Minnie Oh! Minnie - TDR CD


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Dirk

Member
Hey there, Hi there, Ho there,

more from Tokyo ... including what I think is a CD not yet discussed here.

THE surprise for me during my visit to Tokyo Disneyland show-wise was the production in the rather small outdoor venue Theatre Orleans (out door seating, but fully equipped stage building). Due to the small size of the venue I did not expect much, but as the show was to start when I walked past it, I took a seat. Great decision, because the show "Minnie Oh! Minnie" was incredible!

Not speaking any Japanese I don't think there was anything like a story, but just Minnie and friends performing in various impressive costumes (WOW!) with an incredible big cast of dancers (for such a small stage) in a musical revue featuring exotic music, some of which was live sung by a Japanese woman and a really nice guy which I would say was an American (who did mostly sing in English).

While there wasn't much happening on stage regarding sets or special effects that was not necessary at all. Just the performance really captivated the audience... the costumes, the music, the live singing, the whole atmosphere - just great ... a "small" show which shoots all small venue productions of the US parks and Disneyland Resort Paris just out of the water. The CD in the meantime has become one of my favorites from that visit.

Here the track listing:

1. Prologue
2. Opening
Minnie Oh Minnie
3. Dance
Para Los Rumberos
4. Rhythm
Bim Bam Boom
5. Song
No Me Ames
6. Tropical Beauties
Ritmo Tropical
7. Comedy
Shake Your Bon Bon
8. First Finale
Maria
Bailamos
Oye
9. Grand Finale
Let's Dance Together
Minnie Oh Minnie
10. Chaser
Minnie Oh Minnie

BONUS TRACK
11. Totally Minnie - from "Minnie's Spring Festival"

I don't know whether the CD is impressive if you haven't seen the show and therefore do not have any memories to connect with the music. BUT if you enjoy exotic rhythms you might be interested anyway, as you can actually "hear" the heat on this recording. GREAT!


Yours
Dirk
 
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SharonKurland

Active Member
Dirk-

I can't tell ou anything about that show itself, but it seems that's what they "do" in TDL...put on a show in a relatively small theater, with gorgeous costumes, LOTS of CMs, just have a 6-month run and STILL put out a CD for it! Amazing what can happen when a company (OLC) is willing to spend money....

-Sharon-
Orlando FL
 
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TDLFAN

Member
The "Minnie O Minnie" show is yet another one of those TDL side productions that simply outshine anything they have done at the MK at WDW in the last 10 years... It's a superb show with a great cast. I like the way Minnie tells the opening number cast..."you guys are great but too old fashioned!!" and the show turns into a tropical romp! FUN FUN FUN!!!!
 
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boyxe

New Member
Hi Dirk-- when were you in TDL? The "nice guy" you are talking about may have been me. ;) This site and thread were pointed to me by TDLFAN and I'm really glad you enjoyed the show.

I agree that it's amazing what they can do on a small stage such as ours, heck there are times when there are so many people up there it feels like a warzone. I really feel as though our "minor" production is often better than the lavish special events or major stage shows in the parks here or elsewhere. I may have to disagree with you mightily on the choice of costuming, but I guess "lavish" is a word I won't be able to disagree with. If you had used "attractive" I would then be able to vehemently disagree, haha. Anyway, the director and choreographer team that made the show is the best that TDL has to offer, and chances are that when you see a show that really piques your interest here at the Tokyo parks, it's been created by at least one of them. I've never understood why our theatre doesn't get more attention as it never has any merchandise or advertising at all. The CD is the first thing from the theatre, and even that was 1.5 years after we opened and isn't even sung by the original cast, or any cast for that matter (if you sense some bitterness that is because I am, haha). However, the western guy in all the CD photos would be yours truly.

It's nice to hear that someone enjoyed the show, frankly most westerners walk out of the show by halfway through--it just doesn't tend to appeal to non-Japanese guests unless they're really entertainment diehards. I can understand this, since it really is a bizarre sort of show in many ways, but if you embrace it it can be really fun.

Let me know if you come back to the park, and I'll keep an eye out for you.
 
tcsnwhite

tcsnwhite

Member
It's nice to hear that someone enjoyed the show, frankly most westerners walk out of the show by halfway through--it just doesn't tend to appeal to non-Japanese guests unless they're really entertainment diehards. I can understand this, since it really is a bizarre sort of show in many ways, but if you embrace it it can be really fun.
Click to expand...


As much as Tokyo kicks butt in entertainment, sometimes I wonder if American audiences would really take to some of what they put on over there if it was brought to us.
No matter how much money you spend, certain forms and types of entertainment just don't work for American audiences.

unless they're diehard entertainment disney junkies. (like myself)
 
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SharonKurland

Active Member
I don't think they would, no. TOTALLY different culture. And not that one is necessarily better or worse than the other...though "better" is just a matter of opinion and in MY opinion, BOTH cultures have their own set of "better" and "worse"...but whereas the Japanese enjoy "that" kind of entertainment, American fans, for the most part, do not.

-Sharon-
Orlando FL
 
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TDLFAN

Member
Well, as an American who loves TDR, one of the reasons why I like going back to TDR is because of the special entertainment they offer on a regular basis. Those are things that I feel add some real value to the price of admission at Disney. If Americans don't care for it, may be because they are so busy running from one ride to another that they simply don't stop and take it the extra little things there are to be enjoyed.

"Minnie O Minnie" in particular is one of my favorite shows in the park due to it's colorful music and more colorful visuals. It amazes me that so many American enjoy going to the theater but then some here claim they do not care for this type of activites at the parks??
It just doens't make sense to me. ???
 
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SharonKurland

Active Member
> Americans don't care for it, may be because they are so
> busy running from one ride to another that they simply
> don't stop and take it the extra little things there are to
> be enjoyed.

I think you've hit the nail right on the head. Americans don't take time to stop and smell the roses. They don't "reflect" on things. America 's entire history is based on being ecclectic, because our country is a melting pot. Japan is very, well, "Japanese"...their population is 99% Japanese, their traditions go back centuries longer than our country has been around, etc. America is all about individualism. Japan is all about being part of group.

So in Japan, you've got people who go out and enjoy the little things in life, be it cherry blossoms or small shows at DL, because that's the way everybody does things. And in the US, you've got people who go out and are only impressed with the latest and newest, because it's different.

Again, not that either is better or worse. Just different. But it sure does make a difference in how a park is run.

-Sharon-
Orlando FL
 
D

Dirk

Member
Hey there, Hi there, Ho there,

first of all: for all those who want to get at least some visuals of this "small" show - I uploaded some 62 photos taken in August at http://pp.mousekingdom.com/thumbnails.php?album=159


Now what really amazes me is that, in Europe as well as in the US, the Disney parks emphasize so much teh difference between a small and a big show - and then fans take this ball up and continue their discussions based on this categorization. Interestingly the attribute small or big is NOT given based on the show but on the theater I have the impression. Take a look at "Minnie Oh! Minnie" it has a larger cast than man "big" shows in the US parks or Disneyland Resort Paris - still it is referred to here as a "small" show, because the theater it is presented in is smaller than the big venues.

Unfortunately it is correct that many regular guests decide based on the entrance / fassade whether to visit a theater or not - which means seeing a show or not. How to get over this problem has been an eternal problem for Disney in the US and Paris as well. In Japan this seemed different to me, as the small Theatre Orleans was full to the last seat just as the big shows are. In Paris or the US parks these smaller venues often fill up only during the show, when somebody walking past it, drops in, because he sees something / heares something that interests him. This is a pitty, but natural. I think we need to keep in mind, that most guests only visit once in their lifetime or every few years, so they want to see the "big things" first.

But back to the show. I was amazed by it. As I said, the cast and the explosion of colors and music is unbelievable. While it is hard to judge the female singer because I do not understand any Japanese (which means I do not know how good their interpretation is), I did think the male singer was just fabulous.

Some of the costumes were over the top, but somehow this is one of the big plus of the show, which brings hot latin rhythms in a catchy revue style show. And revue style the costumes really are, especially of the female dancers (which might be called risky if it would be a show in a US park).

What this show also demonstrates very well is the different attitude to the characters. Sure Mickey is still Mickey and Donald still Donald. But they behave differently, as they are much more versatile, not only changing the costumes fitting to the latin style of the show, but also really getting into it. Donald is actually playing along very well, playing his instruments just as Goofy without any mishap. Also Mickey is much more agile, lively and out going than in the US or Paris shows. But this is something I saw in many shows - just as he is kissing Minnie way more often than in shows in other Disney parks. Side note: I love how he moves his nose!


I would definitely watch the show again, and yes it was my favored show in Tokyo Disneyland. Because it had some hot rhythms, a great singer and just a good "vybe".


Regarding the recording: it is great, but you do hear a difference to the live show. In comparison the male singer sounds slightly older than the performer that I saw / heared. But still a great recordingm, which I frequently play now back at home! I wish I could go back tomorrow, but I fear the next visit is still a bit off, even so I definitely will go back to Tokyo.


Yours
Dirk
 
s8ntmark

s8ntmark

Member
Hmmm, theres something very wrong about that title...

Minnie Oh Minnie! oh OH minnie!!

:p ;D
 
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