Hercules
The Public Theater promotional poster
MusicAlan Menken
LyricsDavid Zippel
Book
SettingAncient Greece
BasisHercules
by Ron Clements
John Musker
Donald McEnery
Bob Shaw
Irene Mecchi
Productions

Hercules is a musical based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios 1997 film of the same name, with music and lyrics by Alan Menken and David Zippel, and a book by Kristoffer Diaz, Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah. The production is also loosely based on the legendary hero of the same name, the son of Zeus, in Greek mythology.

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the musical had a tryout at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park in August 2019 and was met with a mixed critical response.

Development

In July 2017, Alan Menken announced that he was working on a stage adaptation of the 1997 film Hercules.[1][2] On February 6, 2019, it was announced that the theatrical adaptation would premiere later that year.[3]

Productions

Delacorte Theater (2019)

The world premiere occurred at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, Manhattan, New York, as part of its Public Works program from August 31 until September 8.[4] Menken and David Zippel returned to compose and write the songs, while Kristoffer Diaz wrote the book, Lear deBessonet directed, and Chase Brock choreographed.[5] The cast included Jelani Alladin (Hercules), Roger Bart (Hades), Jeff Hiller (Panic), Joel Frost (Nessus), Nelson Chimilio (Pain),[6] James Monroe Iglehart (Phil), Ramona Keller (Thalia), Tamika Lawrence (Calliope), Krysta Rodriguez (Meg), and Rema Webb (Terpsichore).[7] Menken and Zippel wrote new songs for the musical, as well as reusing the film's original works.[8]

Paper Mill Playhouse (2023)

On March 22, 2020, Alan Menken appeared on Rosie O'Donnell's livestream benefit for the Actors Fund, where he talked about his upcoming projects, saying "I'm working on Disenchanted, the sequel to Enchanted, and I have another Broadway show" and in a separate thought, he added "Hercules is coming to the stage. Of course we did that in Central Park last summer."[9] Disney Theatrical subsequently confirmed that they intend to make the product available for licensing.[10] On May 16, 2020, it was reported that Robert Horn will write a new iteration for the musical, with Lear deBessonet returning as director.[11] On August 18, 2020, Menken confirmed that the musical is indeed being adapted to Broadway.[12]

In April 2022, it was announced that a revised version of the musical would play at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey during the 2022-23 season, from February 16 to March 19, 2023. The revised book would be written by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Robert Horn.[13] Announced cast members include Bradley Gibson as Hercules, Shuler Hensley as Hades, Iglehart reprising his role as Phil, and Isabelle McCalla as Meg.[14] Rounding out the cast is Charity Angél Dawson (Clio), Tiffany Mann (Calliope), Anastascia McClesky (Thalia), Destinee Rea (Terpischore), and Rashidra Scott (Melpomene) as the Muses, Reggie De Leon and Jeff Blumenkrantz as Pain and Panic, Kathryn Allison as Despina, Allyson Kaye Daniel as Aunt Tithesis/Lachesis, Lucia Giannetta as Atropos, Jesse Nager as Nessus, Dennis Stowe and Kristen Faith Oei as Zeus and Hera, and Anne Fraser Thomas as Clotho.[15]

Neue Flora (2024)

The first international production of Hercules will be staged at the Neue Flora in Hamburg, Germany on March 24, 2024 and will directed by Casey Nicholaw. It is the first Disney stage musical to be developed in Hamburg.[16] On October 25, 2023, it was announced that Benét Monteiro will be taking the lead role.[17] The rest of the cast was presented on December 5, 2023.[18]

Notable casts

Character Delacorte Theater Paper Mill Playhouse Neue Flora
2019 2023 2024
Hercules Jelani Alladin Bradley Gibson Benét Monteiro [de]
alternate: Hope Maine
Phil James Monroe Iglehart Kristofer Weinstein-Storey
Meg Krysta Rodriguez Isabelle McCalla Mae Ann Jorolan
Hades Roger Bart Shuler Hensley Detlef Leistenschneider
Pain (Karl) Nelson Chimilio Reggie De Leon André Haedicke
Panic (Heinz) Jeff Hiller Jeff Blumenkrantz Mario Saccoccio
Thalia Ramona Keller Anastacia McCleskey Chasity Crisp
Calliope Tamika Lawrence Tiffany Mann Leslie Beehann
Terpsichore Rema Webb Destinee Rea Venolia Manale
Clio Charity Angél Dawson Jamie-Lee Uzoh
Melpomene Rashidra Scott Shekinah McFarlane
Nessus Joel Frost Jesse Nager t.b.a.

Musical numbers

The music was composed by Alan Menken, with lyrics by David Zippel.

Delacorte (2019)

Paper Mill (2023)

Reception

The world premiere production has garnered mixed reviews from critics, with many praising the cast, music, story, and production value. Thom Geier, of TheWrap, praised the production, saying it "works better than bigger-budgeted recent efforts like Frozen".[8] Jessica Derschowits, of Entertainment Weekly, welcomed the "lively but low-key production that feels in many ways like the polar opposite of Disney's string of megawatt Broadway hits — which is a big part of its charm".[19] Jesse Green, of The New York Times, gave a positive review by commenting on the "shrewd casting and amateur performers joining professionals onstage, a middling 1997 animated Disney musical becomes a pageant of civic engagement".[20] Matt Windman, of AM New York Metro, gave a mixed review by commenting on "the lighthearted tone of the film, Kristoffer Diaz's new book features countless zingers and inside jokes. Diaz also tries to deliver an underlying moral on the difference between being a hero and a celebrity. However, Diaz may have gone too far in changing around some of the original sequencing, which has made the second half of the show very messy".[21]

References

  1. ^ Cristi, A.A. (July 9, 2017). "Will Disney's HERCULES Go the Distance to Broadway? Alan Menken Reveals Stage Version in the Works". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  2. ^ Pimentel, Joseph (July 10, 2017). "Alan Menken's Life Story in Musicals to Highlight D23 Expo in Anaheim". Orange County Register. Digital First Media. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  3. ^ McPhee, Ryan (February 6, 2019). "Stage Adaptation of Disney's Hercules to Play the Public Theater's Delacorte". Playbill. TotalTheater. Archived from the original on September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  4. ^ Skethway, Nathan (September 1, 2019). "First Look at Hercules in Central Park". Playbill. TotalTheater. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  5. ^ Rosky, Nicole (February 6, 2019). "Breaking: Bless My Soul! Public Theater Will Stage HERCULES at the Delacorte Theatre This Summer". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  6. ^ Gordon, David (September 2, 2019). "See Jelani Alladin, Krysta Rodriguez, and Roger Bart in Disney's Hercules". TheaterMania. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  7. ^ Evans, Greg (June 20, 2019). "'Hercules' Stage Musical Adaptation Finds Its Strongman: Jelani Alladin Among Cast Announced For Shakespeare In The Park Production". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Geier, Thom (September 2, 2019). "'Hercules' Theater Review: Can Disney's Animated Hero Go the Distance to Broadway?". TheWrap. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  9. ^ O'Donnell, Rosie (March 22, 2020). The Rosie O'Donnell Show Live! Give With Me to The Actors Fundraiser. Broadway.com. John Gore Organization. Retrieved July 4, 2020 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Gordon, David (March 23, 2020). "Alan Menken Reveals Continued Development of Disney's Hercules Musical". TheaterMania. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  11. ^ McPhee, Ryan (May 15, 2020). "Disney Theatrical Productions Reveals Next Steps for Hercules and The Jungle Book Musicals, Aida Revival, More". Playbill. TotalTheater. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  12. ^ Tossell, Shaun (August 17, 2020). "Disney's 'Hercules' – Stage Adaptation Coming to Broadway". Theatre Fan. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  13. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 12, 2022). "Disney's Hercules Sets Stage Return at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse". Playbill. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  14. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (October 31, 2022). "Bradley Gibson, Isabelle McCalla, Shuler Hensley & James Monroe Iglehart to Lead HERCULES at Paper Mill Playhouse". Broadway World. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  15. ^ Meyer, Dan (January 12, 2023). "Casting Complete for HERCULES at Paper Mill Playhouse With Tiffany Mann, Rashidra Scott, More". Theatrely. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  16. ^ Hercules at the Neue Flora
  17. ^ "Benét Monteiro spielt die Titelrolle in Disneys Musical HERCULES". Stage Entertainment. October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  18. ^ "Disneys HERCULES Besetzung". Stage Entertainment. December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  19. ^ Derschowitz, Jessica (September 2, 2019). "'Hercules' Musical is a Stage Adaptation Filled with Heroics and Heart". Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  20. ^ Green, Jesse (September 2, 2019). "Review: Public Works Finds the Heroism in 'Hercules'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  21. ^ Windman, Matt (September 2, 2019). "'Hercules' review: Free Disney Musical Goes the Distance". AM New York Metro. Schneps Media. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
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