Over 80,000 tickets have been sold so far for the Ratatouille musical -- an original fan-made production that began on TikTok -- raising over $1 million so far for The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that offers workshops, programs, resources and emergency financial help for people working in performing arts and entertainment.
Over 130 arts workers have been directing, involved or featured in the project and all the proceeds from ticket sales go to The Actors Fund. The organization tweeted its thanks to all that have contributed artistically or through tickets and donations: "Oh mon dieu! We can't believe it! Thank you ALL for supporting a life in the arts!!"
Back in early November, Emily Jacobsen posted a TikTok video of her singing an original tune about Remy the rat from Pixar's 2007 Ratatouille. Now, thousands of users have contributed their own songs, dances, set designs, puppets and programs to create a virtual musical -- a Ratatousical, if you will -- which will air as a one-time streaming event on Jan. 4.
The entertainment industry was hit hard by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with the closure of theatres and the indefinite halt of conventional filming. The musical has not only attracted the attention of theatre-enthusiast TikTok-ers but Broadway actors and composers such as Daniel Mertzlufft, Kevin Chamberlain and Tristan McIntyre who have contributed music and choreography. Speaking about the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, Chamberlain said, "what's really interesting about all this is that, during this pandemic, art is pushing through because we can't get on stages and in front of audiences."
Even Disney has noticed, quoting the lyrics from Jacobsen's original video on Twitter and Instagram and submitting an "unofficial audition" from the Disney Parks TikTok account. Jacobsen created the song after reading about Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, an upcoming Ratatouille ride that is due to open at Epcot's France Pavilion in Walt Disney World in Florida in 2021. "We love when our fans engage with our stories," Disney said in a statement, "and we look forward to seeing these super fans experience the [Ratatouille] attraction when it opens at Walt Disney World next year."
Directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles, The Iron Giant) and featuring the voices of Patton Oswalt, Lou Romano, Ian Holm and Peter O'Toole, the Ratatouille film follows Remy the rat as he pursues his dream of becoming a chef with the help of a hapless garbage boy at a popular Parisian restaurant. As for the digital musical extravaganza, tickets are still available via the website.
Source: Twitter