A Whole New World of Alan Menken (2023)

A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF ALAN MENKEN
Music composed and performed by Alan Menken
Concert produced by Richard Kraft
February 25, 2023
Osaka International Convention Center
Osaka, Japan

PART 1: CONCERT REPORT

(this report was originally written on Feb. 25, 2023 – just after the concert)

Whenever I ask tell my wife that I’m going to see another film music concert because the composer will be there performing in person, she invariable rolls her eyes- it is then that I always respond with, “well, who wouldn’t want to see God read out the Bible?”

And so it happens that I have come to Osaka today to see Alan Menken perform his own music live at the piano at one of four sold-out concerts in Japan.

There really is nothing better than seeing a composer perform their own music, stripped down to its purest form for piano, and accompanied with their own raw voice.

The audience was spellbound by the bright and charming renditions of Menken’s most beloved Disney songs. He effortlessly switched between moods and music styles, keeping the audience wildly entertained and hungry for more.

He also graced us with his less-known (in Japan) but equally brilliant songs for old off-Broadway musicals, and songs that had been cut or newly written for the likes of ALADDIN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and THE LITTLE MERMAID.

The concert was such a smoothly executed success because it had a clear and engaging narrative; each song was performed chronologically and preceded with short and witty anecdotes about how the song came to be, and what was happening in Menken’s life at the time. It truly felt like an intimate afternoon with an old and trusted friend.

There was not a dry eye in the house when Menken lamented the loss of his most important collaborator, Howard Ashman, paying tribute to him with a poignant performance of “Sheridan Square.” I just couldn’t hold back the tears.

Menken brought the house down with his final encore, an achingly beautiful rendition of his song, “Compass of your heart,” which was written for the Sinbad attraction at Tokyo DisneySea.

This was followed by one of the most enthusiastic and lengthy standing ovations I have ever seen from a Japanese audience… we were all one in our love and appreciation for the genius and man that is Alan Menken.

God reading out the Bible indeed.

PART 2: CONCERT MERCH and MEET & GREET!

In addition to two “Best of Alan Menken” CDs, three items were offered at the concert: a t-shirt, sweatshirt, and pre-order for a limited edition pair of Alan Menken “signature” wine glasses. The wine glasses and their wooden casing looked gorgeous, but were way beyond my budget…

Believe it or not, there was also a meet and greet after the concert with Alan Menken himself! However, it appears this was part of a lottery that was drawn months before the concert, and it was only for those part of the Disney JCB card club (i.e. not me).

Hopefully I’ll have another chance someday!

PART 3: OVER TO YOU

Did you also go to this concert? How did you like it?

And what did you think of my report? Feel free to comment below or reach out to me directly in the “Contact Me” section.