A host of performers—each of whom has sung the melodies of Alan Menken on stage or screen—will honor the Tony- and Oscar-winning composer at the New York Pops’ 35th anniversary gala, Part of His World: The Songs of Alan Menken. The event, benefiting the Pops’ PopsEd music education initiatives, will take place April 30 at Carnegie Hall.
Among those set to take the stage are two Tony-nominated Disney princesses: Judy Kuhn (the singing voice of the title character in Pocahontas) and Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid). Joining them are Menken alums Michael Arden (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Roger Bart (Hercules), Ashley Brown (Beauty and the Beast), Nick Cordero (A Bronx Tale), Susan Egan (Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast, Hercules), Patina Miller (Sister Act), and Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart and Adam Jacobs of Broadway’s Aladdin.
Tony winner Harvey Fierstein, who collaborated with Menken on the stage adaptation of Newsies, will also be part of the festivities.
Serving as honorary co-chairs for the event are Brown, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeremy Jordan, Audra McDonald, Tim Rice, and Bernard Telsey.
Following the performance, led by Pops Music Director Steven Reineke, a black-tie dinner and dance will take place at the Mandarin Oriental New York. For tickets and more information, visit NewYorkPops.org.
In addition to the titles above, Menken's numerous musical contributions to Broadway, Hollywood, and beyond include Leap of Faith, Little Shop of Horrors, Galavant, Tangled, and Enchanted.
