Alan Menken, the celebrated composer widely credited with shaping the sound of Disney animation’s renaissance, is bringing his autobiographical solo show, *A Whole New World of Alan Menken*, to Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall this Friday. The multimedia stage presentation offers audiences an inside look at Menken’s prolific career, which spans from his early days in New York theatre through three decades of Disney collaborations.

Best known for his eight Academy Awards, Menken is one of the few entertainers to hold an EGOT—Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards—along with an unusual addition: a Razzie. He earned the Golden Raspberry Award, bestowed for cinematic underachievement, for the 1993 film *Newsies*, specifically for the song "High Times, Hard Times." Yet, the Razzie did little to tarnish his legacy. Nearly two decades later, Menken and co-writer Jack Feldman won a Tony Award for *Newsies: The Musical*, the stage adaptation of the same story.

“I found out about the Razzie the same night I won an Oscar for *Aladdin,*” Menken said in a recent interview from upstate New York. “So, I didn’t exactly feel pain from the Razzie.” He added that receiving the Razzie statuette years later only fueled his motivation, embracing it as part of the artistic journey.

Menken’s new show is not solely a recounting of his Disney years but explores his path from his childhood talent as a pianist and composer in New York through trial and error in the theatre world. The performance features a blend of music, storytelling, and humor, with Menken playing piano live and providing insights into the people and experiences behind his songs. Running about two hours with an intermission, the program captures the highs and lows of his creative life, including his feelings of being a “misfit” early on and learning to find his unique voice.

Reflecting on Disney’s evolution, Menken noted a pronounced shift from the animation-focused "Disney Renaissance" period of the late 1980s through the early 2000s to the recent preference for live-action movies under new leadership. He described family entertainment as a continually changing landscape but emphasized the enduring emotional connection of well-crafted Disney stories and songs. “The best Disney work touches the hearts and minds of all ages,” he said.

Menken also spoke to the experience of seeing his music resonate across generations. While adults from his own childhood still cherish his compositions, younger families continue to introduce the songs to their children, extending the music’s reach and relevance.

Toronto holds special significance in Menken’s career. Praising the city’s vibrant arts community and engaged audiences, he said he looks forward to sharing his stories and music there. He hopes that audiences leave the show feeling encouraged: that passion and persistence can lead to a fulfilling career in music and storytelling, despite inevitable challenges along the way.