This time around, Menken drew upon gospel music to bring the story to life and called upon lyricist David Zippel. Oscar®-winning composer Alan Menken was called upon to score the music for Hercules.
The scene is set, and we follow Hercules as he discovers what it takes to be a hero, with a series of pitfalls, romantic interludes, and plenty of danger along the way. Zeus explains that Hercules can rejoin the Gods on Mount Olympus if he proves himself to be a true hero. Hercules journeys to the Temple of Zeus, where a huge statue of Zeus comes to life and tells the boy the truth about his birth.
Eventually, he is told by his adopted father how he was found and given a medallion bearing the symbol of the gods.
As Hercules grows up, his immense strength means he’s ostracized from the rest of society.
