Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

July 22, 1949 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Film

 

 

Orchestral

 

Alan Menken is a renowned American composer and songwriter, best known for his contributions to the world of musical theater and film. Born on July 22, 1949, in New Rochelle, New York, Menken grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Norman Menken, was a dentist by profession but also played the piano, while his mother, Judith Menken, was a dance teacher. Menken showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He was also exposed to a wide range of musical styles, from classical to jazz, thanks to his parents' diverse tastes. As a teenager, Menken played in various bands and wrote his own songs, but he also had a passion for musical theater. After graduating from high school, Menken attended New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, where he studied music and theater. During this time, he began writing music for off-Broadway productions and gained a reputation as a talented composer. In 1979, Menken met lyricist Howard Ashman, and the two began collaborating on musicals. Their first major success came in 1982 with the off-Broadway production of "Little Shop of Horrors," which was later adapted into a film. The show's catchy, doo-wop-inspired score, which included songs like "Skid Row" and "Suddenly, Seymour," earned Menken and Ashman critical acclaim and a loyal following. Menken and Ashman went on to write the music and lyrics for several other successful musicals, including "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater" (1981), "The Little Mermaid" (1989), and "Beauty and the Beast" (1991). Their work on "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast" earned them Academy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Score. Tragically, Ashman passed away from AIDS-related complications in 1991, leaving Menken to continue their work alone. Despite the loss of his collaborator and friend, Menken continued to write music for musicals and films, often working with new lyricists. In 1992, Menken wrote the score for the Disney film "Aladdin," which included the hit song "A Whole New World." The song, which Menken co-wrote with lyricist Tim Rice, won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and became a pop culture phenomenon. Menken went on to write the music for several other Disney films, including "Pocahontas" (1995), "Hercules" (1997), and "Enchanted" (2007). He also wrote the score for the Broadway musical "Newsies" (1992), which was later adapted into a film. In addition to his work in musical theater and film, Menken has also written music for television and theme parks. He composed the theme song for the popular animated series "The Little Mermaid" (1992-1994) and wrote the score for the Disney California Adventure attraction "The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure." Throughout his career, Menken has won numerous awards for his contributions to music and theater. In addition to his Academy Awards, he has won several Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, and Drama Desk Awards. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008. Today, Menken continues to write music for film and theater. His most recent projects include the live-action adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast" (2017) and the Broadway musical "A Bronx Tale" (2016). He is also working on a stage adaptation of the Disney film "Hercules." In conclusion, Alan Menken is a prolific and talented composer who has made significant contributions to the world of musical theater and film.

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