DVDizzy Forum

I just have to ask if you guys know anything about this, but apparantly the Lion King is closing at the end of the year in the Uk to make way for Mermaid in early 2010 ..... IS THIS TRUE ?! I almost past out when I heard. I'm not sure if it's even true, but ive seen this bit of information floating around online, and wondered if anyone knew anymore ... ?

So, I was watching The View and they had on Faith Prince, who is apparently doing the role of Ursula right now and she performed Poor Unfortunate Souls... wow, the woman was terrible. I mean, not that I like what they've done with the character/song, but at least Sherie Renee Scott made it bearable.

But this new woman...

xxhplinkxx wrote:So, I was watching The View and they had on Faith Prince, who is apparently doing the role of Ursula right now and she performed Poor Unfortunate Souls... wow, the woman was terrible. I mean, not that I like what they've done with the character/song, but at least Sherie Renee Scott made it bearable.

But this new woman...

I didn't think she was that bad. She can't really show herself properly on The View (with a blank background, no set or other characters). I remember feeling sorry for Sierra Boggess when she performed on there, too. At least Faith looks the part moreso. The only thing is that she didn't really belt much, like Sherie Scott did.

Yeah, it was pretty awful actually. This show doesn't look too good.

atlanticaunderthesea wrote:I just have to ask if you guys know anything about this, but apparantly the Lion King is closing at the end of the year in the Uk to make way for Mermaid in early 2010 ..... IS THIS TRUE ?! I almost past out when I heard. I'm not sure if it's even true, but ive seen this bit of information floating around online, and wondered if anyone knew anymore ... ?

I heard the rumours of Lion King closing but could never find anything to back them up. This is the first I've heard about The Little Mermaid replacing it.

That would be the ultimate in evil torture. Mermaid opening and Sierra being in London at the same time but in a different show (rumour has it she's going to be Christine in Phantom 2 when it opens later this year/early next).

Well Sierra did play Christine already in the Vegas Spectacular version of Phantom, and from the few clips I've seen here and there - she did an awesome job! So far I'm very impressed with her. -However, impressed with The Little Mermaid on Broadway - I am not. It had alot going for it, it really did. As I said Sierra was wonderful as was Sherie Renee Scott. If anything SHE stole the show! But the production itself was weak.

The costumes for the most part were ok. I really enjoyed Ariel and the other merfolk costumes - as well as Ursula's in particular. Although she DID look much more like Morgana (from the Little Mermaid 2) than Ursula. Though Scuttle and the "Gulls" - and Flounder were absolutely hideous. The scenery was equally aweful. It felt like I had fallen into a box of SeranWrap. All that plastic everywhere! Although I do have to give them credit - cause creating the world "Under the Sea" couldn't have been easy to do, much less making it flow with the other sets and scenery. My other gripe is the songs. They just didn't flow with the original music like the new songs for Beauty and the Beast did. I was pretty disappointed. The one new song I did appreciate was Good Times Back. I think it flowed perfectly with Poor Unfortunate Souls and it fit Ursula's character perfectly. She's a conwoman, a gypsy of sorts and for her to sing a vaudeville styled song worked very well for her. Last and finally the ending was about as anticlimactic as you can get. They very well could have incorporated some puppetry for this (to make the Giant Ursula) or come up with something different all together. Instead we get "oops Ariel stole the shell and smashed it - now Ursula's dead". It's staging just wasn't dynamic enough.

Sorry to be a downer - for those who enjoyed it - but I thought I'd post this incase anyone else is currently debating whether or not to shell out the cash for this musical.

Honestly, it's not a bad show! I think people expected it to be the next "Lion King" visually or wanted it to be the next "Beauty & the Beast" musically, but the thing is that it's is own show. I remember when the demo got leaked, people couldn't wait but they wanted the next "Lion King." Then, when folks would review the songs from the demo, people gave suggestions even stating "well, this should be added & that should be added just like B&tB added this and that."

Thank you for responding, ChrisLyne, if I find anything more, I will let you know

The Little Mermaid Broadway book has popped up for the first time on amazon.co.uk .... do you guys think I should get it ?! There have been some lovely reviews on it from here, but I just would like to be sure.

Am I the only one here, who though TLK on Broadway sucked? I was totally bored with it, except for "Circle of Life."

And "Kiss the Girl" was MUCH better than "Can You Feel the Love Tonight."

I wouldn't say TLK sucked, but I've always thought the film was over rated. I actually enjoy the broadway show more than the film, I think the added Lebo M songs like Endless Night really add to it (but as a counter I really wasn't that bothered by new songs like Chow Down, they just didn't feel like they fit for some reason). I think TLK is much stronger as a visual spectacle than it is musically.

TLM is, to me, a far better musical. But I've always had a very strong Menken bias. Before TLM came out BATB was my favorite of the Disney broadway shows (and having seen TLM with original cast I really wish I could have seen BATB in its prime).

Sorry for the double post, but as yesterday was Sierra's last night I wondered if anyone was lucky enough to see the show?

Edit: And here is the first picture of Chelsea Morgan Stock as Ariel.

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_ ... k_20090601

As Little Merboy said before, she really looks the part.

Here's a short behind they scenes video with Drew Seeley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKfWUIyBeB4

And thanks for the picture, ChrisLyne! Pretty!

That's a very pretty picture!!!

Thanks so much ChrisLyne, love the picture! Chelsea looks beautiful!

Had a good day today on TLM front!

There was a rumor going around on Broadway World's forums that TLM might close (as early as September!) to make way for Addams Family in the LF theatre next year. Well I emailed Disney Theatrical Guest Services a few days ago and they responded that whilst they could offer no 100% guarantees they plan for it to run indefinatly and have no plans to close the show in the near future.

This combined with the fact ticket sales have just been extended from November 15th to December 13th seems to safely say the show isn't going anywhere this year at least.

Since seeing the show in Denver I've always planned to go back and see it on Broadway for the film's 20th Anniversary. Now they're booking for that date (17th November) I'd better check my savings and get that holiday booked!

I also just downloaded Norm Lewis' (King Triton) version of "Go the Distance" from his debut album "This is the Life". Amazon wouldn't let me have it as I don't live in the US. Greatindiemusic.com was happy to sell it to me for the same price $0.99 and they'd didn't care where I lived and took paypal.

If you've seen the show or heard the CD you'll know Norm has an amazing voice and he really does the song justice. It's easily one of the best versions of "Go the Distance" I've ever heard, probably the best!

A friend is actually getting me the CD for my birthday next month but I couldn't wait to hear the song. For $0.99 I'd recommend it to anyone!!

Best of all though, I wrote a fan letter to Sierra wishing her luck for her last few nights as Ariel, just saying how much I enjoyed her performance and wishing her the best in the future. Today I actually received a reply!! Totally unexpected and really made my day.

ChrisLyne wrote:Today I actually received a reply!! Totally unexpected and really made my day.

Well... what did it say?!

It was a short hand written letter saying;

"Chris,

Thank you for your letter! I also cannot believe it's been 2 years! I have loved every minute of it and I'm glad you did as well!

With love,

Sierra Boggess"

It came on a card featuring a picture of her as Ariel.

That's awesome Chris! Very nice of her to write back She will be on your side of the pond now, playing Christine in the sequel to Phantom of the Opera.

I am hoping, if Mermaid does close, it doesn't actually close. But maybe move to the New Amsterdam where, Mary Poppins is playing.

I know! I never dreamed she'd write back, she must be one of the nicest people on broadway.

I've never been a Phantom person (still need to see the original show) but I'll be there opening night with Sierra in it. Still can't believe it's meant to have been delayed until early next year now.

Yeah I'm the same. If Addams Family does get the LF theatre then I really hope they'll move TLM. After all it wouldn't be the first time Disney have moved a show. Beauty and the Beast started in the Palace and moved a few years into its run and Lion King only moved a few years ago to make room for Mary Poppins.

I'm also still waiting to hear news on The Hunchback of Notre Dame. When TLM came out Stephen Schwartz said he thought HOND would be the next show and work was due to start on it in the next year.

Check this out for Disney on Broadway vids.

http://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyOnBroadway