Interview: Alan Menken on DISNEY BROADWAY HITS FEAT. ALAN MENKEN

Alan Menken is the Disney Legend who’s won 8 Oscars, 7 Golden Globes, 11 Grammys, and 1 Tony. He is renowned as a composer of Disney films such as “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin”, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, “Hercules”, “The Little Mermaid”, “Tangled”, “Pocahontas”, and so on. He flew to Japan to perform in three “Disney’s Broadway Hits with Alan Menken” concerts (Click here to see Reivew: DISNEY BROADWAY HITS) which were held August 16th through 18th.

How do you feel coming back to Japan?

I love to come to Japan. I always love it here. It's always an incredible pleasure. I was so disappointed last summer. I was like horrified. We had been planning that for so long and then: I stop off at a rehearsal for the “Hercules” musical on the way to the airport, and they do that antigen (Covid) test, and they go, “You're got COVID!” and I go, “What!?”  And they said, “You’re going home!” And that was it.  I felt terrible (about canceling).  Oh my god, I felt so bad.

What do you think is special about working with Disney?

Oh, wow. Well, Disney is the best company when it comes to musicals, and certainly in film. I think the history of Disney is unparalleled in all of that. But beyond that, they have the best handle on making a safe space for a wide audience. And also, when you have a successful project, they are beyond any other company in and promoting it, in bringing it around the world, and protecting it. They’re definitely the best.

What was the most impressive memory you have with Disney?

Probably the early memories of when we first came there, and were working in animation.  And Howard Ashman was still alive, and we were working together.  And the animation studio was out in these warehouses in Glendale; we weren’t even on the lot. And we just built something back from the ground up. It was so exciting and amazing.

About “Beauty and the Beast”: Could you tell me something you’ve almost never shared about; a memory of “Beauty and the Beast”?

When the stage show of “Beauty and the Beast” opened on Broadway, I remember the reviews were really mean. They were like, “Oh, Disney: Theme park entertainment!” And I remember there was one reviewer from “The New York Times”.  He disliked the whole thing, and he said, quote: “The astonishments rarely cease.”  And I remember we ran for ten years, and one of the things they (Disney) put on the marquee was, “NEW YORK TIMES:  THE ASTONISHMENTS RARELY CEASE”.  And the reviews simply didn’t matter, because people loved it.

Which song most excited you when you were composing?

You mean any of my songs?! They’re all exciting for me. There’re too many to even mention. I’m so proud of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, and I love the run that is happening here in Japan. I love having a wonderful run of productions in Europe, and I’m so excited about the stage production.  I’m also so excited about “Hercules”, and especially excited about what’s coming with that.  And I’m really hoping it will be here in Japan as well.

What is in your mind when composing?  

The story, the characters, the tone of the storytelling and how that affects the songwriting.  The contexts within the score of each song, and how they work together to tell the story, and to communicate the emotions and the point of view of the storytelling as well. It’s as if I’m creating a ride that you strap into.  I’m putting you on this ride, I’m gonna take you on a wonderful journey, and I want the songs to be what leads you on that journey.

What would you like to do if you had a month off in Japan?

Oh my God... Travel.  I’ve only been to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Yokohama, and that area. I’d love to travel beyond that up to Hokkaido, Kyushu or… So many other places I would love to visit that I’ve never been to. And of course, I love seeing old Japan. I love the old traditional Ryokans (Traditional Japanese inns), and I love the shrines, and the tea ceremony. I’m a sucker for that. LOL. They’re all so beautiful.  I love that.

Any plans for coming back to Japan?

After I finish my concerts, I’m going out to Hakone, and I’m going to stay at a beautiful Ryokan that I love out there, and spend just a couple of days just relaxing in Hakone.

Photo Credit: [Shervin Lainez]

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