King David (musical): History and Key Facts

King David: A World Premiere Concert Event is a 1997 oratorio (sometimes described as a work-in-progress musical), co-produced by The Walt Disney Company and Andre Djaoui, and written by Alan Menken (music) and Tim Rice (libretto). Originally conceived by Djaoui as a grand musical performed in Jerusalem to celebrate the 3000th anniversary of the city's founding, it was eventually staged as a concert in the first production at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theater after Disney's restoration. Opening on May 18, 1997 (after three previews beginning May 15), the show ran for six performances closing May 23.

King David is a song-cycle about David whom Alan Menken deems "one of the great heroes of Jewish history", and is based on Biblical tales from the Books of Samuel and 1 Chronicles, as well as text from David's Psalms. It retells the Old Testament story of the shepherd boy, David, who rises from his humble roots to become King of Israel, including the drama between him and Saul and David's trials and tribulations in the foundation of Jerusalem."

At present, there are no plans for a fully staged Broadway production.

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