The Little Mermaid on Broadway

[PeterPanfan]

Do you think Disney Movie Rewards will ever have tickets to this for prizes liek TLK,Tarzan,or BatB?

I REALLY want to see this!

[Disney Duster]

Oh, thank you Little Merboy for more details on what you thought of the show! I can't wait to see the gorgeous sets! And it's amazing to think this really is like Ariel come to life. I guess every Ariel that comes after she leaves the show will pale in comparison to her.

Yea, I read one or two bits about the show and people liked Ursula, but I'd trust your opinion more! I hope that they fix her song. Wasting Away should really come back! If you think about it, maybe the fact that she thinks she is wasting away could be her incentive to use the trident to become huge in the ending! If only...

I'm so glad that conch was actually a nautilus shell! I wonder if it's magical so it transforms into a conch after Ariel's voice goes into it... Does anyone know if I can write to them and ask them what's up with that shell? It's my favorite "Mermaid" object.

Your idea of Vanessa showing up to sing is a really good idea, because then Eric could say "Maybe that Vanessa is the one who rescued me, but I love Ariel now. I love Ariel more." Then Vanessa could rip off her disguise and be Ursula again! She could be like "Why do you want Ariel she threw away her power!" If only...

And about the costumes, it wasn't like this costume idea you told us about before? Because I liked that one, you couldn't see their legs that way.

I'm...not really sure how I feel about the new ending. It seems kinda lame and anticilmactic compared to the movie, which is probably my favorite ending in any Disney movie (well, next to the awesome death in "The Black Cauldron"). I'll just have to see it, methinks.

Like I said above, if they kept the jokes about Ursula thinking she's too skinny, she would have a reason to become huge! If only... But that would be a literally big change in the show.

[Siren]

I hope they do a performance for TV soon.

I never thought of that! I was wondering if I'd ever be able to see a part of the show, I just realised now reading that Siren, that they will do TV spots at certain events as most Broadway musicals do.

Anyway, thanks for the info Little Merboy, I really want to see this show!

Oh yeah, I remember Shadowland from TLK being preformed on David Letterman once. Rosie O'Donnel's talk show had Endless Night from TLK too. Both I think are on www.lionking.org And the Macy's Christmas Day Parade always has performances from the newest shows. So I have little doubt that within the next couple of months, we WILL see how they do it on TV. Just one song of course, but it still is always enjoyable.

[candydog]

I never thought of that! I was wondering if I'd ever be able to see a part of the show, I just realised now reading that Siren, that they will do TV spots at certain events as most Broadway musicals do.

Anyway, thanks for the info Little Merboy, I really want to see this show!

Oh yeah, I remember Shadowland from TLK being preformed on David Letterman once. Rosie O'Donnel's talk show had Endless Night from TLK too. Both I think are on www.lionking.org And the Macy's Christmas Day Parade always has performances from the newest shows. So I have little doubt that within the next couple of months, we WILL see how they do it on TV. Just one song of course, but it still is always enjoyable.

I'm already looking forward to it! Well I live in the UK, so I'll have to watch it on youtube, but at least I can see it! Oh youtube, where would we be without you?

[tsom]

Thanks soooo much for that great synopsis. I have a feeling the show will be a success.

Honestly, I love the fact of a contest, but I really don't like Ursula bursting into the palace like that. And I hear that she came in by a bubble? I wasn't expecting a giant Ursula because I read that the director said that there won't be a giant Ursula, but we still see Ursula's downfall, so I'm not surprised.

What I don't understand is why they made the celebration in the beginning about Ursula's banishment. I think it would be better to celebrate something else, and just say that Ursula's banishment occured many years ago, so that Ariel really won't have any idea who Ursula is and why she was despised and ultimately banished. Also, if they do make her banishment a recent thing, it would make Ariel VERY & EXTREMELY stupid to go to the sea witch for help, when she already knows how evil she can be.

Another thing I don't understand is why they decided to cut the song "All Good Things Must End." It's really good.

I'm gonna miss "Wasting Away," but maybe "I Want The Good Times Back" might be a better song. I've heard mixed reviews about it so far.

I'm thinking they might rework the ending and add Vanessa. The "Poor Unfortunate Souls Reprise" in the demo was really good, and would be such a waste if they cut it out.

I've heard the demo of "The World Above," and based on the lyrics, it seems that Ariel just discovered the human world for the first time. Is that the case in the preview?

Oh, and I was just wondering, was their a shark chase between Ariel, Flounder, and Glut? I fully understand if there wasn't, but how exactly did Ariel find the fork?

I see that "Under the Sea" comes after the destruction of the Grotto. Does it look better that way?

All in all, I'm expecting things to change since this is an out-of-town tryout, so I guess we shouldn't be dismayed about the ending, and we should also remember that they can only do so much on stage.

[The Little Merboy]

Oh, thank you Little Merboy for more details on what you thought of the show! I can't wait to see the gorgeous sets! And it's amazing to think this really is like Ariel come to life. I guess every Ariel that comes after she leaves the show will pale in comparison to her.

Yea, I read one ot two bits about the show and people liked Ursula, but I'd trust your opinion more! I hope that they fix her song. Wasting Away should really come back! If you think about it, maybe that could be her incentive to use the trident to become huge in the ending! If only...

I'm so glad that conch was actually a nautilus shell! I wonder if it's magical so it transfrms into one after Ariel's voice goes into it... Does anyone know if I can write to them and ask them what's up with that shell? It's my favorite "Mermaid" object.

Your idea of Vanessa showing up to sing is a really good idea, because then Eric could says "Maybe that Vanessa is the one who rescued me, but I love Ariel now. I love Ariel more." Then Vanessa could rip off her disguise and be Ursula again! She could be like "Why do you want her she threw away her power!" If only...

And about the costumes, it wasn't like this costume idea you told us about before? Because I liked that one, you couldn't see their legs that way.

Yes indeed, any actress who comes in after Sierra, is gonna have some bigs fins to fill Way before Mermaid was confirmed as a musical, and it was still a rumor. I had seen Ashley Brown as Belle in New York, and I was like WHOA, she has a gorgeous voice. I think she would be a nice replacement. But after seeing Sierra, I now know why she was chosen

I don't know if this is going to come out wrong, but I feel maybe some of those other people may not be into the movie as much as me. So that could also be a big reason I wasn't into Ursula, because some people are raving about her. And I feel bad, because I disliked her, but she so isn't Ursula. I seriously hope she is totally reworked.

About the shell, thats what I was thinking. Maybe her voice, made it change in appearance? Lol, maybe it got even more powerful, or whatever.

My only guess about Vanessa is that maybe because the Ursula costume requires alot of time and matience. They decided to nix it, it would be hard for her to change into that big costume, with wig and etc. so fast. Thats just my quess. But it would be nice to see Vanessa, another cool way to introduce her would be... To have another actress play her, and lip sync Sierra's pre-recorded singing vocals. And maybe go into a big bubble or something, and come out with Sherrie as Ursula. It could work, lol

It was similar, no wire attached to the hands. And the legs aren't hidden, the actors are just wearing skirts the same colour as the tail. And the tail is more mounted up, so when the water is covering their legs, it is very visible. So this looks so bad, lol, I just did it real fast in paint. So you can see what I mean, this is how it looked.

[The Little Merboy]

Honestly, I love the fact of a contest, but I really don't like Ursula bursting into the palace like that. And I hear that she came in by a bubble? I wasn't expecting a giant Ursula because I read that the director said that there won't be a giant Ursula, but we still see Ursula's downfall, so I'm not surprised.

What I don't understand is why they made the celebration in the beginning about Ursula's banishment. I think it would be better to celebrate something else, and just say that Ursula's banishment occured many years ago, so that Ariel really won't have any idea who Ursula is and why she was despised and ultimately banished. Also, if they do make her banishment a recent thing, it would make Ariel VERY & EXTREMELY stupid to go to the sea witch for help, when she already knows how evil she can be.

Another thing I don't understand is why they decided to cut the song "All Good Things Must End." It's really good.

I'm gonna miss "Wasting Away," but maybe "I Want The Good Times Back" might be a better song. I've heard mixed reviews about it so far.

I'm thinking they might rework the ending and add Vanessa. The "Poor Unfortunate Souls Reprise" in the demo was really good, and would be such a waste if they cut it out.

I've heard the demo of "The World Above," and based on the lyrics, it seems that Ariel just discovered the human world for the first time. Is that the case in the preview?

Oh, and I was just wondering, was their a shark chase between Ariel, Flounder, and Glut? I fully understand if there wasn't, but how exactly did Ariel find the fork?

I see that "Under the Sea" comes after the destruction of the Grotto. Does it look better that way?

Yeah, the palace started to fill up with water. And she came in, I don't remember her coming in a bubble. Because when she arrives on the stage, her tentacles are visible. I could be wrong, but I don't recall her being a bubble.

The reason Ariel goes to Ursula, is because she is very upset with her father. He destoyed all her most prized possessions, so going to her aunt, that her father banished. Is almost like a payback to him, and then Ursula starts telling Ariel, that she is alot like her. That her father both did them wrong, and doesn't ever really listen to them, etc. So it actually worked out, Ariel being a teenager, she was like, oh yeah, you destroy my stuff. I am going to be a human, and I'm going to your sister. Very rebellious.

As for "All Good Things Must End", I believe it was cut because. Well I pictured Vanessa singing that song, since she sings the line "See you in church doll." That was my take on it.

"The World Above", I don't think it was her first time to the surface. I just feel, it's an explanation to the audience, why she loves the world above. Also, she had to have been to the surface, since she already knows Scuttle.

There was no sharks or Glut at all. The first time we see Ariel is in "TWA", and Flounder finds her, and she shows him the dinglehopper, and they go see Scuttle. They never went into how she found it, she was like "Flounder, look what I found!". Never went into any detail about where she got it.

[The Little Merboy]

I dunno how I forgot to post this.

Sierra & I

[The Little Merboy]

Also, I think in New York, they should re-add the big splash at the end of Part of Your World Reprise. Maybe use giant streamers and a mix of confetti, to look like water and the foam. Heck, or even sparkles like the champagne in "Be Our Guest".

[rb_canadian181]

Wow, Merboy! Looks like you had a great time and thanks for the report!
I checked the denverpost and broadway.com pages today and no sign of that second video feature

http://www.denverpost.com/theater/ci_6270516
http://www.broadway.com/gen/show.aspx?SI=544261#

if anyone finds it, please post!

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Does anyone know when the Original Broadway Cast Recording will come out? I haven't listened to any of the songs, but I'm very anxious to hear them. Then again, I could probably just go to the website, huh? Well, if anyone has any info on the OBC CD, I'd appreciate it.

[rb_canadian181]

Wow, Merboy! Looks like you had a great time and thanks for the report!
I checked the denverpost and broadway.com pages today and no sign of that second video feature

http://www.denverpost.com/theater/ci_6270516
http://www.broadway.com/gen/show.aspx?SI=544261#

if anyone finds it, please post!

I guess i was just impatient. They uploaded it now:
http://www.broadway.com/gen/General.aspx?ci=550153

[The Little Merboy]

Does anyone know when the Original Broadway Cast Recording will come out? I haven't listened to any of the songs, but I'm very anxious to hear them. Then again, I could probably just go to the website, huh? Well, if anyone has any info on the OBC CD, I'd appreciate it.

They told us, because they were pre-ordering it there. It was going to be available 2/12/08

[xxhplinkxx]

Sean/Eric - Awesome... Also, he wears the tightest pants ever!

I'm there!

Haha, thanks though for the info, The Little Merboy. I'm sooo jealous of all that cool stuff you got!!

I have to see this show, I dont care what it takes. I've never been to New York in my life, but what better reason than this? I'm gonna see this come hell or high water. Just have to save my pennies.

Cant wait for the C.D.!

[PeterPanfan]

I don't think I canw ait that long for the CD...Oh well..I guess I can cope =p

Ariel looks so pretty!

[Bewitched]

I can't wait for the soundtrack either!
However, 'bout the ending of the musical.......why not using the altrenate ending scene that we can see on the Little Mermaid Platinum Edition dvd (deleted scene section)? I think it would be perfect for this stage show!
And why didn't they put some deleted or extended songs from the movie in the musical? For example the 'Fathoms below' extended version would be perfect for the opening scene.....
Sorry....I was just looking at the Bonus Features of the dvd and started wondering....

[akhenaten]

i was wondering vsince uve watched the show. how'd they do ariel singing when she's mute?

[ChrisLyne]

She just sings. She only ever sings whilst she's mute, she never speaks, the songs are basically her inner monologue so it works really well.

I'll post a lot more later, but I've just got back to the UK so I'm shattered (nearly 24 hours of travelling counting waiting at airports/transfers, etc).

I'll go into more detail later (I caught the show twice when I was in Denver) and try and post what I can remember of lyric changes from the demos. There was even some changes between Thursday and Saturday in terms of lyrics; some were better (minor changes to Beyond My Wildest Dreams), some weren't as good (they cut the "wedding vow" verses out of the finale, it's still longer than the film or the demo but I really missed them having heard them the first night, hopefully they'll be added back in before it reaches Broadway).

The whole cast was fantastic, especially Sierra. And I'd just like to say how friendly they all are, and a personal thank you to Norm Lewis who advised me to so back after the show on Friday which meant I was able to catch Alan Menken as he left the show!!! That really made my holiday!

Another thing was all the theatre staff were very friendly and helpful, especially Ray who was stood outside the theatre every night helping people and answering questions.

I'll post more tomorrow when I can actually type properly and think straight! A fantastic holiday and it was great to meet The Little Merboy, and thanks again for the loan of the Sharpy!

[The Little Merboy]

There was even some changes between Thursday and Saturday in terms of lyrics; some were better (minor changes to Beyond My Wildest Dreams)

,and a personal thank you to Norm Lewis who advised me to so back after the show on Friday which meant I was able to catch Alan Menken as he left the show!!! That really made my holiday!

The Little Merboy, and thanks again for the loan of the Sharpy!

Wow, changes so fast? I'm excited, I cannot wait for more details. Because "BMWD" was my fave song!

I am so happy you got to meet Alan Menken, because you were looking for him Thursday night. Again, can't wait for more details.

It was awesome meeting you and your girlfriend. LOL, sorry the silver one didn't work.

Hey Chris, did you get to catch Cody Hanford as Flounder? He came out after the show on Thursday, but all the reviews so far, everyone has seen J.J. So I am curious about how Cody was.

[Disney Duster]

It was similar, no wire attached to the hands. And the legs aren't hidden, the actors are just wearing skirts the same colour as the tail. And the tail is more mounted up, so when the water is covering their legs, it is very visible. So this looks so bad, lol, I just did it real fast in paint. So you can see what I mean, this is how it looked.

THANK YOU! I don't personally like that method, and prefer old one, but when I see it on stage maybe I will think differently. But now I have a very good idea, thank you!

I heard a rumor that someone else heard that they will change the ending to be more like the film.

And you know, I read in one review (on The Little Mermaid Broadway blog) also that Sebastian tries to cheer Ariel up after King Triton finds out she's in love with a human. Does he destroy her stuff later, or...?

Oh, and nice picture Little Merboy. I like how you died your hair red for this! What a fan! I'm glad you told us Ariel's wig was parted and looked like it should with the wave from the film. Really, do you know of a way to write to the tea behind the show to get that Part of Your World splash and nautilus fixed?