Kenny Ortega: From Dancer to Disney Legend

He's the man behind Descendants, High School Musical, Hocus Pocus, and Newsies, but Kenny Ortega's journey to becoming a Disney Legend started long before Mickey Mouse called. This is the story of the creative force Disney keeps turning to when they need to remind audiences why they fell in love with Disney magic. From starting out as a dancer in touring productions of Hair to choreographing music videos for Madonna and Elton John, stadium tours for Michael Jackson, and the iconic "Twist and Shout" sequence in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Kenny Ortega was shaping pop culture for a decade before Disney ever picked up the phone. When they finally did in 1988, it kicked off a 30-year partnership that would define childhoods for millions. What makes Ortega different is that he was never just a company man. He brought rock tours, Olympic ceremonies, and fountain choreography from the Vegas strip into everything he made for Disney. Subscribe on YouTube for more Disney connections: https://www.youtube.com/@SynergyLovesCompany?sub_confirmation=1 Podcast: Listen to Synergy Loves Company → https://synergylovescompany.com Support the Show: Shop official Synergy Loves Company merch → https://shop.synergylovescompany.com Affiliate Disclosure: Some links above may be affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel! Connect with Me: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/synergylovescompany Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/erichsynergy.bsky.social Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/synergylovescompany This podcast is powered by Pinecast.