If you’re a fan of musical theater and Marvel superheroes, then you’re going to absolutely fall in love with the new “Rogers: The Musical” coming to the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure.
If you love one but not the other, then you’ll still be thrilled at the audacity and absurdity of smashing the two strange bedfellows together. If you don’t like either, then you should probably go ride the Incredicoaster — because “Rogers: The Musical” caters to two very big niche audiences, but probably won’t appeal to Broadway or Marvel novices.
Steve Rogers leads the Avengers during Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Steve Rogers before he becomes Captain America in a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Steve Rogers before he becomes Captain America in a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Red, white and blue streamers cover the audience during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Steve Rogers becomes Captain America in a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Megan Heneghan poses for a picture outside Rogers: The Musical inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Old Steve Rogers/Captain America and young Steve Rogers/Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America kisses Captain Peggy Carter during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America meets Nick Fury during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Old Steve Rogers/Captain America and young Steve Rogers/Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Old Steve Rogers/Captain America and young Steve Rogers/Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Steve Rogers/Captain America and the Avengers during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Old Steve Rogers/Captain America and young Steve Rogers/Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Old Steve Rogers/Captain America and young Steve Rogers/Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cap’n Everything Dog; spicy dog wrapped in pizza dough
topped with everything bagel seasoning and a side of mustard cheese sauce available at Hyperion queue cart for Rogers: The Musical inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Steve Rogers/Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Steve Rogers/Captain America and Thor during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America meets Nick Fury during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Steve Rogers/Captain America and the Avengers during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nick Fury during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Red, white and blue streamers cover the audience during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain America during a scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nathan Marco Ruiz poses for a picture outside Rogers: The Musical inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Captain American ears outside Rogers: The Musical inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rogers: The Musical inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors pose for a picture outside Rogers: The Musical inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New merchandise for Rogers: The Musical inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors wait for the start of Rogers: The Musical inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jordan Peterson talks about Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Like an Apple Pizza Pie; cinnamon-sugar fried pizza crust topped with apple and cranberry filling, streusel and cream cheese frosting available at Terran Treats for Rogers: The Musical inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Red, White, and Blue Shake; wild cherry slush, vanilla shake and blue raspberry slush with whipped topping
available at Schmoozies! for Rogers: The Musical inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Banners for Rogers: The Musical line Hollywood Land inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shawarm-izza; Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella and
pepperoncini in a garlic-parmesan wrap with marinara dipping sauce available at Shawarma Palace Too at Hyperion for Rogers: The Musical inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A scene from Rogers: The Musical at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Rogers: The Musical is a fictional Broadway musical in the Marvel Cinematic Universe centered on the life of Steve Rogers / Captain America. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Disneyland hosted a media preview of “Rogers: The Musical” on Thursday, June 29 in the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure. The new 30-minute one-act stage show based on the life story of Captain America and starring Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, Ant-Man and Hawkeye begins a limited run on Friday, June 30.
Sign up for our Park Life newsletter and find out what’s new and interesting every week at Southern California’s theme parks. Subscribe here.
“Rogers: The Musical” is at times fun, funny, silly, poignant, determined and romantic with plenty of heart and energy. It’s utterly ridiculous to see Captain America sing a love song on a Broadway stage surrounded by sequined USO singers, star spangled dancers, Thor and Iron Man — but somehow it works. In short: This is the Marvel musical you didn’t know you were waiting for and won’t be able to stop talking about. The breezy and brisk theme park show expertly walks a fine line, taking itself seriously, but not too seriously.
At several points, the characters literally ask “What’s with all the singing and dancing?” As if they can’t believe it themselves. Avengers founder Nick Fury summarizes the out-of-body experience perfectly during his own musical number: “It’s a lot to take in.”
“If you love the Avengers, if you love musical theater or if you just want some fun entertainment, I think there’s something for everybody,” Disney Live Entertainment Choreographer Sarah Kobayashi said during a press conference.
Turning a single song in a Disney+ TV show from an inside joke meant for die-hard Marvel fans into a Broadway-style musical at Disney California Adventure presented as many challenges as it did opportunities for Disneyland’s creative team.
The Disney Live Entertainment creative team used the “Save the City” song in the “Hawkeye” TV series on the Disney+ streaming service as a jumping off point for “Rogers: The Musical.”
“We all saw that number in the ‘Hawkeye’ series on Disney+ and looked at each other and said, ‘We’ve got to do that,’” Disney Live Entertainment Executive Creative Director Dan Fields said. “It turns out all of the fans of this franchise were also doing the same thing online. They were practically demanding it.”
No matter how bizarre the notion, a Marvel musical seems like a perfect fit for Disneyland — especially with the Hyperion Theater sitting vacant a few steps away from the entrance to Avengers Campus.
“We’re live entertainment,” Fields said during an online video interview. “We have singers. We have dancers. We have superheroes right next door in our Avengers Campus. We’re already living in this world.”
Basing an entire musical on the “Save the City” musical number in the “Hawkeye” series raised as many questions as it answered.
“What would the rest of this Steve Rogers story be? How far back would it go? How do you tell his story and his arc? How do you reveal the true depth of the character over many decades as it turns out?” Fields said. “It was a really fun set of rhetorical conversations. There are so many ways we can tell this story.”
One key challenge for the Disney Live Entertainment team was translating comic book superhero action into Broadway-style song and dance numbers.
“The dance numbers kind of directed us. We start the show with Steve Rogers’ origin story in the 1940s,” Fields said. “You’ll find both some historic dance and choreography tropes there, but also some time-travel elements as well. We’re not locked hard and fast into a period.”
The backstory of the new Marvel musical at DCA follows the journey of Steve Rogers from his service in World War II to becoming Earth’s first known superhero to the birth of the Avengers.
Marvel fans were introduced to the fictional “Rogers: The Musical” in the first episode of the Disney+ series “Hawkeye.” In the show, Hawkeye attends a performance of the Broadway musical about the life of Rogers, the first Captain America.
“In the show, all the Avengers are invited to New York for the premiere of the brand new, showstopping musical but only Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, shows up,” according to Marvel.com. “The MIA Avengers don’t know what they’re missing, though, as viewers are treated to a musical number based on The Battle of New York … though a few creative liberties have been taken here and there.”
Disney California Adventure to begin rolling opening of San Fransokyo Square in July
Disney cryptically teased the upcoming run of “Rogers: The Musical” at the Hyperion during a live performance at the D23 Expo in September at the Anaheim Convention Center. D23 attendees watched a surprise live performance of “Save the City” from the musical during the Marvel Studios panel.
The new “Rogers” musical in DCA’s Hyperion will feature “Save the City,” “Star Spangled Man” from the 2011 film “Captain America: The First Avenger” and five new original songs written for the show.
The new show was written by Tony-nominee Hunter Bell with music by Grammy-winner Christopher Lennertz. Bell wrote the book for “Villains Tonight” on the Disney Cruise Line, according to Broadway World. Lennertz served as music director on Disneyland’s new “Wondrous Journeys” fireworks show.
