by Courtney Potter Early in the evolution of Aladdin, composer Alan Menken, book writer and lyricist Chad Beguelin and director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw got together to write a brand new song for the stage musical – a unique collaboration that could only happen on Broadway. “We needed to write a new song for the Genie, [for]... Continue Reading →
ALADDIN: Musical Maestro
This feature is excerpted from Disney’s Aladdin: A Whole New World (The Road to Broadway and Beyond) by Michael Lassell. Earning a staggering number of accolades for his work on The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and the film version of Aladdin, amongst many others, Alan Menken is an undisputed master of the stage... Continue Reading →
A Look Inside the Scenic Design for ‘Wicked’
Eugene Lee won a Tony Award for Best Set Design for Wicked. Below, he and Edward Piece, his associate set designer, share their thoughts on designing the unique set that makes Wicked so special. What were some of your difficulties at the beginning in designing the set? Eugene Lee: The script for Wicked is like a... Continue Reading →
Book Writer Winnie Holzman on Making a ‘Wicked’ Heroine and Shunting Dorothy Aside
Winnie Holzman received a Tony nomination and a Drama Desk Award for writing the book for Wicked. She's also known for having created the memorable television drama "My So-Called Life" and she got her start writing for the acclaimed drama "thirtysomething." Here she shares some of the background to writing Wicked. What attracted you to Wicked?... Continue Reading →
‘Wicked’ Composer/Lyricist Stephen Schwartz on Putting a Spin on a Familiar Villain
Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz has contributed music and/or lyrics to Godspell, Pippin, The Baker’s Wife, and Children of Eden among many more, and has collaborated on scores for the films Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted and The Prince of Egypt and more. Here he shares how he brought his vision for a Wicked musical to life. How long... Continue Reading →
‘Chicago’: The Real Women of “Murderess Row” and the Woman Who Told Their Story
Part of the appeal of Chicago – the longest-running American musical in Broadway history – is that although the events unfolding on stage occurred almost 100 years ago, they feel current. Audiences feel as if they’re watching an episode of Law & Order, with sensational characters, gripping plotlines, and crimes ripped from the headlines. That’s... Continue Reading →
‘Finding Neverland’: Meet J.M. Barrie, author of ‘Peter Pan’
Finding Neverland, which opens our 17/18 subscription season, tells the incredible story behind the creation of the story of Peter Pan, and the real family that inspired playwright J.M. Barrie to come up with a story that has been beloved for generations. Below is a brief biography of Barrie. James Matthew Barrie was born on May... Continue Reading →