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Kevin, Nick, and Joe Jonas - known simply as "Jonas Brothers" - have taken the pop music scene by storm, touring the world to packed audiences of all ages. The brothers also took to the television screen in the Disney Channel Original Movie "Camp Rock." These close-knit, multi-talented siblings sing as well as play guitar, tambourine, and piano, all of which are showcased in their albums "It's About Time" (2006), "Jonas Brothers" (2007), and "A Little Bit Longer" (2008).

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Billy Ray Cyrus Sees Stars
If there's a Renaissance man in these opening years of the 21st century, Billy Ray Cyrus has got to be it. In addition to his award-winning career as a country music artist, he costars with his daughter, Miley, on Disney Channel's series "Hannah Montana" -- and now he's shown America his dancing chops as well, with a stint on ABC TV's "Dancing with the Stars." Billy Ray's "Dancing" run is over, but there's still plenty in his life to keep him on his toes. He and Miley are in the midst of shooting a new season of "Hannah," and they both have new albums hitting the store shelves. Billy Ray's latest endeavor is entitled "Home at Last" -- it's a savory mix of original songs and favorite standards like the lovely "Brown-Eyed Girl." One track particularly close to Billy Ray's heart is "Ready, Set, Don't Go," a paean to his daughter. He explains that it's "a song that I wrote about Miley and the family as they drove out of our Tennessee home, moving to California to begin the series 'Hannah Montana.'" He continues, "It was that moment every daddy goes through when they realize their little girl's growing up and it's time for her to spread her wings. She might be leaving for college or getting married, but as much as you want to keep her protected, you know you've got to let her take that chance. It doesn't matter if you're mama and daddy or mamaw and papaw [grandparents] -- that moment's heart-wrenching and beautiful all at the same time." On top of the new album, the upcoming tour, and the television show, Billy Ray is making time to do just a little more dancing -- with some lucky fan. The winner will travel to Los Angeles, attend a "Dancing with the Stars" taping and the "Hannah Montana" set, have lunch with Billy Ray, and -- as the grand finale -- the winner will have the opportunity to dance with Billy Ray. If you've got an itch to cut the rug (or just to meet the guy) this is quite literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! With so many irons in the fire, however, Billy Ray never loses sight of what he truly loves -- music and his family. One of the great advantages of working with Disney, he says, is the chance to combine the two -- as he will be doing to support "Home at Last." "I'm gonna be doing some touring. As a matter of fact, I love going out with the band, I love seeing the fans and meeting the kids and the family. That's one thing about our concerts now -- the entire family is there, which seems like what Disney's always represented. Whether it's a movie or a TV show, it seems like it's always meant for the whole family and that's what our concerts are now. I see the kids, I see the mom and dad, I see the mama and papa, and it's a lot of fun to look out there and see 'em all singing along and loving each other and dancing together and just having a good time." "It will always be my passion, making music. It's also very therapeutic for me to make music. I've always loved to sing and perform in front of people and entertain. I always wanted to be known as an entertainer, a singer, and a songwriter. Being an actor never was in the equation, but somehow I kind of get to do it all now," he says. "I feel very fortunate and lucky. I love being who I am and doing what I do, and I love the music that I'm making and I love the show that I'm acting in and getting to work with Miley, it's ... to borrow a line of hers, it's the best of both worlds. And I love doing what I'm doing now, which is really best reflected in the title of this album. People have asked 'why is the album called "Home at Last,"' and it's because that's what this feels like in this time period of my life. I'm home at last."
Get Pepped Up with HSM Spirit
Just like its spunky online couple, who keep following their dreams past all obstacles, "High School Musical" just won't quit. The Disney Channel original movie has become a genuine pop-culture phenomenon, with a chart-topping soundtrack album, legions of devoted fans, and even productions in genuine high schools with casts of genuine high-school students. A sequel is in the works, and "High School Musical" fever shows no signs of abating. But there was no way for a devoted fan to step into East High and "Getcha Head in the Game" -- until now. At Disney MGM Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, and Disney's California Adventure Theme Park in Anaheim, you can join the Pep Rally and show your Wildcats spirit. Everyone's invited to join in! We talked to Ray Coble, the entertainment producer responsible for bringing the Pep Rally to life. "We immerse our Guests in the look and feel of East High, except we're on the parade route," explains Ray. But although High School Musical Pep Rally parades through the Parks, it's far more than a spectator event. Guests can shoot hoops with the Wildcats (with lightweight inflatable basketballs, to keep bystanders from getting caught in the cross fire) and show their best dance-floor moves, just like those in the film, he tells us. "Our show is fully interactive --we invite our Guests to 'get their heads in the game' and take their best shot during one of our production numbers. We also encourage family and friends of all ages to join us on the parade route and learn some Wildcat moves during the all-out dance finale. Because, as everyone knows, we're all in this together!" And Ray stresses that-- although the show has been a hit with devoted "High School Musical" fans, anyone can catch the Wildcats spirit. "We see a lot of Guests who already know the choreography and the music, so it's clear that a lot of them have seen the film on Disney Channel or DVD and love it. But Park Guests who aren't aware of the movie also get pulled in and inspired by coming out on the parade route to learn the moves and join in the fun." And that's exactly what the Pep Rally's creators had hoped for: "We encourage everyone who wants to come out and join us for the grand finale! Moms, dads, boys, girls, friends -- come on out. It makes everyone want to show their team spirit. I know that sounds corny, but it's so true!" It's not just the Guests who are getting into the spirit. Ray says that the cast of 16 performers was chosen after an exacting search -- the men had to have basketball skills in addition to singing and dancing, and attended intensive training sessions to make dancing while dribbling look natural! But the payoff has been huge in terms of fun. "The cast is having a fantastic time," he tells us. "They have a wonderful time on the parade route, and they're thrilled to be part of an event that has been so popular with our Guests, as well as being a part of a new show." Ray's tips for getting the most out of the show are simple -- show up with plenty of time to spare to beat the crowds, and keep in mind that there are no "bad seats." And check the schedule online before you plan your visit -- the High School Musical Pep Rally plays only on selected days at both Parks. This is the Year of a Million Dreams at the Disney Resorts, and if your dream is to enter the high-energy world of "High School Musical," don't miss your chance to make it come true.
Orchestrating Magic in Narnia
Telmarines, talking mice, and Minotaurs ... it's a wrap for the second installation in C.S. Lewis' Narnia series, according to director/producer/co-writer Andrew Adamson. "We're in the U.K. tying up the last month of post-production... polishing the sound, music, and special effects. I'm extremely happy with what we've created. It's like a painful birthing process which you forget soon afterwards." Considering "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" took four and a half years to produce, it must have seemed like the two years working on "Prince Caspian" whizzed by at breakneck speed. Speaking of his edgier, epic interpretation, Andrew approached this film as if it were the true story of Caspian, the Telmarine's naive, idealistic prince who, despite discovering his dark side, emerges as a true king because of his journey. "For any adaptation, I immerse myself in the book then flesh it out. With Caspian, I felt it was important to capture the heart of his story by adding unique twists that took it beyond the original. At one point Caspian's consumed with vengeance, further escalating the conflict between him and Peter." How did hunky Ben Barnes land the leading role of Prince Caspian? "I needed incredible depth and a different look to contrast against Peter. We were casting around the world and never expected Caspian to come from the U.K., particularly because of the Telmarines' Mediterranean features. But Ben's audition tape accent was very convincing - he tapped into nuances in the script that excited me. When we met in Los Angeles, I knew within minutes he was perfect. Ben's a wonderful actor, handsome, funny, and someone who fit in well with the 'family' ... he charms everyone he meets." Sergio Castellitto (playing Caspian's uncle, the heinous King Miraz), is one of Italy's most recognized actors. "Though it's easy for villains to become somewhat of a cliche, they must believe that what they're doing is right. I wanted someone like Tilda Swinton (who portrays the vile White Witch in both films) ... an actor who could pull off a depth beyond how it was written on the page. Sergio convinced me because I immediately saw the believability of the performance in his eyes. He's a huge star and a very sweet, gentle man." Two prevailing themes -- the passage into adulthood and the visual journey -- were woven into three storylines: the Pevensies', Caspian's, and Miraz's. "You always want to keep it fresh. This film's much more sophisticated than the first. Everything's on a grander scale - characters, action, locations. For example, I thought it would be interesting if mythological creatures like the Narnians invaded Miraz's medieval castle. It's an image I've never seen before." Multiple locations play a big part in depicting an oppressed Narnia. Whereas "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" was primarily filmed on stage and only one locale, "Prince Caspian" spans several countries because the crew wasn't limited to shooting 40-degree winter scenes with kids. "This time we shot in New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Poland. Many of the locations were extremely remote, accessible only by boat or helicopter, so the logistics alone were challenging." Have the children changed? Andrew boasts, "They've gotten older and better looking! We formed a family and I'm the 'surrogate father.' It's quite amazing to see them grow and mature as young people ... I'm so terribly proud of them all. Anna Popplewell, older sister Susan Pevensie onscreen, first auditioned at age 13. Now she's 19 studying literature at Oxford!" Andrew's fondest Disney memory? "Watching 'The Wonderful World of Disney' with my family every Sunday night. I loved the logo, the music, Walt sitting on his desk talking about the film. To this day one of my favorites is the otter movie 'Ring of Bright Water.' They were well-told, heartfelt stories. For me that's what it was all about." Now a dad himself, Andrew feels having children hasn't changed his vision, just given him an excuse for it. When asked about a Narnia-inspired Theme Park attraction, he responds, "There have been conversations but I can't reveal any secrets. As an adult, I feel it's a huge privilege to indulge our imaginations in fantasy. What's important is that Narnia is conveyed as a real place where people can step through a wardrobe and experience another world ... whether that means meeting unusual creatures, talking to mice, or rollercoaster rides." Though the movie opens in theaters May 16, it may be some time before Guests can visit Narnia at the Disney Theme Parks. For fans who just can't wait, enter "The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian Sweepstakes" for the chance to win a visit to the set of "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." Talk about indulging your ultimate Narnia fantasy!
A Prince Takes the Throne
Lovers of Narnia, rejoice! "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" arrives in theaters May 16, and fans who have been hooked ever since "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" can hardly wait to see the adventure continue. Once again, the Pevensie siblings will find themselves in the magical world they've discovered -- although this time, things will be shockingly different. And no one is more excited than Ben Barnes, who has joined the series as Prince Caspian. The prince, rightful heir to the throne of Narnia, must join the Pevensies to save the kingdom. It's a big role for Ben, but that's not the only reason he's anticipating the film -- he's a dyed-in-the-wool Narnia fan from way back. "I've been a fan of the books since I was eight years old. I saw the first film and enjoyed it immensely, and I read the books again when I was at University," he explains. So he was well-primed to step into Caspian's boots -- if less prepared for the resulting publicity hoopla. "I was in L.A. last week, and it's quite surreal," he laughs. "You know it's your face on those billboards, but you walk past it and have to almost double take every single time you see it because you feel like you're watching yourself. It's a little intimidating, I have to say!" In feeling this way, Ben has a lot in common with Prince Caspian himself, who is called upon to step from obscurity to kinghood. It's a kinship he himself recognizes. "I think you have to give a decent part of yourself to every part you play. I think the reason that you're cast in a part is because they see something in you that they want as part of this character," he muses. "Caspian is not a typical action hero -- he's actually quite vulnerable, a very young man. He doesn't know about the world or how it works, he's got a very villainous uncle, and he's never quite sure what his next decision should be. Things keep happening to him and he's forced into these positions. And he's not sure he's ready for all the attention he's getting, so that kind of mirrored my own life!" Becoming Caspian was made a little easier when he was welcomed to the New Zealand shooting locations by the actors playing the Pevensies and by director Andrew Adamson, Narnia veterans all. As he puts it, "You just have to let go and trust what everyone else on the set is doing. Then you realize that everyone on the set is a genius!" Work in New Zealand meant being surrounded by stunning vistas -- "Some of these places looked like it was CGI, even when you're standing there!" laughs Ben -- and getting a crash course in horseback riding, combat, and stunt work. It also meant learning to act with costars, like the heroic mouse warrior Reepicheep, who would only be added to the film via computers, in post-production. In the meantime, Ben found himself playing scenes opposite a piece of wire standing in for one or another of the fantastic creatures of Narnia. "It was one of the trickiest things to get used to," he admits. "The horse riding you can work at and the more you do it the better you get, but you can't suddenly make your imagination more vivid!" In the end, though, he thinks the enduring appeal of Narnia has to do with more than the magical creatures or the swashbuckling action. "The moral messages of the books are very solid. They just really make you care and give you something to believe in. And for me, the image of somebody going through the wardrobe with the fur coats into the snow -- it almost feels like it really happened to someone years ago, like a great myth. Every kid wants to be the one who goes through the wardrobe into Narnia." And the beauty of films like "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," like "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," is how they allow us, for a few hours, to be the kids who enter Narnia -- if only in our imaginations.
A World of Excitement Approaches
It's looming on the horizon -- the Jolly Roger fluttering from its mast. It's the adventure of the summer. Although it won't make landfall until May 25, anticipation is already growing for "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," the final film in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy. This one will take Captain Jack and crew to the ends of the Earth -- literally! And according to production designer Rick Heinrichs, it will be unlike anything you've seen before -- even in the previous "Pirates" films. "It really does go off into new locations and a new look. It has a more restrained graphic and simplified look," he says. "Pirates: At World's End" will take our heroes far from the Caribbean into the far East and uncharted waters beyond. "[The look is] in keeping with the Asian themes, but also because we're at world's end and we're dealing more with landscapes of the mind." We talked to Rick about the making of "Pirates: At World's End" as well as the second film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." He gave us a peek into the upcoming excitement -- from some harrowing moments on slippery decks to a journey that none of our heroes will ever forget. Rick is an old Disney hand -- he started his career in 1979, working under Blaine Gibson, the then-head-sculptor at WED Enterprises. He was also working under another set of heads -- the original clay head sculptures used when the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction was created. Rick says that these busts were a great inspiration to him -- especially when the time came for him to imagine the world of "Pirates." "[Imagineering legend] Marc Davis did such an amazing job -- you can tell it was done by people who were telling stories and developing characters, who thought about telling stories the way you do onscreen in a movie. I was very inspired by that." Rick got his chance to put that inspiration to work when he joined the "Pirates" crew to work on the second and third films. Parts of the two movies were filmed simultaneously -- a race to take advantage of locations in The Bahamas, even as the script for "Pirates: At World's End" was still flying off the typewriters. "When we were down in the Caribbean and The Bahamas with the special tanks that we had built there for shooting water scenes, we tried to film as much of the third movie as would make sense," Rick explains. "The third film's script wasn't completely finished when we were shooting No. 2, so there was a bit of a scramble to figure out which scenes made sense to shoot down there." Some of the most exciting moments in the third film, however, were beyond what the film crew could create in a water tank. Rick and the rest of the team had to film one of the most elaborate ship-to-ship confrontations ever seen onscreen. To make the scene feel completely real to audiences, the filmmakers went above and beyond, spending weeks to build unique sets and equipment that put the actors in the middle of a typhoon on the pitching, rolling decks of their ships. It was an impressive accomplishment -- but a demanding one. "It was incredibly hard on the crew and the cast. They had to be out there in the wet for 16 hours a day," Rick says. "Our art department was right off the stage there, and we would stand on the stage and look up at what they were doing, and be incredibly glad we weren't up there, 30 feet in the air. They were getting drenched and blown and slipping and sliding. But nobody got hurt." The plot of "Pirates: At World's End" is a secret as closely guarded as a pirate's treasure horde. But Rick confirms that the title should be taken literally -- expect to see the very edge of the world itself on film ... and to discover, along with Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth, and Will Turner, what lies beyond. It's not a discovery to be taken lightly, as Captain Jack will discover. As the trilogy draws to a close, no one can say whether the voyagers aboard the Black Pearl will have more adventures in store. For Rick, at least, coming this far has been an amazing journey. "I've loved Pirates of the Caribbean since I first rode the attraction, so this has been a thrilling experience -- not just because it gave me a chance to work with [director] Gore Verbinski and work with Disney again, but because this was something from my own childhood that had such a great impact on me. And I think we've succeeded in giving the movies a limitless quality that suggests we are concentrating on one portion of the pirate world, but there's so much more out there." Next month, we'll see a lot more of that world ... and we can hardly wait.
Writing the World of Pirates
"How often do you get to watch something that no sane person would ever even attempt to film?" asks Terry Rossio. Thanks to Terry, his writing partner Ted Elliott, and the rest of the team that has created the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, we'll get that chance when "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" opens in theaters across the country this week. We talked to Ted and Terry about the staggering success of "Pirates," what we can expect to see in the new film, and how it felt to bring this swashbuckling world to life. The Insider: You've been with "Pirates" from the beginning -- did you ever expect this story to become such a huge success? Ted: It's a bit staggering. As a storyteller, you want to create something that has resonance, you try for universal ... and, personally, I really wanted to prove that pirates and swashbuckling romance still has some appeal for modern audiences. But, no, I never expected this much. I don't think anyone could. What does "Pirates: At World's End" bring to the "Pirates" story? Ted: "Pirates: At World's End" has a much larger stage for our characters to play on, an epic sweep. What's at stake does not just affect our immediate characters -- what's happening could change the world, and not in a good way. But at the same time, it's still a very personal story, still very much about Elizabeth and Will and Jack and all our characters, their choices, their feelings. How did you feel about concluding the trilogy? Terry: Mostly what I feel is proud of the work that everyone else has done on these movies. So many people, so many areas of expertise. All anyone ever wants in this business is a chance to do their best work, and given that chance, people who love film will push themselves, work crazy hours, make huge sacrifices, to try to do something great. What do you feel the "Pirates" films owe to the original attraction and Walt Disney's own ideas about pirates? Terry: It's a delicate thing to hit just the right level of macabre. You wouldn't think you could combine extreme humor with extreme horror, amidst adventure and romance. That's what the ride does, and the tone of the ride was our guide. Ted: We set out to try to re-create for people of all ages the feeling you have when you go on the ride for the first time, when you're a kid ... the sense of exhilaration and delight and, yeah, even a little fear. Much of the tone of the movies was inspired by [Imagineer] Marc Davis' concepts, the way he was able to find humor and humanity in, really, a somewhat rough milieu. I kind of think of the movies as our tribute to the Imagineers. I hope they take it that way. What is it like writing as a team? Do you divide duties on a project, or bounce ideas off of each other? Ted: Well, the thing about working with a partner is that it doesn't mean you each only have to do 50% the work. What it means is that you both do 100% of the work. Our working method is to divide up who does the first drafts of scenes, but nothing leaves our collective desk 'til we've both gone over it a couple of times. Terry: You can build on each other's ideas, whether in initial conception or problem solving, and then get to an concept or solution that neither person would have been able to reach on their own. Can you tell us about writing for Captain Jack? How did you find that very distinctive voice? Ted: Jack loves words, the sound of them, the rhythms. But since he's a trickster type of character, he tends to use them to confuse people more than communicate with them. In fact, with Jack, if he's brief and succinct, he's being honest. Any other times ... well, he may be planning something, or he may just be amusing himself. He's a playful character, and that's reflected in his dialogue. Tell us about the new characters in "Pirates: At World's End" -- what do they bring to the story? Ted: Chow Yun-Fat's character, Sao Feng, is the first of the Pirates Lords we meet, and it immediately becomes apparent that co-operation and teamwork do not come naturally to any of 'em. But since Jack, Will, Elizabeth, even Barbossa, all have plans that require the Pirate lords work together ... well, someone's either going to have to trick them into to doing it, or step up and take charge. Let's just say that just because people are on the same side doesn't necessarily mean they're working for the same thing! Terry: We tried to work it out to where every character is a villain from the point of view of every other character. Will all of the storylines from the first two movies be resolved? Terry: Oh, absolutely! Definitely. Without a doubt. Hey, why are you looking at me like that? Don't you trust us? Ted: If you'll excuse me getting a little pirate-y here, let me say ... All the answers ye seek are to be found at world's end.
Plan a Swashbuckling Summer
We're well into summer vacation, and across the land the dread forces are gathering. Wild-eyed, destructive hordes ready to rise up and create chaos wherever they appear looting and pillaging and spilling beverages on the living-room furniture. Are these fearsome figure Vikings? Visigoths? Buccaneers? Far worse roving packs of bored, obstreperous kids, with too little to do and too much time to think up trouble. Fortunately, you can put all that wild energy to work outside (sparing your breakables) and give their imaginations a workout, into the bargain. If your kids are acting like a bloodthirsty pirate horde, why not let them play the part to the hilt? Our midsummer Pirate Adventure gives them a chance to blow off some steam. Choose a few of the activities we suggest, in partnership with our buddies at FamilyFun.com, and have a theme week to liven up the scurvy dog days of summer. Getting Started Start off with a bedtime reading of a pirate classic like "Treasure Island" or "Peter Pan," then watch a few swashbuckling flicks - the Disney film versions of those novels, and don't forget the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy. The Big Project Once their appetites are whetted, it's time to form crews (neighborhood friends can enlist as well) and build their pirate vessel. This amazing backyard ship from FamilyFun.com is the perfect template -- build it and then trick it out with a Jolly Roger, homemade cannons, and whatever the kids can dream up. If they're artistically inclined, they might want to tackle creating a papier-mache figurehead -- if not, a blow-up pool toy might do the trick. Let the kids choose a nice piratical moniker for their ship, and christen her with a bottle of "grog" (aka sparkling cider). Kids will need to choose their own pirate names as well! Craft your own pirate uniforms using this pool cover-up as a starting point -- the fringing is a perfect touch for aspiring pirate fashionistas. Let the Games Begin You don't want your pirate crews to engage in actual seagoing warfare, but some fun backyard games can help them work off that marauding energy instead. Lots of popular pastimes can be made "piratey" from Captain Simon Says (only obey commands given in pirate lingo) to a Capture the Jolly Roger version of Capture the Flag. We've got a few suggestions to get you started: A wading pool is a great place to cool off and to stage Pirate ship races. Steal the bacon is even better when you make it Steal the Treasure after all, stealing plunder is what pirating is all about! If heat drives the rowdies indoors (or they're just tuckered out) let them test their wits with Pirate Trivia. With access to a swimming pool, you can have the young hearties dive for pirate treasure. Round the event off with an all-over-the-backyard treasure hunt, using a homemade map and crafty clues, and you can be sure that summer boredom will be vanquished by your jolly crew.
Sail the Virtual Seas
Ah, the life of a buccaneer! The danger, the excitement, the loot -- and the freedom. The call of the open sea is irresistible, even for armchair adventurers who would never hoist a flag or swing a cutlass given the opportunity in real life. And freedom is the hallmark of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online (www.PiratesOnline.com), a new immersive multiplayer online game for would - be pirates young and old. Players can choose to pursue quests handed out to them by Captain Jack Sparrow himself, interact with many of the characters from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, and test their wits against a fearsome new villain -- but they can also choose to hang around port playing cards, to search for buried treasure, or to sail the high seas and open fire against other ships to take loot. There's a whole world to explore, and every captain is free to set his or her own course. In the spirit of that freedom, getting started as a player is absolutely free. Anyone can create an account and begin exploring and buccaneering without paying a penny -- if the adventure beckons them further, they can upgrade to Unlimited Access for a modest monthly fee, which allows them access to better weapons, more challenges, an ad-free environment in which to play, and even more special features. The choice is always yours. Mike Goslin of Disney's Virtual Reality Studio says that developers were able to create a world this textured and open-ended because the game has been in development over, literally, years -- even before the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films. "We first proposed it in 1999! We had just completed our Pirates of the Caribbean attraction for DisneyQuest in the Theme Parks and thought it would make a fantastic virtual world," he explains. However, it wasn't until "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" introduced Captain Jack Sparrow and his friends that the time was ripe for the game. From the beginning, the team knew that they wanted to let players not just chase pirates or interact with pirates, but BE pirates. But as fun as it can be to play the bad guy, no one wanted to go TOO bad, especially in a game the whole family could enjoy playing together. Mike tells us how they got the perfect balance: "We wanted players to be able to be pirates, but also feel like they were on the good team. We did this by populating the world with evil undead pirates and corrupt Navy soldiers. Even though the pirates are bad, their opponents are much worse by comparison!" Those opponents are pretty impressive. One of the highlights of the game is encountering the villain, Jolly Roger, an eerie skeleton pirate with a ghastly crew to match. He was created especially for the game, with a little inspiration from a classic source. "We decided we needed a new villain because we needed to fill the world with an endless number of enemies for our players to go up against," Mike reveals. "Jolly Roger is actually based on the character who narrates the Pirates of the Caribbean Theme Park attraction. In the ride he's basically a disembodied skull that talks. We turned him into a more fully realized character so we could tie him into the central elements of our game." But you don't need to cross swords with Jolly Roger -- there's a world of properly piratical activities to sample. "The game is really wide open," says Mike. You can choose to pursue the main storyline quests, but you can also go off on any number of side pathways, or simply develop your fighting skills with cutlass or any of the other weapons. "Some players actually spend much of their time playing cards!" Mike himself spends hours every week playing (and just hanging out in) Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online, and says that his own favorite activity changes, but "I'm really enjoying sailing around with a crew and sinking ships right now." If the high seas are calling, you can download and play the game now at PiratesOnline.com. You'll begin by creating your own customized pirate character (the options are dizzying, and each pirate is a beautifully detailed creation) and see what adventure awaits. There's a little pirate in all of us, and now that pirate has a place to come out and play.
Under the Sea, Onstage at Last
"Ariel is such a beloved Disney Princess -- I always loved her, and all the people who come to the show who I meet afterwards, they just love her. It's because she's so independent and has such a big heart," says Sierra Boggess. Sierra is in a position to know Ariel better than anyone these days -- the young actress is playing the role of everyone's favorite Princess on Broadway in "The Little Mermaid," Disney's newest theatrical spectacular. Even beyond the excitement of making her Broadway debut, becoming "part of Ariel's world" is truly a dream come true for Sierra, who fell in love with the animated classic "The Little Mermaid" from the moment it was first released. "I was seven when the movie came out, so I memorized it!" she says. In fact, "The hardest stuff for me during rehearsal was a few little lines that were just slightly different from the movie -- and in my head, I knew the lines from the movie!" Compared to that, learning to "swim" onstage was a breeze. Sierra shared with us the secret to gliding under the sea: "We have Heelys, which are those shoes with wheels on them, that we see kids zooming around all the time on," she confesses. "That has been really fun, because it's such an inventive way to portray being underwater. The two little boys who alternate in the role of Flounder -- because they're 12 and 11 years old, they live on those Heelys in real life. The things they can do are amazing! All of us watch them in rehearsal." Tooling around the stage on wheeled shoes does, as you might imagine, have its hazards. "Pretty much all of us have fallen at one point or another in rehearsal," Sierra laughs. "Luckily, we haven't had anybody completely wipe out on stage. But it's a really cool way to get around backstage -- we zoom back and forth!" Putting the cast under the sea in a convincing way was only one of the challenges the production faced -- another was expanding the story for Broadway, while remaining true to the spirit and feel of the film. In that department, composer Alan Menken came to the rescue. The co-composer of the film's songs returned to craft new songs with lyricist Glenn Slater. "Alan Menken is a brilliant, brilliant composer. His songs are beautifully written, and the new songs just kind of flow together with the old songs we love so much," says Sierra. "I especially love a number I get to sing in the second act, that kind of tells what's going on in my head, called 'In My Wildest Dreams.' It's so beautiful! And it's based on part of the underscoring in the movie. When I heard the song, I said 'I've heard this melody before!' -- and it was because it's the music in the movie." "Scuttle the seagull also has two fantastic new numbers -- he doesn't get to sing in the movie," says Sierra. But her favorite musical moment comes from another new song. "I get to dance with Sean Palmer who plays Prince Eric, and he's teaching Ariel how to dance to one of Alan's new songs -- 'One Step Closer.' The song is gorgeous, and there's the excitement of Ariel learning to dance & plus there are these Sierra moments of realizing 'Sean Palmer is such an incredible dancer, and here I am dancing with him!' Wow, I'm really starstruck. Everyone wants to dance with a prince!" she laughs. Those starry-eyed moments underline how much Sierra has in common with the Little Mermaid herself. The actress says that Ariel's experience is easy for her to portray, because like the character, she is getting the chance to explore a whole new world. "It's so cool being in New York and seeing all the posters for 'The Little Mermaid' around -- it's a bit surreal. There's a song in the show where she's so excited and going 'Look at that! Look at this!' and it comes quite naturally to me to do that song, because she's stepping out into a brand-new place and it's like that for me too!" Audiences can enter Ariel's world too at Broadway's historic Lunt-Fontanne Theatre -- until recently the home of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." Just make sure you leave your Heelys at home.

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