Is Little Mermaid worth seeing?

[gypsy4]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 10:02am

I love the score but ?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 10:12am

It's not the greatest thing ever but, I think, it has enough redeeming qualities to make it "worth it". I once described TLM as "expensive children's theatre". And, essentially, that's what it is. It is geared for a younger set but it's not "awful". The sets and costumes are wonderful and Sierra is a treasure as Ariel. I would go back now that Faith Prince is in the show but I would not go to a matinee or sit in the front row. Those two things really detracted from my enjoyment of the show. I attended a Wednesday matinee and the children were outrageous. I'm sure I've said before that I was literally kicked in the face by the little girl seated next to me because she was just too young to sit still. And the front row is WAY too close at that theatre. You need to be further back to really get the scope of the sets,

If you want to go I would highly recommend an evening show during the week before school lets out. They have to be slightly better than a matinee.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 10:15am

If I saw the show I would be going with my Grandparents and I don't want it to be ruined by rude audience members (children and mothers with know manners ect.)

[jennamajig]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 10:25am

Definitely go before school lets out for the summer, then. I saw the show last summer, Friday evening (July). Got a student ticket in the last row of the Orchestra. Seat was fine - the distractions, not.

Lots of small children there...I love introducing children to theater (I was introduced myself at 8 ), but I do think that 2 years old isn't old enough for them to remember and enjoy it. And I saw plenty of 2 and 3 year-olds, sitting on cushions that still didn't elevate them high enough to really get a good view of the stage. This led to lots of fidgeting kids and therefore lots of adults were getting up and down to tend them. Being in the back of the Orchestra, I was distracted when many parents got up every five minutes.

I've been to all of the Disney shows, and interestingly enough this was the only one where I found the audience distracting. In Feb, during school vacation week, I was in NYC and saw a Sunday matinee of Mary Poppins. Many children in attendance and all were so well-behaved - I was impressed! Though the difference may have been the age-range. There were really no 2-year-olds at Poppins.

I didn't care for the show (and I love the film and its score!), but it hard for me to make a judgment call on what you might enjoy. I'd book a weeknight performance for you and your grandparents (and there are discounts available right now especially during the week as well).
Updated On: 4/22/09 at 10:25 AM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 10:59am

It's not my favorite, but it's not *completely* awful.

I would definitely recommend orchestra seats as the plexiglass that is supposed to be the waves just looks stupid from the mezz and balcony. I've heard it looks somewhat better from the orchestra.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 11:00am

There is absolutely nothing in The Little Mermaid worth seeing.

[logan0215]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 11:05am

Only if you are a big enough fan of one of the players to go.

I went purely to see Heidi and was happy to do so.

That is all.

[skibumb5290]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 11:20am

YES YES YES it is Amazing but then I love anything by Alan Menken

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 11:44am

It's adorable. Don't go in expecting anything but pure cute, fluffy schlock. I'm a huge sap, so it was right up my alley. The orchestra sounds great and the singing is flawless and it's colorful and cute. That's the only word for it: cute. Not smart. I agree about sitting in the orchestra though. It looks atrocious from the mezzanine. And sitting front row orchestra isn't bad.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 11:54am

"And sitting front row orchestra isn't bad."

I hated the front row. Every time they would lay down on the stage the actors would disappear from view. All I could see was an occasional knee or arm. And I'm not short either. The conductor's head was, literally, right in front of me. My friend commented to me after the show that she just wanted to push his head out of the way. I would think sitting in the middle of the orchestra would be better than being so close.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 12:00pm

Being further back is certainly better. But I've sat front row on the side and it was a good seat.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 12:02pm

Well, maybe the sides are better but front row center should be considered a partial view seat.

[PotO2]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 3:02pm

I would go, if only to form your own opinion of the show. It seems that nobody can decide on a general opinion- some absolutely love it, and there are some who thought it was the worst thing they'd ever seen.

I for one enjoyed it a lot and would recommend it to most people, especially fans of the movie. Sure, it wasn't the best thing I've seen and it isn't without it's issues, but it was definitely entertaining. I'd say go, but then again, it's hard to predict whether someone will like it or not.

[broadway122]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:09pm

Well its no Lion King or Mary Poppins. Little Mermaid is my least favorite Disney on Broadway show.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:15pm

It's either Poppins or mermaid? I have a feeling my Grand parents might like poppins better.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:33pm

See something else. Honestly you and your grand parents would enjoy another show much more. Just skip Disney in general.

If you are to see a Disney show try to aim away from Rear Mezzanine seats or any of the cheaper seats. I went with my school (who were all extremely well behaved to my surprise) but we had AWFUL people around us, they definitely didn't want to spend $120 buck for their kids who couldn't comprehend the show. I think the people who really want to enjoy the show go for the better seats.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:41pm

will see what happens they've never been to a show before so I thought a disney show would be a great first experience. and I'm a huge disney fan.

[amalou]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:54pm

I love Disney movies/shows. I've seen many "bad" shows but I usually find something to enjoy in the show that made it worth my time and money.

Little Mermaid is easily the worst show I've seen. It was the only time I wanted to walk out of a show. I was prepared for it to be very kid-friendly so I knew parts of it would be corny or cheesy. But it was way too much for me to handle. I never cared for one second about anything going on. It was a giant let down.

[LadyDramaturg2]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:54pm

I think it's important to ascertain how old your grandparents are.

If they are my age, they will like The Little Mermaid perfectly well, although I agree with those who caution you about your seat location -- NO ONE wants to put up with rowdy, misbehaving miscreant monsters in adjoining seats.

Let us take a moment to mention, in addition to Maestro Menken's beautiful score, DANNY TROOB's brilliant orchestrations. Kinda like when we say, -- go to West Side Story if only to Hear The Beautiful Music -- likewise this show.

When you say that you think that your grandparents might like Mary Poppins better, it suggests to me that they are a little older, might like something more traditional, and could appreciate a flying, floating nanny special effect better than a show that takes place Under The Sea.

I'm in my mid-50's, and I'd go for Mermaid before Poppins -- (but I'm also not your grandma). Mermaid does have a beautiful score, wonderful singers, -- those are my preferences.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:58pm

Well, why don't you tell them what's out there and a bit about each show and let them decide. If it's a trip for them it should be something they want to see.

39 Steps might be a great idea for them. Or The Marvelous Wonderettes. I took my mom and she loved it. I suspect I'm older than you and my mother's age might be fairly close to that of your grandparents. The songs of MW are all ones she grew up on and loved.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:12pm

I really loved The Little Mermaid, for what it was. I don't think anyone was expecting a great, thought-provoking theatrical masterpiece, but it was fun, sweet, campy, and definitely brightened up... the next month of my life after I saw it.

I saw an evening performance from the second row of the mezz, and the audience was very well-behaved. I think babies cried twice, but they were taken outside. The only show I ever saw with a distracting audience was The Lion King (both times I saw it).

Totally agree with LadyDramaturg that Danny Troob's orchestrations are lovely and sound even better live. And Alan Menken's music is always among my favorite-- I really like the added songs. But I also want to add that the cast is great as well.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:24pm

"I really like the added songs."

Two of my favorite numbers were new ones. What I loved about them was the staging. Positoovity was a wonderful throwback to goofy tap numbers that you just don't see these days and One Step Closer reminded me of something Fred/Ginger or Marge/Gower would do. That's what appealed to me so much about them. They felt they Broadway history rather than something funky and fresh.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:25pm

Schmerg, you should really just change your sig to "I LOVED THE LITTLE MERMAID, DEEEEAAAAL WITH IT".

Love you.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:33pm

my Grandparents are in there 70s I'm trying to find a show that all of us will like.

[jennamajig]

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:35pm

Not sure how old the OP is, but I was going to take my grandparents (in their early 70s) to a current Broadway show, I'd probably take them to South Pacific, as it something they both recognize and would enjoy. Of the Disney shows, I'd pick Mary Poppins, again due to their familarity (and the breath-taking set). But then again, my grandma did introduce me to theater by taking me to family-friendly shows at the Papermill in NJ, so she's been to the theater and I've been exposed to her taste :).