The Little Mermaid on Broadway

UmbrellaFish · Post by **UmbrellaFish** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:25 pm

As far as I know, doesn't Broadway usually cast just for talent? I've only seen Rodger and Hammerstien's Cinderella (the TV version) and clips from TLM and other Disney musicals, but it seems that they cast for talent only. And of course semi-lookability (did I just create a word? Cool!

).

SpringHeelJack · Post by **SpringHeelJack** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:34 pm

UmbrellaFish wrote:As far as I know, doesn't Broadway usually cast just for talent? I've only seen Rodger and Hammerstien's Cinderella (the TV version) and clips from TLM and other Disney musicals, but it seems that they cast for talent only. And of course semi-lookability (did I just create a word? Cool! ).

Not really. All the stunt casting "Chicago" pulls should throw that idea right out. And are you saying that's why some of Ariel's sisters are black? Because I doubt it was really color-blind casting as opposed to a deliberate decision to add some diversity to the cast.

UmbrellaFish · Post by **UmbrellaFish** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:44 pm

I guess they could have done it to add some diversity, and I admit I haven't seen much Broadway. But it seems like Broadway is a lot more color blind. I mean how did a caucasian and a African American end up with an Asian son?

Disney Duster · Post by **Disney Duster** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:51 pm

UmbrellaFish wrote:I mean how did a caucasian and a African American end up with an Asian son?

Yea that's TV not the Broadway stage. In fact Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella was first made for TV! And I'm pretty sure it was all white. One of the previous filmed versions I have was all white.

Anyway, yes, on Broadway you are supposed to open your mind and suspend belief. Maybe I was a little unwary at first, but now it doesn't bother me at all that Triton is black and his daughter is white when he's a merman and his sister's an octopus/squid.

UmbrellaFish · Post by **UmbrellaFish** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:57 pm

I agree, at first I didn't like Triton being black and having a white daughter. It's just not the movie and not what I'm used to. But after hearing him sing on the CD, wow! Awesome!

By the way, you mentioned you own a copy of a older RH Cinderella. Is it the one with Julie Andrews? I've been dieing to get it. It's coming on a Spanish channel soon and I'm going to see how much I understand. I don't think I mention how much of a Julie Andrews fan I am on here.

WickedElphie · Post by **WickedElphie** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:21 pm

If you watch Cinderella dubbed in Spanish wouldn't that negate the point of watching it to see AND hear Julie Andrews? If you want to, you can find the show on DVD or at least you could a few years ago.

BTW there were three TV versions of R&H's Cinderella. One with Julie Andrews, one with Lesley Ann Warren, and one with Brandy.

I remember watching a behind the scenes for Mermaid, and they said specifically that they wanted the cast to be diverse, in race and in size. I don't really have a propblem with it. I mean, I'm watching a show about mermaids and magic and talking animals. I'm not expecting realism.

Even if it were something not fantasy-based, unless race is an issue in the plot why should it matter?

Disney Duster · Post by **Disney Duster** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:18 pm

UmbrellaFish wrote:By the way, you mentioned you own a copy of a older RH Cinderella. Is it the one with Julie Andrews?

No, that's the 1957 one, I have the 1965 one with Lesley Anne Warren. I remember her really crying, but was annoyed that she cried when she looked at her rags and the fairy was right there...like big deal you're in rags and don't you know fairy's gonna change that? Also me and Disneykid agree that version stole lots of designs of costumes and the coach and things from Disney's animated movie. I want to get Disney's own 1997 vesion of the musical, with Brandy and those awesome special effects.

WickedElphie wrote:Even if it were something not fantasy-based, unless race is an issue in the plot why should it matter?

For believability. But that does not seem to be what this production is going for when Sebastian and Scuttle don't look lika crab or a seagull.

Thomas J · Post by **Thomas J** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:30 pm

I think that they did fantastic for what they could do with it. I also had my doubts about such a diverse family in the beginning, but now love that there are plus sized actors as well as blacks and Asians.

I think they're all incredibly talented.

UmbrellaFish · Post by **UmbrellaFish** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:31 pm

WickedElphie wrote:If you watch Cinderella dubbed in Spanish wouldn't that negate the point of watching it to see AND hear Julie Andrews? If you want to, you can find the show on DVD or at least you could a few years ago.

The DVD came out on DVD December of 2004 I believe, and it also aired on PBS. I can't find the DVD, and I missed the broadcast, so I can at least see Julie as Cinderella. The cover for the movie is awful and doesn't give you much of a view of the movie.
I didn't know they released the one from 1965. Intresting that a lot of the movie was designed after Walt's Cinderella. Why don't they show the older versions on TV anymore?

WickedElphie · Post by **WickedElphie** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:42 pm

The thing is that theatre isn't meant to be literal. There's a certain amount of willing suspension of disbelief. Also, opening up the casting pool creates a a gretear possibility of finding someone who embodies the spirit of the character. For example Lea Salonga has played Eponine and Fantine in Les Miserables. Not a "realistic" choice, but a great one nonetheless.

SpringHeelJack · Post by **SpringHeelJack** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:54 pm

Yeah, and don't think that hasn't stuck out when I see "Les Mis".

Thomas J · Post by **Thomas J** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:47 pm

WickedElphie wrote:The thing is that theatre isn't meant to be literal. There's a certain amount of willing suspension of disbelief. Also, opening up the casting pool creates a a gretear possibility of finding someone who embodies the spirit of the character. For example Lea Salonga has played Eponine and Fantine in Les Miserables. Not a "realistic" choice, but a great one nonetheless.

I totally agree. Nicely stated.

I think that theatre as far as Disney is concerned will also require that extra bit of imagination. They make the impossible, well, possible. xD

Is anyone else having problems editing their signatures? It keeps telling me "You must fill in the required fields" when I try to edit it.

CJ · Post by CJ » Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:30 pm

I have nothing to add to this discussion, other than that I got the cd a few days ago. I'm liking "Sweet Child" and "She's in Love" a lot. Also, I wasn't fond of Sherri's version of Ursula at first, but she is starting to grow on me.

Thomas J wrote:Is anyone else having problems editing their signatures? It keeps telling me "You must fill in the required fields" when I try to edit it.

Luke has addressed this issue in this thread.

At 45 pages, I think it is time to close this thread. Anyone who wants to start a volume 2 can, but be sure to post a link back to this thread.

nachonaco · Post by **nachonaco** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:46 pm

Is there a part 2? I looked and didn't find it...

For those interested, the songbook's up for preorder on Amazon.com. Already ordered mine.

Disney's Divinity · Post by **Disney's Divinity** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:21 pm

So, does a song book give the sheet music and, if not, what exactly is it for? (Never bought a song book before...that I know of)

nachonaco · Post by **nachonaco** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:31 pm

Yeah, here's the link on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz

ChrisLyne · Post by **ChrisLyne** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:49 am

It's the same date on amazon UK as well (strange how the CD is still only on import) so I'll be picking this up.

Speaking of the CD being on import it's really strange that Amazon UK has the CD on import for £18.49!! But you can order it direct from Amazon.com to the UK for about £12 including express shipping!

rb_canadian181 · Post by **rb_canadian181** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:53 pm

nachonaco wrote:For those interested, the songbook's up for preorder on Amazon.com. Already ordered mine.

That makes two of us

I can't wait! I can't believe it's so close too! I thought for sure I'd be waiting til late July.
here's the canadian link:
http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1 ... imagu01-20

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz

Flanger-Hanger · Post by **Flanger-Hanger** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:16 pm

Does the CD include a booklet with lyrics?

Disney's Divinity · Post by **Disney's Divinity** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:53 pm

Yes, it does. Despite a couple anomalies here and there (mispellings mostly), it's really quite good.

DVDizzy Forum

Latest Movie Reviews

🎬 DVDizzy Top Stories️️