Few could have anticipated that a 1992 film flop would later inspire a hit Broadway show, energizing the Nederlander Theatre for more than two years. Newsies, once believed to collect dust in home entertainment cabinets, became a huge cult classic and compelled Disney to translate the musical into a Broadway spectacular. Now, sadly, the “King of New York” will say goodbye to the Great White Way, as the Broadway production of Newsies closes on August 24.

But before we say farewell to Jack, Crutchie, Katherine, Davey, and Mr. Pulitzer, let’s take a step back into memory lane and recall the best of Newsies on Broadway.

The Walt Disney Company claimed a number of momentous milestones and achievements in 2012, such as boasting the highest-grossing film of the year (Marvel’s The Avengers). But as Disney reached some considerable points, they also faced and developed a handful of issues. This special edition of Disney In Depth looks back at the world of Disney in 2012, with my top 10 best in this edition, and “bottom” 10 worst (with some suggestions on how to remedy those problems) in next week’s edition.

Continue reading for the best of list.

Sometimes it takes many years, even decades, for a popular Disney film brand to enter the theme parks in the form of an attraction. For instance, while the Voyage of The Little Mermaid first graced Disney’s Hollywood Studios only two years after the film’s debut, over 20 years passed before a ride shaped up in the parks.

Now the exquisite dark ride exists at both Disney California Adventure Park and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. In this first section of two-part edition of Disney In Depth I will share five films that deserve to be translated into theme park attractions.

For many attendees of the Destination D experience, the last event was perhaps the most special, in that “An Evening with Alan Menken” touched the hearts and souls of everyone who has ever wanted to hear the master of his craft live.

Alan Menken, the composer behind the films and songs we know by heart, presented the most extraordinary two hours of music I have ever heard – and seen – in my life. Now that’s quite a statement. Some may call that a bit exaggerated, but as a devoted Disney fan, like almost all of my fellow audience members, we knew the gift we were being presented. Menken rarely performs publicly, so to hear his legendary stories and songs in person made this even more winning.

Ready to be the “King of New York?” Well, for the cast of the Tony-winning musical, Newsies, they have been ruling Broadway for good reason. For anyone visiting the Big Apple, Disney Theatrical Productions’ latest offering represents theater at its best, when you forget you’re watching a performance. You feel like you’re part of the show.

The year, 1899. The place, the center of the industrial world: New York City. The newsboys have been suffering long from low wages. Child labor is as predominant as ever before, with freedom from this tireless toil far from reality. Our protagonist, the slick-talking, lady-killer newspaper delivery boy Jack Kelly, played by the charismatic and cool Jeremy Jordan, longs to escape this harsh society for the “little town out west,” Santa Fe. After the illustrious and infamous publisher Joseph Pulitzer raises the prices of papers for the newsboys, Kelly leads his gang of hard-working newsies to rebel. Strike!