About the work
Hercules is a musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by David Zippel, based on the 1997 Disney animated film. A first stage version was created in 2019 at the Public Theater in New York (Public Works production); the world premiere of the full commercial stage version took place in Hamburg in March 2023, followed by London's West End in 2025.
Plot
Hercules, son of the father of the gods Zeus, is abducted as an infant from Olympus by the sinister god of the underworld, Hades, and loses his immortality—but retains his superhuman strength. Raised as an outsider among humans, he learns of his divine origin and must prove himself a true hero to be allowed to return to Olympus. Under the guidance of the satyr Phil he becomes a celebrated star, falls in love with the conflicted Megara, and finally sees through Hades's scheme to conquer the world. Only his selfless willingness to sacrifice his life for Megara makes him a true hero.
Cultural significance
Hercules combines Alan Menken's catchy film songs—including Go the Distance and the gospel-tinged Zero to Hero—with the wit of Greek mythology and the commentary of the five Muses as a Motown-style narrator quintet. It is notable that the full stage world premiere took place in the German-speaking world (Hamburg) before the work reached the West End. As the most recent major Disney stage musical, it builds on the successes of The Lion King and Aladdin.