FLASH FRIDAY: Princes, Princesses & Sir Tim

Today we are highlighting the work of multi-Tony and Oscar-winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice, putting a particular emphasis on his work with Disney. From ALADDIN to THE LION KING to AIDA and THE ROAD TO EL DORADO and beyond - with even a song or two for the stage version of BEAUTY & THE BEAST thrown in for good measure, we cover it all! Of course, all of this in preparation for our forthcoming exclusive InDepth InterView: Tim Rice, coming later this weekend! Stay tuned, it is not to be missed!

The Lyric King

Tim Rice’s work on Broadway and in Hollywood with Disney stands on its own and needs little, if any, introduction. The titles - and awards - alone tell the story: from his Oscar-winning work on both ALADDIN and THE LION KING through to his 2002 Tony Award shared with Elton John for Best Score. Whatever the venue - soundstage, small screen, big screen, Broadway or concert stage - lyricists don’t get much more acclaimed for - or, for that matter, much better at - their craft than Sir Tim Rice. A few of the many millions of reasons why may be found here.

In this first clip, go behind the scenes and into the recording studio for the motion picture soundtrack for ALADDIN with this vintage EPK featurette showcasing interviews with composer Alan Menken, animator Glenn Keane., and actors Brad Kane and Lea Salonga. Follow the song from the page to the soundstage to the final finished film in this whirlwind carpet-ride of an informational journey.

Now, watch Brad Kane and Lea Salonga actually embody the cartoon characters live onstage in an elaborate production number befitting the Oscars, as they are introduced by Billy Crystal at the 1993 Academy Awards telecast. Perhaps this is a taste of what we can expect from ALADDIN onstage coming to the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle this Summer? Only time will tell! One thing’s for sure: this may very well be the last great production number on the Oscars post-Allan Carr!

Closing out the ALADDIN contingent, take a look at the “A Whole New World” sequence in the finished film! Magic movie music at its very best as only the best of Broadway - Alan Menken, Tim Rice, Lea Salonga included - along with Disney could possibly hope to conjure up and capture on celluloid!

One of the most thrilling opening sequences in any film - and thanks to Julie Taymor re-imagined as one of the greatest opening numbers in Broadway history - here we have the African-themed sounds of Elton John and Tim Rice’s score for THE LION KING, the most successful animated film of all time. Believe it or not, this was actually the second song composed for this spot in the film after the first song - also called “The Circle Of Life” - failed to set the scene as eloquently and epically as the creators had intended.

After taking in the breathtaking sights and sounds of that classic film opening, be sure to check out this music video featuring Elton John’s pop version of the song. Watch for the seamless blending of film and black and white documentary-style footage and the slight lyrical and musical differences between the two versions.

Now, take a look at the opening sequence and other selected scenes from THE LION KING live on Broadway - which is now entering into its thirteenth year - with this riveting trailer for the show!

Last of THE LION KING section, Disney has provided a series of backstage videos that delve into the development of the film property for the stage and what has made it such a resounding success and sure to be running for decades around the world.

As a special bonus, if one LION KING song just isn’t enough for you, check out the song with perhaps Rice’s most biting and brilliant of the bunch, those for Scar’s scabrous “Be Prepared” as performed by Jeremy Irons. Who but Rice could or would pen a line for an evil, power-hungry lion as apt as “Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared - be prepared?”

Tim Rice and Elton John have collaborated on two other Disney musicals since THE LION KING, and the lesser-known THE ROAD TO EL DORADO is chock-full of the unforgettable melodies and blisteringly bright lyrics we have come to expect from the team of Rice/John. Case in point: this next selection, preceded by the HD trailer (for those who may not have had the pleasure to see the film yet).

Here is the trailer.

Here is the music video for “Someday Out Of the Blue” performed by Elton John from the motion picture soundtrack of THE ROAD TO EL DORADO.

Bringing it all back to Broadway for the big finish, our last three clips come from Disney stage musicals that Tim Rice has contributed lyrics to, with the first being the newly-penned “A Change In Me” with composer Alan Menken for the stage adaptation of Disney’s BEAUTY & THE BEAST. This song was performed on The Rosie O’Donnell Show by Toni Braxton when she took over the title role of Belle and her performance is a true enchantment.

Finally, we have two clips from the first original stage musical (not based on a film) from Disney on Broadway, AIDA, which was the 2002 Tony Winner for Best Score, featuring music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice.

Our first selection from the show is the tortured and touching duet “Elaborate Lives” (which was originally the title of the show) performed by Adam Pascal and Tony-winner Heather Headley. This song may very well be Rice’s best duet that he has ever penned, with spot-on emotions and a stunningly candid and doomed content to the lyrics for this tragic tale.

https://www.youtube.com/embed?v=q3n-ZXBWdFw

Having begun with an opening number, it is only befitting that we conclude our look at Tim Rice’s Disney-centric work with this spine-tingling Act One closer courtesy of Ms. Headley. Headley’s has been called a commanding performance for a very good reason, or three - it commands respect, attention and, ultimately, audience adulation. See why here. I double dare you not to rise to your feet by the last note!

That’s all for this week. Please remember that if you have discovered a particularly thrilling, unique, bizarre or hilarious Broadway-related clip to please send us a line at the link below. Until next week…