Broadway Legend Joined: 5/9/05
Don't forget "On the Record" - one year.
thespian geek, while I too would have rather seen them close Tarzan, the excuse Schumacher gave is right.
They could never fit The Little Mermaid into the Richard Rogers. It's too small a house for even Tarzan, as it would be for Beauty, so why shove another huge show into such a small house?
I've never been inside the Richard Roger's, so I don't know what size it is and why it's too small for Beauty and the Beast. But you can't tell me that there isn't another theatre open big enough to house The Little Mermaid? I realize the whole bidding process isn't easy, but... it's Disney. I'm sure they could (almost) get any theatre they wanted.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
The Rodgers has a very small back stage area. Disney wants a theater that they can work with, that they've worked with before. The Palace is booked with Blonde (and the Grease producers are ready to suck blood to get that theater if Blonde fails), Mary Poppins isn't going anywhere, and neither is Lion King.
It has an amazing run...im so sorry lizzya9.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/8/06
Its about time it closed.
Thanks for the explaination, Yankee. I didn't get what they meant by the theatre being too small but I didn't even consider backstage area. Makes sense.
Now I'm anxious to hear about "...Mermaid" casting.
There is a god! I am sorry BATB lovers, but that was a pretty pitiful show. Just a slight notch up from an overbloated theme park musical. Hopefully Little Mermaid will be more along the lines of Lion King, reimagined for a broadway show and a more adult audience. This has been a long time coming. Now all Disney has to do is oust Tarzan.
I'd have to say that i'm glad to see it go. I saw it back in November, and I swear to God it was just a horrible experience. I mean, the show was good and all - Sarah and Donny were great - but the audience was just absolutely insane. It was like recess at a daycare, no joke. Although, I guess little kids will be seeing Mermaid as well, at least it won't seem so... (not to be cliche) tired.
Time to euthanize the Beast!
WoOT, thats a relief. I am SO glad it didn't beat ACL, if it did I would have hurt someone
Ohhh! This was my first Broadway show Ah well... On to bigger and greater things... Hopefully
Already have my block of seats for "Mermaid" in Denver!
reimagined for a broadway show and a more adult audience.
Honestly, I really loved the fact that it was pretty much the movie put into live-action on stage. It made me feel like I was a little kid again, and it's not often I get to feel that way. And I think that's the main allure of BatB as a Broadway musical.
/end sap moment
"Disney wants a theater that they can work with, that they've worked with before. "
Yeah, like when Beauty and the Beast was moved out of the Palace and into its current theater to make room for Aida.
Disney is definitely making the right move. I'm glad B&TB had such a great run...I saw it twice and loved it both times. The Little Mermaid is my absolute favorite Disney movie and I hope it proves to be an excellent musical.
(i wonder if Steve Blanchard will walk through the final performance...sorry, i couldn't resist)
"Keeping “Tarzan” going on Broadway is good for the non-Broadway “Tarzan” franchise"
Grrrr.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/05
It feels weird seeing Beauty and the Beast and Closing in one sentence...13 years is an incredible run, though.
I am excited about Little Mermaid, but I am really upset about them closing Beauty and the Beast. I love this show, and I was so little. It was my first show. But, I am happy about the new show. If it sucks, I will be attacking someone. I haven't really picked anyone yet.
But you must admit that Lion King got it right by keeping that spirit of the film, but updating the aesthetic by the use of the puppets/masks. BATB, while it may prove sentimental to some in its literal translation of the movie, would have been better in my opinion with a reimagining for the stage. It's just like the failure or success of recent movie musicals. The success is dependant on the filmmakers willingness to succumb to the specific medium and reinterpret the material to fit that style.
WAT, I was thinking the same thing.
Who do you all think that the closing cast will be?
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
Anyone can question the decision about moving it to the Fontanne, but just remember what played before Beauty. The stage tilted and sunk!
Broadway Star Joined: 10/14/06
Oh my gosh - this is the saddest thing ever. B&tB is so close to my heart, it's what got me into theatre in the first place. I can't believe I won't be seeing it again = (
Ironically, I have seen 3 commercials for this in the past hour on TV!
BATB, while it may prove sentimental to some in its literal translation of the movie, would have been better in my opinion with a reimagining for the stage.
I don't think 13 years of audience members would really agree with that. Anyway, I have yet to see The Lion King so I can't aruge your point with that reimagining. Though I'll be seeing the tour at the end of the month, so maybe I'll get back to you on that one, lol.
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