The Little Mermaid Live!

[JeanGreyForever]

probably not helped by the obnoxious audience screaming and hollering like it was a rock concert. >_>

honestly i wish i could find a whole video of the entirety of this specific production. looks like the best blend of both broadway versions AND with a dash of Lion King's puppetry: http://chicagotheaterbeat.com/2016/12/0 ... t-theatre/

Exactly, that got so annoying. And although I didn't catch much of the second half, I've read that 75% of it was basically just the movie which sounds even more than how much of the movie played during the first half. Frankly, even the Hollywood Studios "Voyage of the Little Mermaid" show has better special effects and production design than this show.

>1 random dude liked it so all criticism is invalid.

denial's not just a river in egypt.

>the claws looked silly in rehearsal.

Then the problem is with the biker jacket/thriller costume. Look at how good this Sebastian costume looks, it's resembles a crab while also making him look like a classical 18th-century musical maestro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VggJwf5uaKI

Lol exactly.

And the claws weren't the issue here. The entire outfit was and people have correctly pointed out that he looked like a Michael Jackson knockoff from Thriller. I really like the costume you posted a video of. Very classical but crustacean as well.

[MrXemnas1992]

probably not helped by the obnoxious audience screaming and hollering like it was a rock concert. >_>

honestly i wish i could find a whole video of the entirety of this specific production. looks like the best blend of both broadway versions AND with a dash of Lion King's puppetry: http://chicagotheaterbeat.com/2016/12/0 ... t-theatre/

Exactly, that got so annoying. And although I didn't catch much of the second half, I've read that 75% of it was basically just the movie which sounds even more than how much of the movie played during the first half. Frankly, even the Hollywood Studios "Voyage of the Little Mermaid" show has better special effects and production design than this show.

>1 random dude liked it so all criticism is invalid.

denial's not just a river in egypt.

>the claws looked silly in rehearsal.

Then the problem is with the biker jacket/thriller costume. Look at how good this Sebastian costume looks, it's resembles a crab while also making him look like a classical 18th-century musical maestro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VggJwf5uaKI

Lol exactly.

And the claws weren't the issue here. The entire outfit was and people have correctly pointed out that he looked like a Michael Jackson knockoff from Thriller. I really like the costume you posted a video of. Very classical but crustacean as well.

Apparently King Triton was just entirely movie footage. They couldn't be bothered to cast him?
what an utter disaster. hopefully the twitter roasting will get Disney to take a step back and re-examine how they're gonna approach the live action remake.

The Paramount Theatre production is probably going to remain my favorite stage version [besides the original Broadway version, heelies and all] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JftxiY8 ... 2ZgoLn2ZHR

[JeanGreyForever]

Apparently King Triton was just entirely movie footage. They couldn't be bothered to cast him?
what an utter disaster. hopefully the twitter roasting will get Disney to take a step back and re-examine how they're gonna approach the live action remake.

The Paramount Theatre production is probably going to remain my favorite stage version [besides the original Broadway version, heelies and all] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JftxiY8 ... 2ZgoLn2ZHR

He was so I'm not sure why they decided to do that. Frankly they might as well have made Flounder an animated character only because that puppet was horrendous and has gotten a lot of flack on social media.

I'm assuming that a lot of the issues that plagued this production won't be relevant in the live-action film. Like Sebastian and Flounder will clearly be CGI characters over a red jacket and a disturbing puppet (or I hope so anyway).

I'm still very confused as to who John Stamos was referring to when he mentioned that he wanted to play Prince Albert. Did he get the name mixed up with Eric and want to play him?

I was asleep. I think I read it would be available on Disney+, though? Otherwise I’ll watch it some other way. I noticed this morning on Facebook that many of my friends had posted they were watching it. It was an event!

They should be showing it this Saturday as well.

[lord-of-sith]

I'm still very confused as to who John Stamos was referring to when he mentioned that he wanted to play Prince Albert. Did he get the name mixed up with Eric and want to play him?

Yes, he said the wrong name. If you listen closely, he corrects himself quickly and says "Eric." But was mostly drowned out by the sound of the audience.

[rodrigo_ca]

And the claws weren't the issue here. The entire outfit was and people have correctly pointed out that he looked like a Michael Jackson knockoff from Thriller. I really like the costume you posted a video of. Very classical but crustacean as well.

This costume looks really great for theatre, but something like this would look awful on HD television. It's so classic I actually think this is exactly how Sebastian would look if he was a character in the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast (which is a marvel feature of theatre storytelling), but then again, theatre is VERY different than TV.

Apparently King Triton was just entirely movie footage. They couldn't be bothered to cast him?
what an utter disaster. hopefully the twitter roasting will get Disney to take a step back and re-examine how they're gonna approach the live action remake.

Cast him so he could sing what? They already trimmed the movie to fit on the timeslot, there's no way they would include his reprise of The World Above (simply because they wouldn't destroy Ariel's grotto live) or If Only, and include him on the If Only duet wouldn't make any sense without a previous appearance either.

----

This was announced as a showing of the movie with the songs performed live, they repeated endlessly that it was going to be a showing of the movie with the songs performed live and they delivered just that. I don't know what people were expecting. In my opinion, it's a bit dumb to expect something different to what was announced and get mad they delivered what they promised because you couldn't contain your expectations.

[JeanGreyForever]

I'm still very confused as to who John Stamos was referring to when he mentioned that he wanted to play Prince Albert. Did he get the name mixed up with Eric and want to play him?

Yes, he said the wrong name. If you listen closely, he corrects himself quickly and says "Eric." But was mostly drowned out by the sound of the audience.

Oh lol, I couldn't hear that at all. Should have figured that the sound let me down...again. Thank you for informing me!

This costume looks really great for theatre, but something like this would look awful on HD television. It's so classic I actually think this is exactly how Sebastian would look if he was a character in the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast (which is a marvel feature of theatre storytelling), but then again, theatre is VERY different than TV.

This was announced as a showing of the movie with the songs performed live, they repeated endlessly that it was going to be a showing of the movie with the songs performed live and they delivered just that. I don't know what people were expecting. In my opinion, it's a bit dumb to expect something different to what was announced and get mad they delivered what they promised because you couldn't contain your expectations.

I don't think it could have looked worse than that biker jacket lol. It reminds me of a Broadway version of Lumiere or a character like that.

All the extensive promotion on ABC plus the cast interviews seemed to really highlight the actual live performances over the animated film, which was barely referred to as being screened. Plus, previous live musicals (like Grease, Rent, etc.) didn't have to resort to screening the movies so most people were familiar with those and assumed the same structure and format would apply here. A lot of social media viewers were annoyed and said they could have just watched the film itself then when more than half of the show was the film.

[rodrigo_ca]

How is the cast saying "part animated film, part live spectacle" ad infinitum highlighting the actual live performances over the animated film? They ended every promo with that.

The original announcement, made in 2017 before the special was pushed back already mentioned that.

'The Little Mermaid Live' will interweave the 1989 animated film with live celebrity performances of the pic's beloved tunes.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live- ... ls-1004221

Again, people were expecting something that was never promised and it's their own fault for that. The director did in an interview and out of all questions he mentioned again and again how they're showing the movie with live performances. The only people who were expecting something different were those who inform themselves out of headlines, which is not really informing.

If they want to watch a live musical like NBC and FOX do, they can watch them at NBC and FOX. Disney was clearly aiming at doing something different than what had been done already.

[JeanGreyForever]

How is the cast saying "part animated film, part live spectacle" ad infinitum highlighting the actual live performances over the animated film? They ended every promo with that.

The original announcement, made in 2017 before the special was pushed back already mentioned that.

'The Little Mermaid Live' will interweave the 1989 animated film with live celebrity performances of the pic's beloved tunes.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live- ... ls-1004221

Again, people were expecting something that was never promised and it's their own fault for that. The director did in an interview and out of all questions he mentioned again and again how they're showing the movie with live performances. The only people who were expecting something different were those who inform themselves out of headlines, which is not really informing.

If they want to watch a live musical like NBC and FOX do, they can watch them at NBC and FOX. Disney was clearly aiming at doing something different than what had been done already.

I was going by the promotional ads on ABC which mentioned the line you said but all the actual footage in the ads was based on the actual live performances. If more than half of the show is the animated film, the marketing should reflect that by actually showing scenes from the movie as well then rather than just the costumed performers. Many viewers aren't always completely paying attention to commercials and will go based on what they see onscreen, not to mention past experience with the other live musical shows. Then there's also the fact that the Disney Parks shows and Broadway musicals have regularly adapted Disney films on stage and they almost never utilize movie footage. Disney should really reconsider how they make future shows like these if they want to retain those high ratings.

[MrXemnas1992]

also rather irritating how the abc network executive basically sneered at all the criticism and cherry-picked one comment in order to justify "sticking his fingers in his ears and going lalalalalalalalala"

[Disney Duster]

Also, I see zero reason why Graham Philips can't play Prince Eric in the film ! He was jolly good in the role I thought, and he'd be the right age ?

I agree! But he is 26, and Halle Bailey is 19, so...I dunno if that's "right" for them. But I want him to play him!

That Paramount Theatre production of The Little Mermaid is the best-looking version of the show, MrXemnas1992! You're right, MrXemnas199 and JeanGreyForever, Sebastian's 18th-century composer look is perfect! And look at Ariel's beautiful 18th-century retroussé dresses!

Hey, um, I actually thought the Flounder puppet was really cute. I'm serious. I really liked it. I think they tried to make him look a little more like an actual Flounder fish, not that I think those are cute, I just thought their rendition of him was cute.

Did people really not know this would be half the animated film? I agree with rodrigo_ca. Though I guess it couldn't have hurt to have some clips of the animated movie in the commercials, too, like you said, JeanGreyForever.

[Vlad]

I watched the live performances on YouTube, and it does look good, the voices are great, the performances are also great, especially Queen Latifah's. But other than this, I've heard it's basically the movie, so is it worth it to try to track it down to watch it? Is there something else that wasn't posted here that was part of the show?

[Disney's Divinity]

I watched the live performances on YouTube, and it does look good, the voices are great, the performances are also great, especially Queen Latifah's. But other than this, I've heard it's basically the movie, so is it worth it to try to track it down to watch it? Is there something else that wasn't posted here that was part of the show?

No.

If they want to watch a live musical like NBC and FOX do, they can watch them at NBC and FOX. Disney was clearly aiming at doing something different than what had been done already.

And what Disney was aiming at sucks. How do you call this a "live musical" when there's a movie playing for 70% of the show?

I’ve read the soundtrack is available on Disney’s website? Hopefully it’ll become available through Amazon at some point. I would like to have it for the new lyrics alone, and hopefully some of them will sound better than they did live.

[JeanGreyForever]

That Paramount Theatre production of The Little Mermaid is the best-looking version of the show, MrXemnas1992! You're right, MrXemnas199 and JeanGreyForever, Sebastian's 18th-century composer look is perfect! And look at Ariel's beautiful 18th-century retroussé dresses!

Hey, um, I actually thought the Flounder puppet was really cute. I'm serious. I really liked it. I think they tried to make him look a little more like an actual Flounder fish, not that I think those are cute, I just thought their rendition of him was cute.

Did people really not know this would be half the animated film? I agree with rodrigo_ca. Though I guess it couldn't have hurt to have some clips of the animated movie in the commercials, too, like you said, JeanGreyForever.

The concept art for the original film had a lot of 18th century influence. Ariel's dresses were in that style (and looked more from that era than much of what Belle wore lol), as was Eric's attire. He even had the ponytail in some concept art like he did during the Broadway musical. Ariel's new dresses in the various musical adaptations are probably based on that. Probably why Grimsby looks straight from that period because I guess his design was never changed to suit the new looks of the other characters.

I didn't even think that they were trying to make Flounder look more like a real Flounder fish which explains why the puppet was so horrifying lol. I hope the live-action film does a much better job of that than what we got here.

[Disney Duster]

Oh, hm, I looked at the galleries of my Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition when I got it, and loved them, but I guess I forgot or never noticed how 18th century the concept designs looked.

I bet they will make Flounder look better in the live-action movie. I admit for the movie he should look better, probably not be an actual Flounder, like he wasn't a real Flounder in the original.

[DisneyFan09]

I apologize if this comment violates with the policies, but I hope this show will become available for non-domestic viewers to stream or watch. The ABC Networks is only available for Domestic users, not viewers outside the US.

[JeanGreyForever]

Oh, hm, I looked at the galleries of my Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition when I got it, and loved them, but I guess I forgot or never noticed how 18th century the concept designs looked.

I bet they will make Flounder look better in the live-action movie. I admit for the movie he should look better, probably not be an actual Flounder, like he wasn't a real Flounder in the original.

Here's two of the images I was referring to.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/44509587@N05/5884342622/

[Disney Duster]

Oh, cool! I see why they changed the designs to what they are in the film, just to look more appealing.

Is that second picture of Ariel in the green dress from concept art for the film? It looks like merchandise art. Strangely, I feel like I saw that dress design in a Little Mermaid coloring book I had.

[JeanGreyForever]

Oh, cool! I see why they changed the designs to what they are in the film, just to look more appealing.

Is that second picture of Ariel in the green dress from concept art for the film? It looks like merchandise art. Strangely, I feel like I saw that dress design in a Little Mermaid coloring book I had.

It's actually a paper doll. However, it's almost identical to a piece of concept art of Ariel in her dinner dress. I can't find that image of the concept art but her hair was in a ponytail which was the only difference from the paper doll design.

[Sotiris]

ABC is looking at doing more Disney musicals live.

“I think you’ll see more taking chances,” says ABC’s Rob Mills, senior vice president of alternative series, specials and late-night programming. “Even when you miss, it’s so much better to have a miss that everyone’s talking about. You want to keep them special, so we’re not doing them once a week. But we’re doing them more, which reminds people this is a place to have these shared cultural moments.”

Mills and Mullan say the numbers for “The Little Mermaid Live” pretty much guarantee that more live Disney musicals are coming. “When this first started, the idea was that in success, we’ve got a library of 60-plus years of these animated classics,” Mills says. “It’s a no-brainer that we can do more of these.”

Source: https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/event- ... 203402787/

[Disney's Divinity]

Not Mulan though, I suppose. Music--what music?