LOPEZES. Wrote “Moving Pictures” for the Academy Awards’ multimedia musical sequence. AP
LOS ANGELES—“We love the Oscars and we love Neil Patrick Harris, so it was a no-brainer when he asked us if we’d like to write a song for him,” Robert “Bobby” Lopez recently told us about the musical number that he and his wife, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, composed for the host of the 87th Academy Awards show this Sunday (Monday morning, Manila time).
“It’s our first time writing for an awards show, so it’s been a learning experience—but lots of fun,” said the Fil-Am about the special song, “Moving Pictures,” which is described by the Academy as a multimedia musical sequence to be performed by Neil and special guests.
Some are guessing that the composition will be the opening number in the star-studded ceremony, again produced by Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. “YouTube, get ready!” the show producers were quoted as exclaiming about this production number.
“We are excited to tune in,” added Robert. He and Kristen were in the audience last year when they heard their names announced as best original song winners for “Let It Go,” their phenomenally popular ballad, sung by Idina Menzel, from the hit animated movie, “Frozen.”
But, this time, the busy couple will be watching the show in the cozy comfort of their home in New York. The Lopezes said they wove their experience as Oscar nominees into the eagerly anticipated song.
“We can’t even make it out to LA for the Oscars this year to see Neil Patrick Harris perform our song live,” said Bobby. “We’ll be watching on TV in our pajamas.”
He explained, “I’ll be turning 40 the day after the telecast. I’m excited to celebrate with my family and friends, who matter so much more to me than any achievement.” The Lopezes are doting parents to two girls.
Robert’s Oscar win made him the youngest and 12th member of EGOT, a group of talents who have won all four major American entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
“It’s been a great year,” shared the cocreator of the acclaimed hit musicals, “The Book of Mormon” and “Avenue Q.” “We’ve had a lot to celebrate, most recently a fun weekend at the Grammys.” The husband and wife team won the best song written for visual media award for “Let It Go” and shared the best compilation soundtrack for visual media prize with producers, Tom MacDougall and Chris Montan, for “Frozen.”
“The success of ‘Frozen’ has led to so many opportunities,” said the Yale alumnus whose grandfather was pure Filipino, while his grandmother was Filipino and Scottish-American. “We just finished our work on the new short, ‘Frozen Fever.’ ” The seven-minute animated film, featuring a new song by Robert and Kristen, will be shown before Disney’s new live-action feature, “Cinderella.”
“We are putting the finishing touches on our new musical, ‘Up Here,’ ” disclosed Robert. La Jolla Playhouse in California will stage the world premiere of the musical to be directed by Alex Timbers, who was also behind “Here Lies Love,” David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s well-received musical on Imelda Marcos.
Robert also said something about what many are looking forward to: “We are starting work on the ‘Frozen’ stage musical adaptation.” Alex will also direct this Broadway version of the hit animated feature, while the film’s codirector and screenwriter, Jennifer Lee, will write the story.
In parting, Robert said, “We have some projects we’re not allowed to discuss. The result of all this new work is that we’re buried in deadlines and have next to no free time!”
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