More childhood nostalgia is coming at us this year. It was just announced that 1997 hit Disney animated film Hercules is getting a stage adaption later this summer in New York City. Are we ready for a stage version? I think so, considering most of the film was a musical after all. Who can forget catchy songs like “Zero to Hero” and “I Can Go the Distance,” I know I sure can’t forget them.
The Public Theater is behind putting this production together at their outdoor Delacorte Theater in NYC’s beautiful Central Park. It won’t around for long sadly, only showing from August 31- September 8. So Hercules fans who live in the NY area get ready to see this or perhaps plan a trip to the Big Apple to get your Hercules fix in.
The good news is that this stage adaption will have songs from the original and brand new ones written by Alan Menken and famed lyricist David Zippel. Choreography will be under the direction of Chase Brock and Kristopher Diaz will be in charge of making the film version more appropriate for the stage. Diaz actually did the same thing for Fox’s recent live production of Rent. Hopefully, this turns out better.
Sadly this seems to be a one time only production with no plans of it heading to Broadway anytime soon. Hopefully, that changes as other Disney Broadway musicals have done quite well (Aladdin, The Lion King, Frozen). 2019 is turning out to be the year of reliving our favorite Disney childhood films and I for one do not want it to stop.
Hercules stage musical is finally happening this summer [Entertainment Weekly]
