Witty and fast-paced versions of Disney princess tales are headed back to Disneyland’s Royal Theater as live stage shows continue to make a comeback as part of the phased reopening of the Anaheim theme park resort.

Live theatrical performances return to the Royal Theatre in Fantasy Faire at Disneyland on Friday, April 29 after a two-year pandemic pause.

The Storytelling at the Royal Theatre shows feature the thespian duo of Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones who put on 20-minute versions of “Beauty and the Beast” and “Tangled.”

The “surprise” Royal Theatre shows won’t appear on the Disneyland app or printed show schedules for the first few days of performances. That means visitors won’t know which show will be presented — or at what time — until they walk up to the covered outdoor theater. Royal Theatre show times will begin appearing in the Disneyland app in the next few days after the “surprise and delight” soft reopening of the venue comes to an end.

The Royal Theatre has been used as a Disney princess meet-and-greet photo op location during the past year since Disneyland reopened in April 2021 after a 412-day pandemic closure of the parks.

Disney princesses moved back into the Royal Hall across from the Royal Theatre in mid-April when up-close character encounters returned to Disneyland.

The Royal Theatre’s return marks the latest step in the phased reopening of the Disneyland resort that has seen live stage shows reemerge over the past year amid evolving COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

The “Disney Junior Dance Party” returned in October to its indoor theater in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure. The “Tale of the Lion King” show will open in early summer at Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theatre.

The return of the Royal Theatre leaves only one major live stage show space shuttered at the Disneyland resort: The Hyperion Theater in Hollywood Land at DCA. The Hyperion was last home to the “Frozen Live” Broadway-style show.

“Frozen Live” is unlikely to return to the Hyperion — with the cast laid off during the pandemic. It could be awhile before live performances return to the Hyperion stage. The Hyperion Theater was left off Disneyland’s 2022 entertainment lineup.