Initial casting has been announced for Paper Mill Playhouse's 2023 production of Disney's Hercules, based on the animated film of the same name.
The New Jersey production, which will run February 16–March 19, follows the stage adaptation's 2019 world premiere via The Public Theater's free Shakespeare in the Park, helmed by Obie winner Lear deBessonet, who returns to direct the Paper Mill staging. Opening night is March 1.
The cast will feature Bradley Gibson (The Lion King, A Bronx Tale The Musical) as Hercules, Tony winner Shuler Hensley (The Music Man, Oklahoma!) as Hades, Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin, Hamilton) reprising his performance from the 2019 world premiere run as Phil, and Isabelle McCalla (Aladdin, The Prom) as Meg. Additional casting will be announced.
READ: Guy Ritchie to Direct Live Action Film of Disney's Hercules
Hercules features music by EGOT winner Alan Menken (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast), lyrics by Tony winner David Zippel (City of Angels, Mulan), and a book by Tony winner Robert Horn (Tootsie) and Young Vic Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah, based on the Disney film written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Donald McEnery, Bob Shaw, and Irene Mecchi and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.
The Paper Mill production will also have music supervision by Michael Kosarin and choreography by Chase Brock and Tanisha Scott.
The score features hits from the film, including the Oscar-nominated “Go the Distance,” as well as “Zero to Hero” and “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love),” along with new songs written for the stage.
The new stage work will be available to the licensing market at a later date.
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