Hercules and Hades Actors Discuss Disney Destiny Show

From Theater Dreams to Disney Cruise Line

• 🎭 The Hercules actor shares a lifelong passion for theater, inspired by musicals at a young age.
• 🚢 He joined Disney Cruise Line in 2018, fulfilling a dream of opening a new ship, the Disney Destiny.
• 🌟 Portraying Hercules on the Destiny is described as a dream come true and a significant honor.

Connecting with Hercules' Journey

• 💭 The actor relates to Hercules' early struggles with limiting thoughts and a "small town mindset," drawing parallels to his own experiences.
• 💪 He emphasizes the importance of breaking free from these limitations to achieve greater potential.
• 🗣️ Telling Hercules' story is seen as a way to share a personal journey of overcoming doubt and proving oneself.

Vocal and Performance Training

• 🎤 To embody Hercules, extensive vocal and acting training is required, utilizing a diverse "tool belt" of skills.
• 🎶 The actor was encouraged to incorporate his gospel and R&B influences, including riffs, inspired by artists like Brandy and Luther Vandross.
• 🕺 The role involves singing, dancing, and a significant amount of stage fighting, which was a new challenge.

The Hades Performance

• 🎬 The Hades actor had recently played the role in "Hades Town" off-Broadway, providing a strong foundation.
• 📖 He delved into both the mythological source material and Disney's animated film, studying James Woods' iconic voice-over performance.
• 🗣️ Woods' interpretation of Hades as a "fast-talking Hollywood agent" served as a key guidepost for developing the character's slick and manipulative nature.
• 🧔 A notable aspect of the Hades costume is the beard, which was an addition made during rehearsals, inspired by the original animation and adding a mature, distinctive look to the character.

Onstage Magic and Previous Roles

• 🐍 The Hercules actor describes the unique experience of being "eaten by a hydra" onstage, highlighting the creative staging and the victorious feeling after defeating the creature.
• 🎁 The show incorporates subtle nods to the animated movie, with merchandise featuring cartoon versions of the characters, sparking a meta-commentary on Disney creating animated versions of the live-action performance.
• 🚢 Previous roles for the Hercules actor include Kristoff in "Frozen" on the Wonder and Bert in "Believe" on the Dream, along with dancing in "Beauty and the Beast."