Alan Menken News & Discussion

[Disney's Divinity]

Not a very good one.

I'm not crazy about Stephen Schwartz like the two of you, but I do really enjoy the Hunchback soundtrack (even if I don't like the movie). I really hope they keep to the German adaptation, for the most part. I'll be very glad to have recordings of all these shows.

I'm guessing that Hercules will probably come to Broadway sooner than Pocahontas, but I hope they both do one day.

[qindarka]

Not a very good one.

I'm not crazy about Stephen Schwartz like the two of you, but I do really enjoy the Hunchback soundtrack (even if I don't like the movie). I really hope they keep to the German adaptation, for the most part. I'll be very glad to have recordings of all these shows.

I'm guessing that Hercules will probably come to Broadway sooner than Pocahontas, but I hope they both do one day.

There's talk about Hercules coming to Broadway? Thats surprising. It doesn't seen to be that well loved.

[Disney's Divinity]

No, there are no talks about Hercules. As for not being loved, neither is Hunchback, really.

[ajmrowland]

if aladdin is even as good as the show at Disneyland was, i'd be satisfied.

But it's probably gonna be better!

[Atlantica]

Mary Poppins wasn't a straight adaptation of the film and (most) people loved the stage version even more than the movie. If Disney's stage shows were straight adaptations of the movies they were based on, then there wouldn't be a point in seeing them now, would there?

Well yes, I know you must have artistic license of course, but not drastic changes, no?

[PatrickvD]

Kind of coincidental/ironic that you mention Hunchback being the Les Mis of the 21st century, Patrick, because thee original novels of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables were both penned by Victor Hugo.

It's not coincidental at all. I actually read a book every once in a while.

[Sotiris]

I do really enjoy the Hunchback soundtrack (even if I don't like the movie).

[SWillie!]

Absolutely. Hopefully Frozen is very successful so that Disney doesn't shy away from musicals yet again.

Didn't Tangled do well? That was a musical.

Well yes, that's what I'm saying - they have a good thing going right now where theyre back in musical mode, and I don't want any of them to do bad because you know that musical will be one of the first things questioned.

[qindarka]

I do really enjoy the Hunchback soundtrack (even if I don't like the movie).

Thought his/her dislike of Hunchback was quite well known.

[Disney's Divinity]

Yes, the film is one big mess to me, with the soundtrack and Frollo as the highlights. From everything I’ve read about the German adaptation, I think there were some definite changes for the better. It remains to be seen if the Broadway version’ll do the same, but I’m glad it’s getting made anyway.

[Sotiris]

Yes, the film is one big mess to me.

While it certainly has its flaws (with the abrupt tonal shifts, the misplaced humor, the gargoyles, the jarringly comic final battle), it's one of Disney's most mature and thematically profound animated films with stunning visuals and an incredible score. How can you not like it?

[Sotiris]

Twitter updates!

Alan Menken has written songs for a musical episode of The Neighbors on ABC. Hopefully, he'll win an Emmy for it next year!

Just recorded a musical episode for THE NEIGHBORS. Larry and Jackie discover Broadway Musicals. Such a blast!!

Source: http://twitter.com/AIMenken/status/291754144837017600


Also, an update on Lidsville. The film is not expected to hit theaters until after 2016.

LIDSVILLE is underway...FINALLY. Back to the 60's. Peace, love and psychedelia! And DreamWorks is pretty great. So many old friends there.

Source: http://twitter.com/AIMenken/status/291754782543192064

[Atlantica]

I can't deny I'm upset this is dreamworks he's talking about...maybe I'm being too precious lol....

[disneyprincess11]

I can't deny I'm upset this is dreamworks he's talking about...maybe I'm being too precious lol....

To me, it doesn't matter. I mean he has a job and that's all what matters. Maybe this can convince Disney to hire Alan because he's working with their rival.

[Sotiris]

Alan Menken will be writing three songs for Andrea McArdle's new album.

Tony-nominated Andrea McArdle will release a new album, Calendar Dream, through Broadway Records in 2013. An anagram for McArdle’s name, Calendar Dream will feature 13 new songs (a song for each month of the year, with an additional tune about the year in the life of a recently single woman starting a new chapter).

Calendar Dream will feature new songs written by John Kander, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, Tim Rice & Alan Menken, Maury Yeston, Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey, Rupert Holmes, Carol Hall, Henry Krieger & Scott Logsdon, Alan Menken & David Zippel, Dana Rowe & Maribeth Graham and Amanda Green.

Source: http://www.broadway.com/buzz/165289/and ... m-in-2013/

Q: You're also gearing up for another new album, "Calendar Dream." What will that entail?

Andrea McArdle: We're actually gearing up to start recording the album. My friend Scott Logsdon was up late one night and was doing the anagram thing -- "Calendar Dream" is an anagram for my name. He started contacting people like Tim Rice, Alan Menken, Maury Yeston, John Kander and Cyndi Lauper … and they all responded! Now that I've heard the material, I feel very lucky. I've been waiting a long time to be handed a project like this, so I have a very good feeling about it.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/1 ... 99776.html

I wrote 3 new songs for Andrea's album, in which each song captures the essence of one of the month of the year; 2 were written with David Zippel and 1 with Tim Rice. It's such a nice luxury to just write on a song-by-song basis, instead of also worrying about the overall dramatic structure of a piece. I now entrust those songs into the hands of Andrea and her producer and I can't wait to hear the finished product.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 649&type=1

[Disney's Divinity]

Any confirmation on when the episode is supposed to air? I haven't seen The Neighbors before, but I wouldn't mind catching an episode.

[Sotiris]

GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Inspirations: Alan Menken
http://www.grammy.com/news/grammy-hall- ... lan-menken

Interview with Alan Menken, Part One
http://howardashman.com/blog/interview- ... -part-one/

Interview with Alan Menken, Part Two
http://howardashman.com/blog/interview- ... -part-two/

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
http://howardashman.com/blog/god-bless- ... rosewater/

[Sotiris]

It's official! Aladdin is coming to Broadway in spring 2014.

Disney's 'Aladdin' To Sweep Into Broadway
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... =170019466

Stage version of Aladdin will have world premiere in Toronto
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/on ... in-toronto

‘Aladdin’ Will Launch in Toronto Before Broadway Run
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/ ... adway-run/

Website: http://www.aladdinbroadway.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aladdin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aladdin

[disneyprincess11]

The official logo to the Broadway version of Aladdin:

[bruno_wbt]

That's great!!!!

Any news if there's going to be new songs?