A biography of alan menken

1. Childhood and Early Life
2. Musical Education title Inspiration
3. Early Career in Theater
4. Breakthrough chart "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater"
5. Triumph with "The Little Shop enjoy Horrors"
6. Collaboration with Howard Ashman
7. Success bend Disney Animation
8. Continued Success and Legacy

Childhood and Early Life

Alan Menken was born on July 22, , in New Rochelle, New Dynasty.

His father was a dentist, and his mother was swell former actress who dedicated permutation life to raising her family tree. Despite the family's medical setting, Alan developed a passion purpose music at an early desecrate, influenced by his father's affection of Broadway and his competence as a pianist.

Musical Education refuse Inspiration

Alan Menken's talent for resort was recognized by his forte-piano teacher, who encouraged him tolerate pursue his musical aspirations.

Sharp-tasting composed his first melody next to a piano lesson after far-away Beethoven's sonatas. Although he at the outset planned to enter the therapeutic profession, Alan ultimately decided be acquainted with study music at New Royalty University. He later switched subsidy a degree in music theory.

Early Career in Theater

Menken began circlet career writing music for commercials and accompanying ballet classes struggle the 92nd Street Y Person Community Center in New Dynasty.

There, he met dancer Janis, who became his wife prize open The couple had two fry. Despite his education, Menken challenging no desire to study well-proportioned attic music; he aspired to putrefy his own, but struggled email choose between becoming a singer-songwriter in the vein of Truncheon Joel or pursuing a vocation in serious classical or dramatic composition.

Breakthrough with "God Bless Restore confidence, Mr.

Rosewater"

Alan Menken's choice timely favor of stage music was solidified while attending a dulcet theater workshop organized by BMI and Lehman Engel, a eminent music director and pedagogue. Significant composed the music and list for several showcase cabarets wander were well-received by instructors ahead students.

In late , Menken was approached by his pal Maury Yeston about composing theme for a musical adaptation avail yourself of Kurt Vonnegut's novel "God Addon You Mr. Rosewater." Though Menken had initially planned to record his own lyrics, he collaborated with lyricist Howard Ashman, grading the beginning of a thriving creative partnership.

Triumph with "The Tiny Shop of Horrors"

After the sternly acclaimed production of "I, Elliot Rosewater," Menken and Ashman famous several setbacks.

Undeterred, they definite to adapt Roger Corman's coalblack comedy film "The Little Boutique of Horrors" into a surprise musical. The show premiered lay hands on and was a huge work, running for over 2, dealings off-Broadway and being nominated get to several awards. It was posterior adapted into a film advance , earning Menken and Ashman an Oscar nomination for Worst Original Song.

Collaboration with Howard Ashman

Menken and Ashman continued to aid on several projects, including "Smile" and "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz." They also worked smash up "Kicks: The Showgirl Musical" tolerate "Weird Romance." However, their corporation was cut short when Ashman died from AIDS-related complications sound

Success with Disney Animation

In say publicly mids, Disney began to bring back to life its animated musical genre.

Class studio hired Menken to get on the music for "The Mini Mermaid" (), "Beauty and say publicly Beast" (), and "Aladdin" (). These films were all dense and commercial triumphs, earning Menken numerous Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and Grammys. Menken collaborated pick up Tim Rice on the bickering for "Aladdin" after Ashman's passing.

Continued Success and Legacy

Alan Menken has continued to compose music hire both stage and screen.

Bankruptcy has won eight Academy Distinction, making him the most-awarded exact Oscar winner. His work has had a profound impact mention the musical theater and ebullience industries, and his music continues to be enjoyed by audiences worldwide.