Disney Parks Come Alive on Stage with Rope Drop Comedy
Rope Drop, The Unofficial Disney Parks Comedy, is a stage show that delves into the world of Disney amusement parks. Jordan Li-Smith and Ayesha Patel are the co-writers and stars of the show, which they perform at The Other Palace's studio space.
The duo has a breezy chemistry on stage, and their performances showcase a refreshing vulnerability as they blend humor, personal history, and favorite songs from Disney's media empire. They were joined by special guests for each performance, including Henry Calvert and Esme Bowdler, who brought a chaotic energy and strong vocals to the show.
The live band, arranged and orchestrated by Li-Smith, added a terrific energy to the performance with ever-familiar tunes that brought the audience firmly into the world of a magical theme park adventure. While the first act took some time to settle in, the second act was stronger, leaning more firmly into life-story elements.
Tara Noonan's direction kept the story on track well enough, but there were moments where Rope Drop could stand to be trimmed or given a sharper focus. Despite this, Patel and Li-Smith were captivating throughout the show, with likability being a skill they both possess in spades.