“What makes a hero?” are the first words in “Hercules,” the playful and sweet-spirited stage production based on the 1997 animated Disney film premiering in Central Park as part of the …
, here son of Zeus and Hera, as he must prove himself a hero to regain his fully-divine status. Diaz further punches up and updates the sassy script sprinkled with Greek reference, musical insider nods and realness.
When Hercules asks how can he show his heroic skills, a citizen snaps, “Can you help me find affordable housing?” Meanwhile, Hercules’ love interested Megara no longer is a faux-albeit-feisty damsel but rather someone who can take care of herself; and to answer the show’s opening question: Heroism comes from a united, activist hoi polloi battling demons and devils and taking control of its own destiny. Diaz’s adaptation also addresses some stage realities: The flying horse Pegasus is cut; Herc’s accidental chaos is in the marketplace is minimal; and Hercules is not the only hero who steps up. Many near-millennials who grew up with the film are likely to applaud, as the opening night crowd did, the first few notes from movie tunes such as “Zero to Hero,” “I Won’t Say ” and the Oscar-nominated “Go the Distance.” But new songs by composerand lyricist David Zippel also delight, especially the jazzy “A Cool Day in Hell,” the anti-date-night number “Forget About It” and the ever-swelling “To Be a Human.” As even a villain admits after one song, “It’s an objectively catchy tune.” In the end, the show rises or falls on the charisma its lead, and in Jelani Alladin the show has found a hero that’s also huggable. With a million-watt smile, Alladin’s Herc is charming, funny and emotionally vulnerable. This Herc is human to the core. Roger Bart, who sang the role of Hercules in the animated film, now has a hell of a good time as the villainous Hades, especially during his cool blue-hot rages. . Rodriguez’s Meg counterbalances Hercules’ alternating naïveté and swagger with snap that’s still sexy. As Hercules’ personal trainer Phil, James Monroe Iglehart finds his own crusty, exasperating voice, while Jeff Hiller finds comic gold in reactions as Hades’ go-fer Panic. And Romona Keller, Rema Webb and Tamika Lawrence lead their choral commentary with killer gospel voices. Special nods go to James Ortiz’s puppetry designs and Andrea Hood’s costume choices, which show wit as well as bling — including Phil’s track suit, Herc’s fancy footwear and especially Meg’s hot leather jacket and pants, which signal strength and daring, especially next to the guy in a toga.Delacorte Theater; 1,800 seats; free. Reviewed Sept. 2, 2019. Running time: 1 HOUR, 30 MIN.: A Free Shakespeare in the Park and Public Works presentation by the Public Theater, by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions, of a musical in one act with book by Kristoffer Diaz based on the Disney film written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Donald McEnery, Bob Shaw, and Irene Mecchi with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by David Zippel.: Directed by Lear deBessonet; choreography, Chase Brock; sets, Dane Laffrey; costumes, Andrea Hood; lighting, Tyler Micoleau; sound, Kai Harada; puppetry, James Ortiz; orchestrations, Danny Troob and Joseph Joubert; music supervisor, arranger, conductor, Michael Kosarin; production stage manager, Rick Steiger; production manager, Caity Joy Smith.: Jelani Alladin, Roger Bart, Krysta Rodriguez, James Monroe Iglehart, Jeff Hiller, Ramona Keller, Tamika Lawrence, Rema Webb, Broadway Inspirational Voices, 10 Hairy Legs, Passaic High School Marching Band and many more.
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