: 21/12/2024
In 2024, Disney Cruise Line debuted “Disney The Tale of Moana,” a brand-new broadway style production performed exclusively at the Walt Disney Theatre onboard the Disney Treasure. With set design and music bursting with elements of the Pacific Islands culture that inspires the classic coming-of-age tale, this innovative production immerses audiences in a transformational adventure across land and sea in the first stage adaptation inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios film.
“Disney The Tale of Moana” begins in modern day on the fictional island of Motunui. The spirit of Gramma Tala, our narrator, introduces her granddaughter, while through vibrant dance and songs in a mix of languages including Tuvaluan, Tokelauan and Samoan, we learn how the ocean chooses young Moana for an incredible journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti.
In this iconic “How Far I’ll Go” scene, The Walt Disney Theatre transforms from the island of Motunui into the open ocean as Moana’s journey moves from her home to the great voyage that she’s longed for her entire life. Twinkling stars swirl overhead and a giant, glowing manta ray emerges and soars above the stage as a newfound sense of courage fills Moana. The manta ray is the spirit of Gramma Tala, illuminating the way for Moana on her journey to save her people.
Moana and Maui also perform the song “Warrior Face” for the first time in the stage show when the demigod teaches Moana how to face her fears before entering the Realm of the Monsters to face Tamatoa. “Warrior Face” joins classic favorites from the Grammy-Award winning soundtrack in the stage show, including “You’re Welcome,” “We Know The Way” and “How Far I’ll Go.”
The show culminates with towering, larger than life puppets designed in collaboration master puppet designer Michael Curry, whose creations are featured in Disney’s Tony Award-winning musical “The Lion King” on Broadway. The massive, fiery Te Kā puppet looms on a scale Disney Cruise Line has never before produced. In a show-stopping moment, when Moana meets Te Kā and restores the heart of Te Fiti, the giant puppet sheds its fiery shell and transforms to become the gentle island goddess, Te Fiti herself.