News & Press Releases

Alan Menken to receive star on Hollywood Walk of Fame November 10th

Published

13 years ago

November 4, 2010

Jim Hill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALAN MENKEN TO BE AWARDED STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

NOVEMBER 10 LOS ANGELES (November 4, 2010) – Composer Alan Menken, winner of eight Academy Awards – more than any living person- will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 10 prior to his new film “Tangled” opening in theatres this Thanksgiving.

Menken has created many of the 20th and 21st century’s most memorable film and theatrical music including “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “Pocahontas” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” His score and original songs for Walt Disney Pictures’ 50th animated feature can be heard on the soundtrack to be released on November 16 and in the film opening November 24.

Mr. Menken will be in attendance and will be honored at an open to the public, star-studded ceremonial unveiling of his star next week in front of Disney’s El Capitan Theatre, site of the premieres of many of his films. The ceremony will be held at 11:30 AM at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA.

“I wanted folk rock on this,” explains Menken about the score. “I thought about Rapunzel’s long hair and the freedom she wanted. Immediately I thought about Joni Mitchell’s “Chelsea Morning” and all that folk music that I love. Cat Stevens and that energy.”

Mandy Moore (“A Walk To Remember”) voices Rapunzel, a feisty teen with 70 feet of magical hair who is joined by Zachary Levi (“Chuck”) as Flynn Rider and Tony winner Donny Murphy (“The King and I”) as Mother Gothel on the playful soundtrack. The first song written for the film was the “Healing Incantation” sung by Mandy Moore which runs throughout the movie. “Mandy brings that wonderful quality that’s totally compatible with Rapunzel. This voice that’s light, airy, and yearning. She’s adorable, and Rapunzel is adorable.” Moore and Levi perform a duet on “I See The Light,” a sweeping, romantic ballad to make hearts swoon.

A musical theatre type song was created for Mother Gothel, performed by Donna Murphy. “I’ve known Donna for a long time; in fact she was one of our Audreys in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ way back. Donna brought that kind of exciting drama to the song.”

Alan Menken has won four Oscars® for Best Score (“The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin” and “Pocahontas”) and four Oscars for best song (“Under the Sea,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “A Whole New World” and “Colors of the Wind”). In addition, he has been nominated 18 times, including Best Song nominations for “Mean Green Mother From Outer Space,” “Kiss the Girl,” “Belle,” “Be Our Guest,” “Friend Like Me,” “Go the Distance,” “Happy Working Song,” “So Close” and “That’s How You Know,” plus a Best Score nomination for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” He has won ten Grammy Awards® (including Song of the Year for “A Whole New World”), seven Golden Globes®, London’s Evening Standard Award, the Olivier Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award.

Other notable achievements include Billboard’s number one single (“A Whole New World”) and number one album (“Pocahontas”), an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts from New York University and induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Earlier this fall the musical stage adaptation of the Steve Martin film “Leap of Faith” with original music by Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater had its world-premiere.

Alan Menken’s upcoming projects include the April 2011 Broadway opening of the musical “Sister Act” and the development of a stage musical version of the films “Newsies” with writer Harvey Fierstein and lyricist Jack Feldman as well as “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Aladdin.”

ALAN MENKEN’S NEW HAIR-RAISING MUSIC TO “TANGLED” AVAILABLE ON CD NOVEMBER 16

News & Press Releases

Disney Will Bring D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event to Anaheim, California in August 2024

Published

15 hours ago

September 9, 2023

Nancy Stadler

Expanded Disney Fan Experience Will Feature New and Exciting Events Across Multiple Locations, Including a D23 Takeover of the Happiest Place On Earth, Evening Entertainment at the Honda Center, D23 Day at Angel Stadium, and Much More

Fan Favorites Including Exhibits, Panels, Shows, and Shopping Will Dazzle Disney Enthusiasts at the Anaheim Convention Center

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is a one-of-a-kind fan experience like never before with spectacular shows, new venues, and multiple days of entertainment that will bring together the best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and more!

Highlightswill include:

Sunday, August 4: D23 Day at Angel Stadium, where D23 fans are invited to attend the Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Mets game.
Thursday, August 8: D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort.
Friday, August 9 – Sunday, August 11: Shopping, exhibits, panels, and presentations will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center during the day, with the fun extending into the evening at the Honda Center, the bigger home to marquee shows.

Tickets for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will go on sale in Spring 2024, with ticketing options to be announced later for access to the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center. Admission for D23 Day at Angel Stadium and the D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort will be available as separate ticketed events. Additional details for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will be announced in early 2024.

You can get updates by staying connected to D23 via social media (@DisneyD23 on Facebook, Instagram, X), D23.com, and our weekly D23 FanFare email (sign up for free as a D23 General Member at JoinD23.com).

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s nearly 100-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic year-round through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; the latest news and stories on D23.com; member-exclusive offers and discounts; the popular D23 Inside Disney podcast; and special experiences for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99/year), Gold Duo Membership ($129.99/year), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube.

News & Press Releases

Star Wars Spoof: Space Robots in Outer Space Ep X: Battle for the Halcyon: The Last Starcruiser

Published

4 months ago

May 4, 2023

Jim Hill

Sure, Star Wars is cool and all. But let’s not forget about that other multi-part sci-fi cinematic spectacular, “Space Robots in Outer Space.” In fact, Hank Lonely (Hollywood’s ultimate hyphenate — actor / producer / director / writer / guy who makes sure the Porto Potties are kept squeaky-clean) just announced that there’ll soon be a 10th installment of this … Well, not exactly beloved. How about we say “admired from afar” instead? … series coming to a theater near you. In fact, here’s the highly anticipated teaser trailer for that project. Which is supposed to be titled “Space Robots in Outer Space X — Battle for the Halycon: The Last Starcruiser.”

Okay. Now the real story … In honor of Star Wars Day (i.e., May 4th. As in “May the Fourth Be With You”), Len Testa and I are sharing something that we produced with the help of all the nice folks who joined us last month aboard the Halycon.

We turned the Galactic Starcruiser as well as Black Spire Outpost into the backdrop for an affectionate send-up of all things Stars Wars. We hope that you (more importantly, the legal team at Lucasfilm) take this faux trailer in the spirit with which it was intended. Special thanks to Aaron Adams for so skillfully stitching all of this footage together. Also thanks to the team at Storybook Destinations, Touring Plans and the talented cast & crew aboard the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” for making this “Disney Dish” fan event so memorable.

News & Press Releases

Disney’s New Trailer Reveals How Ralph & Vanellope Get to the Internet in “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2”

Published

5 years ago

June 4, 2018

Jim Hill

When “Wreck-It Ralph” opened on Nov. 2, 2012, it turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film at the time of release. Now Disney is hoping Ralph will not only break the Internet but the 2018 Thanksgiving boxoffice records as well.

The film re-teams the original director, producer and co-writer behind “Wreck-It Ralph.” The screenplay is currently being written by Phil Johnston and Pamela Ribon. Director Rich Moore, producer Clark Spencer, and co-writer Phil Johnston partnered with fellow director Byron Howard and co-writer/co-director Jared Bush to create the Academy Award®-winning blockbuster feature “Zootopia.”

ROYAL REUNION – In “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2,” Vanellope von Schweetz-along with her best friend Ralph-ventures into the uncharted world of the internet. When she finds herself surrounded by Disney princesses, she’s surprised to learn that she actually has a lot in common with them. The scene, highlighted in a new trailer for the film (below), features several of the original princess voices, including Auli’i Cravalho (“Moana”), Kristen Bell (Anna in “Frozen”), Idina Menzel (Elsa in “Frozen”), Kelly MacDonald (Merida in “Brave”), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in “Tangled”), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog”), Ming-Na Wen (“Mulan”), Irene Bedard (“Pocahontas”), Linda Larkin (Jasmine in “Aladdin”), Paige O’Hara (Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”) and Jodi Benson (Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”). Featuring Sarah Silverman as the voice of Vanellope, “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2” opens in theaters nationwide Nov. 21, 2018.