Just returned from The Camping Trip From Hell and oh-so-glad to be back to civilization. So why am I rambling? Let’s get to the news!
Get a Dark Helmet (or a light one)
Disney and UNICEF’s Children’s Fund have had a long and happy relationship, starting with their sponsorship of “it’s a small world” at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. Now, LucasFilm has donated a sizeable squad of one-of-a-kind Stormtrooper helmets, each decorated by a skillful artist, to U.S. Fund for UNICEF; these are being auctioned on eBay with a starting price of $5.04. How much do the kids get? “…they will receive 100% of the final auction sales price for each helmet and will direct these funds to support UNICEF Kid Power, an innovative new program that uses the world’s first Wearable-For-Good to get kids active and provide lifesaving food packets to children in need around the globe.” (starwars.com/force-for-change)
For example, here’s one by artist Robert Farrell: ebay force for change. It’s called TK-1928.
To see the full collection (and maybe adopt one or more!), go to the main page for the auction.
YAAAAAAAAY!
It’s The Muppet Show! Or something! But Muppets! Hooray! They’re coming to ABC this fall in a documentary-style show (Think The Office or Parks and Recreation) and really get into the characters like Steve (Kermit) Whitmire’s hand: the show will “explore(s) the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, breakups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires.” Big Bang Theory alum Bill Prady co-writes and produces.
Dave Has Designs on Mary Poppins
Dave Avanzino, whom a lucky few remember from the MiceChat 10th anniversary Yesterland Tour, is best known for beautiful letters and other dimensional designs which you can buy in the Disney Gallery, but that is not anywhere near the limit of his talents. I first met Dave when he did his absolutely luscious recreation of Rolly Crump’s Tower of the Four Winds. Now, he’s creating a different kind of Disney magic: set design for a local production of Mary Poppins!
Musical Theatre of Orange County will perform the beloved musical at the new, 600+ seat PYLUSD Performing Arts Center July 17th, 18th and 19th and also July 24th, 25th and 26th. Presale tickets are only $22 until May 15th, when they go up to $25. The theater is located on the campus of El Dorado High, 1651 Valencia Ave, Placentia CA, not too far from Disneyland. Let’s cheer on Dave and the whole cast and crew!
Start Filling in Your Schedule
I’m really happy that this year’s D23 Expo will incorporate Hall D into a huge hall for presentations. They’re calling it “Hall D23”. Well, what did you expect? There’s always been empty floor space at the D23 Expos, at least in the US version, because unlike other fandom conventions, the D23 Expo seems, to me, to be more about once-in-a-lifetime experiences over souvenir shopping. Just – never get rid of the D23 Expo store. Please and thank you. I love it.
For those of you who have been to the San Diego Comic-Con and experienced the vastness that is Hall H, where all of the major presentations take place, think about this: Hall H holds 6,500 people. Hall D23 will hold 7,500 people. Can. Not. Wait. to see this.
I’m very pleased that they’re holding the Expo the week after my birthday; I’ll have plenty of time to recover from the hangover celebrating. And what a lot to see and do! The Legends Ceremony (I am still rooting for Lou Debney and son John as a father-and-son tag team) will be Friday, August 14 and Bob Iger will be hosting. Disney and Pixar Animation presentations take place there on Friday as well, with Disney’s live-action films taking over the hall on the morning of Saturday, August 15th. That afternoon, we get to meet our new Parks and Resorts dude, Bob Chapek. I get nervous when I think about a Merch Guy running the parks; I’ve been burned before. But a Parks Guy will be running the whole company when Bob Iger rides off into the sunset, and I’m willing to give Chapek a chance. Everything on earth subject to change.
Blurb time: Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Until June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.
Love me that logo.
That’s all I have for you until later this week. Got a scoop? Think MiceChatters want to hear what you’re up to? Drop me a line at [email protected]