If this week is remembered for one thing it is that Disney’s new, long-awaited musical The Little Mermaid finally opened to previews at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Based of the hit 1989 movie of the same name, this is Disney’s first musical since it flopped with Tarzan last summer. Arguably though The Little Mermaid sails into New York with a little more clout than Tarzan did and expectations are high.
It features one of Disney’s most beloved scores and the story of Ariel, the mermaid who longs to be apart of “your world”, is a story that has enchanted millions of young girls around the world. In addition the Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater score boast some of Disney’s biggest hits with, “Under the Sea”, “Kiss the Girl”and “Part of Your World. The pressure is on Disney to produce another mega hit on the great white way. Its last being The Lion King over a decade ago, The Little Mermaid will seek to regain Disney’s clout in the business.
After playing a successful out-of-town tryout in Denver last summer, The Little Mermaid officially started playing previews Saturday night in preparation for a December 6, 2007 opening. Aside from everything mentioned above, what makes this show such a big deal is that it will be one of two big musicals opening this fall. The other of course being Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein, the follow-up to his 2001 smash The Producers.
Already buzz is being generated that these two shows are the leading contenders for the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, Broadway’s top prize. Each show has their own niche audience and time will tell who comes out on top. For Disney though this show is more than just about an award, it is about once again proving that they have what it takes to a player in the theatre world. In one month the critics on Broadway will have their say and then it is up to the audience, but if history is to repeat itself, than The Little Mermaid could once again prove to be Disney’s saving gem.
It features one of Disney’s most beloved scores and the story of Ariel, the mermaid who longs to be apart of “your world”, is a story that has enchanted millions of young girls around the world. In addition the Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater score boast some of Disney’s biggest hits with, “Under the Sea”, “Kiss the Girl”and “Part of Your World. The pressure is on Disney to produce another mega hit on the great white way. Its last being The Lion King over a decade ago, The Little Mermaid will seek to regain Disney’s clout in the business.
After playing a successful out-of-town tryout in Denver last summer, The Little Mermaid officially started playing previews Saturday night in preparation for a December 6, 2007 opening. Aside from everything mentioned above, what makes this show such a big deal is that it will be one of two big musicals opening this fall. The other of course being Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein, the follow-up to his 2001 smash The Producers.
Already buzz is being generated that these two shows are the leading contenders for the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, Broadway’s top prize. Each show has their own niche audience and time will tell who comes out on top. For Disney though this show is more than just about an award, it is about once again proving that they have what it takes to a player in the theatre world. In one month the critics on Broadway will have their say and then it is up to the audience, but if history is to repeat itself, than The Little Mermaid could once again prove to be Disney’s saving gem.
The Little Mermaid official website:
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