Walt Disney World has shared first look pictures of every Bear Band member’s new costumes for the reimagined Nation Bear Musical Jamboree at Magic Kingdom! This shares pictures and profiles for the 5 Bear Rugs, Henry, Teddi Barra, Large Al, and everybody else, plus a little bit of transient commentary.
As a reminder, Nation Bear Musical Jamboree is a reimagining of Nation Bear Jamboree. Imagineering is switching up the music being carried out, bringing an all-new act to Grizzly Corridor for the Bear Band to carry out. With Nation Bear Musical Jamboree, the Bear Band shall be reinterpreting favourite Disney songs in several genres of nation music.
The brand new expertise is an homage to the basic musical revues in Nashville and Imagineering has labored with outstanding musicians to get the genuine nation sound. Nation Bear Musical Jamboree will nonetheless have the enjoyable and pleasant tone followers take pleasure in with the identical well-known characters just like the loveable Trixie, Large Al and others. Mainly, similar Bear Band however new songs and different wrinkles to the reworked present.
The bears are making ready a knee-slappin’ and toe-tappin’ sort of present with reinterpreted Disney tunes from bluegrass to Americana, rockabilly and extra! As Disney shared within the newest episode of “We Name It Imagineering,” these twangy tracks will embody “Strive All the things” and “A Entire New World” from the Walt Disney Animation Studios movies “Zootopia” and “Aladdin.”
The brand new wardrobes for the Bear Band have been designed by the inventive costuming group at Disney Reside Leisure, primarily based on idea artwork by Kevin Kidney and Jody Day by day (one excellent piece of which is pictured above), who’ve labored on the Nation Bears for some time. For many who aren’t acquainted with Kevin and Jody, there’s nobody higher to work on the redesign than them. In case you’ve purchased a bit of Nation Bear merchandise since ~2004, there’s a good probability they designed it.
Earlier than the fiddlin’ begins on July 17, 2024, right here’s a behind the scenes tour with a primary take a look at who’s who in Nation Bear Musical Jamboree…
Henry
After an inspirational hibernation season, Ursus H. Bear got down to create a everlasting cultural showplace devoted to America’s musical heritage. In 1898, Ursus established Grizzly Corridor the place the honey tycoon-turned-impresario invited tuneful bruins to current zany and fascinating performances in a present that rapidly turned generally known as a wild and wooly good time.
Years later, Ursus’s grandson Henry took over and now serves because the grasp of bear-emonies. He even helped develop the present present and co-wrote the opening tune with the 5 Bear Rugs.
5 Bear Rugs
Talking of the 5 Bear Rugs, there’s Zeke and Zeb and Ted and Fred and a bear named Tennessee, they usually’re all enjoying with actual ol’ nation rhythm.
In case you look to the underside proper of the stage, you’ll even see Zeb’s son, Oscar, holding a Large Al plush.
Trixie
One of many Nation Bears’ most veteran performers is the one and solely Trixie. After attempting the whole lot, she finally discovered her area of interest for performing. Now followers can discover her singing away with triplets Bunny, Bubbles and Beulah.
and elaborate search for Trixie. She was sort of one-dimensional in Nation Bear Jamboree, and the jokes revolving round her by no means actually felt as much as the satirical spirit of the remainder of the present. Numerous room for enchancment right here, and hopefully Imagineering achieved it.
Teddi Barra
To not be outdone by Trixie is The Jewel of the Dakotas, Teddi Barra. Her rise in present biz was meteoric after being found in an ice cream parlor.
Right here’s hoping that Imagineers have doubled down on the “chemistry” (PG phrase that can be utilized on this weblog) between Henry Wendell and Teddi Barra–her and Henry beforehand made no efforts to hide their “emotions” for each other.
Bunny, Bubbles and Beulah
Initially generally known as The Solar Bonnets, these ladies just lately turned of their bonnets for Stetsons once they started singing with Trixie world wide, together with a sold-out engagement at Royal Ursa Corridor.
Whereas their costumes are the purpose of this publish, what stands proud to me is the brand new slideshow (?) within the background. That certain seems to be just like the distinctive artwork type of Marc Davis–that or one of many present Imagineers emulated it as a callback to the Disney Legend. Neither would shock me, as Davis had rather a lot (sufficient for 2 volumes!) of artwork that by no means made it into the parks. Both method, it ought to be a beautiful tribute–and I’m actually wanting ahead to seeing no matter that is!
Wendell
Wendell, then again, was a pissed off basketball, baseball and soccer participant till Henry invited him to attempt carrying a tune, and he’s been a part of the Nation Bears gang ever since. He’s thrilled to lastly sing a love tune with Teddi, a lot to the dismay of his previous pal Henry.
We at all times knew Wendell had mad recreation and super swagger, so it solely is smart that he’s stolen Teddi’s coronary heart. As talked about above, hopefully their “love” radiates by means of the air.
Ernest the Dude
Ernest the Dude is among the best-dressed bears friends will see at Grizzly Corridor – he brings his whole wardrobe wherever he goes. For these counting, that’s 17 trunks crammed with 30 coats, 40 slacks, 60 shirts, 20 hats and a pair and a half of underwear.
Sporting that costume, it looks like Ernest goes to sing one thing from Mary Poppins. That can’t simply be a coincidence, proper?
Terrence, aka Shaker
Ernest and Trixie aren’t the one actors within the bear band. Terrence, aka Shaker, was as soon as a well-known theater star till a fall from the balcony in “Romeo and Juliet” introduced the home down – actually.
Ever since that fateful evening, he turned in his tights for a guitar and created a signature dance transfer that he’s used ever since. Don’t fear about Terrence, although. Regardless of having a face solely a Mama Bear may love – and being perpetually single – he’s able to launch his movie profession.
Romeo McGrowl
Talking of beginning a brand new chapter, one bear is able to enter his subsequent period of singing rockabilly. In fact, I’m referring to none apart from the Miami Serenader himself, Romeo McGrowl.
The brand new seems to be for Shaker and Romeo McGrowl are maybe my favourite, and are actually fairly elaborate. Each bears seem like they went on a type of actuality TV ‘excessive makeover’ reveals–the variations are enormous.
Large Al
And naturally, what would the Nation Bears be with out Large Al? There’s music on this bear’s blood, and he’s been enjoying the guitar since he was a baby.
He was even the resident bard and balladeer within the swamp earlier than Disney World was constructed. Coming off his 25th Farewell Tour in cities like Paris (Texas), Hollywood (Florida) and London (Ohio), Large Al is a real legend.
Gomer
Our resident piano participant Gomer additionally is aware of a factor or two about rebrands. Having been classically educated since he was a cub, Gomer’s favourite composition earlier than switching to nation and western music was “Night time on Bear Mountain.”
Turning to commentary, the one factor that instantly stands proud to me is simply how a lot effort is being put into remodeling Nation Bear Jamboree into Nation Bear Musical Jamboree. The straightforward method out would’ve been merely switching the music and reprogramming the present bears, with out updating the Audio Animatronics or costuming in any respect. That might’ve been the “placeholder” possibility, kicking the can down the highway for one more few years whereas Disney found out no matter it’s going to do with this space of Magic Kingdom.
As ought to be clear from the pictures and previously-released video, that isn’t what has occurred. They spent rather a lot of time and cash on this–it had a method larger price range than I might’ve anticipated given the character of the challenge. Which means the Bear Band now has a brand new lease on life and the reimagining extends Nation Bear (Musical) Jamboree’s life by at the least a decade or two. (Until they “pull a Starcruiser” on it, I suppose.)
Critically, there’s no method the stage present is on the chopping block anymore–nor will it’s anytime quickly–and it was for over a decade. And that proper there additionally opens the door for brand spanking new future acts, which hopefully contains seasonal ones. That wouldn’t have been doable if the bears have been changed. So on the very least, this reimagining buys us time. (Actually, how nicely finished this seems to be nearly has me a bit anxious, because it makes me ponder whether they have already got buy-in from OLC on a change at Tokyo Disneyland, and this was co-funded by them.)
As I’ve mentioned earlier than, Nation Bear Musical Jamboree is the real looking best-case end result for the Bear Band. It’s not my dream state of affairs–not be an extended shot–for a CBJ reimagining. However of the choices that have been critically thought-about, that is by far the most effective from a fan perspective. The Nation Bears present in any respect is way, a lot better than the options.
I don’t assume followers notice simply how exhausting fought of a “victory” this was for Nation Bear Jamboree. It might not look like one and most of you diehard followers–like me–would most likely choose them performing their unique act or one thing apart from Disney music. However that was by no means a severe proposal. Updates or outright alternative have been what was truly on the desk, not no matter romanticized concepts we’ve concocted in our heads.
I’m keen to withhold judgment on Nation Bear Musical Jamboree. Whatever the performances and tune decisions, I believe it’s going to take a very long time to get used to the brand new present. I had watched Nation Bear Jamboree for many years and was an enormous fan–the brand new present goes to be jarring at first regardless of the standard.
Actually, I can’t think about loving Nation Bear Musical Jamboree at first. I’m very involved that it’ll be all Disney tunes with minimal makes an attempt at banter or wry humor. However, I’m curious as to how I’ll really feel about it in a 12 months or 5 after changing into acquainted with Nation Bear Musical Jamboree and, hopefully, after my daughter falls in love with it. And that proper there may be the rationale I’ve been on board with this Nation Bear Jamboree reimagining within the first place: as a result of it’s the one end result that concerned her with the ability to develop up with the Nation Bears.
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Your Ideas
What do you consider the brand new costumes for the Bear Band? Any you’re keen on or hate? Will you be in attendance for Nation Bear Jamboree opening in Magic Kingdom on July 17, 2024? Are you a dissatisfied diehard, cautiously optimism, or brazenly keen about this new present? Or, are you in wait and see mode with this? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
