DVDizzy Forum

Thomas J wrote:I truly think the fact that Ariel saves herself basically was an excellent addition to the plot; it may not have been true to the movie, but it was an incredible way to end an incredible show.

I want to go see it again really soon.

I read one [feminist] review of the musical that criticized these changes, saying that, since Ariel was basically silencing the only powerful female in the story, this was simply an example of a girl sacrificing her voice/power.

However, I look at it a little differently. Ursula is certainly a powerful female (as is the Evil Queen and Maleficent), but, along with many feminists today [imo], she goes about getting her power the wrong way. Being a powerful woman does not mean you have to be emotionless or without a man, it only means that you shouldn't settle for less because you're a woman. This is why I get so angry at women who criticize all housewives, despite the fact that many women see the life of a housewife as important.

EDIT: I forgot the whole reason I was going to post--I've ordered the book for the musical and hopefully it'll be here soon. I haven't ordered the books for any of the other musicals, so I have no idea what it should be like.

Disney's Divinity wrote:I read one [feminist] review of the musical that criticized these changes, saying that, since Ariel was basically silencing the only powerful female in the story, this was simply an example of a girl sacrificing her voice/power.

I didn't quite get this. Unless you have a direct quote, hopefully you remember what the author intended, is it that by Ariel defeating Ursula, she was silencing Ursula? And Ariel was thus sacrificing the power she could have had with Ursula? Or did the author see an earlier version of the show, where Ariel breaks the shell before she gets her voice back, and King Triton gives it to her, so Ariel would be ruining her chances of getting her voice back until a man gives it to her? Or was she somehow sacrificing Ursula's power/voice...even though that doesn't make sense because you can't sacrifice something that belongs to someone else, can you?

Anyway, you're ordering the book? As in...the book of the music from the show or...the souvenir kind of book, with big, huge pages of photos from the show and a little text? Does the cover have Ariel's costume tail over a blue background of waves and bubbles?

Unfortunately, I didn't keep the page in my favorites. But I'm pretty sure the author meant that, in a male-dominated society such as TLM Musical, Ariel willingly destroying the only female with power (who had been deprived of her right to power by a patriarchal society) was much more sexist than if a man had done so. They seemed to think the musical was demonstrating that females should all be submissive to the ideas of men and were meant to be nothing more than the prince's wife rather than an influential Queen.

And this is the book I ordered:



The site I ordered it from sectioned it off as a "Songbook," which leads me to believe its the sheet music. I was just wondering if that's all it is.

Wow, that author seems to be...well, reading too much into it. If Sherie, a woman, a feminist woman, was pushing her feminist views so far that she drastically effected the musical even so far as to be the one who changed the climax...that's a demonstration of a woman's power right there, and I doubt the musical is any more sexist unless somehow the men in the production warped her ideas from what she planned into something she has to live with. I guess I can see that if men just killed her, men are being men, but by a woman destroying a woman, it's another example of women doing what men want and almost killing themselves. Maybe Ariel's mother should have banished Ursula in the first place because she didn't want two Queens...but then Ursula wouldn't try to get revenge on Triton. And now that I think about it...what's up with King Triton having a wife and so there would have been two Queens? Whatever. Maybe Eric should have just destroyed Ursula like the original, and Ariel helps?!

I think that book's just the sheet music. My book I got from the show and I think my book's exclusive to those who actually go to the show...unless it's in the online shop that the official web site links to.

If Only I could see this musical again.

Disney Duster wrote:I think that book's just the sheet music. My book I got from the show and I think my book's exclusive to those who actually go to the show...unless it's in the online shop that the official web site links to.

You can buy that one online. At first, it was only available in the gift shop right around when it officially opened.

I had to buy mine off someone on ebay because the two times I saw the show, it was still in previews.

This is what we're talking about, right?
TLM Program

Thomas J wrote:This is what we're talking about, right?
TLM Program

Yuppers! Huh, now I feel like it's less special because you don't have to see the show to get it. Also, I wish it was all exclusive pictures only made for the book. I saw a lot of photos I'd seen before in it. But there were plenty I hadn't seen, too.

Disney Duster wrote:

Thomas J wrote:This is what we're talking about, right?
TLM Program

Yuppers! Huh, now I feel like it's less special because you don't have to see the show to get it. Also, I wish it was all exclusive pictures only made for the book. I saw a lot of photos I'd seen before in it. But there were plenty I hadn't seen, too.

You're still special! 'Cuz you have it. And I agree. I'm just thrilled they showed Cody Hanford as Flounder. Greatest Flounder ever.

Has anyone seen Brian D'Addario play Flounder yet? Or even Trevor Braun?

Source: Playbill.com

"Adrian Bailey, a member of the ensemble of the new Disney musical The Little Mermaid, broke both his wrists prior to the May 10 matinee performance of the new musical at the Lunt Fontanne-Theatre.

Bailey, according to a press statement, "was injured after a fall through a trap door prior to the start of the Saturday matinee. The actor, who fell approximately 20 feet on to the stage, was conscious and taken to Bellevue Hospital for evaluation."

The show began an hour later than scheduled.

In addition to Mermaid, Adrian Bailey has been seen on Broadway in Hot Feet, La Cage aux Folles, Dreamgirls, The Wild Party, Smokey Joe's Cafe, The Who's Tommy, Jelly's Last Jam, Prince of Central Park, Legs Diamond, My One and Only, Sophisticated Ladies and Your Arms Too Short to Box with God."

The majority of the article is about the show though, which is sad.
It's pointless news, but it's Mermaid on Broadway related, so I thought I'd post it.

That's depressing. Hope he's alright now. I've never broken a bone myself, but I imagine it hurts.

Well, TLM got 2 Tony Nominations:

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

&

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Ugh, what about "IF ONLY"!?!?

...what about it? It got a nom for Score, I don't know what else you think the songs are entitled to.

I wasn't really expecting it to get nominated for anything else, even though it's a pretty weak year on Broadway.

What's the date of the Tony Awards?

Thomas J wrote:What's the date of the Tony Awards?

June 15th

Thanks Thomas J for the special comment, did you get the book at the show? You're special too!

Thanks tsom! Please E-mail me back.

Wow, I'm rather sad that Sierra and Sherie didn't get any nominations for best actress or supporting actress! Admittedly not that suprised or upset, but I thought Sherie had a good chance.

I think The Little Merboy already posted in the forum scans from that book.

Check your email, Disney Duster!

Well, unless it's been a really bad year for musicals, I don't expect TLM to win anything. Not so sure about the lighting design, but the score wasn't that great. Nothing in the musical is as memorable as "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl" or "Part of That World." Even "If Only," despite being a beautiful song, is forgotten after you turn off the CD. I don't know--the lyrics are just incredibly sappy and generic in all the new songs. Only "I Want The Good Times" gives a twist on the usual protagonist "I Want" song, but, again, the lyrics come off 'clumsy' to me at times.

Vote Little Mermaid for the Audience Awards! They're nominated in quite a few categories.

TLM Website News Update - Audience Awards

I'm excited because "She's In Love" is nominated, along with "If Only" for favorite song.