Disney movies are a part of most of our childhoods. Whether it be the classics like "Snow White" and such, or the new generation of movies such as "Encanto". I believe the movies that were most beloved by every generation are the Renaissance era films during the 90s. But most people don't know the man behind these successful films and why the era was dubbed the Renaissance of Disney. His lyrics and musical inputs in these films(alongside his musical partner, Alan Menken)touched the hearts of many children. He is Howard Ashman, a notable playright and lyicist that created the revolutionary idea of combining musical theatre with the beloved orchestral music that had been used in the classic Disney films. The success of "The Little Mermaid", which he had produced and wrote lyrics for, sparked a new era of Disney films that would save the company from going under. Sadly, Ashman had passed away a little while before the release of "Beauty and the Beast", another film beloved by many. Howerver, his legacy still lives on to this day. Disney still uses the model of musical theatre and orchestral music, and so have many other animation studios. His legacy also still lives on within the theatre world. Before exploring his talents in film, he had been involved in the making of plays such as "Smile" and "Little Shop of Horrors", which are still recognised in the modern era of plays as pivotal to theatre. I am glad that Ashman's legacy lives on and inspires so many, including myself. This is why we are launching musical theatre and composition lessons online! We want many to be inspired by Ashman's legacy, which is why we are making it accessible worldwide. The info is all down below. Hope to see you in class!
Coded by Keyuri Gurayah