Alan Menken Latest News, Photos, and Videos

What 2 Songs Were Cut for the Live Action 'The Little Mermaid' & Why? Find Out Here!

What 2 Songs Were Cut for the Live Action 'The Little Mermaid' & Why? Find Out Here!

The new, live action adaptation of The Little Mermaid is officially out now in theaters!

The latest Disney remake debuted on Friday (May 26) and has been receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.

However, with the new film, there are a few new songs, lyric changes and there are two songs that were cut from the original animated movie musical.

Keep reading to learn more… More Here! »

'The Little Mermaid' Soundtrack Debuts - Listen to New Songs by Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King & More!

'The Little Mermaid' Soundtrack Debuts - Listen to New Songs by Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King & More!

Disney has released the soundtrack for the upcoming live action reimagining of The Little Mermaid!

The new album of course features Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy singing the iconic songs “Part of Your World” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” but it also features new songs from Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs and Awkwafina, as well as a brand new song from Halle.

Find out more and listen to the soundtrack inside… More Here! »

Halle Bailey Hugs Adorable Little Girl at 'The Little Mermaid' UK Premiere

Halle Bailey Hugs Adorable Little Girl at 'The Little Mermaid' UK Premiere

Halle Bailey wears white to the UK premiere of her new movie The Little Mermaid held at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on Monday (May 15) in London.

The 23-year-old singer and actress was seen meeting some young fans, and even hugging a little girl who carried Halle‘s Ariel doll.

Halle has been very vocal about being representation for young Black girls and kids, and what their reactions to seeing her as a Disney princess means to her.

Check out what she recently shared inside… More Here! »

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Halle Bailey Meets Up with Original Ariel Jodi Benson at 'The Little Mermaid' Premiere

Halle Bailey Meets Up with Original Ariel Jodi Benson at 'The Little Mermaid' Premiere

Halle Bailey looks amazing while stepping out on the blue carpet at the premiere of her new movie The Little Mermaid held at Dolby Theatre on Monday (May 8) in Hollywood.

The 23-year-old star was also seen meeting up with the original voice of Ariel Jodi Benson on the carpet and inside the after party.

If you didn’t know, Jodi reportedly has a little cameo in the film, with a sort of passing the torch moment.

“She doesn’t need any advice from me. She’s brilliant. I did get to meet her a few times and chat with her, and just to tell her how proud I was of her,” Jodi told ET on the carpet. “But I love that she has a purity of heart and a pure spirit. You can see that vulnerability, and that child-like, and that bravery and courage coming through. It’s beautiful. I’m so thrilled for her and I’m so proud of her.”

Also hitting the carpet at the premiere were Halle‘s co-stars Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy, with husband Ben Falcone and daughter Vivian, Javier Bardem, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik, Simone Ashley, Lorena Andrea, Jessica Alexander and Sienna King. Director Rob Marshall, producer John DeLuca, composer Alan Menken and Disney CEO Bob Iger were in attendance as well.

The Little Mermaid hits theaters on May 26th. Check out the latest clips released here!

FYI: Halle is wearing a Valdrin Sahiti gown. Awkwafina is wearing Charles & Keith shoes. Jacob is wearing a Reiss suit.

Browse through the gallery to see 50+ photos from the The Little Mermaid premiere…

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Alan Menken Spills Details on New 'The Little Mermaid' Songs with Lin-Manuel Miranda & Changes to Original Songs

Alan Menken Spills Details on New 'The Little Mermaid' Songs with Lin-Manuel Miranda & Changes to Original Songs

Alan Menken is revealing some new details about the new music in the upcoming live action The Little Mermaid!

The composer and songwriter wrote music for the original animated film, and returned to work on the upcoming adaptation.

He also worked with Lin-Manuel Miranda on some new music for the Halle Bailey-starring movie, and recently opened up about those new tunes, one of which includes a rap.

Keep reading to find out what he shared… More Here! »

Composer Alan Menken Reveals There's Rapping In Upcoming Live Action 'The Little Mermaid'

Composer Alan Menken Reveals There's Rapping In Upcoming Live Action 'The Little Mermaid'

Alan Menken is opening up about the upcoming live action The Little Mermaid movie!

If you didn’t know, the 71-year-old songwriter and composer co-wrote the music for the original animated Disney film, and he wrote four new original songs with Lin-Manuel Miranda for the new version.

“There is some rapping in it and I really can’t take much credit for the rap aspect of it,” he said on the UK-based arts and theatre podcast eleven. “Yeah, there’s some rapping in it, there’s some very Menken songs, there’s some very Miranda songs. But it’s all the blend of Menken-Miranda.”

“I love him, I love working with him,” he continued. “I’m glad we had the opportunity to do that and he’s also a producer on the movie but Lin juggles a lot of things, as I do, so we will have occasional contact. Right now it’s in the hands of the amazing [director] Rob Marshall and as we speak they are in London right now filming.”

Alan also gushed over star Halle Bailey, who’s taking on the role of Ariel.

“Oh my gosh, she is adorable and so talented. I met Halle at the recording sessions,” he said. “I did have to be educated in terms of what she and her sister do together, which is incredible. She is an amazing talent, a beautiful girl, and I got to meet her family.”

Last summer, Lin also gushed over Halle and what it was like working with Alan.

If you missed it, find out who recently joined the cast!