www.broadwayworld.com: A new stage adaptation of the Disney classic film HERCULES is currently running (for just seven nights!) through September 8th at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The free Public Works' Hercules features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by David Zippel, book by Kristoffer Diaz, choreography by Chase Brock, and is directed by Lear deBessonet.
4 comments:
Having spent a good majority of my summer working on specifically on this production, this show holds a soft spot in my heart. I am surprised that none of these reviews mention the puppet gods and monsters that make an appearance in the show. I agree with many of these reviews that talk about how the Public Works format works really well for how the writing and creative team decided to modify and produce this musical. I too greatly appreciated and enjoyed the expansion of Meg’s character and her new song. And while I would love for this show to run longer so more people had the opportunity to see it (and ideally see it for free like tickets currently are at the Delacorte), I agree with Melissa Rose Bernardo’s New York Stage Review: part of the magic of this final product is that there are community members of all ages involved and the Central Park backdrop – although I would not be opposed to having that new music recorded and released.
I've been anticipating this production for so long since Hercules has always been my favorite Disney movie! I had such high expectations and was so curious to read the reviews of the show. I didn't know before reading that they had made as many changes (additions) as they did to this stage adaptation from the movie--I really love how Meg was revamped to more than just a love interest, but a significantly empowering female character. I appreciate the fact that there are new songs in this production, and that they were written by musical genius Alan Menken himself so (I assume) that they flow with the original songs that the audience knows and loves. I didn't know before that the Public did Public Works productions, and I absolutely love the intentions behind the community outreach. From what I understand, this production wasn't produced to be swept up and taken to Broadway--it was done to bring a well-loved story into the community and to allow people FROM that community to be a part of it. The meshing of professional and community theatre to get people involved, to allow people to see themselves as a part of a full-fledged production is so moving. I think that one of the reviewers, Melissa Rose Bernardo, who said "I can't imagine this beautiful production on Broadway. There's something so perfect about seeing this updated Greek myth in a modern-day Greek amphitheater and watching Alladin perform the inspirational "Go the Distance" with the trees of Central Park blowing in the breeze behind him" said it perfectly. I had a friend who got to see the show and said that the community feel was so inspiring.
I am so excited to hear that there is a Hercules musical premiering! I hope more becomes of this musical than just a seven night run. Recently, I rewatched the Disney Hercules movie and remembered how much fun it was. With all the mythology characters and all the trials Hercules has to go through, it was a very exciting animated movie and I really want to explore how they do different aspects of the movie into a musical. Reading this article, I am glad to hear they make more out of Megara since all she did in the movie was fall for Hercules and try to prevent bad stuff from happening to him once she knew she was in love. It is very exciting to see all the praise and different designers for this show that will be very special to me. I hope it is as good as the reviews make it out to be so one day I can watch Hercules the Musical.
-Pablo Anton
Im super excited about this show! I'm really hoping it transfers to Broadway. I commend the making of Meg into more of an empowering character, and I hope that this show is able to be more than 7 nights so that I can see it. After seeing production photos of this show, I was somewhat disappointed with the production quality, until I heard it was an outdoor performance. I think that this production has the potential to be super successful, especially since the Disney movie is so much fun, and very entertaining. The muses in this production look so good. I saw a video of Jelani Alladin singing Go the Distance and he sounded incredible. I hope that when it goes to broadway they up the production value and pare down the ensemble a bit. Other than that,,,, AMAZING!!!
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