Dec 4, 2020

Tiktok artist creates musical based on "Ratatouille," Disney responds.

Yesterday, we spoke with three animators who are making a name for themselves on Tiktok. Needless to say, art on the video-sharing platform is not limited to animation. [As evidence, creative Tiktok users, both professional and amateur, are combining their talents to create a stage musical inspired by the 2007 Disney-Pixar film Ratatouille. The virtual show, which pays homage to the film's main character, Remy, a mouse who excels at fine cuisine, has been gaining momentum for several months. Here's a quick timeline of how Ratatouille the Musical took shape:

In August, Emily Jacobsen, who has a Tiktok channel that playfully sings homages to the cartoon character, was in Florida at Walt Disney She read about a new Ratatouille-themed ride scheduled to open at Walt Disney World in Florida. She then posted a paean to Remy on the app, singing: "Remy, Ratatouille, the rat of all my dreams, / I praise you, oh Ratatouille, may the world remember your name."

Ballad of Love #remy #rat #ratatoille #disney #wdw #disneyworld #ratlove #ratlife #rats #Alphets #StanleyCup #CanYouWorkIt

? Ode to Remy - Em Jax

In October, composer Daniel Marzgraft (the man behind the pandemic-era Tiktok sensation "Grocery Store": composer Daniel Marzgraft has turned Jacobsen's ditty into a Broadway-style composer Daniel Marzgraft has turned Jacobsen's little tune into a Broadway-style symphonic arrangement. When I first heard the video, I knew immediately that this was the finale of Act II. It's classic Disney style."

Remy Musical OG Song @e_jaccs add. Vocals @cjaskier #remy #ratatouille #musicaltheatre #broadway #singer #musical #disney #fyp #disneymusicals

? original sound - danieljmertzlufft

Mertzlufft's video went viral immediately. A series of Tiktok videos were released that developed the idea of the Ratatouille Musical in creative ways. Puppet designer Brandon Hardy commented on the relevance of the puppets to the film's story:

YES I have an idea for a Ratatouille Musical! #Ratatouille #RatatouilleTheMusical #RatatouilleMusical #Puppetry #FYP @ratatouillemusical

? original sound - danieljmertzlufft

and actor Tristan McIntyre helped choreograph "Dance of the Mouse":

preparing choreography for #ratatouillemusical ? It is no coincidence that many of the participants are professionals dealing with the temporary closure of a theater. Actor Kevin Chamberlin, who composed his own music for the project, told The New York Times: "What's really interesting about this project is that the art is being pushed forward because you can't be on stage or in front of an audience during this pandemic."

@ratatouillemusical ? Anyone can cook ? #Gusteau #ratatouillemusical #kevinchamberlin #theatrekid #musicals #broadway #ratatouille #fyp #composer

? original sound - Kevin Chamberlin

Eventually, Disney took notice, quoting Jacobsen's lyrics on Twitter and Instagram in late November, and the official Disney Parks Tiktok posted a post to the fantasy musical . #Disney #Disney Parks #Disney Channel #EPCOT #Ratatouille

? original sound - Disney Parks

This is not the first time Ratatouille has inspired an unofficial adaptation (anyone remember the 2007 Brazilian film Ratatoing-?)

What makes this project unique is that it captures the essence of both the film and the Disney musical. Thanks to the careful orchestration by Martschaft and the talented people involved, the look and feel of the production is quite similar to what the House of Mouse might present on Broadway. Ratatouille the Musical is a show in which anyone can sing, dance, and create props.