ABOVE: Film poster for “Howard.” (Photo courtesy Disney’s official Facebook)
Disney+ is giving audiences the opportunity to explore and celebrate the life of Oscar-winning playwright and lyricist Howard Ashman with the release of an upcoming documentary on the streaming platform.
“Howard” not only pays tribute to Ashman’s catalogue as a titan of musical theatre and film, but the film also pulls back the curtain to reveal other aspects of Ashman’s life, such as “his youth in Baltimore, his formative years in New York and his untimely death from AIDS.”
In order to provide such a candid portrait of Ashman, director Don Han enlisted the help of some of Ashman’s most significant relationships, both professionally and personally.
“‘Howard’ features a treasure trove of archival footage and interviews with his longtime collaborator Alan Menken, as well as Disney voice artists Jodi Benson (Ariel) and Paige O’Hara (Belle), partner Bill Lauch and many others,” David Gordon of Theater Mania wrote.
Ashman’s collaborations with Menken helped solidify the Disney Renaissance, a period during which Walt Disney Animation Studios received critical and commercial success for the films it produced. Through their work together, Ashman and Menken helped bring to the life the worlds of “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin,” the latter of which Ashman pitched the original idea of creating a musical adaptation for.
“The Little Mermaid” grossed $184.2 million at the box office worldwide and nabbed two Academy Awards in 1990: Best Original Song and Best Original Score. The lyrics to “Under the Sea,” which won Best Original Song, were written by Ashman.
“Beauty and the Beast” grossed $331.9 million at the box office worldwide and also won Ashman and Menken two additional Academy Awards in 1992: Best Original Song and Best Original Score. The lyrics to the title track “Beauty and the Beast,” which won Best Original Song, were written by Ashman. “Be Our Guest,” another song from the film written by Ashman, was also nominated for the same award.
“Aladdin” grossed $504.1 million at the box office worldwide and scored a double-win at the Academy Awards in 1993: Best Original Song and Best Original Score. The lyrical content of “Friend Like Me,” an “Aladdin” song which was also nominated for Best Original Song, was created by Ashman.
Ashman died at the age of 40 due to AIDS-related complications. He passed away in March 1991, eight months prior to the U.S. theatrical release of “Beauty and the Beast.”
“Howard” will be available to stream on Disney+ starting Aug. 7.
Watch the trailer for the film below.
