Little Mermaid 7/15 Review

[caitlinette]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 10:49am

The Little Mermaid: July 15, 7 PM
Meredith Inglesby as Ursula
Julie Barnes as Carlotta

My first Broadway show, and I was both giddy and worried, hoping that Sierra and Sean wouldn’t be out, that the audience wouldn’t be full of misbehaved kids, etc. I was in luck! There was a group of about 50 people in the rear that were extremely excited and they seemed to encouraged the rest of us to show our own excitement. When the pre-show announcement said, "And now, enjoy The Little Mermaid!" a deafening roar went up and I got chills all over as the orchestra began playing. The whole experience was more than I can really describe, but here are my notes:

Sean was unengaging at first, but when he met Ariel he really came alive: that may be an acting choice of his to show how Ariel changed his life and was truly special. I chose to look at it that way. I loved how Eric compared Ariel to other princesses. It made me realize why she was unique and added dimension to their relationship. I think I definitely like the way the show handles their relationship; it moves beyond his obsession with her voice and shows how they’re meant for each other: both independent dreamers wishing for freedom to live their own lives, Ariel on land, Eric free to sail the seas. Sean’s "Her Voice" felt especially focused; Eric was clearly bewitched, bothered and bewildered and deep in thought.

Sierra was brilliant. She is ethereal, shimmering, charming, adorable, and spot-on as Ariel. I saw her in Las Vegas as Christine and she was the main reason for my seeing the show. What a joy to watch! I do feel like she needs to be allowed to break out of her rather delicate inflection and characterization, though. It’s hard playing a Disney princess because there are many times when you have to sit and be smiling or act amazed, or just have that really open and sweet thing going on, and I feel like Sierra is more talented than that. The times when she did break out of it – teasing Flounder about being a guppy, or threatening Ursula with her shell – I really felt Sierra’s potential as an actress as well as Ariel’s spunk. Her "If Only" was very soft and desperate and Ariel’s emotions shone clearly.

I’ve seen so many clips of Sherie as Ursula that I was delighted to be seeing Meredith fill in for her – not that I dislike Sherie, but I was worried I would feel like I already knew what she was going to do before it happened. The first thing I thought when I heard her voice was that it reminded me of Bernadette Peters, and this continued throughout the show. Merideth’s voice is so strong and clear -- maybe even more so than Sherie’s, though I can’t really say since I haven’t heard her live – and it was thrilling to hear her let loose on the high notes. She basically did everything I’ve seen from Sherie but with a different sense of ironic humor. I don’t really know what that term means but it feels right to describe it that way. Her voice, however, was almost too young and pretty for me to believe her as Ursula. I felt like she could have understudied Ariel and gotten away with it. She’s obviously a very beautiful woman with a fabulous voice. When it comes down to it, I’m just not sold on this new Ursula that the Broadway team has created. I at least wish they would get someone grittier, bigger, and badder in the role. I felt like I was seeing Cruela de Ville, ocean-style.

Random stuff:

Flotsam and Jetsam are some mighty divalicious eels! I swear, Tyler Maynard’s voice reminds me a bit of Sherie’s in this role.

Brian D’addario was perfect as Flounder. He was so genuine and never overacted or tuned out. His "I didn’t know it was love until the second chorus!" was brilliantly delivered and had everyone laughing. His voice brought the house down.

Sierra and Sean have awesome chemistry!

Kay Trinidad stood out among the mersisters, though all of them looked like they were having fun, as did Tituss as Sebastian. He felt very fresh and energetic and the audience went nuts for him.

I see what others have been saying about Ariel’s body double: you definitely notice that she’s bigger than Sierra. This is no fault of Michelle Lookado, who’s in great shape; it’s just that Sierra is so tiny. I saw her at the stage door and didn’t even recognize her; seriously, the girl looks about 15. Thumbelina, the Musical?

A few times I could see through the stage right wings (drapes?) and backstage where a bright light was shining and I could see actors moving around or standing after their exit. I don’t know if this is normal or not.

Thank God they changed Ariel’s contest dress from that giant sleeveless blue marshmallow thing she had to wear before! The new dress looks like the one from the movie and is very flattering. I’m still not a fan of the plastic-y, clunky shoes she wears, but the blue dress…Yes!

Ariel and Triton clearly have issues and clash often. There needs to be more frustration and tension between them. I never quite felt that. The role of Triton seems like a fairly thankless role and I feel bad for Norm Lewis. I hate to criticize him because I just love him as a person, but I wanted more from him. More of that powerful, proud, and slightly weary thing that Triton had in the film. When he said, when learning from Sebastian what trouble Ariel was in on land, "Ariel, what have you gotten yourself into now?" he sounded merely angry rather than panicked or frustrated with himself for not watching out for her more.

Lastly, I love Sebastian’s line about "How can a little mermaid..." during "If Only". Instead of, "This is a story about a little mermaid” it’s now "A story of how a little mermaid was able to do what she did – overcoming all odds". And that wasn’t capturing a prince with her singing, it was with her beautiful and determined spirit.

I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the show after reading so much criticism and myself not liking a lot of the costumes and sets, but seeing it live was so much better than seeing it on YewToob!! I loved it loved it loved it.

I've got reviews of Gypsy, Lion King, and South Pacific on the way.

[mikeyb16]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 12:04pm

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[sally1112]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 12:12pm

Glad you enjoyed it. I feel the same way as you on a number of points, except I went mainly to see SRS so if she'd been out I would not have handled it as well as you did.

I think all the negative things said about LM actually help it. People make it sound like it is going to be equivalent to watching The Helen Keller High School of Performing Arts put on a production of Cats in Dante's lowest chamber of Hell. When one goes in expecting this-- there is really no where to go but up.

[Kev14]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 12:13pm

I am really glad you enjoyed the show. I saw it in Denver before any of the reviews came out on it. I definately thought the show was better than critics gave it. And it is so true, you tube does not do justice to this show.