Broadway’s newest hit musical isn’t even an official musical! “Ratatouille”; a 2007 Pixar animation, is taking the internet, particularly the social media app TikTok, by storm. On TikTok, creators, artists, and theater lovers came together as a community to contribute their ideas of what a potential “Ratatouille” musical would look like if Disney even considered the idea. 

“The overwhelming creativeness has grown so much that I fell in love with the idea,” senior and TikTok user Hope Stewart said. 

Under the hashtag “ratatouillemusical,” any user of TikTok can contribute their ideas. Even if that person can’t sing or dance for a musical, there are many other roles which people took in the making of this trend. User have made costumes designs, puppetry equipment, background music, even a playbill! 

@fettuccinefettuqueenMy official entry to the #ratatouille musical. (Idea credit: @danieljmertzlufft ) #ratatouillemusical #theatrekid #foryou #Animation #austok #FYP♬ Trash is Our Treasure – Gabbi

“The result is a virtual show unlike any on Broadway. There is no director, no choreographer, no stage crew,” according to a New York Times article reviewing TikTok’s “Ratatouille” musical. “it has come together organically on TikTok, where users have only a minute to catch people’s attention.” 

It’s a wonder in itself how this musical came to be, all started by @e_jaccs, also known as Emily Jacobsen on TikTok. In August, she made a video of herself singing her own original ballad for Remy, the main character of the musical and Pixar’s movie “Ratatouille.” 

@danieljmertzlufft

Remy: The Musical OG Song @e_jaccs add. Vocals @cjaskier #remy #ratatouille #musicaltheatre #broadway #singer #musical #disney #fyp #disneymusicals

♬ original sound – danieljmertzlufft

However, the musical did not take shape until Daniel Mertzlufft, also known as @danieljmertzlufft on TikTok, saw Jacobsen’s video and transformed it into a memorable piece of musical innovation. Mertzlufft is best known for another TikTok original musical “Grocery Store: The Musical” and freelance composer and arranger from New York, according to the official playbill website while reviewing “Ratatouille” the musical. With all of these factors, it’s no surprise that the musical went viral. 

@siswijThe #ratatouillemusical marketing department is brainstorming visuals #playbill #musicaltheatre #remytheratatouille #photoshop #graphicdesign♬ original sound – danieljmertzlufft

Despite the TikTok musical’s popularity, there are no signs as of this time that there will actually be an official musical anytime soon. 

“I think there’s like a 70 to 80 percent chance that this musical would happen,” Stewart said, “Disney has been transforming their movies into broadway musicals like Frozen, The Lion King, heck even Sherk… However, due to so many creators making this musical at once, it’s hard to tell where this musical will go.”

Even with the pandemic closing broadway, platforms like TikTok have shown time and time again that with enough determination and imagination, anyone can set new trends for the world to enjoy.

@cameronfoxmusicThis is our contribution to the Ratatouille Musical.ANTON EGO!Loving everyone’s submissions!#ratatouillemusical @rat@ratatouillemusical tonego♬ Anton Ego – Cameron Fox