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by Michael Portantiere

Sing a Song of Alan Menken


  • SING A SONG OF ALAN MENKEN

    It was a Disney World at the Hudson Theatre on Wednesday night, April 16, as Disney Theatrical Productions presented a mini-concert of songs by Alan Menken for a packed house of road presenters and other theater types. The composer of Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Newsies, and Enchanted -- not to mention Little Shop of Horrors -- Menken has many well-known songs to his credit, but this program was intriguing in that it focused on his lesser-known tunes. Here are some photos of the stars in performance.

    Sierra Boggess

    Sierra Boggess, the winsome star of Disney's The Little Mermaid

    Sean Palmer

    Sean Palmer, a.k.a. Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid.

    Ashley Brown

    Ashley Brown, who plays the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway -- and who, it was announced during the concert, will also star in the show's forthcoming national tour.

    Josh Strickland

    Josh Strickland, who did a lot of singing and swinging in Disney's Tarzan, cut short a skiing holiday in Colorado to fly to New York and perform in the concert.

    Thomas Schumacher and Donny Osmond

    Donny Osmond, who did a stint as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, did not sing but did stop by to clown around for a bit with Disney's Thomas Schumacher, host of the evening.

    Sherie Rene Scott and Kurt Deutsch

    Among the notables in attendance were Sherie Rene Scott, a.k.a. Ursula in The Little Mermaid, with husband Kurt Deutsch, the power behind Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight Records.

    Tyler Maynard and Norm Lewis

    Tyler Maynard and Norm Lewis, who respectively play Flotsam and King Triton in The Little Mermaid.

    Alan Menken and company

    Here's a parting shot of Alan Menken with the evening's performers.


    Published on Thursday, April 17, 2008


    Michael Portantiere has more than 30 years' experience as an editor and writer for TheaterMania.com, InTHEATER magazine, and BACK STAGE. He has interviewed theater notables for NPR.org, PLAYBILL, STAGEBILL, and OPERA NEWS, and has written notes for several cast albums. Michael is co-author of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: BEHIND THE MYLAR CURTAIN, published in 2008 by Hal Leonard/Applause. Additionally, he is a professional photographer whose pictures have been published by THE NEW YORK TIMES, the DAILY NEWS, and several major websites. (Visit www.followspotphoto.com for more information.) He can be reached at [email protected]


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