[4] Collider explains: " In addition to some amateur recordings made publicly accessible online, the song was translated into one of the tentpole numbers for the licensed children’s staged musical Mulan, Jr.
Convinced they could be used in a recording session, he purchased them.”[5] Partway into the project, DreamWorks also hired Schwartz to compose music for The Prince of Egypt.
[15] The stage musical Mulan Jr. reinstated "Written in Stone"[16][17] As the opening number it "confirms the strict social environment that exists in China" and that "traditions have dictated Chinese behavior for centuries".
[18] This sets up the central conflict of the musical whereby Mulan aims to reject her 'Written In Stone" traditions and write her own destiny with the approval of her ancestors.
[19] Arguably the first public performance of the song was by Lea Salonga on May 4, 2012, at Town Hall located in Times Square, NYC.
[25] Unlike other unused Disney songs like Proud of Your Boy and Human Again whose demos were subsequently released, or Someday and Shooting Star which were adapted into pop versions played during the credits, both leading to interest over the years, "Written in Stone" never had this chance to build an underground cult following.
The negative history surrounding the change of composer, which would only be highlighted by publicizing this song, may contribute to Disney's reluctance to revive it.
"[5] Broadwayworld deemed it the standout of the Dream Again Tour, commenting, "I love the fact that Salonga included this song as the more obscure stuff always interests me.