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- "Proud of Your Boy" is a song written by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken. Originally intended for Disney's animated film Aladdin (1992), the song was omitted when Aladdin's mother was written out of the story. After being discarded, "Proud of Your Boy" remained largely undiscovered by audiences until Walt Disney Records released Ashman and Menken's demo on a compilation album in 1994, after which it gradually gained popularity. The song was eventually restored for the film's stage musical adaptation in 2011, originally performed and recorded by American actor Adam Jacobs. Lyrically, "Proud of Your Boy" is about a young man promising his mother that he will change his mischievous ways and ultimately make her proud. "Proud of Your Boy" was one of the first songs Ashman and Menken wrote for Aladdin, of which Ashman was particularly fond. Some of Ashman's collaborators theorize that the lyricist based the song on his relationship with his own mother. Following Ashman's death during the film's production, the role of Aladdin's mother grew increasingly inconsequential as the story was revised. Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg eventually insisted that both the mother and song be eliminated altogether, much to the disappointment of several crew members. Actors Scott Weinger and Brad Kane auditioned for the film using the song; both were ultimately cast as Aladdin's speaking and singing voice, respectively. When Aladdin's stage adaptation was green-lit, "Proud of Your Boy" was one of the first songs Menken and playwright Chad Beguelin prioritized including in the musical, which Aladdin sings in memory of his late mother. "Proud of Your Boy" premiered on stage to mostly positive reviews from critics, some of whom named it the show's best new addition; it has since become the musical's signature song. Although most fans discovered the song via the musical, it had already become a cult favorite upon release of its demo, being considered a popular audition song among the musical theatre community. (en)
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