London Cast Recording of Hercules Sets Release Dates

Disney Theatrical Group and Disney Music Group/Walt Disney Records will release the original London cast recording of Hercules October 10 digitally, November 21 on CD, and December 5 on vinyl.

The upcoming recording features the songs Alan Menken and David Zippel wrote for the 1997 animated feature film—including "Go the Distance," "Zero to Hero," and "I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)"—plus new songs written specifically for the stage adaptation.

CD and vinyl versions are currently available for preorder at the Disney Music Emporium U.K. store by clicking here and will be available online and in-person at the merchandise shop at Theatre Royal Drury Lane later this winter.

In a statement Menken said, “This Hercules cast album represents the culmination of a journey that started way back in the mid-'90s in the world of Disney animation. The unique opportunities that came from composing a score filled with stylish pop and gospel influences, combined with David Zippel’s brilliant, sophisticated lyrics, never failed to delight me. I believe audiences connected, both then and now, with that sense of joy we had in our writing process.

"One of my favorite aspects of adapting my own pre-existing material for a stage production is being able to give voice to characters who never sang before, like Hades. Including Hades’ new song, David and I have written seven new songs that bring even more heart and soul into the story."

Zippel added, “What a joy it has been for Alan and me to reconnect with Hercules, The Muses, Meg, Hades, the Mount Olympus gang, our brilliant music department, and the extraordinary singing actors who bring these characters and our songs to life. We have loved the chance to write new songs and deepen Hercules’ emotional journey, and we cannot be more excited to share this album with, what the ancient Greeks called, the known world.”

The album is performed by the London cast, including Luke Brady as Hercules, plus Candace Furbert as Thalia, Sharlene Hector as Clio, Brianna Ogunbawo as Melpomene, Malinda Parris as Calliope, Robyn Rose-Li as Terpsichore, Mae Ann Jorolan as Meg, Trevor Dion Nicholas as Phil, Stephen Carlile as Hades, and Craig Gallivan and Lee Zarrett in the roles of Bob and Charles.

The complete track list follows:

1. Prologue - Ensemble, Narrator
2. Gospel Truth I (Mount Olympus) – Muses, Ensemble
3. Gospel Truth II (Underworld) – Muses, Ensemble
4. Despina’s Lullaby – Despina, Muses
5. Gospel Truth III (Herc was Mortal) - Muses
6. Today’s Gonna Be My Day - Hercules
7. Go the Distance - Hercules
8. Go the Distance Reprise – Hercules, Muses
9. One Last Hope – Phil, Hercules
10. Forget About It – Meg, Hercules
11. Gospel Truth IV (So Not Dead) - Muses
12. Getting Even – Hades, Bob, Charles, Ensemble
13. Zero to Hero – Hercules, Muses, Phil, Ensemble
14. A Muse Bouche — Muses
15. I’m Back! – Phil, Ensemble
16. Getting Even Reprise – Bob, Charles
17. Phil Goes the Distance/Doomed to Be Human - Phil, Hercules
18. I Won’t Say (I’m in Love) – Meg, Muses
19. I Won’t Say (I’m in Love) Reprise - Hercules, Meg
20. Great Bolts of Thunder – Muses, Zeus, Hades, Ensemble
21. To Be Human - Hercules
22. Gospel Truth V (That’s Our Tale) – Muses, Ensemble
23. A Star is Born – Muses, Company
24. Bonus Track: To Be Human (Original Alan Menken Demo) – Alan Menken

Adapted from Disney's 1997 animated film, Hercules has played several earlier runs, premiering in 2019 via the Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park Series and playing New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse in 2023. A new production, with Tony winner Nicholaw taking over as director and choreographer, premiered in Hamburg, and that staging is the basis for the West End bow. Nicholaw is joined by co-choreographer Tanisha Scott, also reprising her work from the German production.

The musical has music by Menken and lyrics by Zippel, including their songs from the original film and several new tunes written for the stage musical. The book is by Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah, based on the Disney film written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Donald McEnery, Bob Shaw, and Irene Mecchi and directed by Clements and Musker.

The West End creative team also includes scenic and additional video designer Dane Laffrey, costume designers Gregg Barnes and Sky Switser, lighting designer Jeff Croiter, sound designer Adam Fisher, video designer George Reeve, hair and wig designer Mia M. Neal, make-up designer Kirk Cambridge-Del Pesche, and special effects designer Jeremy Chernick.

Michael Kosarin is penning arrangements and serving as music supervisor, with Danny Troob and Joseph Joubert providing orchestrations. Dance arrangements are by David Chase.

Telling the story of the muscle-bound half-god Hercules of Greek mythology, Hercules features such Disney favorites as "Go the Distance," “Zero to Hero,” and “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)."

Click here for ticket information.

Photos: Hercules at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Photos: Hercules at Theatre Royal Drury Lane