Alan Menken Interview - HUNCHBACK CONFIRMED!

[TheatreKid3]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Exclusive-Interview-Alan-Menken-on-Vying-for-the-EGOT-ABCs-THE-NEIGHBORS-Plus-Scoops-on-ALADDIN-HUNCHBACK-TANGLED-More-20130715-page2

In BWW's exclusive interview with Alan Menken, the song-writer confirms speculation that HUNCHBACK is indeed being rewritten for the stage by Peter Parnell and will be directed by Scott Schwartz, Stephen Schwartz's son. Now it is only a matter of when!

Among other things, Menken discusses ALADDIN and, to my surprises, states it is a version of the production that was done at 5th Avenue a couple of years ago - completely contradicting the statement released by Disney saying the show was completely redone. I honestly think Menken did not mean much by this, more or less stating the score would be similar - he alludes to a new book by Beguelin among other things.

He is also apparently teaming up with Jack Feldman and Harvey Fierstein again!

Exciting times for Menken/Disney fans indeed! I'm pulling for him to get his EGOT!

[DramaTeach]

I believe Hunchback has the most Broadway potential. The story and music are emotionally rich, and it features mostly real people instead of singing teapots and lions. Hope it happens sooner rather than later.

[Mister Matt]

I'm curious about the Hunchback designs. As long as it's not the boring blocks and projections of the German production, it should be okay.

[CurtainPullDowner]

"it features mostly real people instead of singing teapots and lions"
Cause that didn't work out too well.

[onedaymore]

"I'm curious about the Hunchback designs. As long as it's not the boring blocks and projections of the German production, it should be okay."

Yeah, that won't translate to a Broadway stage very well. Curious as to what they have planned, however. Also curious if they'll keep the ending the same as the movie where Esmeralda still lives or if they'll do it like the German production where she actually dies.

[Visceral_Fella]

I prefer the ending where Esmerelda dies, but sadly I don't think that would go over well on Broadway. Here's hoping that they keep the German ending though.

[Kad]

Don't want to cry nepotism too early but... Stephen Schwartz's son is directing this?

[all that jazz]

It's Disney on Broadway, Esmeralda will live.


These are really exciting news! I hope they go for a more traditional apporach to the set design. It definetely has the potential to be a stunning production.

[TheatreKid3]

KAD - I'm willing to give him a chance, but I figured they would go for a bigger name (or at least a Broadway veteran). He has only directed two shows on Broadway prior. Surely he must have had a good vision or pitch.

[Kad]

It's just strange they would entrust a large-scale production to someone who has no experience with them.

[hanschens]

I have been waiting for this for so long! I'm watching the movie right now, funnily enough. I wonder who'll end up getting cast? After hearing his 'Out There', I'd love to see Jeremy Jordan as Quasi. I'd also like to see Terrence Mann as Frollo and Christian Borle as Clopin.

[N2N Nate.]

Really looking forward to seeing the outcome of Hunchback. I agree with whoever said the German Designs won't work, but I wish they would keep the German ending. Would have loved to be a fly on the wall during the Rooftop Players reading.

"A Hope-Crosby road picture sensibility where these guys are a traveling troupe of beggars/singers. And then, of course, Aladdin gets pulled into this adventure and the guys follow along."

That will be interesting..

[whatever2]

To those saying the "German design" won't work ... is it because you've seen it and didn't care for it, or for the same reason Esmeralda won't die (i.e., commercial Broadway will never tolerate it)? If the former did you see the live show, or just pictures/videos?

Thanks!

[TheatreKid3]

Kad - agreed. They better not mess this up.

Whatever2 - They just mean they feel the show deserves a more classical, grand design (like BEAUTY) as opposed to some contemporary concept set, such as that for NEWSIES.

[N2N Nate.]

Personally, I don't think the German design will work because it isn't extravagant enough. The hydraulic box idea was fine for that theater but I imagine Hunchback would go into a much larger theater that would be able to accommodate bigger and bulkier set pieces. However, I do think the German Cathedral design would work splendidly on Broadway.

I have not seen the Live show, I have just seen the full Bootleg recording of it on YouTube.

[TheatreKid3]

I really think this show is perfect for the Palace. Lunt-Fontanne is a close second.

Remember, Disney exclusively houses their productions in Nederlander venues - the only exception being Disney's own New Amsterdam (which is my actual #1 choice, but depending on many factors ALADDIN may still be (hopefully) open at the time, and I see them keeping a more well-known/popular/kid-friendly title playing there).

[AvenueQResident]

Menken confirms this every year.

I hope this is happening for real.

[gavyj]

Yes. Yes. Yes.

[DramaTeach]

I never said that shows with teapots and lions didn't work. They've obviously been incredibly successful with some of the things they've done so far; I just personally prefer a show based a bit more in reality. Just my personal preference.

Maybe it's because I direct my school shows and get frustrated when I think of having to pay to rent those costumes, as I don't have someone to help me out with that or a budget (except for what we earn from the year before). In movie theatres, I'm all for singing and dancing teapots

[justincharacter]

@Kad I know, it does seem very strange. Although, we have to see what he does first, we can't say anything just yet! He could have (and obviously did) presented a interesting and amazing vision of what he wants the production to be like which won the people at Disney over. So, is The Princess and the Frog next?

[RippedMan]

What else has his son done? Is he a "visionary" kind of director? That tends to be how Disney goes. And sometimes it works (Lion King) or sometimes it doesn't (Tarzan, Mermaid).

[ClydeBarrow]

"Best known for his direction of Golda’s Balcony, the one-woman show about Golda Meir starring Tovah Feldshuh, that became the longest running one-woman show in Broadway history.

Other Broadway credits include the musical Jane Eyre, and The Foreigner starring Matthew Broderick for Roundabout Theater Company. Off-Broadway: tick, tick…BOOM! and Batboy: The Musical."

[CATSNYrevival]

^I'm sticking up for Tarzan! I still think the design was really creative. The show just needed a director who wasn't also the designer.

[RippedMan]

No way. Tarzan was awful from the start. First, they made him a tenor. Second, they cast the gayest actor available to play Tarzan. And he riffed. I'm sorry, but I saw Tarzan more as a booming baritone type.

And cool. I mean he's done a lot, but eh. I don't know if he's quite the person for this.

[justincharacter]

"The show just needed a director who wasn't also the designer."

Sounds like they tried to pull a "Julie Taymorer"...

Eh, I didn't get to catch Tarzan, but the music was great. I think it deserves a revival, it's really successful in Germany.