The Little Mermaid on Broadway

[Cordy_Biddle]

Even on the cast album, which I love to bits, Sherie sounds like she's half asleep.

[SpringHeelJack]

That's something I don't get. Why would Sherie Rene Scott take the part if she didn't like what they were telling her the show would be like...did she even like the original movie or story?

$$$$$$$

I don't think she was achin' for money, like PPF implies, as she has other sources of income (Sh-K-Boom Records for one), but the gig would surely pay well enough and the work would be steady for a while, even if the reviews were mediocre, as they wound up being. Additionally, wouldn't it be possible she was just less than enthused with the padding done to the movie to put it on stage? It might not be too bizarre a theory.

[Marianne81]

Wow, I was not expecting we would veer off topic and start debating which actors were better, but that's fine. I'm happy some of you got a chance to see it, even if some are not that sad to see it go. Like I said I can't truly judge because I haven't seen it.

The Little Mermaid was never the hit The Lion King was. I'm not too sad to see it go. The soundtrack wasn't terrible but definitely nothing special, I thought. I was in New York once or twice during its run, and while I would have jumped to see it for free, I was pretty apathetic towards spending money on it. I imagine it's similar to Mary Poppins, awesome by Disney park stage show standards, but a little empty and unoriginal when looking at it from a theatrical viewpoint.

While I haven't seen that much theater I thought that many of the new songs were beautiful and far from empty (especially "If Only"). And I am ecstatic that I will be seeing Mary Poppins. But my taste is what some may call old-fashioned. You're right– they're probably not necessarily the most original or innovative, but why must everything be that way. I say there's room for both. Just my opinion, of course.
(Incidentally The Lion King is coming here as well and since I'm not made of money, and can't see everything I chose to see Mary Poppins instead. But actually,I am kind of the opposite of you pinkrenata. I would see LK for free, but I'm not anxious to pay for it, even though I'm sure it's a wonderful show. I would see LM, BATB, and MP over Lion King Why? Because I enjoy these stories more.)

I'm happy there is going to be a tour of Little Mermaid. Is there any info on that yet?

[Cordy_Biddle]

That's something I don't get. Why would Sherie Rene Scott take the part if she didn't like what they were telling her the show would be like...did she even like the original movie or story?

Apart from the whole money thing, another factor is EGO. A lot of musical performers would kill for the chance of originating a role on Broadway, recording their performance for the cast album, and going down in the "Broadway History Book". Whether that's true for Sherie though is entirely heresay. Another poster has mentioned her involvement with Sh-K-Boom Records, so I doubt money was a driving factor in her decision. Maybe producers needed a Broadway NAME?

[SpringHeelJack]

Maybe producers needed a Broadway NAME?

That also helps. Let's face it, most people (read: the tourists) who see "The Little Mermaid" don't give a crap who's in it, they're coming to see a movie they like acted on stage. But if you want to attract Broadway fans who might normally have absolutely no desire to see something like this, it helps to have established stage talent, ala Sherie and Norm.

[Disney Duster]

So no one here seems to know if Sherie actually like the original film or not, She did say she wanted to flesh out Ursula's character and her relationship with Ariel...make them better, actually.

Divinity, it's true Sherie was trying to be something new, something still Ursula enough but also different enough, as the entire show was made to be, and is, rather different from the original film. Perhaps only Sierra seemed faithful, but Ariel kind of has to be!

By the way, Sherie got praise for her Ursula as well. Often she was cited as one of the better things about the show.

[pinkrenata]

The Little Mermaid was never the hit The Lion King was. I'm not too sad to see it go. The soundtrack wasn't terrible but definitely nothing special, I thought. I was in New York once or twice during its run, and while I would have jumped to see it for free, I was pretty apathetic towards spending money on it. I imagine it's similar to Mary Poppins, awesome by Disney park stage show standards, but a little empty and unoriginal when looking at it from a theatrical viewpoint.

While I haven't seen that much theater I thought that many of the new songs were beautiful and far from empty (especially "If Only"). And I am ecstatic that I will be seeing Mary Poppins. But my taste is what some may call old-fashioned. You're right– they're probably not necessarily the most original or innovative, but why must everything be that way. I say there's room for both. Just my opinion, of course.
(Incidentally The Lion King is coming here as well and since I'm not made of money, and can't see everything I chose to see Mary Poppins instead. But actually,I am kind of the opposite of you pinkrenata. I would see LK for free, but I'm not anxious to pay for it, even though I'm sure it's a wonderful show. I would see LM, BATB, and MP over Lion King Why? Because I enjoy these stories more.)

It really does come down to a matter of personal taste. Some might argue that one show is better than another, but if you don't feel the same way, who cares? Don't get me wrong - I really did enjoy <i>Mary Poppins</i> and may even be going see it when the tour comes to Minneapolis this fall. And I'm sure <i>The Little Mermaid</i> would have been very enjoyable as well. I think the money that these shows cost is where a lot of my negativity comes from. When you have to pick and choose what shows are really worth the ticket price, a more critical mindset comes into play.

[PeterPanfan]

So no one here seems to know if Sherie actually like the original film or not, She did say she wanted to flesh out Ursula's character and her relationship with Ariel...make them better, actually.

Divinity, it's true Sherie was trying to be something new, something still Ursula enough but also different enough, as the entire show was made to be, and is, rather different from the original film. Perhaps only Sierra seemed faithful, but Ariel kind of has to be!

By the way, Sherie got praise for her Ursula as well. Often she was cited as one of the better things about the show.

Okay, you also have to note that besides Norm and Sherie, the other main actors hadn't really done much. Sierra was Christine in a Las Vegas version of Phantom, and I don't really know what Sean Palmer has done, but I hadn't heard of him or Sierra before the show.

Sherie, especially, and Norm are big names in Broadway, so they've had a lot of experience, which is what garners most of their praise.

[ColorsOfTheWind]

Has anyone else heard the rumour that BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is headed back to Broadway for a special limited holiday season? I've also heard loud rumblings that it's coming back for an open-ended run next year...

I'm really excited to hear this information! I only became interested in Broadway around 2007 or so, and was extremely disappointed to learn that Beauty and the Beast had already closed. Even if these are only rumors so far, at least it gives me hope

And, back to The Little Mermaid, I'm sad to hear it's closing because I really wanted to see it on Broadway. Does anyone have any info on the supposed tour that's going to happen?

[Marianne81]

It really does come down to a matter of personal taste. Some might argue that one show is better than another, but if you don't feel the same way, who cares? Don't get me wrong - I really did enjoy Mary Poppins and may even be going see it when the tour comes to Minneapolis this fall. And I'm sure The Little Mermaid would have been very enjoyable as well. I think the money that these shows cost is where a lot of my negativity comes from. When you have to pick and choose what shows are really worth the ticket price, a more critical mindset comes into play.

I completely agree. Life would be pretty dull if everyone had the exact same taste. That's why Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors and not 1. And you're right to be critical when it comes to what you want to spend your money on. Theater is not cheap, so one should only go to whatever they think will be worth it. I know that's my philosophy.

[Matt]

I won't get a chance to see this! this stinks!

[Prudence]

Good grief, Disney Duster, I'll always treasure you as a friend, but that is enough with your failures at subtle negativity towards all things Little Mermaid related! It just gets old and aggravating! I do not see the point to it.

I am personally quite saddened by this news. I had wanted to see the show.

[Disney Duster]

Sherie, especially, and Norm are big names in Broadway, so they've had a lot of experience, which is what garners most of their praise.

Oh, it could be that their experience made them better performers to get such praise, yes, but Sierra also got lost of praise for her performance in the show!

Prudence, I was never being negative to The Little Mermaid in this thread! I think the Broadway show should have been a lot more like the original film we, and I, love! I think it has gone from second to third in my favorites, but that's just because Sleeping Beauty's so awesome and the sleeping curse is a great metaphor for my "waiting for true love to save me" life, so it takes second place now.

[MadasaHatter]

Crap like this does not belong on Broadway. It should have been taken down sooner. Bring back Beauty and the Beast. Come on Disney - you're better than this.

[DisneyJedi]

Crap like this does not belong on Broadway. It should have been taken down sooner. Bring back Beauty and the Beast. Come on Disney - you're better than this.

Seriously? How dare you? At least it's better than your precious HSM or Hannah Montana!

[Cordy_Biddle]

It was always going to be a tricky musical to pull off onstage (ie: the mermaids) but I think it was a fine show. Sooner or later every Broadway musical has to close and it's always sad, but I think LITTLE MERMAID will have a long, post-Broadway afterlife.

[MadasaHatter]

I do not enjoy HSM or Hannah Montana. I love The Little Mermaid movie. It's one of my favorites and very dear to my heart. So, as a Disney fan and theatre fan I'm upset with the crappy job they did on the TLM musical. It had great potential and no one was more excited than I to see it brought to the stage. I'm sorry you disagree but the folks at Disney are capable of better and this story deserved a great production - not a flimsy, half hearted one.

[Marianne81]

I did a google search to find info on the tour and found this link. There will be a national tour in 2010.
http://broadwayworld.com/article/Disney ... 0_20090630

What do all think of the possibility of the original Broadway actors going on the tour, specifically Sierra Boggess and Sean Palmer (Ariel and Eric)?
I know that the original Mary and Bert and on the national tour of Mary Poppins right now, so maybe the same could happen for Mermaid.

[Cordy_Biddle]

Doubtful for Sierra. She's now tied up with "Phantom: Love Never Dies" which is slated to open next year.

[SpringHeelJack]

I imagine few if any of the original stars will be on tour. Maybe Eric, and a few more minor characters.