“Disenchanted” Reunites Powerhouse Composers Menken and Schwartz
How do you know you when another Disney hit film is in the works? Disney announces that composers Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz teamed up to write seven new songs (plus reprises) for the much-anticipated “Enchanted” sequel: “Disenchanted.”
Menken and Schwartz Make Music Together Again
Both Menken and Schwartz worked together on the brilliance that was the original “Enchanted.” They also collaborated on other Disney favorites, including “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Pocahontas.”
Seperately, EGOT-winner Menken received much acclaim for his work on numerous Disney classics. His extensive portfolio includes “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “Tangled.”
A highly acclaimed musical theatre lyricist and composer, Schwartz created Broadway hits “Wicked,” “Godspell,” and “Pippin.”
A Cast Reunited
Image Credit: ET Online
All four main charcters will rejoin the cast, including Amy Adams as Giselle, Patrick Dempsey as Robert Phillip, and James Marsen as Prince Edward. Tony Award winner Idina Menzel also reprises her original role as Nancy Tremaine.
Menzel famously voiced Queen Elsa in Disney’s “Frozen” and “Frozen II” as well as playing the original Elphaba in Broadway’s “Wicked.”
Image Credit: ABC/CRAIG SJODIN
“We wrote a song for Idina’s character in the first movie, and then they didn’t have her do it. But in ‘Disenchanted’ she has one big number and part of another one,” said Schwartz, according to The Schwartz Scene.
A number of other famous actors will be joining the cast, including Yvette Nicole Brown, Jayma Mays, and Gabby Baldacchino. SNL veteran Maya Rudolph also confirmed her role as the antagonist of the new movie.
What’s a good fairy tale without a great villain? I’ll see you in Andalasia my pretties….
— Maya Rudolph (@MayaRudolph) May 17, 2021
“Working again with Disney has been like coming home. With Amy and this extraordinary cast, Alan and Stephen’s mind blowing new score, and Barry and Disney’s support, I just hope to bring magic and joy to audiences around the world,” said Director and Producer Adam Shankman in a release cited by Broadway World.
Image Credit: Variety
Famous for his work on “Hairspray” and “The Wedding Planner,” Shankman joins the illustrious production team for “Disenchanted.” Also on the team: “Enchanted” veterans Barry Josephson and Amy Adams as well as producer Barry Sonnefeld, the director of “The Addams Family.”
A “Disenchanted” Story
“Disenchanted” will focus on Giselle’s move to the suburbs of Monroeville with her now-husband Robert Phillip. Set 15 years after “Enchanted,” Giselle must learn how to handle this new life and to find her very own happily ever after with Robert, a divorce lawyer, and his now-teenage daughter Morgan.
View this post on Instagram
Currently shooting in Ireland, “Disenchanted” is set to debut on Disney+ in 2022. With appearances from the Seven Dwarfs already set, we just can’t wait for more details.
The song-writing pair also set a high bar for this sequel’s musical greatness. Menken and Schwartz previously received three Academy Award nominations for their work on the original “Enchanted.” These original songs are bound to be ones that will be hummed for generations!
Feature Image Credit: Barry Wetcher/Disney Enterprises
