Motion Picture Composer, Lyricist, Playwright, Theater Producer, Theater Director. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he moved to New York City in 1974 to work for a publishing house as an editor. His work attracted attention and he became an artistic director for WPA Theatre in 1977. In 1982, he met and collaborated with Alan Menken on the highest grossing off-Broadway hit, "The Little Shop Of Horrors." In 1989, he again collaborated with Menken on Disney's, "The Little Mermaid" (1989). In 1990, they won the Oscar for the song "Under The Sea" which was featured in the film. He also worked on other films, some that were released after his death. These films include: "Little Shop Of Horrors" (1986), "Oliver & Company" (1988), "Cartoon All-Stars To The Rescue" (1990), "Beauty And The Beast" (1991), "Aladdin" (1992), "Aladdin II: The Return Of Jafar" (1994), "Aladdin On Ice" (1995), "Beauty And The Beast: A Concert On Ice" (1996), "Michelle Kwan Skates To Disney's Greatest Hits" (1999) and "The Little Mermaid II: Return To The Sea" (2000). He died from complications of AIDS in March 1991 at the age of 40, a few months before "Beauty and the Beast" would be theatrically released in November of that year and is dedicated to Ashman.
Motion Picture Composer, Lyricist, Playwright, Theater Producer, Theater Director. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he moved to New York City in 1974 to work for a publishing house as an editor. His work attracted attention and he became an artistic director for WPA Theatre in 1977. In 1982, he met and collaborated with Alan Menken on the highest grossing off-Broadway hit, "The Little Shop Of Horrors." In 1989, he again collaborated with Menken on Disney's, "The Little Mermaid" (1989). In 1990, they won the Oscar for the song "Under The Sea" which was featured in the film. He also worked on other films, some that were released after his death. These films include: "Little Shop Of Horrors" (1986), "Oliver & Company" (1988), "Cartoon All-Stars To The Rescue" (1990), "Beauty And The Beast" (1991), "Aladdin" (1992), "Aladdin II: The Return Of Jafar" (1994), "Aladdin On Ice" (1995), "Beauty And The Beast: A Concert On Ice" (1996), "Michelle Kwan Skates To Disney's Greatest Hits" (1999) and "The Little Mermaid II: Return To The Sea" (2000). He died from complications of AIDS in March 1991 at the age of 40, a few months before "Beauty and the Beast" would be theatrically released in November of that year and is dedicated to Ashman.
Inscription
Beloved son, brother and friend
"Oh that he had one more song to sing, one more song..."
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