Are Pasek & Paul Working on New Musical About Teenage Magicians for Disney?

Now this sounds like a magical combination: Dogfight composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul with Peter and the Sarcatcher scribe Rick Elice. According The New York Times, Pasek and Paul are teaming up with Elice for an untitled new musical based on the 2011 documentary Make Believe. The show is in early development and will be produced by Disney Theatrical.

Make Believe is a documentary that follows six of the world’s best young magicians as they vie for the title of the World’s Best Teen Magician.

Pasek and Paul have proven themselves adept at adapting films for stage. The duo received a 2013 Tony nomination for their work on the musical A Christmas Story and a cult following for their off-Broadway musical Dogfight. Their other projects include James and the Giant Peach, Smash and Edges.

Elice has been nominated for two Tony Awards for his book to the musical Jersey Boys and his play Peter and the Starcatcher. He also penned the book to the musical adaptation of The Addams Family. Elice serves as a creative consultant for Walt Disney Studios.

This musical adaptation of Make Believe is the latest project on Disney’s long list of developing works, which includes The Hunchback of Norte Dame, The Jungle Book, Father of the Bride, Shakespeare in Love, Dumbo, Freaky Friday, Alice in Wonderland and the Alex Timbers Muppet musical.

Click below to watch a trailer for Make Believe.