Alan Menken discusses new music for 'Beauty and the Beast'

Back in June, Alan Menken attended the Lincoln Center's new "Artist to Artist" series where he reflected on his career, from Little Shop of Horrors to his work with Disney. It was there Menken first mentioned the three new songs he and lyricist Tim Rice wrote for the live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, including "Forever More" and "Days in the Sun."

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, which also features Aladdin directors John Musker and Ron Clements for the film's Diamond Edition release, Menken discussed the three new songs again, as well as why a beloved song from the Broadway production will be absent on the big screen.

I have to ask you, Alan, about the live-action Beauty and the Beast.

MENKEN: They’re editing it now.

Are they just taking all the songs from the movie?

MENKEN: The songs from the movie are in. Actually, none of the songs from the Broadway made the film. I would’ve taken “If I Can’t Love Her,” but the problem is that was for a very specific moment to end Act I of the Broadway show. There’s a moment where the Beast drives her away and he regrets that. But I think Bill [Condon] built a more promising moment for the film, which is when he lets her go and he watches her leave. And as he watches her leave, he sings.

MUSKER: So you wrote a new song?

MENKEN: A new song with Tim Rice. There’s actually three new songs written for the movie. It’s called “Forever More,” and there’s also a song called “Days in the Sun.”

MUSKER: Is it based on any of the melodies from the film?

MENKEN: Similar. Sort of a cousin of “If I Can’t Love Her.” So yes, there’s new songs and I’ll be scoring that in the spring. It’s exciting.

Check out the the entire interview here.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Emma Thompson & Kevin Kline join 'Beauty and the Beast'

In addition to news of Beauty and the Beast's 2017 release date, Disney also announced two additional members of the cast this afternoon. Oscar winners Emma Thompson (Sense & Sensibility, Saving Mr. Banks) and Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame) join the cast as Mrs. Potts and Belle's father, Maurice.

Beauty and the Beast alumnus Alan Menken will return to score the film, which will feature songs from the 1991 animated classic, as well as new songs written by Menken and Tim Rice. Production is set to begin this May at Shepperton Studios in London.

Source: The Laughing Place