The Mouse and Me – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, Scott welcomes Koz back to the show. If you haven’t already listened to Part 1, definitely check it out. In it, Koz talks about the German production of Hercules that he recently mounted and the upcoming production in London. He also talks about his incredible musical lineage and the technique that songwriters and arrangers like himself use to make Disney songs sound uniquely Disney.

In this week's episode, Koz talks about his relationship with Alan Menken, his proudest accomplishment, his love of the turkey leg snack in the parks, what he worked on at Tokyo Disney Sea, and so much more!

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Music by Kevin MacLeod from https://incompetech.filmmusic.io

Michael "Koz" Kosarin is a 2-time Emmy Award winner and a three-time Grammy-nominated recording artist and producer for his work on Broadway in Disney’s Aladdin, Newsies, and The Little Mermaid.

Koz has had a happy collaboration as music director and arranger for legendary composer Alan Menken for over thirty years, beginning with the Broadway adaptation of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in 1993, and it continues to this day in theater, film, television, and concerts.

The Disney films you and your family will know his work from begins with Pocahontas, and proceed through Hercules, Enchanted and Disenchanted, Tangled, Home on the Range, Wreck-it Ralph II, and the live action films of Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid. Koz is currently at work with Mr. Menken on a new film called Spellbound, which is due out in theaters by the end of this year. 

He's also currently the music director of Aladdin on Broadway, which celebrated its tenth anniversary this past March. Prior to that, his shows with Alan Menken include Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act, Leap of Faith, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He’s worked steadily on Broadway since 1982, beginning with the show Nine. Some other Broadway credits include Grand Hotel, The Secret Garden, and A Chorus Line.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Koz also conducted and was the song arranger for Captain America: The First Avenger and arranged for and performed with the Boston Pops. He guest conducted the NY Pops, the NY Philharmonic, and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and conducted Disney films live to picture in venues from The Hollywood Bowl to Tokyo’s Budokan. He’s worked with legendary artists such as Eddie Fisher, Carly Simon, Barbara Cook, Jane Krakowshi, Kerry Butler, and Lang Lang.

Scott and Koz have been chatting for over a year about this interview and in Scott's words, "It’s been worth the wait!"

We know you'll love listening to Koz's incredible stories. Enjoy and we'll see ya real soon!

Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.com

Support: www.patreon.com/themouseandme

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Music by Kevin MacLeod from https://incompetech.filmmusic.io

Jonathan Freeman, the voice of the Disney villain Jafar, returns to The Mouse and Me this week!

In addition to the 1992 animated “Aladdin” movie, Jonathan went on to sneer in the subsequent Aladdin films and originated the role of Jafar in the Broadway production in 2014, where he wielded his cobra staff in thousands of performances, having played the role for nearly eight years.

Disney on Broadway Credits:

Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth)

The Little Mermaid (Grimsby, original Broadway cast)

Mary Poppins (Admiral Boom and the Bank Chairman)

Other Broadway credits:

She Loves Me (Tony Award Nomimation), How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, On the Town, 42nd Street (Revival), and The Producers. 

Last week, Jonathan shared stories about how he got into theatre, his experiences working on the original Aladdin movie, and what it was like bringing the role of Jafar to the Broadway stage.

This week, Jonathan talks about what production(s) he'd like to go back in time and see, the time he rode a camel down Main Street USA at Walt Disney World, and so much more!

We hope you enjoy the rest of Scott's conversation with the incredible Jonathan Freeman!

Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.com

Support: www.patreon.com/themouseandme

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Music by Kevin MacLeod from https://incompetech.filmmusic.io

As you can probably imagine, there’s so much Disney to talk about and a lot of this information doesn’t really fit into the interview format organically. Because of that, a new type of episode, Magical Moments, was created! In these shorter episodes, it’ll be easier to talk about even more tips and tricks to navigating the parks and do deeper dives about dining, attractions, Disney news and more.

If you listened to Scott's interview with Rory, then you’re aware of “The List” - the list of things they didn’t know the answers to and facts that they weren’t sure of. Since their interview, Scott reached out to friends, did some deep dives, and checked his sources and he has the answers!

Enjoy this first Magical Moments episode!

Twitter: @MouseMePodcast

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Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.com

Support: www.patreon.com/themouseandme

Song: Adventures In Adventureland

Artist: Kevin MacLeod

https://incompetech.filmmusic.io

Song: Cheerful Cinematic Song

Artist: Zakhar Valaha

In this episode, Rory and Scott continue chatting about Rory's career and his involvement in the Disney+ show, Hawkeye. They also chat about visiting Walt Disney World and Disneyland, their favorite snacks, and they have a blast playing As the Nose Grows - Pinocchio True or False, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and a new game called Chip or Dale where they talk about the differences between the attractions at WDW and the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. They also create "The List." More to come... :)

Twitter: @MouseMePodcast

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Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.com

Support: www.patreon.com/themouseandme

Song: Adventures In Adventureland

Artist: Kevin MacLeod

https://incompetech.filmmusic.io  

Scott is joined by his friend and Broadway veteran, Rory Donovan. They talk about Rory's start in show business, his time touring the country in Finding Neverland and Young Frankenstein, his Broadway debut in Elf the Musical, NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert starring John Legend, and so much more! Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a really fun time! 

Twitter: @MouseMePodcast

TikTok: @TheMouseAndMePodcast

FB & Instagram: The Mouse and Me

Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.com

Support: www.patreon.com/themouseandme

Song: Adventures In Adventureland

Artist: Kevin MacLeod

https://incompetech.filmmusic.io

Scott sits down with the hilarious Maryellen Hooper to talk about how she got into comedy, her time in the clubs, and what it was like to work on all of the Disney Cruise Line ships. Maryellen also talks about her experiences with Bill Farmer (the voice of Goofy), Rex Smith, and Disney Legend and Songwriter, Richard Sherman. Scott and Maryellen play Huey, Dewey, and Louie and As the Nose Grows - Pinocchio True or False and they just have a great time. Give a listen and laugh along! 

Be sure to visit www.MaryellenHooper.com, follow her on social media, and check out her clips on YouTube. 

Twitter: @MouseMePodcast

TikTok: @TheMouseAndMePodcast

FB & Instagram: The Mouse and Me

Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.com

Support: www.patreon.com/themouseandme

Song: Adventures In Adventureland

Artist: Kevin MacLeod

https://incompetech.filmmusic.io

Scott welcomes back former Disneyland Resort Imagineer, Kate Harrow, for part 2 of their interview. This week, Kate talks about how she helped to create Warner Bros. World in Abu Dhabi and her return to The Walt Disney Company. They also talk about how Kate spends her time off in the parks and they play a few games - As the Nose Grows - Pinocchio True or False and Huey, Dewey, and Louie. Like the backside of water, this conversation really flows!

Be sure to visit Kate's website - www.bowandharrow.com. Bow & Harrow Workshop is a boutique woodworking studio in Duarte, CA specializing in custom pens, furniture, handmade goods, and unique projects.

Twitter: @MouseMePodcast

TikTok: @TheMouseAndMePodcast

FB & Instagram: The Mouse and Me

Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.com

Support: www.patreon.com/themouseandme

Song: Adventures In Adventureland

Artist: Kevin MacLeod

https://incompetech.filmmusic.io

This week, Scott welcomes Kate Harrow - former Disneyland Resort Imagineer! In this episode, Kate and Scott talk about her schooling, mentors, and internship w/ Disney and how that turned into a full-time job as a technical director. Kate also gives a behind the scenes look at her time working on the Jungle Cruise, Jingle Cruise, and Frozen and the Hyperion.

Be sure to visit Kate's website - www.bowandharrow.com. Bow & Harrow Workshop is a boutique woodworking studio in Duarte, CA specializing in custom pens, furniture, handmade goods, and unique projects.

Twitter: @MouseMePodcast

TikTok: @TheMouseAndMePodcast

FB & Instagram: The Mouse and Me

Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.com

Support: www.patreon.com/themouseandme

Song: Adventures In Adventureland

Artist: Kevin MacLeod

https://incompetech.filmmusic.io

Sam Strasfeld is back for part two of his interview. This Broadway triple threat joins Scott to discuss dancing with Julie Andrews, some "interesting" moments during Mary Poppins, and traveling to Vancouver to film Schmigadoon during Covid. Sam and Scott also talk about the Disney Parks and they play a few fun Disney games like "Dash's Super Speed Words" and "As the Nose Grows - Pinocchio True or False." 

Twitter: @MouseMePodcast

TikTok: @TheMouseAndMePodcast

FB & Instagram: The Mouse and Me

Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.com

Support: www.patreon.com/themouseandme

Song: Adventures In Adventureland

Artist: Kevin MacLeod

https://incompetech.filmmusic.io