Film & TV NewsStage Adaptation of Disney’s Hercules Is in the WorksThe film features a score by Tony and Oscar winner Alan Menken and Tony winner David Zippel.
By
Andrew Gans
July 10, 2017
Oscar and Tony-winning composer Alan Menken, currently represented on Broadway with the musicals Aladdin and A Bronx Tale, has revealed his 1997 animated film Hercules may be heading to the stage.
“I have a very strong belief like Newsies, Hercules is going to have a moment that will surprise people,” Menken told the Orange County Register. “Actually, I’m working on a stage version of Hercules.”
Ron Clements and John Musker wrote and directed the Disney film, which features the voices of Tate Donovan as Hercules, Danny DeVito as Phil, James Woods as Hades, and Susan Egan as Meg, as well as Broadway's LaChanze, Lillias White, and Roz Ryan.
Menken and lyricist David Zippel were nominated for an Oscar for the film's song “Go the Distance,” performed in the film by Tony winner Roger Bart.
While Menken may be toying with the idea, a Disney Theatrical Productions spokesman denied the project, saying, “Hercules is one of many great Menken scores, but no stage adaptation is in development at this time.”