Interview: Alan Menken Gets His Wish for DUDDY KRAVITZ Musical; Talks Broadway Goals, Hunchback and More

For Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner Alan Menken - his musical based on the book and film The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz is what he calls "a passion project, definitely."

Menken's version of Duddy Kravitz as a musical, which he co-wrote with David Spencer, was originally produced in the 1980's in Philadelphia. "We did it in Philadelphia and we had a provision in the contract where we had to have a first class production (which Philadelphian wasn't) in order for the rights to merge, and when that didn't happen nobody could do (license) this musical..." Menken told me from inside the Segal Centre in Montreal while on break from rehearsals.

"It was brought to me by Richard Maltby, a very well-known Broadway writer and director - and I knew the movie and the story. It was a challenge as a young writer, I embraced it - and took on the project with David Spencer. We had just started working together and the work that emerged really had some special qualities to it that captured the story and became something I couldn't possibly let go of."

Despite the rights for the musical never merging with author Mordecai Richler's estate - Menken and Spencer did work on the show on and off over thirty years. "We've tinkered with it over and over throughout the years. I would say that David has been a much more devoted tinkerer than I've been."

"All these years the goal has been let's just get it to the point where it can be performed, and that has been a very elusive goal. It's frustrating because it was very hard to get it done in New York - we tried so many different possibilities that fell through. Though I take some of the blame, because every time we'd come around to it I'd have Beauty (and the Beast) on Broadway or The Little Mermaid and I kept getting pulled away."

And thanks to what Menken calls a "networking situation" the show is now concluding a sold out, twice extended run in Montreal - where the musical is also set. "Michael Levine who is the lawyer for the Richler estate has been a very big ally for us. We had looked at options in Edmonton - so I honestly don't know how this happened. There's been interest and we follow the interest when it's there."

"First of all, I really want there to be a cast album out of this production. It's essential..." Menken tells me when asked about his future hopes for the long-stalled musical. "Then I would like to see it done regionally in as many theatres as possible."

BroadwayWorld was able to confirm earlier today that Menken indeed got his wish, for the cast of Duddy Kravitz were in the studio with him earlier today recording vocals for the yet to be announced cast album.

Considering many of his shows began their life as regional productions, I asked if he had similar aspirations for Duddy Kravitz. "With Newsies, we were honestly not thinking past anything but Papermill. With Hunchback - which I was so proud of, everyone was saying it's going to Broadway - but it's actually going for regional and amateur stock licensing, which is what it was designed for. There are so many factors outside of my control about what happens from here. I've trained myself not to think about it. It's too much energy and emotional energy to think about where we'll go next."

Though Menken originally avoids the question, when prompted he says "Of course, I'd like to see it eventually come to Broadway. Why wouldn't I? It is a Broadway show."

The Segal Centre production of Duddy Kravitz stars an all-Canadian cast led by Ken James Stewart (Duddy Kravitz), Marie-Pierre de Brienne (Yvette), George Masswohl (Max), Howard Jerome (Simcha), Adrian Marchuk (Lenny), Victor A. Young (Benjy), David Coomber (Virgil), Michael Rudder (Jerry Dingelman), Sam Rosenthal (Mr. Cohen), Kristian Truelsen (Peter John Friar), with Albane Chateau, Gab Desmond, Julia Halfyard and Michael Esposito II in various ensemble roles, accompanied by a live band on stage under the musical direction of Jonathan Monro and Nick Burgess (Assistant Musical Director).

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts is a not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to nurturing, producing and presenting world-class English-language theatre, and to showcasing the best professional artists from Montreal and beyond. Founded in 1967, the Segal Centre has expanded to become a nationally recognized venue for the performing arts with a focus on creation, innovation, diversity and cross-cultural collaborations. Driven by a belief in the power of the arts to strengthen and connect communities, the Segal's programming emphasizes original interpretations of popular classic and contemporary works, new Canadian musicals and engaging productions with universal appeal.

For more information on the Segal Centre, visit www.segalcentre.org.