Hazbin Hotel star Blake Roman has lent his voice to 'To Be Remembered,' a new track from the upcoming musical The (Disaster) Marathon of 1904. The song, inspired by a chaotic event from the 1904 Olympics, celebrates themes of legacy amid comedy and sincerity. The release coincides with anticipation for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
The (Disaster) Marathon of 1904 is an Olympic-themed musical with a book by Tyler Joseph Ellis and music and lyrics by Jacob Ryan Smith and Daniel Mertzlufft. It draws inspiration from the infamous marathon at the first modern Olympics in St. Louis in 1904, where runners faced extreme hardships, including drinking what was believed to be poison, navigating active traffic, and even hitchhiking to complete the race.
The single 'To Be Remembered,' performed by Blake Roman as American runner Frederick Lorz, explores the desire for a meaningful legacy, even if remembered for the wrong reasons. Roman, known for his role in the animated series Hazbin Hotel, shared his enthusiasm: “The song asks for everything. It’s funny, vulnerable, and strangely hopeful all at once. Getting to be part of its first release has been incredibly meaningful.”
Smith and Mertzlufft described the track in a joint statement: “This song lives at the intersection of comedy and sincerity. It’s about wanting your life to mean something, even if the world remembers you for all the wrong reasons.” The recording features additional vocals from Katy Geraghty, Aaron Robinson, Kay Sibal, Cameron Sirian, and Chani Wereley. August Eriksmoen handled music production and orchestrations, with videography and editing by Rebecca J. Michelson. It was recorded at Artist House and engineered by Dan MacDonald.
Now available on major streaming platforms, the single's release marks the February 6 opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The musical won the Broadway Shark Tank at Open Jar Studios and received support from the Johnny Mercer Writers Grove Retreat at Goodspeed Musicals, with further development planned for next week. Sheet music is available for purchase at SmithandMertzlufft.com.