Creative Team announced for B'way-bound Happy Trails

Producer Larry G. Spangler and The Spangler Group have officially announced the creative team for the Broadway-bound musical Happy Trails: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, which hopes to open on the Great White Way in 2016.

The production will feature music by Oscar and Tony Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Tony nominee Glenn Slater and a book by Oscar winner Marshall Brickman. It will be directed by Tony winner Des McAnuff.

Synopsis: "Roy Rogers was one of the most visible stars of his era, making a significant impact across all media: film, radio, TV, and recordings - even selling over 150 million comic books to multiple generations of avid fans. Between 1945 and 1975, he starred in 88 films, seen by an estimated 80 million people a year. His British fan club boasted over 90,000 members. The top rated 'Roy Rogers TV Show' aired 100 episodes and his image was featured on over 2.5 billion boxes of Post Cereal. His journey - from an impoverished childhood in Ohio to an unlikely reign as one of Hollywood's most popular stars; the poignant and inspiring story of the family he and Dale raised, their endurance, faith and humor in the face of almost impossible obstacles - and how Trigger got to be the only horse in Hollywood ever to be billed above the title - would be a highly improbable tale if it weren't all true."

Alan Menken released the following statement:

"I've been a huge fan of Roy Rogers since I was a kid, so working on this show is a dream come true. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were consummate, one-of-a-kind entertainers and I'm extremely excited to create a period-specific score that celebrates their legacy."

"I think audiences will be surprised at what trail blazers Roy and Dale were and how their story and ideals continue to resonate today. I'm very eager to collaborate with Alan, Marshall, and Des on this exciting new project and can't wait for Broadway audiences to see what we've come up with."

- by Tom Millward