Moana is having a banner year in 2024, with its highly-anticipated sequel Moana 2 already making over $700M dollars at the global box office and a live-action in the works. With Disney Cruise Line fast approaching the grand opening of its latest ship, Disney Treasure, a third project has joined the ranks of Motunui representation. Sure to become a fan-favorite, the Broadway-quality production retells the story of the first movie and retains the catchy songs and big heart that made it a hit.
The Tale of Moana boasts gorgeous animatronics and puppetry work courtesy of visual artist Michael Curry, who previously designed the masks and puppets for Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway. The chorus of dancers that make up the village of Motunui also pull double duty to represent the ocean that chose Moana and watches over her in her journey, and the anthropomorphic water is choreographed to perfection by Peter Rockford Espiritu, who synthesized many aspects of authentic Polynesian and Pacific Islander dances to create movements that work for The Tale of Moana.
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ScreenRant had the incredible opportunity to witness a preview performance of The Tale of Moana while aboard the Disney Treasure for a 3-day press trip prior to the ship’s maiden voyage. We also interviewed Espiritu about his work with the performers and director Connor Gallagher (who previously directed Beauty and the Beast for Disney Live Entertainment as well as Beetlejuice on Broadway). The creatives revealed some of the challenges that went into the production, which has been several years in the making, and what makes it so special for cruise audiences.
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