Biography :
Biography Born: July 22, 1949
Currently resides in New Rochelle, New York
Attended New Rochelle High School
Is of Jewish decent
Went to New York University where he majored in pre-medicine
Later on, he changed his major and graduated with a degree in music
Biography cont’d :
Biography cont’d Learned to play the violin and piano at a young age
He worked at local clubs
Composed jingles and advertisements
Accompanied ballerinas by playing them music
Had two children with his wife Janis Menken Alan Menken with wife Janis
Biography cont’d :
Collaborated with Howard Ashman
In 1982: gained recognition from the play Little Shop of Horrors which was later made into a movie
1980s: meets Jeffrey Katzenberg, chairman of Walt Disney Pictures at the time
He career launched soon after
His latest project is Disney’s Rapunzel Alan Menken with Jeffrey Katzenberg Biography cont’d
Slide 6:
He is greatly associated with Disney as well as Broadway and is regularly identified with children’s projects
Catchy/amusing tunes
Typically memorable lyrics
Sees his work as, “the natural evolution of the theatrical musical.” Style
Music :
Music He has won 8 Academy Awards
10 additional nominations
16 films
Composed music for Home Alone, Rocky V, and Newsies
7 musicals
Has collaborated with Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Stephen Schwartz Alan Menken after winning a Grammy Award
Slide 10:
Alan Menken has gained acknowledgement because of his scores for Disney’s:
The Little Mermaid
Beauty and the Beast
Aladdin
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Enchanted
Hercules
Home on the Range
Pocahontas
Little Shop of Horrors Music Cont’d