Disney's Enchanted and a new Menken/Schwartz score
Enchanted the musical, romantic comedy, 2-D, CGI, live action spectacular movie with song lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and music by Alan Menken.
This page includes:
- Enchanted on DVD and High Denfinition Blu-Ray Discs
- Soundtrack info
- Sheet Music for Enchanted
- Q & A
- Books, dolls, stickers
- Reviews and more |
Enchanted DVD and Blu-Ray Discs
Disney and Buena Vista Home Entertainment are planning to release the combination live action/classic animation holiday hit Enchanted on Blu-ray Disc and DVD "perfectly timed for Easter," i.e. shortly before or after March 23. Enchanted stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden and Susan Sarandon.
The current plan is to present Enchanted on Blu-ray Disc in widescreen 2.35:1 1080p video and 5.1 uncompressed 48 kHz/24-bit audio. Special features should be identical between the Blu-ray Disc and standard DVD save for one: The D-Files - an interactive game requiring viewers to seek out classic Disney film references throughout Enchanted. We're assuming this feature will be identical to the Car Finder feature on Disney/Pixar's Cars Blu-ray Disc title.
ORDER ENCHANTED (amazon.com)
Enchanted (Widescreen Edition) DVD$16.99
Enchanted (Full Screen Edition) DVD$16.99
Enchanted (1080p High Definition) Blu-Ray Disc$23.95
Additional planned special features are as follows.
* Deleted scenes
* Bloopers
* Three behind-the-scenes featurettes
* Plp's Predicament: A Pop-Up Adventure
As with any pre-announcement news, Enchanted's appearance on Blu-ray Disc is subject to change until an official announcement by the studio is made.
Get 3 Disney Movies for $1.99 Each, Plus Free Shipping! Join Now!
Enchanted Soundtrack - Music and Lyrics
Enchanted soundtrack on Disney label [amazon.com]
Enchanted Song List and Stories
Stephen Schwartz was recruited to write lyrics for Enchanted in 2005. Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell) was delighted to work with Alan Menken again as the songwriting duo for a Disney movie. The songs are meant to evoke different eras of Disney films as well as Giselle's journey. They start out in the 1940s style of Disney movie with "True Love's Kiss," move into the Menken era, and end with a two more contemporary pieces.
"True Love's Kiss" - To write this opening duet between Amy Adams and James Marsden, Schwartz and Menken considered how early Disney movies Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty were musicalized. Alan Menken calls this a "Walt era" reference. Schwartz says, "I tried to channel the classic Walt Disney sensibility and then just push it a little bit further in terms of choices of words or certain lyrics."
"Happy Working Song" - Amy Adams as Giselle utilizes her animal-charming abilities to help straighten out a messy apartment: This is an obvious flirt with Snow White's "Whistle While You Work" with the seven dwarfs helping. (The busy mice visual reference is from Cinderella, only here it's rats.) Giselle sings to the assembled rats, pigeons, flies, and cockroaches: "Come, my little friends/As we all sing a happy little/Working song..."
"That's How You Know" - Amy and company sing this cheery number in Central Park. It pays homage to "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl" from The Little Mermaid, but still gives the flavor of New York--or at least of a play day in Central Park.
Some lyrics are hard to understand in a first listen.
...You've got to show her you need her
Don't treat her like a mind reader
Each day do something to lead her
To believe you love her...
"So Close," Singer/songwriter Jon McLaughlin performs the song offering an outer voice that mirrors Giselle's inner emotional journey. Musically, the song moves up to the Alan Menken era of Disney songwriting.
One of the great things about this song is how the movie matches the lyrics that begin "You're in my arms/And all the word is gone/The music playing on/for only two/so close together," and then by the end of the song, you know there is still a separation between Giselle and Robert. The lyrics end "...So close, and still/So far..."
"Ever Ever After" - Multi-platinum recording artist Carrie Underwood performs the final song, which captures the spirit of the movie. The first verse is:
Ever ever after (happily)
Storybook endings
Fairy tales coming true
Deep down inside
We want to believe they still do
In our secretest heart
It’s our favorite part of the story
Let’s just admit
We all want to make it to
Credits Music - Just a note to say that Stephen recommends not dashing out at the end of the movie, but staying to enjoy Alan's great music over the credits.
CUT SONG
Stephen Schwartz says he and Alan wrote a title song for Idina Menzel called ‘Enchanted,’ but... "by the time we got to that point in the film, because she was never an animated character, it didn’t actually work stylistically for her to sing."
To order the CD or hear clips. Enchanted soundtrack on Disney label
Notes from Carol de Giere about how Menken and Schwartz work: Composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz experience a natural flow of understanding while they work together. They feel free to draft rough versions of songs and then work through the refinement process. It helps that Schwartz is a composer as well, and they make suggestions to each other as they go along.
The award-winning writing partners almost always begin with a song title, and maybe a couple of lyric lines from Schwartz. They discuss the nature of the song and music, and then Menken composes. Alan plays the music for Schwartz or sends him a CD and with the music in mind, Schwartz drafts the lyrics. They work back and forth in a friendly collaboration.
To stay informed about Stephen Schwartz's work, subscribe to our free quarterly email newsletter The Schwartz Scene.
[Note regarding the recent CD give-away. Congrats to Benjamin Ross of Saskatchewan, Amanda Miller of Omaha, and Ryan Garrett of San Antonio for winning.)
Enchanted Songs with Oscar and Golden Globe Award potential
The 80th Academy Awards nominations for best original song will be announced Jan. 22. Three songs from Enchanted are being considered for Oscar nominations: Happy Working Song, That's How You Know, and So Close. The competition even to be nominated is high this year with fifty-nine songs from eligible feature-length motion pictures in the running.
"That's How You Know" has been nominated for a Golden Globe award in the category of BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE for 2007.
Enchanted Sheet Music
Enchanted Sheet Music Songbook: Paperback and digital download
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD -- click here and look down the page: Enchanted sheet music -- "Ever Every After, True Love's Kiss, Happy Working Song, That's How You Know, So Close
PAPERBACK: This 52-page songbook includes the delightful Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz songs: True Love's Kiss, Happy Working Song, That's How You Know, So Close, and Ever Ever After. It also includes "That's Amore" from the soundtrack, by Jack Brooks and Harry Warren. Enchanted Songbook - Piano/Vocal/Guitar print version
A Hal Leonard Publication. Paperback.
Q and A with Stephen Schwartz about the movie Enchanted
RECENT PHOTO: Alan Menken, actress Shirley Jones, and Stephen Schwartz at a tribute to Menken & Schwartz and benefit concert for Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy held in Los Angeles, November 5, 2007. Photo by Daniel Lam.
Podcast
For podcast on the songs from Disney's Enchanted: Enchanted songs podcast with Stephen Schwartz
From an email interview Nov 9, 2007
Carol de Giere: For Enchanted, did you sit with the writers, as you do with animated films, to find the song moments?
Stephen Schwartz: The screenplay existed. Three of the song moments were indicated, and the couple we came up with we proposed to the director.
CD: Did you approached Enchanted as a musical?
SS: Yes and no. It's clearly a romantic comedy, but the songs that are there still further the story as in a musical.
CD: Is there's anything resembling an "I Want" song?
SS: Yes, the opening, "True Love's Kiss."
CD: Did lyrics come first on any of these?
SS: We worked the way Alan and I nearly always do -- a title first, then the music -- sometimes written with me in the room and sometimes not -- and then the lyric.
CD: Did you have your usual good time working with Alan?
SS: Completely. I had a blast on this project.
CD: Thank you.
EARLIER Q and A posted on Schwartz's website
1) What kind of animation will be used to create the fairy tale world scenes?
2-D. It is a tribute to the classic Disney look of SNOW WHITE and CINDERELLA.
2) Did you replace Glenn Slater as the lyricist?
No. Glenn (who is an extremely talented, smart, and witty lyricist and entirely capable of doing a brilliant job on ENCHANTED) is working with Alan on several other projects, hence the confusion. At one time, perhaps, it was discussed that he and Alan would do a song for ENCHANTED -- before it was to be a more heavily "musicalized" project -- but once Alan was brought on for the present movie, I came with him.
Another Q and A
1) What attracted you to this project?
I have long wanted to do a live-action movie musical. ENCHANTED is a very clever concept that allows characters to sing within the world of the film, which is often difficult to achieve. Plus I thought the screenplay they sent me to read was, well, enchanting.
2) When did you learn you were going to be reunited with Alan Menken? What was it like after ten years to work with him again? Yes, I've read you both enjoy a good friendship, but has much changed after a decade long hiatus in terms of working together?
It was Alan who first told me Disney wanted me to do the project with him, so I knew at the outset. Our working relationship remains a very good one -- the fact that we are such good friends makes it very easy to collaborate, plus of course the fact that we have high regard for one another's work.
MORE COMMENTS: "The biggest problem with doing live-action musicals is justifying why the characters are suddenly bursting into song in the middle of very real sets and very real situations," says Schwartz. The concept of Enchanted does so in a way that is true to the characters.
Excerpt from LA Times Q and A
LA Times: Talk about your objective in writing and composing the songs for "Enchanted," as they’re filled with references to past Disney films.
Stephen Schwartz: We were trying to channel, I guess, classic Disney, and push it just a step further. We were trying to walk the line of both being an affectionate homage, but also poking a bit of fun at it. As one moves through the film, the music gets increasingly modern.
More notes: Get ready to be charmed and energized by the five pieces that Menken and Schwartz wrote for the new movie in various styles and tempos. Also, Menken's underscore promises fun for Disney movie fans. One commentator who saw an early screening suggests: "You may want to take a long a scorecard to keep track of all the references they've thrown in to earlier Disney stories and songs: Some of them are obvious, while others go by almost in a flash." Menken and Schwartz previously collaborated on Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and are close friends. For Enchanted, their credit is listed as "songs by" Menken and Schwartz.
Disney Movie Shop Enchanted Princess Dolls, Enchanted Books, etc.
Disney Movie costumes Disney Movie Costumes at Costume Craze
Looking for a Disney Costume like Buzz Lightyear, Snow White, Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan? Disney Costumes are right here and ready to bring smiles and some Disney Costume fun to your family gathering.
Disney Posters may be found at: Disneyart
Enchanted: The Movie Storybook
A Storybook Life (Enchanted)
Disney Enchanted Giselle Doll
Disney Robert Mckenzie
Disney Giselle Fairytale Wedding
Enchanted, The Junior Novel Enchanted (Junior Novelization)
Sticker Book: Enchanted (Reusable Sticker Book)
RELATED CDS: Disney's The Little Mermaid (2007 Original Broadway Cast)
Enchanted lyricist Stephen Schwartz also wrote music and lyrics to Wicked, The Prince of Egypt, and many others. More info on our Stephen Schwartz page
Enchanted Reviews
Enchanted is Disney's delightful new movie has been ruling the box office as number 1 since it opened. It tells the story of a beautiful princess, Giselle, played by Amy Adams, who is banished from a classical animated land and lands in modern-day Manhattan. Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz teamed up to write five songs for this romantic comedy musical movie. The live-action (with animation) feature also stars James Marsden as the handsome prince from the fairy tale world, Patrick Dempsey as the reluctant, potential love interest, Wicked Tony Award winner and recent "Rent" film star Idina Menzel, and others.
Reviews - Rotton Tomatoes [opens new browser window]
Wall Street Journal: "Wide-Eyed Glee, Refreshing Wit Life 'Enchanted' Wall Street Journal Enchanted review
http://www.insidesocal.com/ - Grumpy Greg loved Enchanted [opens new browser window] ...this fairy tale may be tongue-in-cheek, but it has such tremendous positive energy and wonderful performances from a perfect cast....
Click through movie images at LA Times to see combined images of early Disney/Enchanted
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment - photo gallery
Disney Movie Enchanted Film locations and Updates
From a Sept 26 interview article about director Kevin Lima: "Enchanted, Lima said, has references to many of the old Disney animated princess movies. “There are many Disney moments that anyone familiar with the films will find mirrored back at you,” often whimsically. Disney had optioned the screenplay from an out-of-the-blue spec work by writer Bill Kelly nine years ago. When Lima came onto the project 2 1/2 years ago, after other directors had tried and failed to make it work, “I had to say, ‘I love Disney, so now let’s turn it on its ear,’ ” he said with a chuckle. For example, Lima said that the rats who are seen helping the princess, played by Amy Adams, scrub a toilet in the movie trailer currently in theaters are a reference to the forest animals that often helped such Disney princesses as Snow White and Cinderella with their housework. “They had rabbits and squirrels and birds. In Enchanted, she has to make do with what’s on hand — rats and cockroaches and pigeons.”
ENCHANTED Film locations include:
* Central Park, Manhattan; Times-Warner building at Columbus Circle
* New York City
Times
Square
* Tribeca, Manhattan.
* Steiner Studios - 15 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn
(studio)
From August 1 2007, comments on Playbill.com about Enchanted's Theatre connections:
...The movie's animated characters pop up into real life in the heart of the theatre district, in New York City's Times Square, with billboards of musicals (though some, like The Wedding Singer, now closed) setting the scene. Fittingly, the ensemble (and vocal cast) is filled with some stars of Broadway: Gregory Jbara (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Judy Kuhn (Les Misérables), Brian d'Arcy James (The Apple Tree) and Daniel Mastrogiorgio (Contact), among others. Julie Andrews (My Fair Lady) provides narration.
To stay informed about Stephen Schwartz's work, subscribe to my free quarterly email newsletter The Schwartz Scene
Links for Further Research on Disney Movie Enchanted
If you want to "get to know" Stephen Schwartz, check out the new documentary DVD, SHOWBUSINESS - includes many interviews with Schwartz
Stephen Schwartz has answered questions about Enchanted on his discussion forum. In this post, for example, Schwartz forum answer about enchanted songs, he mentions a song for Narissa. Here he talks about the cut song Enchanted: Schwartz forum answer about cut song
For an Enchanted Trailer, movie stills, interview clips, and more see the official site. http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/enchanted/ . In the preview trailer, be sure to note the giant Wicked poster in the background of one of the Times Square segments.
For a long interview with Schwartz and Menken see http://www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_13489.html
Is Enchanted a Musical? Kevin Lima talks about what it is in an interview: "... It's a hugely complicated movie because it has so many elements and embraces so many different genres. It's a romantic comedy. It's a musical. It's got some action adventure. It's a 2-D animated movie. It has a lot of 3-D computer generated characters." Hollywood Reporter: From 'Enchanted' enchants with happily ever after romance
http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1574092/story.jhtml This includes interview clips by Alan Menken and the cast.
"Basically, it's Disney kind of deconstructing and reconstructing in the same piece," composer Alan Menken said. "In one sense, the cynics are brought into this and go, 'OK, I get the joke,' and on the other hand it's got a heart to it. My hope is that it will really enlist the audience in knowing that they're involved in something both smart and moving."
Playbill.com interviewed Schwartz and Menken 18 Nov 2007 Playbill interview about Enchanted
For the full LA Times Q and A with Menken and Schwartz: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/extendedplay/2007/11/x.html [opens new browser window]
USA Today covered Enchanted as it fits into the evolution of Disney's animation work. See a long article at Disney's enchanting return to 2-D animation
USA Today article - 'Enchanted' Amy Adams falls under Disney spell
Who's Who in Enchanted: Characters and cast. USA Today article
Patrick Dempsey story from July 2006 http://extratv.warnerbros.com/...
For an Amy Adams profile, see The New York Times Nov. 07. The director explains why she was hired. “What I was struck by is that she looks like a Disney character,” said Mr. Lima, who directed the animated feature film “Tarzan” and contributed character animation to “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid.” The article also reveals that Amy's main fluffy white dress in the movie weighs 45 pounds (complete with steel hoops under the skirt.)
Developmental History of Enchanted - Read Jim Hill's articles about the development of Enchanted
Animator Jim Baxter interview webcast about Enchanted can be found at: Baxter interview on Enchanted
International release dates for Disney Enchanted
Singapore – 22 November 2007
France – 28 November 2007
Italy – 30 November 2007
Spain – 30 November 2007
Argentina – 6 December 2007
Austria – 13 December 2007
Netherlands – 13 December 2007
UK – 14 December 2007
Belgium – 19 December 2007
Denmark – 19 December 2007
Finland – 21 December 2007
Turkey – 21 December 2007
Germany – 24 December 2007
Sweden – 25 December 2007
Australia – 26 December 2007
Norway – 26 December 2007
Japan – 8 March 2008
From 1/30/07 press release: The new Walt Disney film "Enchanted" -- to be released in November/December 2007 -- has a promotional tour traveling to the main European cities of London, Paris, Madrid, Brussels and Munich in which FogScreen walk-through screen is featured. One of the key features of the movie is an enchanted wishing well. The effects of which in the tour have been created by FogScreen walk-through screen. A Finnish invention FogScreen walk-through screen generates a thin, dry fog that is possible to walk through without getting wet. It allows you to actually walk through an image projected in mid-air. FogScreen walk-through screen uses ordinary water and does not contain any chemicals, earning the distinction of being said "the audiovisual innovation of the decade."
You are on MusicalSchwartz.com Enchanted page. READ ALL ABOUT STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
Home Page
For singers who like musicals, please visit our sister site musicalsingers.com!