We're only just in February and Disney made my year already! Hercules is coming to the stage!
Announced by The New York Times this week, The Public Theater in partnership with Disney Theatrical will stage the world premiere of Hercules as part of it's Public Works initiative this summer. And best of all, this new stage adaptation will reteam Disney Legend Alan Menken with lyricist David Zippel to add new songs for the stage production.
In addition to the return of Menken and Zippel, Hercules will feature a new book by Kristoffer Diaz, choreography by Chase Brock, and will be directed by Lear deBessonet, who founded Public Works. The creative team also includes Dane Laffrey (Scenic Design), Andrea Hood (Costume Design), Tyle Micoleau (Lighting Design), Kai Harada and Jessica Paz (Sound Design), Cookie Jordan (Wigs, Hair, and Makeup Design), and Michael Kosarin (Music Director).
Public Works shows are exuberant productions, featuring a small team of professional actors working with hundreds of amateur performers from around New York. "Its populist musical treatment of a classical story about a hero's journey felt very specific to Public Works," Lear deBessonet told The New York Times, "I saw buried in the story these elements that subvert a traditional narrative of what a hero is, and what strength is. The thing we externally celebrate as being heroic is not real strength - there's a much deeper journey."
Hercules marks a continuation of Disney Theatrical creating new musicals in partnership with local and regional theatres, which began with Aladdin in 2011. It's a practice which has worked well for them, taking shows that aren't a sure thing and allowing them to try and find an audience. It's created new Broadway hits, like Newsies and Aladdin, and even when a show hasn't found a home on Broadway, it's still allowed them to reach a wider audience, with the studio cast recording of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and last year's TV adaptation of Freaky Friday.
There's currently no plans for Hercules to transfer to Broadway, but if this summer's production goes well, there's always a chance Herc could go the distance.
Hercules will play at the outdoor Delacorte Theater in Central Park from August 31st to September 8th.
Tickets to Public Works are free and will be available in person or by digital lottery (details to be announced closer to the time). According to the Public Theater website a limited number of reserved seats will be available (again, details to follow) and you can join their Partners Program to guarantee reserved seats now.
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