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Broadway Greats

 "Hercules" is like a retelling of "The Lion King." Zeus and Hades are drowning in fraternal conflict; Hades sees an opportunity for victory, but it's available only if Hades can get rid of Zeus's son.


The son--Hercules--evades death but then spends his childhood in a kind of hinterland. Raised by farmers, he senses that he is "destined for more." 


I have often dreamed
Of a far-off place--
Where a hero's welcome
Will be waiting for me.

And the crowds will cheer
When they see my face--
And a voice keeps saying...
This is where I'm meant to be.


Alan Menken worked with David Zippel here. I like Zippel because, unlike Tim Rice, he isn't cloying. He is direct and sincere. 

The Eva Noblezada version is among my favorites for a few reasons. For one, this is a gold-standard example of a "chest belt." Also, Noblezada's "air-drum" solo is charming. Finally, Noblezada has explicitly stated that she is using Sutton Foster and Lea Salonga as templates for her own career. By choosing "Go the Distance," Noblezada is tipping her hat to Salonga (who is *also* a performer known for this particular song). To (implicitly) invite others to compare you to Lea Salonga--this is an example of "going the distance." It's a bold move. (Arguably, Noblezada outshines Salonga with this performance.)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpDTQWmQByE&list=RDzpDTQWmQByE&start_radio=1

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