New Cirque du Soleil coming

The new Cirque du Soleil show at Walt Disney World finally has an opening date, and fans already are snapping up tickets — even before they learn its name. The news broke this week at the D23 Expo, a gathering of the official Disney fan club in Anaheim, California.

The new production replaces “La Nouba,” the long-running spectacle that closed on Dec. 31, 2017, and marks the first time Cirque has teamed with Disney in creating a show.

“When given the opportunity to collaborate with an entertainment-industry world leader such as Cirque du Soleil, well, we jumped at the chance,” said David Lightbody, senior vice president of Disney Parks Live Entertainment, at the expo.

Here’s a Q&A on everything we know so far about the new Cirque show coming to Disney Springs.

What is the new show called?

OK, that’s something we don’t know. Cirque’s website describes the show as a “love letter to Disney animation” and lists it only as “Cirque du Soleil at

Walt Disney World Resort.” Expect something snappier than that when a title is finally revealed.

When does it open?

Now we’re on more solid ground. The official debut will be April 17 . But preview performances begin March 20.

What do we know about the show’s creator?

Quite a bit, and it’s all promising.

Cirque du Soleil’s Michel Laprise is writing and directing the new show, and to pull out a Disney cliché, it’s apparently a dream come true.

“This is destiny,” he said at D23. “You know the line of Jiminy Cricket: ‘When you wish upon a star …’”

Cute backstory aside, Laprise has impressive credentials. He directed Madonna in her 2012 MDNA tour, including her Super Bowl halftime show. He likes thinking outside the box: For an adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s

“Rear Window,” he had the audience mimic the story line by watching through binoculars from across the street.

Laprise also wrote and directed Cirque’s stellar “Kurios — Cabinet of Curiosities,” a visual treat that was full of surprises.

So what do we know about the story?

“The Disney characters are central to the life of a young girl and her father, who was a Disney animator,” according to Laprise. “He raised her with those characters. He finds a way to send her on a magical journey of selfdiscovery in the world of animation.”

Years of research have gone into the project as Laprise and colleagues visited the parks, the Walt Disney Family Museum, the Disney archives and animation studio — where they worked directly with veteran animators such as Eric Goldberg.

Well, what characters will be featured?

No one’s giving specifics beyond that “iconic moments” hint. A concept drawing shows a Goofylike shadow. A casting notice describes the leading role of the young girl as age 12 and says she has a “sparkling” personality with “authentic innocence.”

One clue as to how the show’s story line will play out: Goldberg said new animation was being created for the show, and “the animated characters will interact with the live performers.”

How about the music?

Cirque composer Benoit Jutras will create the music. Central Floridians already know his work and how well he creates a sense of whimsy or magic; Jutras wrote the catchy tunes for “La Nouba.” He’s a versatile composer stylistically. His stirring music for “The House of Dancing Water,” an acrobatic spectacle in Macau, brings to mind a dramatic actionmovie score.

For the new Disney Springs show, Jutras will incorporate familiar Disney melodies and themes into his original compositions.

Bottom line: How much will it cost?

There are six price levels for preview performances, ranging from $62.10 to $152.10. After the show opens officially in April, the prices range from $69 to $169.

What is the schedule?

Previews vary, but once the show opens it will generally be staged at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. TuesdaysSaturdays; no shows Sundays and Mondays.

Where can I get my tickets?

Cirquedusoleil.com; note that the cheapest levels of tickets already are unavailable on multiple dates.