HERCULES
Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: David Zippel
Book: Robert Horn & Kwame Kwei-Armah
German Lyrics: Kevin Schroeder
German Book: Ruth Deny
Based on Disney’s animated classic and the legendary tale from Greek mythology, Hercules storms the stage as a bold, high-energy musical that redefines what it means to be a hero.
Blessed with godlike strength but raised among mortals, Hercules must prove himself on Earth to reclaim his place on Mount Olympus. Guided by his loyal trainer Phil and joined by the quick-witted Meg and a gospel-singing Greek chorus, he sets out to battle monsters, challenge the gods — and discover what makes a true hero.
With a soaring score by Alan Menken and David Zippel and an original stage adaptation by Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah, Hercules combines explosive spectacle with heart, humour and a message that hits home.
The German-language premiere opened in 2024 at Hamburg’s Stage Theater Neue Flora — developed in close collaboration with Disney Theatrical Productions.
With his solos “Endlich angekommen” and “Mensch sein,” Benét Monteiro delivers moments of real emotional impact — a credit also due to Kevin Schroeder’s outstanding lyrics. The fact that Schroeder was given creative freedom, allowing even the hit song “Go the Distance” to be reimagined with entirely new German lyrics, can — despite early criticism — only be seen as a stroke of luck.
— Kulturfeder
Dieser Ort ist da,
— HERCULES (Go the distance)
Mag er auch so fern sein.
Ich mach all das wahr,
Träum’ nicht nur davon.
Jeder Stolperstein,
Der wird Gold wert sein,
Auf meinem weiten Weg,
Um endlich anzukomm’n.