Doofyland
A Theme Park Musical by Mike Hadge
DoofyLand: In concert at 54 below
SYNOPSIS
Have you ever been to Disney World and thought, “who the hell is in that mouse suit?” Then DoofyLand might be your thing.
DoofyLand is a satire of theme parks and Disney adults. It’s to Disney World what Avenue Q is to Sesame Street.
The story takes us backstage at the titular park, where the biggest “Doof-a-Dult” you’ve ever met is starting her dream job of playing Doofy C. Horse, the Groovy Seahorse, the Mickey equivalent. She’s thrilled to live her life in the magic she used to feel. However, as she immerses herself in the fantasy of her role, she starts to act, talk, even think like Doofy. He’s even doing big ol’ musical numbers in her head. Ultimately, she needs to make a choice whether to face her painful reality or become Doofy…permanently.
DoofyLand is a bawdy musical satire that explores how easily our happy place becomes a cage, the music is very Disney-esque with a rock flair.
Disney adults, this is your RENT!
Development
DoofyLand was first written during COVID-19 lockdown, when we all just wanted an escape of SOME kind and the state of the world had plunged me deeply into “Disney adult”-dom! In fact, the demos for it were presented to my now-fiancee on our THIRD (virtual, remember - 2020) date. The first ever reading of DoofyLand took place over Zoom in early 2021. This led to several rewrites, as readings often/always do. An in-person developmental reading took place in Los Angeles in October 2022, which coincided with Off-Broadway director Jen Wineman (Dog Man: The Musical, Five) taking an interest in the show.
Once the next draft for DoofyLand was named a Finalist and Top Musical in the 2023 ScreenCraft StagePlay Competition, I realized maybe this thing was worth, you know, making. Working with animation pros through my day job at Fox’s The Great North, I created designs for the in-universe characters, park, sets and logos. Good stuff! In April 2023, the aforementioned Jen Wineman set up a reading of DoofyLand with her Dog Man cast. Enthusiasm for the show grew among the attendees that day, and we got down to business about seeing how this thing played in front of an audience. After a summer of working with arrangers and master orchestrators to spruce up the music, DoofyLand: A Live Concert Reading was put up at Three Clubs in Los Angeles in November 2023. The presentation featured a live band, pro performers, and a quasi-immersive theme park atmosphere. The two sold out nights were incredibly well received, but made it clear just what the book and music needed. A new draft was built in spring 2024, with a developmental reading held in LA in May of that year. In Feb. 2025, DoofyLand made its NYC developmental debut, with an invite-only table read for industry and an incredibly successful concert showcase at 54 Below featuring Broadway performers Jelani Remy, Manu Narayan, Jaime Lyn Beatty and more.
“Doofy Doof Daff Days” lie ahead — stay tooned!
“The Seahorse Suit Suite” from DOOFYLAND
Performed by Jaime Lyn Beatty (featuring Joshua Turchin)
QUOTES
"As a director/choreographer, DoofyLand is the kind of show you hope comes your way but rarely does. Simultaneously wholesome and twisted, hilarious and heartbreaking, mindless and thought provoking, I was drawn to its novel concept immediately. With each rewrite, I've been thrilled to see that Mike has the ability to keep the show funny while making sure there's still a ton of heart. Anyone who's ever had love for a certain cartoon mouse and the universe that spawned around him is likely to see themselves somewhere in DoofyLand. Can't wait to share this magical show with the world!”
Jen Wineman, Director/Choreographer
“This show is so brilliant; and I consider myself very lucky to have ‘embraced the enchanthood. Now, I can’t wait for audiences to have that chance too!”
L.R. Davidson, Off-Broadway performer
“This piece is HILARIOUS!”
Johnny Tartaglia, Legend
THE PARK
Designed by Mike Hadge/Sean Platter; Painted by Sean Platter
FoLLOW THE PARK ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Background: Sean Platter/Logo: Rob Yeo (@RobYeo)/Characters: Michael Maglio (@michael.maglio.art)