Legendary Disney Composer Alan Menken Reflects on Career, Awards, and Partnership with Howard Ashman
Renowned composer Alan Menken, known for soundtracking millennial childhoods with hits like 'A Whole New World,' reflects on his illustrious career in a new interview. The article highlights his eight Academy Awards and unique status as an EGOT winner, while also humorously noting his Razzie award for the film 'Newsies.' A significant portion of the piece details Menken's emotional collaboration with lyricist Howard Ashman during the final stages of their work on 'Aladdin' and 'Beauty and the Beast' in early 1991. Despite Ashman being in the terminal stages of AIDS-related illness, they successfully created iconic songs together before Ashman passed away before the films' releases. Menken is currently touring a solo autobiographical show, 'A Whole New World of Alan Menken,' which debuted in Australia, blending storytelling with musical performances to explore his journey from a dentist's son to one of Hollywood's most celebrated composers.
Wire timeline
Legendary Disney Composer Alan Menken Reflects on Career, Awards, and Partnership with Howard Ashman
Renowned composer Alan Menken, known for soundtracking millennial childhoods with hits like 'A Whole New World,' reflects on his illustrious career in a new interview. The article highlights his eight Academy Awards and unique status as an EGOT winner, while also humorously noting his Razzie award for the film 'Newsies.' A significant portion of the piece details Menken's emotional collaboration with lyricist Howard Ashman during the final stages of their work on 'Aladdin' and 'Beauty and the Beast' in early 1991. Despite Ashman being in the terminal stages of AIDS-related illness, they successfully created iconic songs together before Ashman passed away before the films' releases. Menken is currently touring a solo autobiographical show, 'A Whole New World of Alan Menken,' which debuted in Australia, blending storytelling with musical performances to explore his journey from a dentist's son to one of Hollywood's most celebrated composers.
The Guardian