DVDizzy Forum

Posted: **Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:33 am**

“Down to New Orleans” is really the only thing noteworthy about the film’s music (for me). “Almost There” and “Friends On the Other Side” are okay (because of the voice actors, who are both superior to what they’re given to work with). Regardless, it isn’t the same league as most soundtracks from the ‘90s and before, imo. Even Enchanted outshines it, to me.

I do wonder how the film might’ve been with Menken. Maybe he could have written something more romantic in place of “Ma Belle Evangeline.”

Posted: **Fri Nov 02, 2012 11:56 am**

I at least prefer Princess and the Frog's soundtrack to Tangled, which felt like Menken was calling it from home, IMO. I'm not much of a Randy Newman fan either, but I get a lot more play out of "Friends on the Other Side", "Almost There" and even stuff like "When We're Human" than Tangled's stuff.

Posted: **Fri Nov 02, 2012 1:14 pm**

I agree that Tangled is pretty dull for me personally (although it was more successful with awards than TP&TF's soundtrack, btw). That said, it's the only one of his soundtracks I would say that about. Besides the director's influence on that one, I don't think one middling soundtrack should end a career with Disney that's been pretty successful for all involved.

Posted: **Fri Nov 02, 2012 1:29 pm**

Disney's Divinity wrote:I agree that Tangled is pretty dull for me personally (although it was more successful with awards than TP&TF's soundtrack, btw). That said, it's the only one of his soundtracks I would say that about. Besides the director's influence on that one, I don't think one middling soundtrack should end a career with Disney that's been pretty successful for all involved.

Oh, I agree with you. I love Menken as well, and I'd hate to see him end on bad terms with the studio. I don't know what's in Lasseter's head, but I'm sure that the rest of the studio would agree, considering how significant his influence to Disney's high point in the 90's is.

Posted: **Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:22 pm**

Hate to be biased, but I think Randy Newman did a great job with the music for The Princess and the Frog and I'm kind of glad Alan worked on Tangled instead. I don't know why, I just feel it was better this way.

Posted: **Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:50 pm**

Disney's Divinity wrote: I do wonder how the film might’ve been with Menken. Maybe he could have written something more romantic in place of “Ma Belle Evangeline.”

He would of wrote a love song between the two main love interests which would of made so much more sense imo.

Posted: **Sat Nov 03, 2012 5:18 am**

DisneyJedi wrote:Hate to be biased, but I think Randy Newman did a great job with the music for The Princess and the Frog and I'm kind of glad Alan worked on Tangled instead. I don't know why, I just feel it was better this way.

Agreed. I normally detest Newman's work, but I thought his music on "TPatF" was quite good. Menken's latest work haven't been that great.

Posted: **Sat Nov 03, 2012 7:39 am**

I know Disney are always trying to do something new, and break the mold (sometimes their own mold), but Randy Newman's scoring and songs just did not fit into a 'Princess' film.

The songs were ok, but the score was so beyond disappointing. To me, it didn't have a clear theme running through it, which Disney scores always do. Well, most scores to be honest!

The vocal performances were superb though; I am glad that Menken did Tangled.

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2012 2:34 am**

Newsies has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album!

Posted: **Sun Dec 09, 2012 1:22 pm**

Sotiris wrote:Newsies has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album!

YAY! I hope it wi...wait a minute! Is Once nominated too? Forget it. Newsies is not going to win the Grammy.

Posted: **Sun Dec 09, 2012 1:23 pm**

TsWade2 wrote:I hope it wi...wait a minute! Is Once nominated too? Forget it. Newsies is not going to win the Grammy.

Why? Newsies won the Tony.

Posted: **Sun Dec 09, 2012 1:30 pm**

Sotiris wrote:
TsWade2 wrote:I hope it wi...wait a minute! Is Once nominated too? Forget it. Newsies is not going to win the Grammy.
Why? Newsies won the Tony.

Yup, Once is not doing well critically. Newsies has been better received.

Posted: **Sun Dec 09, 2012 1:50 pm**

Sotiris wrote:
TsWade2 wrote:I hope it wi...wait a minute! Is Once nominated too? Forget it. Newsies is not going to win the Grammy.
Why? Newsies won the Tony.

Well, I know that. I'm happy for that. I'm just not sure, since those stuuuuuupid tony voters chose Once as Best Musical instead of Newsies.

Posted: **Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:41 am**

Alan Menken's score for Mirror Mirror has been submitted for consideration for this year's Best Original Score category. I wish it gets nominated but it's a long shot.

Posted: **Fri Dec 28, 2012 11:02 am**

Sotiris wrote:
TsWade2 wrote:I hope it wi...wait a minute! Is Once nominated too? Forget it. Newsies is not going to win the Grammy.
Why? Newsies won the Tony.

Yeah, but didn't win for Best Musical which really sucks as hell!

Posted: **Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:38 pm**

Well, guys. It's official: Aladdin is coming to Broadway!

But, it's replacing Mary Poppins

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/166482/mar ... -broadway/

Mary Poppins will close at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theater on March 3 to make way for Disney's next big, Broadway show Aladdin, according to The New York Times. At the time of closing, Poppins will have played more 2,600 performances since opening on November 16, 2006. Disney has not issued an official announcement in response to the Times' report, which followed an initial Poppins closing story in The New York Post. The New Amsterdam will reportedly be renovated before Aladdin takes residence in the spring of 2014.

Based on the smash-hit 1992 animated film, Aladdin is the story of a street urchin who uses the help of a magic lamp Genie to win the heart of Princess Jasmine. The musical features music by Menken, lyrics by Tim Rice and the late Howard Ashman and a new book by Chad Beguelin (Elf, The Wedding Singer). Menken won an Academy Award for his score and shared a second Oscar with Rice for the song "A Whole New World," sung in the film by Brad Kane and Tony winner Lea Salonga.

Aladdin premiered at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre in July 2011. The musical was directed by The Book of Mormon director Casey Nicholaw, starred The Lion King’s Adam Jacobs as Aladdin and featured In the Heights' Courtney Reed as Jasmine and Newsies’ Andrew Keenan-Bolger. A recent St. Louis Muny production starred two-time Tony nominee Robin De Jesus in the title role and co-starred Avenue Q Tony nominee John Tartaglia as the Genie. Casting and creative team members have not been announced for the Broadway production.

Posted: **Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:26 pm**

Can't they use ANOTHER theater?! I mean, I don't care that I saw Mary Poppins twice. Don't get me wrong, I want to see Aladdin come to Broadway.

But this?! This is severely unfair! To add salt to the wound, it's closing three days before my birthday! And I was going to take my girlfriend to NYC to see it!

Thanks, Disney. Way to give great news while ruining my life in the process...

Posted: **Mon Jan 07, 2013 8:27 pm**

That's great news!

I really wish it success, and I can't wait to buy the Original Cast Recording. I just hope they do a better job with it than they did TLM.

Posted: **Mon Jan 07, 2013 8:31 pm**

Yeah, right. I hope it crashes and burns, as a means of bad karma for shutting down my favorite show.

Kidding!

... Or am I?

Out of all seriousness, I'm not exactly looking forward to Mary Poppins ending its Broadway run. And while I look forward to the idea of Aladdin coming to Broadway, why can't it take up the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre instead?! Surely, no show's occupying that after Ghost ended its run there!

Posted: **Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:02 pm**

DisneyJedi wrote:Out of all seriousness, I'm not exactly looking forward to Mary Poppins ending its Broadway run. And while I look forward to the idea of Aladdin coming to Broadway, why can't it take up the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre instead?! Surely, no show's occupying that after Ghost ended its run there!

A Christmas Story just ended it's seasonal run there and Motown: The Musical will open to previews in March. Now it may leave sooner than the year it will be without a new New Amsterdam but Disney thinks this will be a massive hit and likes owning the theatre that their biggest show is in. Right now the big Disney hit is Newsies which nobody expected and does not have the spectacle that most think of when thinking a Disney show, anyway. Really the only thing surprising is that they are not moving Poppins to another theatre. They work with the Nederlanders pretty well and they seem to have a few places that are empty now, will be soon for sure, or will likely be by next Spring (I hear the new Annie revival is only so-so).

-Skyler

DVDizzy Forum

Alan Menken News & Discussion