A Legacy of Musical Mastery
Alan Menken’s resumé is one of the most impressive in the world of music. The American composer has written songs for iconic films such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Tangled. These are just a few of his many contributions to the world of entertainment. It’s no surprise that many people credit him with creating the soundtrack to our childhoods.
Menken’s work extends beyond Disney. He was responsible for bringing the score of Little Shop of Horrors to life, as well as the musicals A Bronx Tale and A Christmas Carol. Even Wicked gets a nod from him, as he jokes that he kept Stephen Schwartz in the business when he was considering leaving it behind.
A Career Spanning Decades
Despite having spent over 50 years in the industry, earning eight Academy Awards and achieving EGOT status (winning Emmy, Golden Globe, Oscar, and Tony awards), Menken shows no signs of slowing down. At 76, he remains incredibly busy, working on the live-action version of Tangled, Broadway’s Night at the Museum, and musical adaptations of Animal Farm and Nancy Drew. He is also preparing for a trip to Australia in May, where he will perform live concerts of his greatest hits in Sydney and Melbourne.
“I have a lot going on, and there are times when I go, ‘Oh God, this is too much’. But, other than my family, composing is very much the centre of my life,” he says.
From Early Beginnings to Disney Renaissance
Menken’s passion for music began early. Inspired by classics like Disney’s Fantasia and Beethoven’s Pastoral, he started composing his own music at the age of nine. Despite coming from a family of dentists, he chose to pursue a career in composition. His talent eventually caught the attention of Disney in the 1980s, marking the start of his legendary career.
From The Little Mermaid (1989) to Hercules (1997), Menken became a key figure in the “Disney Renaissance” – a period that revived Disney’s success after a string of less successful films. This era was defined by a collective effort to return the studio to its classic roots, and Menken played a crucial role in that transformation.
“There was a hunger for the return of the classic era of Disney,” he explains. “A new generation of people were coming in to run it … Everyone from the head of animation to the top of the company came from a theatre background. So, we were bringing that flame – giving new life to this world of Disney that we all loved while growing up – but we were also bringing in a real theatricality in terms of our craft.”
The Art of Musical Storytelling
What sets Menken apart is his unique approach to storytelling through music. He believes that music serves as a form of vocabulary, drawing from specific stories, emotions, and ethos. His compositions often incorporate familiar elements but with a fresh twist. For instance, Little Shop of Horrors nods to Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” and bubblegum rock’n’roll, while Aladdin draws inspiration from Harlem jazz.
“There’s familiarity in terms of the intention of the song. But then I pride myself in the fact that the song will go unexpected places and have its own voice, its own purpose,” he says.
Humble Collaborations
Despite his immense success, Menken remains humble. He does not view any of his works as “Alan Menken musicals,” but rather as contributions to the characters’ stories. He compares his role to that of an architect, designing a foundation that others can build upon.
“It’s not about me at all,” he says. “I don’t think there’s any form more collaborative than musicals. And I think that’s the great strength of them.”
Throughout his career, Menken has worked with numerous musical theatre legends, including David Zippel, Tim Rice, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Howard Ashman, the “patron saint of Disney” who passed away in 1991.
Navigating the Challenges of Success
While Menken cherishes his work with Disney, he acknowledges the challenges that come with being associated with such a massive studio. He notes that sometimes, the studio’s decisions may not align with his vision, such as the addition of funny gargoyles in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. However, these challenges do not deter him.
“My bank account doesn’t mind that,” he laughs. “I love the association of my music with Disney.”
A Future Full of Possibilities
Although Menken admits that there will eventually come a time to stop composing, he is unsure when that moment will arrive. In the meantime, his upcoming Australian performances will offer fans a glimpse into the arc of his career so far.
“When I take the bow, I’m taking a bow for the songs as much as I’m taking a bow for just telling the story of my particular life. It’s been a great ride.”
A Whole New World of Alan Menken will take place at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on May 6 and at the Sydney Event Centre on May 8.
