Disney: ‘Indiana Jones’ show ready for return
Preparing for comeback, performance has been tweaked with new effects, dialogue and setup
The big rolling boulder is heading toward us again. “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular” returns to the live-entertainment lineup at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Sunday.
The production has been dark since March 2020, when Walt Disney World entered its pandemic-related shutdown. Its revival keeps the storyline, but new effects, dialogue and setup have been incorporated, says Tom Vazzana, show director.
“The temple scene is still intact, and then we tweaked the dialogue. We actually tightened it up a bit,” he says. “That set is massive and beautiful, and we arranged the dialogue so that we could move more swiftly through the scenes and get to the stunts and show off our performers.”
The show demonstrates the secrets behind stunts and action sequences — including outrunning a boulder — inspired by “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” It debuted at the theme park in 1989.
Some elements have been updated, Vazzana says.
“When we describe about how we make — not even on film — but how can we capture and record. We relate it, so that the kids in the audience could understand it, on their iPhone,” he says.
Stunts have been tweaked, too, he says.
“There’s this peekaboo that happens with Indy and Marion coming through the clothes rack and we decided let’s focus on this fun part of this stunt,” he says. “A kerfuffle happens that was never there before.”
And there are changes to the fight scene that feature an on-set airplane.
“We tried to make this a little more energetic,” Vazzana says. “We also integrated all the stunt
performers coming into the scene and running away from it in a really eclectic way. That was never there before.”
Cast member Andrea Miceli was in the “Indiana Jones” show before the pandemic and is returning as a stunt performer and in the role of Marion.
“It’s a very unique show,” she says. “Once we started getting back into the show elements, it was like riding a bike and it was great. We definitely wanted to focus on the safety of everything as well, bringing
it back right.”
The performers took their time learning the moves from professional trainers, she says.
“We walk through everything first before we go full speed,” she says.
The show’s set, located near the theme park’s Echo Lake, and its machinery also were evaluated during the hiatus.
“We refreshed every facade,” Vazzana says. “We have revitalized every vehicle on the show. Every set piece has been repainted. The marketplace has been repainted, the fabrics have been repainted and we replaced all of the lighting and soundboard.”
Audience members will hear new sound effects.
“We’ve actually changed that up a bit, too, so that our punches are more authentic,” Vazzana says.
The return of “Indiana Jones” is part of a phased comeback of live entertainment at Disney World parks. A modified version of “Festival of the Lion King” debuted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in May, and “Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage” ramped up again at Hollywood Studios in August. “Fantasmic,” a nighttime spectacular with live performers, is returning to Hollywood Studios in 2022, as is the Festival of Fantasy parade at Magic Kingdom, Disney says.
“I wouldn’t say this is a total refresh,” Vazzana says of the “new” Indy show. “But I would say that every line, every scene, every lighting element, has been looked at with a fresh and caring eye.”
The stunt show will be performed multiple times daily. During its first week back, the productions start at noon. Full schedules are available at Disneyworld.com.