PROGRAMME NOTES

SONG 1:
Almost There The Princess and The Frog
Written by Randy Newman
Performed by Anika Noni Rose
The Princess and the Frog is a 2009 American traditionally animated
musical fantasy-comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios
and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The 49th film in the Walt Disney
Animated Classics series, the film is loosely based on the novel The Frog
Princess by E. D. Baker, which is in turn based on the Brothers Grimm fairy
tale "The Frog Prince". Written and directed by Ron Clements and John
Musker, the film features an ensemble voice cast that stars Anika Noni
Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jennifer Cody,
and Jim Cummings, with Peter Bartlett, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey,
Terrence Howard, and John Goodman. Set in 1920s New Orleans,
Louisiana, the film tells the story of a hardworking waitress named Tiana
who dreams of owning her own restaurant. After kissing a prince who has
been turned into a frog by an evil witch doctor, Tiana becomes a frog
herself, and must find a way to turn back into a human before it is too
late. Tiana is notable for being the only African-American Disney Princess.
The song Almost There has been nominated for many awards such as Best
Original Song at the 2009 Satellite Awards and Best Song at the 2009
Critics Choice Awards. Randy Newman composed, arranged, and
conducted the music for the film, a mixture of jazz, zydeco, blues, and
gospel styles performed by the voice cast members for the respective
characters.
The character of Tiana is played by Anika Noni Rose. Tianas a 19-year-old
waitress and aspiring chef/restaurateur. She is a smart, hard working, and
independent young woman, but one who works so hard that she often
forgets important things such as love, fun, and family. Mark Henn served
as the supervising animator for Tiana in both human and frog form. Henn
declared that he attempted to make a character that could stand on its
own, with Tiana having a more cynical and grounded personality. Rose's
performance influenced much on the animation, with the actress even
suggesting to Henn for Tiana to be left-handed like herself.

SONG 2:
Shadowland The Lion King
Written by Hans Zimmer, Lebo M, and Mark Mancina, and
performed by Nala, Rafiki and ennsemble.
Original broadway cast Nala: Heather Hadley.
Original west end cast Nala: Paulette Ivory.
The Lion King is a musical based on the 1994 Disney animated film with
music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice along with the musical score
created by Hans Zimmer with choral arrangements by Lebo M. Directed by
Julie Taymor, the musical features actors in animal costumes as well as
giant, hollow puppets. The show is produced by Disney Theatrical. The
musical debuted July 8, 1997, in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Orpheum
Theatre, and was an instant success before premiering on Broadway at
the New Amsterdam Theater on October 15, 1997 in previews with the
official opening on November 13, 1997. The show debuted in the West
End's Lyceum Theatre on October 19, 1999 and is still running. The cast of
the West End production were invited to perform at the Royal Variety
Performance 2008. The production has been seen by over 70 million
people around the world, and in addition to the two UK productions can
currently be seen in New York, Tokyo, Hamburg, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Sydney
and on tour across North America and Japan. The Lion King won a 1998
Tony Award for Best Musical.
Shadowland is a song originally written by Lebo M and Hans Zimmer for
the Rhythm of the Pride Lands album as Lea Halalela. It was later adapted
by Mark Mancina with updated lyrics for the musical, where it was
originally sung by Heather Headley. Shadowland is Nalas power ballad
where she is taking responsibility and going to do what is right.

As a cub, Nala is a bit sassy, spunky, and just as curious, mischievous and
ready to get in trouble as Simba is. She is firm about her ideas and beliefs,
refusing to let Simba take full credit for her idea to get rid of Zazu.
This carries into her adulthood, where Nala has turned into a sharptongued and fearless adult lioness. She fights Simba into submission and
isn't afraid to re-enforce to Simba that he is the rightful king no matter

how much he denies it, or to tell Scar that they (the lionesses) don't
believe he's the rightful king, despite being at a lower rank at the time.

SONG 3:
Take Me To Heaven Sister Act: The Musical.
Written by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.
Original West End and Broadway Cast : Patina Miller
First UK Tour Cast: Cynthia Erivo
SISTER ACT tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva
whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the
cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to looka convent!
Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow
sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.
Sister Act is a musical written by Cheri Steinkellner and Bill
Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane, with
lyrics by Glenn Slater and music by Alan Menken. It is based on the hit
1992 film comedy of the same name. The 2009 West End production was
produced by Stage Entertainment, Whoopi Goldberg, and Michael Reno for
Sis Acts LLC. Goldberg is also a producer of the 2011 Broadway
adaptation.
Sister Act opened in the West End at the London Palladium on June
2, 2009, following previews from May 7. Sister Act has been nominated for
4 Olivier Awards, 5 Tony Awards and 5 Drama Desk Awards.
Take Me To Heaven is a song from the beginning of the musical where
Deloris is singing in a club for an audience. Its all about being sassy and
projecting a performance image.

Deloris Van Cartier is a lounge singer in a 1960s-themed act called The